Medium voltage switchgear or control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a medium voltage switchgear or control device, comprising:-at least one first compartment (1, 2, 4); -a cable compartment (3, 10, 20); a plurality of main switching devices or control device assemblies; and a plurality of auxiliary switching devices or control device assemblies. A plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies includes a main bus system, a circuit breaker, and a first connector (31). A plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies are configured to be housed in at least one portion of the at least one first compartment. A plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device assemblies includes a medium voltage cable and a second connector (30). A plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device assemblies are configured to be housed in the cable compartment. The second connector is configured to connect to the first connector to connect the medium voltage cable in the cable compartment to an assembly (12) of the plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies. The cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the at least one first compartment, and wherein the cable compartment is configured to be spatially separated from the at least one first compartment, and wherein the disconnection of the cable compartment from the at least one first compartment comprises the disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number “202180023450.0” and filing date 26 / 03 / 2021, having the title “Medium voltage switchgear or control device”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a medium voltage switchgear or control device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Installation of medium voltage switchgear (also called panel or control device) at substation construction site is a complex and time consuming task, where the main task involves installation of power cables into each panel. Such medium voltage power cables are quite hard and not easy to bend, thus pulling, bending, terminating and connecting to the medium voltage panel in the given limited space of such panel is difficult and time consuming.

[0004] Figure 1 An example of today’s typical medium voltage panel structure is shown. The switchgear (also called panel) is divided into several compartments and the cables are connected at the bottom of the switchgear. The switchgear has a circuit breaker compartment 1, a busbar compartment 2, a cable compartment 3 and a low voltage compartment 4. During installation of such switchgear at substation construction site, the switchgear is first placed in the final position and then the cable installation starts. The other way around is not possible, as the cables can be damaged, can not fit the required length and / or the switchgear needs a complex lifting mechanism. As the space inside the cable compartment is very limited, pulling, terminating and connecting the medium voltage cables to the switchgear terminals is a tedious task, thus such assembly requires skilled workers and is time consuming. Alternative switchgear arrangement has reduced or smaller width of the switchgear and the cable connections are in vertical arrangement. This further aggravates the cable installation, as the narrower width of the switchgear makes the cable installation more complex and difficult due to the limited space.

[0005] There is a need to address these problems. SUMMARY

[0006] It would therefore be advantageous to have an improved technique of connecting medium voltage cables to a medium voltage switchgear.

[0007] In a first aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switchgear or control device, comprising: - at least one first compartment; - a cable compartment; - a plurality of main switchgear or control device components; and - a plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components.

[0008] The plurality of main switchgear or controlgear assemblies comprises a main busbar system, and / or a circuit breaker or disconnector, and a first connector. The plurality of main switchgear or controlgear assemblies is configured to be housed in at least one portion of the at least one first compartment. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or controlgear assemblies comprises a medium voltage cable, and a second connector. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or controlgear assemblies is configured to be housed in the cable compartment. The second connector is configured to be connected to the first connector to connect the medium voltage cable in the cable compartment to an assembly of the plurality of main switchgear or controlgear assemblies. The cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the at least one first compartment, and the cable compartment is configured to be spatially separated from the at least one first compartment. The disconnection of the cable compartment from the at least one first compartment comprises a disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

[0009] In this way, a new switchgear or controlgear design is provided that enables the cable compartment of a medium voltage switchgear or controlgear to be separated from the main body of the switchgear. Thus, when the cable compartment is separated from the main body of the switchgear, the respective assemblies of the cable compartment can be installed first, thereby allowing the cable to be installed more easily in the absence of the entire panel. Access from the side or sides that are currently blocked by the medium voltage switchgear panel is also facilitated, thereby allowing more than one person to work on the cable installation simultaneously, and generally making such installation easier and faster. Once the cable is connected, the main body of the medium voltage panel can be attached to the cable compartment.

[0010] In an example, the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear is configured to provide an arc-proof outer surface when the cable compartment is connected to the at least one first compartment.

[0011] In an example, the cable compartment is configured to enable maintenance access from at least one side when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0012] In an example, the plurality of auxiliary switchgear or controlgear assemblies comprises a cable connection rod connected at a first end to the second connector and at a second end to the medium voltage cable. The cable connection rod is configured to be held in a connected position by a holder. The cable connection rod can be made of copper. However, the cable connection rod can be made of any suitable kind of electrically conductive material (e.g. copper, aluminum, brass, etc.) having sufficient mechanical strength.

[0013] In an example, the holder is configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

[0014] In an example, the cable connection rod is configured to be held in a connected position by the holder when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0015] In an example, the cable connection rod is configured to be held in the connected position by a holder when the cable compartment is connected to the at least one first compartment.

[0016] In an example, the holder is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear.

[0017] In an example, a support template within the cable compartment is configured to secure the holder at a defined position.

[0018] In an example, the template is configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

[0019] In an example, the template is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear.

[0020] In an example, the first connector is directly connected or is part of a component of a plurality of main switchgear or controlgear components.

[0021] In an example, the at least one first compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

[0022] In an example, the first connector comprises a threaded hole within the component and the second connector comprises a threaded rod.

[0023] In an example, the first connector comprises a threaded rod within the component and the second connector comprises a threaded hole.

[0024] In a second aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switchgear or controlgear comprising: - at least one first compartment; - a cable compartment; - a plurality of main switchgear or controlgear components; and - a plurality of auxiliary switchgear or controlgear components.

[0025] The plurality of main switching device or controlgear components comprises a main busbar system, circuit breakers. The plurality of main switching device or controlgear components is configured to be housed in at least one portion of the at least one first compartment. The plurality of auxiliary switching device or controlgear components comprises a medium voltage cable. The plurality of auxiliary switching device or controlgear components is configured to be housed in a cable compartment. The cable compartment comprises a first portion and a second portion. A first portion of the medium voltage cable and a first connector are configured to be housed in the first portion of the cable compartment. A second portion of the medium voltage cable and a second connector are configured to be housed in the second portion of the cable compartment. The second connector is configured to be connected to the first connector to connect the medium voltage cable to components of the plurality of main switching device or controlgear components. The second portion of the cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment. The disconnection of the second portion of the cable compartment from the first portion of the cable compartment comprises a disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

[0026] In other words, it is not necessary to disconnect the entire cable compartment, only a portion of the cable compartment needs to be disconnected.

[0027] The above aspects and examples will become apparent and elucidated from the embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 A schematic illustration of a typical medium voltage switching device is shown; Fig. 2 shows an example of a new design of a switching device, wherein a portion of the cable compartment can be separated from other portions of the switching device; Fig. 3 shows an example of a new design of a switching device, wherein the cable compartment can be separated from other portions of the switching device; Fig. 4 shows an example of a new design of a switching device, wherein the cable compartment can be separated from other portions of the switching device; and Figure 5 An example of a new design of a switching device, wherein the cable compartment can be separated from other portions of the switching device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figs. 2 to 5 relate to a new design of a medium voltage switching device or controlgear.

[0030] According to an example, the medium voltage switchgear or control device comprises at least one first compartment, a cable compartment 3, a plurality of main switchgear or control device components, and a plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components. The plurality of main switchgear or control device components comprises a main busbar system and / or a circuit breaker or disconnector and a first connector 31. The plurality of main switchgear or control device components is configured to be accommodated in at least one portion of the at least one first compartment. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components comprises a medium voltage cable and a second connector 30. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components is configured to be accommodated in the cable compartment. The second connector is configured to be connected to the first connector to connect the medium voltage cable in the cable compartment to the component 12 of the plurality of main switchgear or control device components. The cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the at least one first compartment and the cable compartment is configured to be spatially separated from the at least one first compartment. The disconnection of the cable compartment from the at least one first compartment comprises a disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

[0031] According to an example, the medium voltage switchgear or control device is configured to provide an arc-proof outer surface when the cable compartment is connected to the at least one first compartment.

[0032] According to an example, the cable compartment is configured to enable maintenance access from at least one side when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0033] Thus, if the cable compartment is disconnected from the rest of the switchgear, it will become accessible from this side. However, the cable compartment can also have a removable back wall or side wall, and in this case, the cable compartment can be accessible from both sides.

[0034] In an example, the cable compartment is configured to enable human maintenance / installation access from at least one side when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0035] In an example, the cable compartment is configured to enable robotic maintenance / installation access from at least one side when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0036] According to an example, the plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components comprises a cable connection rod connected at a first end to the second connector and at a second end to the medium voltage cable. The holder 11 is configured to hold the cable connection rod in a connected position. Thus, the cable connection rod is configured to be held in the connected position by the holder 11.

[0037] According to an example, the holder is configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

[0038] According to an example, the holder 11 is configured to hold the cable connection rod in the connection position when the cable compartment is disconnected from and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment. Thus, the cable connection rod is configured to be held in the connection position by the holder 11.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in an example, the holder 11 is removed when the cable compartment is connected to the rest of the switchgear.

[0040] According to an example, the holder is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or control device.

[0041] According to an example, the support template 13 within the cable compartment is configured to fix the holder 11 at a defined position.

[0042] According to an example, the template 13 and the holder 11 are configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

[0043] According to an example, the template is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or control device.

[0044] According to an example, the first connector 31 is directly connected to a component 12 of the plurality of main switchgear or control device components.

[0045] According to an example, the at least one first compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

[0046] In an example, the plurality of compartments comprises a circuit breaker room 1, a busbar room 2 and a low voltage room 4.

[0047] According to an example, the first connector 31 comprises a threaded hole within the component 12 and the second connector 30 comprises a screw.

[0048] According to an example, the first connector 31 comprises a screw within the component 12 and the second connector 30 comprises a threaded hole.

[0049] Figures 2 to 5 also relate to a medium voltage switchgear or control device comprising at least one first compartment, a cable compartment 3, a plurality of main switchgear or control device components, and a plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components. The plurality of main switchgear or control device components comprises a main busbar system, a circuit breaker. The plurality of main switchgear or control device components is configured to be housed in at least one portion of the at least one first compartment. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components comprises a medium voltage cable. The plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components is configured to be housed in the cable compartment. The cable compartment comprises a first portion 10 and a second portion. A first portion of the medium voltage cable and a first connector 31 is configured to be housed in the first portion of the cable compartment. A second portion of the medium voltage cable and a second connector 30 is configured to be housed in the second portion of the cable compartment. The second connector is configured to be connected to the first connector to connect the medium voltage cable to a component 12 of the plurality of main switchgear or control device components. The second portion of the cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment. The disconnection of the second portion of the cable compartment from the first portion of the cable compartment comprises a disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

[0050] In an example, the first portion of the cable compartment is fixedly attached or connected to the at least one first compartment.

[0051] In an example, the medium voltage switchgear or control device is configured to provide an arc-proof outer surface when the second portion of the cable compartment is connected to the first portion of the cable compartment.

[0052] In an example, the second portion of the cable compartment is configured to enable maintenance access from at least one side when the second portion of the cable compartment is disconnected from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0053] In an example, the second portion of the cable compartment is configured to enable human maintenance access from at least one side when the second portion of the cable compartment is disconnected from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0054] In an example, the second portion of the cable compartment is configured to enable robotic maintenance access from at least one side when the second portion of the cable compartment is disconnected from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first portion of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment.

[0055] In an example, the plurality of auxiliary switchgear or controlgear components comprises a cable connection rod in the second part of the cable compartment, which cable connection rod is connected at a first end to the second connector and at a second end to the second part of the medium voltage cable. The holder 11 is configured to hold the cable connection rod at a location indicative of the connection position. Thus, the cable connection rod is configured to be held at the connection position by the holder 11.

[0056] In an example, the holder is configured to be removed from the second part of the cable compartment.

[0057] In an example, the holder 11 is configured to hold the cable connection rod at the connection position when the second part of the cable compartment is disconnected from the first part of the cable compartment and spatially separated from the first part of the cable compartment and the at least one first compartment. Thus, the cable connection rod is configured to be held at the connection position by the holder 11.

[0058] In an example, in the connection position, the cable is fixed to the component 12 of the plurality of main switchgear or controlgear components.

[0059] In an example, the holder is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear.

[0060] In an example, a support template 13 within the second part of the cable compartment is configured to fix the holder 11 at the defined position.

[0061] In an example, the template can also be configured to be removed from the second part of the cable compartment.

[0062] In an example, the template is compatible with medium voltage operations within the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear.

[0063] In an example, the at least one first compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

[0064] In an example, the plurality of compartments comprises a circuit breaker room 1, a busbar room 2 and a low voltage room 4.

[0065] In an example, the first connector 31 comprises a threaded hole within the component 12 and the second connector 30 comprises a threaded rod.

[0066] In an example, the first connector 31 comprises a threaded rod within the component 12 and the second connector 30 comprises a threaded hole.

[0067] The new design of the medium voltage switchgear or controlgear is further described in specific details, with reference again to Figs. 2 to 5.

[0068] As discussed above, the new design of the medium voltage switchgear is able to separate at least one part of the cable compartment for connecting the medium voltage cable to the medium voltage switchgear.

[0069] Depending on the construction and internal structure of the switchgear, the cable compartment can be completely separated from the switchgear or the separable piece can be a dedicated part of the cable compartment, see for example Fig. 2, which shows an example of a partially separated cable compartment of a medium voltage switchgear.

[0070] As the rest of the medium voltage switchgear needs to be connected to the separable piece of the cable compartment during full installation, the design of such separable piece allows for the correct interconnection between the walls of the separable cable compartment and the rest of the switchgear for the primary circuit. The fully assembled switchgear then ensures the parameters and functionality required for the switchgear, for example the internal arc requirements, safety standards and customer specifications are then met.

[0071] The new design can also be used with a reduced width switchgear and this can be implemented in several different embodiments.

[0072] An example of such a separable cable compartment solution for a narrow switchgear design is shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the cable compartment separation is shown in a panel cross-section at Figure 3b ) and a rear view at Figure 3c ).

[0073] Another example of such separation is shown in Fig. 4, where the height at 4a is the same as the height at 4b. The cables are fixed in place using a limited number of parts of the cable compartment and a one-time template, keeping the parts in the correct position, so there is no need to separate the closed structure of the cable compartment. Such parts include the floor 14 of the cable compartment, including cable fixation means, temporary holders 11 for each phase and support templates 13 that fix the temporary holders in the required position. The remaining parts of the cable compartment can be delivered when assembling the rest of the switchgear, i.e. the closed structure of the cable compartment. The temporary holders and support structure can either keep a part of the cable compartment during maintenance (and such case is for example made of insulating material) or all holders 11 and templates 13 are removed after the power cables are terminated and connected and either before or after the cable connection bars are assembled to the rest of the switchgear. This example allows for comfortable access for cable installation from the front side, rear side, top side and both lateral sides.

[0074] Figure 5 An example of separating the entire cable compartment, including its primary circuit and all enclosures, from the rest of the switchgear is shown. The separation in this example introduces an additional (preferably removable, but can also be bolted) connection on the primary circuit, which will allow the primary circuit of the cable compartment to be connected to the primary circuit of the rest of the switchgear during installation.

[0075] In all variants, the cable compartment can be delivered long time before the rest of the switchgear and the components installed therein, thus alleviating the time burden associated with the cable installation work, as well as making the installation simpler.

[0076] While the application has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered illustrative or exemplary only and not restrictive. The application is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practising the claimed application, from an study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A medium-voltage switchgear or control device, comprising: - At least one first compartment (1, 2, 4); - Cable compartments (3, 10, 20); - Multiple main switchgear or control unit components; and - Multiple auxiliary switching devices or control unit components; The plurality of main switchgear or control device components include a main bus system, and / or a circuit breaker or disconnector, and a first connector (31). The plurality of main switching equipment or control device components are configured to be housed in at least a portion of the at least one first compartment; The plurality of auxiliary switching devices or control device components include a medium-voltage cable and a second connector (30); The plurality of auxiliary switching devices or control unit components are configured to be housed within the cable compartment; The second connector is configured to connect to the first connector to connect the medium-voltage cable in the cable compartment to the assembly (12) of the plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies. and The cable compartment is configured to be disconnected from the at least one first compartment, and the cable compartment is configured to be spatially separated from the at least one first compartment, and the disconnection of the cable compartment from the at least one first compartment includes the disconnection of the first connector from the second connector.

2. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to claim 1, wherein when the cable compartment is connected to the at least one first compartment, the medium-voltage switchgear or control device is configured to provide an arc-resistant outer surface.

3. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment, the cable compartment is configured to enable maintenance access from at least one side.

4. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of auxiliary switchgear or control device components include a cable connecting rod connected at a first end to the second connector and at a second end to the medium-voltage cable, and wherein the cable connecting rod is configured to be held in a connected position by a retainer (11).

5. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to claim 4, wherein the retainer is configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

6. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein when the cable compartment is disconnected from the at least one first compartment and spatially separated from the at least one first compartment, the cable connecting rod is configured to be held in the connected position by the retainer (11).

7. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when the cable compartment is connected to the at least one first compartment, the cable connecting rod is configured to be held in the connection position by the retainer (11).

8. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the retainer is compatible with medium-voltage operation within the medium-voltage switchgear or control device.

9. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the support template (13) in the cable compartment is configured to fix the retainer (11) in a defined position.

10. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to claim 9, wherein the template is configured to be removed from the cable compartment.

11. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the template is compatible with medium-voltage operation within the medium-voltage switchgear or control device.

12. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first connector (31) is directly connected to the component (12) of the plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies, or is a part of the component (12) of the plurality of main switchgear or control device assemblies.

13. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one first compartment comprises a plurality of compartments (1, 2, 4).

14. The medium-voltage switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first connector (31) includes a threaded hole within the assembly (12) and the second connector (30) includes a screw; or wherein the first connector (31) includes a screw within the assembly (12) and the second connector (30) includes a threaded hole.

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