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Blog posts tagged with 'General Electric'

Replacing Bottles in GE Magneblast Switchgear

Replacing Bottles in GE Magneblast Switchgear

 

The General Electric Magneblast is one of those iconic circuit breakers that if you spend any time in or around switchgear, you will have reason to deal with them. Manufactured from the 1950's through the early 1970's, they are usually found in large manufacturing facilities, from automotive plants to steel mills to repurposed properties that once had high volume production runs of one kind or another. It is sometimes called a "vertical lift" breaker. It is characterized by a unit that rolls into an enclosure and then lifted vertically into place and then connected to the line and load side by means of a vertical lift mechanism.

With ratings from 2.4kV through 15kV, frame sizes of 600, 1200, 2000 and even 3000 amp and interrupting ratings from 50MVA to 1000MVA, these breakers cover almost every conceivable industrial, commercial and utility application. Documentation for most of these frames can be found on our website www.npeinc.com/resources  or by contacting NPE personnel with specific requests at info@npeinc.com, 800-647-0815 or by fax 216-898-2684, yes, we still have one!

 


We have found over time, the original "tar pitch" that was used to insulate the primary conductor in the center of the primary disconnect bottle has outlived its useful lifespan. It can crack and absorb moisture and loosen the connection inside and eventually lead to catastrophic failure. That's where NPE and our experience can help to increase the safe, useful lifespan of your switchgear with our repotting program.

 

 

Regardless of what your GE Magneblast breaker and switchgear needs are, you will find that NPE has "The right part, at the right price, right now!"

National Power Equipment, Inc. is your one stop shop for air and vacuum circuit breakers, switchgear, primary switches, motor starters and of course, parts!

 

AKD 5 Switchgear

One of the our more common customer requests is for replacement cell cradles for AKD 5, commonly called AK-2A switchgear. This switchgear marked an advancement in the General Electric AK product line because it allowed for a "closed door draw out" design. This design helps to protect the operator from flashes because the breaker is withdrawn from the primary stabs with the door closed, giving the operator a degree of protection.

The original design was called the "lanyard" design and it used a system of cables that when pulled ratcheted the breaker into the disconnect position. This system was later replaced with the more reliable "jackscrew" design and it was used up through the end of the AKD 5 life cycle.

Today, we receive requests for both lanyard replacements as well as jackscrew replacements due to normal aging. All of our replacements are given our "Class One" rebuild workscope. which includes disassembly to the component level, removal of factory finishes to the base metal, fresh zinc plating and paint along with new bushings, bearings and labels.

The result is a fresh, like-new product that returns the moving parts of the customers switchgear to be as safe and reliable as it was when it was produced by the factory.

Please give us a call, send us an email or fax and we'll be happy to walk you through the process and supply a quote that will upgrade your existing gear, save you downtime and not break the bank.

AKD Switchgear and Breaker Interchangeability

 

When General Electric came out in 1946 with the AKD breaker and switchgear line, it represented a shift forward to a newer emerging technology. Moving away from oil filled dash pots and breakers mounted to pieces of slate of various sizes and very little standardization of buss configuration, AKD switchgear and breakers were a much-needed step in the right direction. 

Highlights of the product line include:

  • Standard frame sizes of 225, 600, 1600, 3000 and 4000 amps.
  • Individual poles mounted to a standard steel frame for each frame size.
  • Electro-mechanical type EC1 trip units which relied on spring tension to set up and adjust trip settings.
  • A mechanical levering in mechanism to aid the operator in installing and removing draw out elements from the cabinet.
  • Typical model numbers designated each frame size. 
    • AK 1 15 for 225 amp
    • AK 1 25 for 600 amp
    • AK 1 50 for 1600 amp
    • AK 1 75 for 3000 amp
    • AK 1 100 for 4000 amp

Breaking Down AKD Model Numbers Designation

The designation of 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 indicates the breaker's potential ability to interrupt a fault in amps. For example, an AK-1-50 is a 1600-amp maximum continuous amperage frame that would interrupt up to 50,000 amps in a fault. While the AK-1-50 was designed to run at a continuous 1600 amps load, EC1 trip units would often be installed with lower ratings and would allow engineers to derate individual breakers to say 600 amp and 800 amp, while still maintaining the 50Ka interrupt rating.

Dash numbers at the end of the model number indicate vintage changes which may change on board parts interchangeability but the breakers themselves, aside from the specific size of the EC1 trip units are all interchangeable. For example, an AK-1-25-1 may not look like an AK-1-25-9 but they are completely interchangeable if they have the same trip unit installed.

Notable Improvements for AKD Switchgear and Breakers Over Time That May Affect Interchangeability

In 1955 General Electric made improvements to the product line but kept the newer breakers interchangeable with the older breakers. While still considered type AKD switchgear and breakers, the breakers themselves had a name change to AK-2-15, AK-2-25, AK-2-50 and so forth.

Minor improvements came with the series overcurrent trip units which are now called EC2 and EC2A, but the major improvement was a spring charged mechanism which allowed for much faster opening and closing of the breakers and improved contact structures making them more reliable. The levering in mechanism also changed – while they might look different, they remained interchangeable with the older AK-1 series breakers.

The other major technology improvement cam from the option of adding fuses to each individual pole which improved the interrupt ability of the breaker to 200,000 amps regardless of base frame size. The designation for these breakers added an "U" to the model number, such as AKU-2-25 and AKU-2-50. The switchgear for these fused breakers was specially made and while still considered type AKD breakers, they have no interchangeability with the older AK-1 style breakers. GEH-1830A Manual

 

 

       AK-1-25                                                               AK-2-25

In 1960, improvements and changes to the product line include AKD 5 switchgear around with breaker frames designated as AK-2A-25, AK-2A-50 and so forth. These are often confused by field technicians who miss the detailed model number and just refer to the breaker as an AK-25 or an AK-50.

The best way to specify any of these breakers is in a series of photos which include a shot of the breaker overall, one of the trip unit and one of each nameplate (there are two on electrically operated breakers). Also, list any known extra accessories, such as an undervoltage trip or a bell alarm – you can also send photos showing them. GEK-7302 Manual

 

               AK-2-25                                                      AK-2A-25

When this information is relayed to your sales team, info@npeinc.com at National Power Equipment, you can be sure that you will receive "The right equipment, at the right price, right now!"

News from NPE's Product Improvement Center: General Electric Limitamp Close Coils

GENERAL ELECTRIC LIMITAMP CLOSE COILS

 

OEM #: 1D300G102 115VAC / NPE Part #: 100002084

OEM #: 1D300G124 230VAC / NPE Part #: 100001714

OEM #: 1D300G144 230VDC / NPE Part #: 100002104

OEM #: 1D300G152 76VDC  /  NPE Part #: 100002094

Today, we are spotlighting the General Electric Limitamp Medium Voltage Motor Starter Close Coils. This part which has been custom manufactured through an exclusive contract with NPE, it is available in a variety of both AC and DC control voltages.

Please specify the correct voltage or part number when ordering. These listings and other General Electric parts can be found at: https://www.npeinc.com/ge-general-electric.

 

 

This part is often sold with a new Limitamp Pole Shader https://www.npeinc.com/ic-pole-shader, OEM Part #: 284A962P2 for contactors with AC coils and armatures. NPE P/N 100001444.

This product and all of the products in the Aftermarket Parts Store https://www.npeinc.com/aftermarket-parts can be purchased online or through your normal purchasing channels. As always, our motto "The right part, at the right price, right now!"

Part number used to reference original OEM's for identification purposes only. They are not manufactured, endorsed or warrantied by OEM.

 

News from NPE's Product Improvement Center: GE VB VB1 Powervac Secondary

Today, we are spotlighting the General Electric Secondary Disconnect Block for Type VB and VB1 Powervac Circuit Breakers. This is the black power plug that is mounted on the back of the breaker that mates with another in the cell to bring control power to open and close the breaker. In our day to day sales of breakers, we have noticed an inherent problem with this part cracking at the ends in the area of the guide holes. Closer inspection revealed the issue to be the voids in the original mold that allowed the plastic to crack when under day to day stress.

 

            

     Block in cell                           Block in breaker                                         Damaged Block                                                                     

 

 

We’ve eliminated this issue with our fiber reinforced material and designed a mold that eliminates the voids for a much stronger product. The most common application that we’ve seen for this product is to replace cracked/damaged blocks that are discovered during routine or periodic maintenance. After de-energizing the circuit, simply mark the wires according to the numbering on the front of the block, pop the contacts out with our contact removal tool, re-insert the contacts in the correct order and reinstall the block.  A quick simple fix and one you should never have to do again, at least not on this unit. In other cases, when wiring needs to be changed or replaced we offer replacement contacts with the block and we also offer the blocks with the wiring harness installed. We keep a limited supply, approximately 10-12 of these parts, on hand for same or next day shipments and we can ramp production up for more if you are anticipating issues with an upcoming outage.

 

NPE’S GE VB VB1 Powervac Secondary Disconnect New Aftermarket Parts List:

                                                                                                           

P/N 100002954 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK (BREAKER SIDE)

*OEM 0209B3579G001

  

           front                            back

P/N 100002974 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK WITH CONTACTS (BREAKER SIDE)

*OEM 0209B3579G001 block OEM 0282A2081P001 contact

 

P/N 100002984 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK WITH 4 FT. OF WIRING HARNESS (BREAKER SIDE)

*OEM 0209B3579G001

 

P/N 100003244 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK CONTACT (BREAKER SIDE)

*OEM  0282A2081P001

 

P/N 100003014 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK (CELL SIDE)

*OEM  0209B4052G009

 

      front                                  back

P/N 100003024 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK WITH CONTACTS (CELL SIDE)

*OEM 0209B4052G009 block OEM 0282A2081P002 contact

 

P/N 100003034 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK WITH 8 FT. WIRING HARNESS (CELL SIDE)

*OEM 0209B4052G009

 

 

 

P/N 100003494 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT BLOCK ASSEMBLY KIT (CELL SIDE)

 

 

P/N 100003254 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT CONTACT (CELL SIDE)

*OEM  0282A2081P002

 

P/N 100002994 VB VB1 SECONDARY DISCONNECT CONTACT REMOVAL TOOL 

 

DATA SHEET

 

*Part numbers used to reference original OEM's for identification purposes only. They are not manufactured, endorsed or warranted by OEM.

 

This is just one of the many solutions to day to day issues that NPE can help you with. For more, visit https://www.npeinc.com/aftermarket-parts. If you still don’t see what you are looking for, give us a call and we’ll try to custom engineer a solution for just for you. We make our aftermarket parts betterstronger and get them to you faster!

 

Watch for NPE’s next spotlight in our Product Improvement Center’s series of blogs.

Magne-Blast Bottle Repotting

Magne-Blast Switchgear maintenance requires more than care and upgrading of the circuit breakers.

Our Repotting Program