The electricity distribution utilities in the state of Rajasthan had a few ongoing issues – blasting of surge arresters, procurement of multiple equipment for a single distribution pole, and reliability of the system.
We got together with the end-users and understood the key reasons behind these issues. After concluding that the surge arresters’ current carrying capacity was inadequate – the possibility of combining it with the switch and the drop-out fuse seemed like a possibility.
This is how the 11kV Switch Fuse Unit was born in 2006. A combination of a 9kV 10kA arrester, the air break switch and the drop out fuse – all mounted on a single base hence making the use of connecting conductors and clamps redundant. Moreover, it saved space, led to a single purchase instead of 3 (hence reducing procurement time), and reduced the steel-work required for each pole.