VD4

Medium voltage vacuum circuit-breaker

for primary distribution

VD4: Innovation within continuity

Innovation, continuity and reliability

Current interruption in vacuum

The new series of VD4 vacuum circuit-breakers is

The vacuum circuit-breaker does not require an

born from the experience and collaboration of the

two most important MV circuit-breaker facilities in

interrupting and insulating medium. In fact, the

interrupter does not contain ionisable material.

the world. The new VD4 are a synthesis of the

renowned German technology in designing and

In any case, on separation of the contacts a metal

vapour arc is generated made up exclusively of

constructing vacuum interrupters embedded in

resin poles, and of Italian excellency in design,

melted and vaporised contact material.

The metal vapour only remains supported by the

engineering and production of circuit-breakers.

The VD4 medium voltage circuit-breakers use

external energy until the current is cancelled in

the vicinity of natural zero. At that instant, the

vacuum interrupters embedded in resin poles.

Embedding the interrupter in resin makes the

rapid reduction in the load density carried and

the rapid condensation of the metallic vapour,

circuit-breaker poles particularly sturdy and

protects the interrupter against shocks and

leads to extremely rapid recovery of the dielectric

properties. The vacuum interrupter therefore

dielectric strength limitation due to accumulation

of dust and humidity. The vacuum interrupter

recovers the insulating capacity and the capacity

to withstand the transient return voltage, defini-

houses the contacts and makes up the interrupting

chamber.

tively extinguishing the arc.

Since high dielectric strength can be reached in

1
1
2

5
5
6

6
7

8
9

10

9
10

Vacuum interrupter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Stem/terminal
Twist protection
Bellows
Interrupter lid
Shield
Ceramic insulator
Shield
Contacts
Stem
Interrupter lid

the vacuum, even with minimum distances

interruption of the circuit is also guaranteed when
separation of the contacts takes place a few
milliseconds before passage of the current

Circuit-breaker pole
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Upper terminal
Vacuum interrupter
Epoxy resin housing
Stem of moving contact
Lower terminal
Flexible connection
Contact force spring
Push-rod
Pole fixing point
Connection to operating mechanism

Vacuum interruption technique

Vacuum interrupter embedded in the resin poles. Interrupter
protected against shocks, dust and humidity. No contacts oxidation in
vacuum

through natural zero.

The special contact design and material as well

Operation under different climatic conditions

as the limited duration and the low voltage of the

arc guarantee minimum contact wear and long

Stored energy operating mechanism with anti-pumping device

supplied as standard

life. Furthermore, the vacuum prevents their

oxidation and contamination.

Mechanical safety locks, in the operating mechanism and in the

truck, against incorrect operations

The low speed of the contacts together with the

reduced run and the low mass, limit the energy
required for the operation and therefore guarantee extremely limited wear of the operating
mechanism. The circuit-breaker is therefore
limited in maintenance.

Limited switching energy

Simple customisation with a complete range of accessories

Fixed and withdrawable version
Compact dimensions
Sealed-for-life poles
Sturdiness and very high reliability
Limited maintenance
Withdrawable circuit-breaker racking in/out take with closed door
Excellent environmental compatibility
3

The operating mechanism

This simplicity converts into greater reliability of

The VD4 circuit-breakers use a mechanical

operating mechanism, with stored energy and

the apparatus.
The ease of applying accessories makes circuit-

free release. These characteristics allow opening

and closing operations independent of the

breaker customisation possible during its whole

lifespan in order to upgrade it to any new

operator. The mechanical operating mechanism is

of simple conception and use and can be

installation requirement.

customised with a wide range of accessories

which are easy and rapid to install.

Terminal box
of the circuit-breaker
auxiliary circuits.

Auxiliary contacts
group.

Built-in closing springs

charging lever.

Closing springs charging

motor.

The structure

Accessories

The operating mechanism and the poles are fixed

to a metal frame which is also the support for the

The VD4 circuit-breakers have a complete range

of accessories to satisfy all installation

fixed version of the circuit-breaker. The compact

structure ensures sturdiness and mechanical

requirements.
The operating mechanism has a standardised

reliability. Apart from the isolating contacts and

the cord with plug for connection of the auxiliary

range of accessories and spare parts which are

easy to identify and order.

circuits, the withdrawable version is completed

with the truck for racking it into and out of the

The accessories are installed form the front of the

circuit-breaker, without any cabling operations.

switchboard or enclosure with the door closed.

Use, maintenance and service of the apparatus

are simple and require limited use of resources.
Highly reliable operating mechanisms
thanks to featuring a low number of
components and manufactured using
production systems for large quantities
Extremely limited maintenance. Only
replacement of the trip box is required at
programmed intervals. Intervention is
simple and rapid, does not require any
adjustments or special tools and can be
carried out by unskilled personnel
Service releases:
shunt opening, shunt
closing and undervoltage.

The accessories are common to the whole

range and are identical for either a.c. or
d.c. applications
The electrical accessories can be easily
and rapidly installed or replaced thanks to
the cabling already prepared with its own
plug-socket connectors
Mechanical anti-pumping device as
standard
Built-in closing spring charging lever
Key lock with circuit-breaker open
Protective covering over the opening and
closing pushbuttons to be operated using a
special tool
Padlock on the switching pushbuttons

Electrical accessory
plug-in connectors.
Mechanical
operation counter.

Versions available
The VD4 circuit-breakers are available in the
fixed and withdrawable version with front
operating mechanism. The withdrawable version
is available for UniGear type ZS1 and Unisafe
switchboards.

Fields of application
The VD4 circuit-breakers are used in electrical
distribution for control and protection of cables,
overhead lines, transformer and distribution
substations, motors, transformers, generators and
capacitor banks.

Standards and approvals

The VD4 circuit-breakers comply with the
IEC 62271-100, CEI 17-1 file 1375 Standards
and with those of the major industrialised
countries.
The VD4 circuit-breakers have undergone the
tests indicated below and guarantee the safety
and reliability of the apparatus in service in any
installation.
Type tests: heating, withstand insulation at
industrial frequency, withstand insulation at
atmospheric impulse, short-time and peak
withstand current, mechanical life, short-circuit
current making and breaking capacity.
Individual tests: insulation of the main circuits
with voltage at industrial frequency, auxiliary
circuit and operating mechanism insulation,
measurement of the main circuit resistance,
mechanical and electrical operation.

Technical characteristics
Circuit-breaker
Standards
Rated voltage
Rated insulation voltage
Withstand voltage at 50 Hz

Service safety

Rated impulse withstand voltage

Thanks to the complete range of mechanical and

electrical locks (available on request), it is
possible to construct safe distribution
switchboard with the VD4 circuit-breakers.
The locking devices have been studied to
prevent incorrect operations and to inspect the
installations guaranteeing maximum operator
safety.
Key locks or padlock devices enable opening
and closing operations and/or racking in and
racking out.
The racking-out device with the door closed
allows the circuit-breaker to be racked into or out
of the switchboard with the door closed.
Anti-racking-in locks prevent circuit-breakers with
different rated currents from being racked in, and
the racking-in operation with the circuit-breaker
closed.

Rated frequency
Rated normal current (40 C)
Rated breaking capacity
Rated short-time withstand current (3 s)
Making capacity
Sequence of operations
Opening time
Arcing time
Total interruption time
Closing time
Maximum overall dimensions (fixed circuit-breaker)

Pole centre to centre distance

Operating temperature
Tropicalization
Electromagnetic compatibility

VD4 12

VD4 17

VD4 24

IEC 62271-100
CEI 17-1 (File 1375)
Ur [kV]

12

17

24

Us [kV]

12

17

24

Ud (1 min) [kV]

28

38

50

Up [kV]

75

95

125

fr [Hz]

50-60

50-60

50-60

630 ... 2500

630 ... 2500

630 ... 2500

Isc [kA]

16 ... 31,5

16 ... 31,5

16 ... 25

Ik [kA]

16 ... 31,5

16 ... 31,5

16 ... 25

Ip [kA]

40 ... 80

40 ... 80

40 ... 63

Ir (in free air) [A]

[O-0,3s-CO-15s-CO]

I I

H
L

[ms]

45

45

45

[ms]

10-15

10-15

10-15

[ms]

55-60

55-60

55-60

[ms]

80

80

80

H [mm]

461 ... 616

461 ... 616

631 ... 661

L [mm]

450 ... 700

450 ... 700

700

P [mm]

420 ... 419

420 ... 419

419

I [mm]

150 ... 275

150 ... 275

275

-5 ... +40

-5 ... +40

-5 ... +40

[C]
IEC: 60068-2-30
721-2-1
IEC: 60694, 61000-6-2
61000-6-4

ABB Calor Emag Mittelspannung GmbH

Oberhausener Strasse 33
Petzower Strasse 8
D-40472 Ratingen
D-14542 Glindow
Phone: +49(0)2102/12-1230, Fax: +49(0)2102/12-1916
E-mail: calor.info@de.abb.com
Internet:http://www.abb.de/calor

1VCP000002 - Rev.A, en - Leaflet - 2002.12

The data and illustrations are not binding. We reserve the right to make
changes in the course of technical development of the product.

ABB Trasmissione & Distribuzione S.p.A.

Unit Operativa Sace T.M.S.
Via Friuli, 4
I-24044 Dalmine
Tel: +39 035 395111
Fax: +39 035 395874
E-mail: sacetms.tipm@it.abb.com
Internet://www.abb.com