FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NOVA-TS Triple-Single Recloser and
Form 6-TS Control
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Use This Publication
This publication (Bulletin B280-09007) contains detailed
product and application information and provides answers to
commonly asked questions about the NOVA-TS triple-single
recloser.
If you have additional questions concerning the design,
operating features, or application of the NOVA-TS recloser
and Form 6-TS control, contact your Cooper Power
Systems representative.
Important Information
The information contained in this document is intended
for Cooper Power Systems customers. The information
contained in the questions and answers is generalized to
present overall guidance in the use and application of these
products. This information is in no way intended to be used
in the creation of any, or supersede the application, use,
and safety standards of any government authorities or the
user. Users are cautioned to obtain the applicable service
literature and instructions from Cooper Power Systems
(available at www.cooperpower.com and shipped with
each product) and to strictly follow those instructions. The
information in this document is not in any way intended to
modify or supersede those applicable product instructions.
Ordering Information
1. Can I order a NOVA-TS recloser without ordering a
Form 6-TS control?
No. A NOVA-TS recloser is an integral unit consisting of
three single-phase NOVA reclosers and one Form 6-TS
microprocessor-based recloser control connected via a
junction box. They must be installed together for proper
operation.
2. Is there a separate cable for the internal voltage
sensors similar to the three-phase NOVA recloser?
No. The internal voltage sensors are brought out of the
NOVA-TS recloser through the standard recloser and
control cables.
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3. Is there a control cable length restriction when
using internal voltage sensors?
Yes. The maximum control cable length when using
internal voltage sensors is 50 feet.
4. Is the junction box included in the complete
recloser package?
One junction box with cables is included when ordering a
complete recloser package. Three junction box cables are
required per junction box.
5. Are there any recommended spare parts?
NOVA-TS switchgear products are designed and
manufactured to be virtually maintenance-free. A
spare battery for the Form 6-TS control is the only
recommended spare part.
Technical Information
6. What is internal voltage sensing?
Using a high-voltage resistor within each interrupter
module the NOVA-TS recloser provides voltage sensing
on each individual source phase. Used in conjunction
with Form 6-TS controls the internal voltage sensors can
be used for over/undervoltage protection, directional
protection, custom logic protection and metering including
voltage, power, kVA and kvar.
7. What is the accuracy of the internal voltage
sensors?
The internal voltage sensors and Form 6-TS control has a
±2% magnitude error and ±1.5 degrees phase angle error.
NOVA-TS Recloser and Form 6-TS Control
October 2012
B280-09007
Power Information
Application Information
8. Where does the NOVA-TS mechanism gets its
power from?
14.Why are the trip settings all the same for three
separate reclosers?
The magnetic actuator in each recloser mechanism derives
its operating power from the energy-storage capacitors
located within each unit. These capacitors are charged
by two 53-volt dc/dc converters in the control which are
driven by the Form 6 ac power supply and the two 12volt lead acid batteries located in the Form 6-TS recloser
control.
9. Where does the Form 6-TS control gets its power
from?
As with other Cooper Power Systems microprocessorbased recloser controls, a control power transformer is
needed to provide power (120 Vac or 240 Vac) to operate
the Form 6-TS control.
10. When must the batteries in the Form 6-TS control
be replaced?
The two 12-Volt batteries have a life expectancy of four
years. It is recommended that the battery be replaced
after four years or if the battery fails a battery test after
it has been recharging for 48 hours - whichever occurs
first.
Note: Battery life is decreased at higher temperatures.
Recloser Information
11. What mechanism is used in the NOVA-TS
recloser?
The NOVA-TS recloser relies on the same low-energy
magnetic actuator mechanism used in other NOVA
products. The magnetic actuator provides accurate,
reliable opening and closing operations, including any
required operations, without ac presence.
12. Is there an OPEN/CLOSE contact position indicator?
Each phase of the NOVA-TS recloser has a large visible
OPEN/CLOSED position indicator located on the side of
the sleet hood.
13.How is control lockout indicated?
The steady green CONTROL LOCKOUT LED indicates the
control for all three reclosers is in a locked out state, i.e. a
reclosing sequence is not in progress for any recloser.
The blinking green CONTROL LOCKOUT LED may indicate
that the control for one or two reclosers is in a locked-out
state, i.e. a reclosing sequence is not in progress on those
one or two reclosers.
If the control is in the LOCKOUT CONDITION (blinking or
steady), it does not guarantee the recloser is open.
2
Typical utility operating practice is to balance the loading as
much as possible on a three-phase distribution feeder to
minimize the power delivery losses.
15.Can you have three separate phase and ground
trip settings?
No. A-phase, B-phase, and C-phase minimum trips will all
have the same value.
There are four profiles that can be stored in the control.
Each profile could have different phase minimum trip
values, but in each profile the A-phase, B-phase, and
C-phase minimum trip values will be the same.
16.When in Mode B or C, why do we lock out all
three phases on a ground current fault?
In all modes, not only modes B and C, ground sensing
remains the same. The performance of tripping all three
phases for low magnitude faults for modes B and C is
based upon the unbalanced current for a three-phase
system. However, this does not mean that all ground faults
will always trip three-phase. As an example, if a recloser is
located where the available phase-to-ground fault is 8,000
amps and the ground/phase minimum trip level is set at
200/400 amps respectively, any ground fault from 400
amps to 8,000 amps will trip only the faulted phase, even
if the phase time-current curve is faster than the ground
time-current curve. It is only in the narrow band from 200
to 400 amps where a ground fault or system unbalance of
any kind, not distinguishable by fault current magnitude,
will trip all three phases.
17. Does the standard Form 6 software include
configuration of the internal voltage sensor
option or is this separate?
Cooper Power Systems includes the internal voltage
sensor configuration as standard. The software is flexible
to adjust to various voltage systems. Refer to S28042-2 NOVA-TS Triple-Single, Electronically Controlled
Recloser Installation and Operation Instructions for
additional information.
NOVA-TS Recloser and Form 6-TS Control
October 2012
Reference Information
18.What TCC Curves are available for the NOVA-TS
control?
The same TCC Curves available for the Form 6 control are
also available for the Form 6-TS control. See Reference
Data R280-91-34.
19. Is there any recommended maintenance of the
NOVA-TS recloser?
Because NOVA-TS reclosers are applied under widely
varying operating and climatic conditions, service intervals
are best determined by the user based on actual operating
experience. However, NOVA-TS solid-insulated vacuum
interrupting reclosers should be inspected every six years.
20.What control is the NOVA-TS recloser designed
to work with?
The NOVA-TS recloser and Form 6-TS control must be
used together. The NOVA-TS recloser is a unique threephase Kyle recloser because it is designed to work solely
with the Form 6-TS control due to its triple-single control
functionality.
21. Can a NOVA-TS recloser be used with an existing
Form 6 control?
No. The Form 6-TS control has been specially designed
for use with the NOVA-TS recloser. The standard Form 6
control does not have triple-single control functionality.
24.Can I use a Form 6-TS control to operate only 1
or 2 NOVA-TS recloser tanks?
Yes. In order to have this functionality, a customized
scheme is required to be programmed into the control,
which by default is not programmed into the recloser. For
additonal information regarding this functionality, and how
it may apply to your applications, contact your Cooper
Power Systems representative.
25.What are the advantages of the NOVA-TS?
Cooper Power Systems was the first recloser
manufacturing company to offer single-phase trip/threephase lockout originally with the 3H and 6H reclosers. This
commitment to innovation includes developing algorithms
to provide dependable and predictable results in multiplefault scenarios.
The NOVA-TS recloser includes the following salient
features:
•
NOVA Technology. Cycloaliphatic epoxy
insulation eliminates sealing of any type of
dielectric (gas, foam, oil, etc.) and also provides
superb Ultraviolet protection. Refer to Bulletin
98009 for additional cycloaliphatic testing and
performance information.
•
Innovation. As a designer, developer, and
manufacturer of patented axial-magnetic vacuum
interrupters, Cooper Power Systems provides
vertically-integrated manufacturing.
•
Advanced Electronic Actuator Control
System. Guarantees proper mechanism
operation with various control cable lengths
through the entire operating range.
•
User-Designed Form 6-TS Control. Includes
status of all three phases, including OPEN,
CLOSED, and LOCKOUT.
•
Direct LED Status of Operation Modes.
22.Can I use a NOVA1 recloser with a Form 6-TS
control?
No. The NOVA1 recloser is not compatible with the Form
6-TS control. Though very similar, the NOVA1 and NOVATS reclosers have different operating mechanisms. This
requires different electrical signals be sent to the respective
controls for monitoring and response purposes.
B280-09007
Just as the NOVA-TS and Form 6-TS control are an integral
unit, so are the NOVA1 recloser and NOVA1 control. See
Bulletin Number B280-99016 for more information on the
NOVA1 system.
■■ Single-Phase Trip, Single-Phase Lockout
■■ Single-Phase Trip, Three-Phase Lockout
■■ Three-Phase Trip, Three-Phase Lockout
•
No. The NOVA-TS recloser is not compatible with the
NOVA1 control. Though very similar, the NOVA1 and NOVATS reclosers have different operating mechanisms. This
requires different electrical signals be sent to the respective
controls for monitoring and response purposes.
Dynamic Phase Tripping. In Mode C operation,
this feature enhances protection by locking out all
three phases, even non-faulted phases if a phaseto-phase or three-phase fault is detected on the
system. As a result, any multi-phase energization
from one phase is avoided.
•
Just as the NOVA-TS and Form 6-TS control are an integral
unit, so are the NOVA1 recloser and NOVA1 control. See
Bulletin Number B280-99016 for more information on the
NOVA1 system.
Interactive, High-Performance Triple-Single
Demonstration Software. Includes a Reliability
Indices Calculator for operation and training
classes.
•
Worldwide Customer Service Network.
Guarantees that application and system solutions
are readily available for customer needs and
expectations.
23.Can I use a NOVA-TS recloser with a NOVA1
control?
3
NOVA-TS Recloser and Form 6-TS Control
•
October 2012
B280-09007
Extensive Standard Form 6 Control Features.
■■ Accurate Three-Phase Metering (Source
and Load) for Six Voltage Inputs
■■ Harmonic Metering
■■ TCC Editor
■■ Data Profiler
■■ Event Recorder
■■ User-Configurable
■■ DNP 3.0 Protocol
■■ 2179 Protocol
■■ Voltage and Frequency Protection
■■ Fault Location
■■ Plus, many other other features
requested by our customers.
•
60+ Years of Experience in the Design
and Fabrication of Reclosers. Ensures
manufacturing dependability, system application
knowledge, and sustained customer service.
Cooper Power Systems and NOVA are valuable trademarks of Cooper Industries in the U.S. and other countries.
You are not permitted to use the Cooper Trademarks without the prior written consent of Cooper Industries.
©2012 Cooper Industries. All Rights Reserved.
Cooper Power Systems
2300 Badger Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188
P: 877-CPS-INFO
www.cooperpower.com
B280-09007 • 1012