DISCONNECTORS AND LOAD
SWITCHES for railways
GRID
Disconnectors and
load switches for railways
Alstom Grid delivers transmission solutions worldwide to utility and large industrial customers seeking smarter,
more stable, more efficient and more environmentally-friendly electrical grids. Alstom is a global leader in the world
of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmarks for innovative and
environmentally-friendly technologies. Alstom powers the fastest trains and the highest capacity automated metro
in the world, providing turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of
energy sources: including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind. Alstom also offers a wide range of solutions for power
transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 96,500 people in more than 70 countries, with sales
of over 23 billion* in 2009/10.
Alstom Transport
Alstom Transport develops and markets
the most complete range of systems,
equipment and services in the railway
market.
The company is no. 1 in the high and
very high speed train sector and ranks
second worldwide in urban transport,
regional trains, signalling, infrastructure
equipment and associated services.
One of our key competitive strengths is
our industry-leading product and
service offering. This allows Alstom to
offer the optimal solution for
customers' specific needs, as well as to
optimise the integration of the various
parts in full screen projects.
Alstom Transport is present in over
60 countries and employs some
27,000 people.
Alstom Grid: solution provider for the railway sector
Thanks to a vast experience in the supply
of disconnectors to the railway sector,
Alstom Grid is fully aware of the needs
and issues facing the market and works
in partnership with its customers to
provide tailored solutions to meet all
requirements.
Alstom Grid is at the forefront when it
comes to offering innovative solutions
to its customers that are able to
guarantee better results in terms of
reduced maintenance and therefore
time and cost savings.
Alstom Grid's entire product range has
been developed to perfectly meet the
most severe technical specifications of
the railway sector.
An efficient and punctual service is the
primary need for passengers and this
can only be obtained through a reliable
electrification system: that means the
use of high quality products. Our R&D
team is committed to delivering the
best values that customers expect:
quality, safety, reliability.
You only have to choose ... we do the rest!
l Disconnectors and load switches for railways
Global leader in disconnectors
Alstom Grid is the world's largest manufacturer of disconnectors, having delivered and installed over 140,000 units
in more than 130 countries around the world. Alstom Grid disconnectors are the result of over 75 years of
experience in developing high voltage switches. They have proven their reliability in the torrid climates of Arizona
(USA), Australia and Sudan and in the extremely cold territories of Canada, Russia and Sweden, in the tropical
weather of Panama, Indonesia, Malaysia and Venezuela and in regions with intense seismic activity such as Chile
and California (USA).
The key role of disconnectors
Disconnectors are an essential element
of the supply systems (overhead
catenaries or ground level wires) that
feed the trains. Their function is to
disconnect the cells that make up the
whole line (one cell is defined by two
disconnecting points) in order to supply
energy only when necessary (when a
train is running). Most importantly,
disconnectors provide visible and
reliable air gap isolation to ensure
safety during maintenance operations.
The railway network has to be
globally interconnected and the
connection between systems
with different voltages and
frequencies (electrical borders)
can only be achieved through the
disconnecting points that
decouple them.
Railways overview
Several different electrification systems
are in use throughout the world due to
the requirements in each country and
for historical or technical reasons.
There are different ratings for different
countries and in some cases two
electrification systems co-exist in the
same country.
The universal 2 x 25 kV single phase
alternating current (50 Hz frequency)
supply system is used for high speed
applications.
The most commonly used systems are:
- 3 kV DC: Russia, Italy, Spain,
South Africa
- 15 kV single phase AC with special
16 Hz frequency: Germany, Norway,
Switzerland
- 25 kV single phase AC 50 Hz: Russia,
France, China, Japan, Great Britain
Designed to meet the specifications of major railway companies
l Disconnectors and load switches for railways
S2V load switch
The S2V is a new generation load switch specifically designed for railway applications and based on a
well-proven design to guarantee both reliability and high performance over the years.
The main advantage of this series of
load disconnectors is the possibility for
maintenance staff to work under
voltage to easily and quickly mount over
-voltage limiters onto the switching
device, thus simplifying the mounting of
the disconnector on the pole and
enabling better handling due to reduced
weight.
All current carrying parts are made of
silver-coated electrolytical copper
forming a loop-free path for the current
flow.
The interrupting chamber is vacuum
insulated where the contacts inside
disconnect after the main contacts
open.
Load disconnectors are operated by
external manual or motor-operated
drive mechanisms.
Text here.351
Customised layouts available on request
l Disconnectors and load switches for railways
S2DA centre break
The S2DA disconnector is one of the most commonly used types in the world thanks to its simple, efficient
design. It is a rugged performer even in the most adverse operating conditions.
The S2DA is reliable in high winds and
heavy ice and always stable in the closed
position during short circuits. A
galvanised structural steel channel base
supports the insulators and live parts
ensuring a high strength, rigid design.
The two insulator stacks rotate on
weather-sealed, greaseless and
maintenance-free rotor bearings and the
blades are made of extra-heavy extruded
aluminium with replaceable silver-plated
copper contacts at the opening point.
Special flexible connections were
designed to guarantee low maintenance,
inspection-free, long term operation.
The S2DA does not require any special
tools to be adjusted and is recognised
worldwide as an easy to install
disconnector. Thanks to its selflubricating parts and corrosion-free
materials, the S2DA is virtually
maintenance-free.
Customised layouts available on request
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Disconnectors and load switches for railways
S3C double side break
The S3C is a low profile, reduced phase-to-phase distance double side break switch which offers additional
space savings - a key advantage when designing your substation.
The optimal mechanical and electrical
characteristics of the current carrying
parts are ensured through the use of
high strength aluminium alloys
combined with silver-plated copper
contacts.
The rectangular aluminium blade is
attached to the top of the centre
rotating insulator and moves smoothly
from a fully open to a fully closed
position in the stop in the jaw.
A galvanised structural steel channel
base supports the insulators and the live
parts ensuring a high-strength, rigid
design. The centre insulator stack
rotates on weather sealed, greaseless
rotor bearings on which no
maintenance is required.
Alstom Grid experts are pleased to
propose customised solutions
including vertical, underhung and
phase-over-phase.
Customised layouts available on request
l Disconnectors and load switches for railways
S3F vertical break
The S3F disconnector is specifically designed for railway applications with a reduced phase-to-phase
distance and is a rugged performer even in the most adverse operating conditions.
The optimal mechanical and electrical
characteristics of the current carrying
parts are ensured through the use of
high strength aluminium alloys
combined with silver-plated copper
contacts.
The moving aluminium blade is
attached to the top of the tilting
insulator which acts on the blade to
smoothly open and close the switch.
A galvanised structural steel channel
base supports the insulators and the
live parts ensuring a high-strength,
rigid design. The insulator stacks rotate
on weather sealed, greaseless rotor
bearings on which no maintenance is
required.
Single, two or three-pole solutions have
been specifically designed to meet the
individual requirements of railway
feeders or catenaries.
The S3F can be fitted with an earthing
switch that is mechanically or key
interlocked with the blades of the
disconnector.
Customised layouts available on request
l Disconnectors and load switches for railways
S2CRE side break
The S2CRE disconnector is specifically designed for railway installations. Easy assembly and reliability are
guaranteed by the small number of components and the simple open/close movement.
The S2CRE is reliable in high winds and
heavy ice conditions and always stable in
the closed position during short circuits.
A galvanised structural steel channel
base supports the insulators and the live
parts ensuring a high strength, rigid
design.
The S2CRE uses flexible connections
and has one fixed and one rotating
insulator on which the mobile arm is
connected.
The mobile insulator stacks rotate on
weather-sealed, greaseless,
maintenance free rotor bearings and the
blades are made of extra-heavy
extruded aluminium with replaceable
silver-plated copper contacts at the
opening point.
Alstom Grid experts are pleased to
propose customised solutions
including vertical, underhung and
phase-over-phase.
Customised layouts available on request
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Operating
mechanisms
Alstom Grid has designed a range of
mechanisms to meet the specific
needs of railway applications.
Disconnectors and load switches for railways
The housing has a standard
tightness rating of IP54 and is made
of stainless steel, the only way to
ensure mechanical strength and
corrosion resistance.
Alstom Grid experts are pleased to
propose customised solutions
including vertical and lateral output
transmission for motor operations
and manual lever and pump-handle
solutions for manual operations.
All solutions provide real position
signalisation of the disconnector as
well as the necessary operational
interlocking functions.
Alstom Grid uses only the highest
quality corrosion-resistant
materials available.
Motorised operating mechanism
with lateral output transmission
Manual operating mechanism
with pump-handle transmission
Insulators
Disconnectors are suitable for use
with both ceramic and composite
insulator types.
Composite insulators have some
advantages over ceramic insulators:
• lighter weight for better
performance during earthquakes
- improved handling
- no broken sheds
• hydrophobicity, meaning reduced
maintenance due to higher
insulating behaviour in case of
pollution and moisture
Alstom Grid uses only top quality
ceramics to ensure the best
mechanical strength and corrosion
resistance.
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Disconnectors and load switches for railways
Our references
In 2010 alone, Alstom Grid
delivered more than 4,000 poles
to its railway customers
worldwide.
Quality
R&D
Certifications
Alstom Grid prides itself on being
the n°. 1 supplier of disconnectors
in the world.
To remain the world's largest
manufacturer of disconnectors
means constantly improving our
technologies.
All Alstom Grid disconnector
manufacturing sites worldwide are
certified according to ISO 9001, ISO
14001 and OHSAS 18001.
Our modern production facilities in
Europe, the Americas and Asia are
always seeking newer and more
efficient organisational structures.
Alstom Grid designs, manufactures,
tests and delivers it disconnectors in
accordance with the latest ANSI and
IEC standards, as well as GB
Chinese national standards.
Our design principles, the technical
know-how and experience of our
experts and the careful selection of
suppliers ensure that only top
quality materials are used during
production, providing an excellent
life cycle cost.
Alstom Grid facilities are developed
to grow with the requirements of
evolving technologies in order to
perfectly manage the quality of
components and the essential
elements of our disconnectors.
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Disconnectors and load switches for railways
Our staff is
your staff
Customer intimacy
From project design through to
commissioning and after sales customer
service, Alstom Grid places great emphasis
on developing long term relationships with
its clients. Our extensive network of
representatives maintains contact with our
customers around the world.
We're there - where and when you need us
Service
Alstom Grid specialists are available to ensure
rapid disconnector installation and erection
supervision, as and when requested.
Training
Training courses are available on all of our
principle units, either on-site or in Alstom
Grid training facilities. These training
courses facilitate the transfer of knowledge
and techniques to our customers on
installation, general operation and eventual
equipment maintenance.
Maintenance
Alstom Grid disconnectors are designed to
offer a working life of over 40 years of
trouble-free service with zero or minimum
maintenance.
Substitution, upgrading and overhaul of
disconnectors is possible. Our teams work
closely with customers to save costs by
using new or refurbished components on
existing equipment whenever possible.
ALSTOM Grid Worldwide Contact Centre
www.alstom.com/grid/contactcentre
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
www.alstom.com