HVX Circuit Breaker Sample

Product Overview

Introduction and Brand Heritage

The EvoPacT HVX is a premium range of Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB) designed for Medium Voltage (MV) networks up to 36 kV. As a core component of the Schneider Electric EvoPacT and PacT Series, the HVX represents a paradigm shift in MV protection, combining decades of electrical expertise with digital-by-design architecture. It is engineered to address the evolving demands of the new energy world, offering unprecedented reliability, safety, and operational continuity.

Product Positioning

EvoPacT HVX is positioned as the most intelligent circuit breaker in its class. Unlike traditional mechanical devices, it is digital by design, featuring embedded condition-monitoring sensors that continuously measure the breaker’s actual operating state. This intelligence, combined with modular sustainability, ensures the asset adapts to evolving business needs while significantly extending service life.

Configurations and Compliance

The range is available in two primary mechanical configurations to suit diverse switchgear architectures: – Fixed Circuit Breaker: Direct mounting for applications requiring permanent connection. – Withdrawable Circuit Breaker: Equipped with a racking truck for safe isolation, testing, and maintenance without de-energizing the entire busbar.

The EvoPacT HVX is fully type-tested and compliant with the latest international standard IEC 62271-100:2021, ensuring validated performance for AC circuit-breakers.

Main Technical Parameters

Key Features

The Four Steps to Uptime Champion

EvoPacT HVX is engineered to maximize operational availability through four strategic pillars:

• Built for the New Energy World: Designed for high-cycle applications, delivering up to 5x more operations compared to previous generations. Rated for up to 50,000 operations at 12/17.5 kV, 30,000 at 24 kV, and 20,000 at 36 kV, enhancing facility safety and reliability.
• 24/7 Monitoring: Continuous digital surveillance helps reduce unplanned downtime by up to 75x. The system leverages historical expertise and real-time data to identify root causes of electrical failure risks before they escalate.
• Maintenance Only When Needed: Transition from time-based to condition-based maintenance. By extending manufacturer-recommended intervals from three to five years, intrusive maintenance is reduced by over 40%, boosting team efficiency and preventing needless shutdowns.
• Faster Replacement: Advanced Circuit Breaker Health Indexes provide precise asset health visibility, identifying exactly which breakers require replacement. This ensures smooth transitions, preserving continuity and minimizing disruption during retrofits.

Intelligent Condition Monitoring

EvoPacT HVX integrates up to 5 types of embedded sensors to create a comprehensive digital twin of the asset:

• Vacuum Interrupter Monitoring: A dedicated sensor measures the snatch gap over time, tracking the health of the vacuum bottle without interrupting service.
• Mechanism Health Monitoring: Analyzes the operating mechanism’s performance to predict mechanical wear.
• Truck Stroke Monitoring: Verifies the racking truck stroke to ensure proper positioning.
• Thermal Monitoring: Continuously tracks temperature conditions at critical contact points.
• Power Monitoring: Captures electrical parameters for holistic grid analysis.
• Alignment Sensor: A critical safety feature that verifies proper mechanical alignment inside the cabinet, providing two layers of protection against misalignment that could lead to severe arc-flash risks.

Vacuum Interrupter Technology

The Vacuum Interrupter (VI) is the heart of the EvoPacT HVX. Engineered for high performance and long service life, the VI is designed to convey and break rated normal and short-circuit currents for the full specified mechanical endurance. Its superior dielectric recovery and arc-quenching capabilities are fundamental to the breaker’s extended maintenance intervals.

EcoStruxure Digital Integration

EvoPacT HVX serves as an intelligent, AI-enabled edge device within the EcoStruxure architecture. It connects seamlessly from the device layer to the cloud, enabling: – Real-time remote data access. – AI-powered analytics via EcoCare Services. – Integration with PowerLogic P5 and PAS600 connectivity architectures.

Scalable Intelligence Tiers

Users can select the level of intelligence that matches their operational requirements:

• EvoPacT Active: Provides on-demand thermal monitoring, essential circuit breaker monitoring, and 24/7 connectivity for efficient asset management.
• EvoPacT Active Plus: Includes all Active features plus comprehensive monitoring, nearby operation capabilities, and advanced control functions to guide users in enhancing safety and efficiency.

EcoCare Exclusive Services

Leveraging data from embedded sensors, the Connected Services Hub performs remote monitoring and generates proactive alarms. Powered by advanced analytics across four key performance areas, EcoCare helps detect potential issues early, extend asset lifespan, and optimize maintenance costs.

Safety, Locking, and Mechanical Functions

• Racking Truck System: Withdrawable units feature a robust 4-wheel frame with a precision drive mechanism for smooth movement between Test, Disconnected, and Service positions. Compartment shutters are interlocked to prevent access to live parts.
• Locking Functions: Comprehensive safety options including padlock locking (Ø 5–8 mm), lead sealing, screw locking, key locking in the open position, and optional Castle locks (mechanical interlocking for 36 kV).
• Operating Mechanism: Features a spring-charged mechanism with automatic motor charging upon discharge. Includes MX shunt release, MN undervoltage release, and Y1 closing locking magnet.
• Low Voltage Connections: Withdrawable types utilize a flexible plug-and-socket system for secure auxiliary circuit connection; fixed types use terminal blocks or LV plugs.

Sustainability by Design

The EvoPacT HVX supports sustainability through modularity and easy upgrades. Whether integrating new sensors or replacing aging components, the design allows for quick adaptation without full asset replacement. The extended service life and reduced replacement frequency directly lower the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and logistics.

Application Scenarios

Medium Voltage Power Distribution

The primary application for EvoPacT HVX is in MV switchgear for connecting primary power distribution consumers to the grid. With breaking capacities up to 40 kA and voltages up to 36 kV, it provides robust protection for main distribution networks, ensuring grid stability and personnel safety.

Industrial Facilities

Ideal for heavy industry, manufacturing plants, and processing facilities where high operational cycles and harsh environments are common. The 50,000-operation mechanical endurance and condition-based maintenance capabilities minimize production downtime and reduce the total cost of ownership in critical industrial processes.

Commercial Buildings and Infrastructure

For large-scale commercial complexes, data centers, and transportation infrastructure, the Active Plus tier offers nearby operation and comprehensive monitoring. This ensures facility managers have granular visibility into power quality and equipment health, supporting business continuity and safety compliance.

Renewable Energy Integration

As the grid transitions to decentralized energy, EvoPacT HVX is built for the new energy world. Its high cycle capability makes it suitable for: – Solar Farms: Frequent switching operations for inverter connection/disconnection. – Wind Turbines: Protection against variable loads and fault conditions. – Energy Storage Systems (ESS): Managing charge/discharge cycles with precision.

Utility and Grid Modernization

Utilities leveraging EcoStruxure can deploy EvoPacT HVX to digitize aging substations. The embedded sensors and EcoCare services enable remote monitoring of distributed assets, reducing the need for physical site visits and accelerating the transition to smart grid operations.

Retrofit and Replacement Projects

For facilities facing end-of-life legacy breakers, the Circuit Breaker Health Indexes provide the data-driven justification for replacement. The modular design and standardized dimensions facilitate faster, smoother retrofits, preserving operational continuity while upgrading to modern safety and intelligence standards.