DESCRIPTION

An Automatic Circuit Recloser is a

self-contained device with the
necessary intelligence to sense an
overcurrent condition, interrupt the
current flow, and then after a
predetermined time delay, recloses
automatically to re-energize the
line. If the fault is permanent, it
locks open after a pre-set number
of operations thus isolating the
faulted portion from the main part
of the system.
RECLOSER CLASSIFICATIONS

1. Phase
Single-phase or three-phase

2. Control
Hydraulic or electronic

3. Interrupters
Oil or Vacuum

4. Insulation
Oil , Air or Epoxy
SINGLE-PHASE RECLOSERS

• Used to protect single-phase

lines such as single-phase
laterals

• Can also be used on three-

phase circuits where the load is
predominantly single-phase

• Examples are the Type D (15.5

kV) and DV (38 kV) Kyle
Reclosers from Cooper Power
Systems
THREE-PHASE RECLOSERS

1. Triple-Single tripping
(Ex. NOVA Type TS
reclosers)

2. Three-phase tripping
(Ex. Type KFME, WE, WVE,
VWVE reclosers)
Modes of Operation of Triple-Single
Tripping Reclosers
1. Three-phase trip & three-phase lockout
All 3 phases simultaneously trip on an
overcurrent, reclose, and sequence together.
2. Single-phase trip & three-
phase lockout
Each phase senses line
current & only the phase of
the faulted line will trip. If
any one phase sequences to
lockout, the other 2 phases
also open & lockout
2. Single-phase trip & single-phase lockout
Each individual phase trips and sequences to
lockout independent of each other.
Modes of Operation of Three-Phase
Tripping Reclosers

1. Single-phase trip & three-phase lockout

• This mode consists of three, single-phase

reclosers mounted in a single tank with
mechanical interconnection for lockout only.

• Each phase operates independently for

overcurrent tripping and reclosing. If any
phase operates in lockout condition, the
mechanical linkage trips open the other two
phases and locks them open.
Modes of Operation Three-Phase
Tripping Reclosers

2. Three-phase trip & three-

phase lockout.

• For any fault—single-phase-

to-ground, phase-to-phase,
or three-phase—all contacts
open simultaneously for
each trip operation.

• The 3 phases, mechanically

linked together for tripping
and reclosing, are operated
by a common mechanism.
 TYPES OF CONTROL
1. Hydraulic Control

• Built as an integral part of the recloser

• Overcurrent is sensed by a trip coil that is
connected in series with the line. When the
overcurrent flows through the coil, a plunger
is drawn into the coil to trip open the recloser
contacts.
• Timing and
sequencing are
accomplished by
pumping oil
through separate
hydraulic
chambers or
ducts.
TYPES OF CONTROL
2. Electronic Control

• More flexible, more easily

customized and programmed,
and many have advanced
protection, metering, and
automation functionality.
• Line current is sensed by special
sensing current transformers in
the recloser
• The electronic control is housed
in a cabinet separate from the
recloser and conveniently
permits changes to operational
settings.
TYPES OF INTERRUPTING MEDIUM

1. Oil Interrupters

• Reclosers using
oil for current
interruption use
the same oil for
basic insulation.
• Some reclosers
with hydraulic
control also use
the same oil for
timing and
counting
functions.
TYPES OF INTERRUPTING MEDIUM

2. Vacuum Interrupters

• Vacuum interrupters provide

fast, low-energy arc
interruption with long contact
and interrupter life, low
mechanical stress, and
maximum operating safety.
• With arc interruption taking
place in a vacuum, contact and
interrupter life far exceeds
other interrupting media.
 RECLOSER APPLICATIONS
• In substations as the
primary feeder R
protective device.
• On distribution lines at
a distance from a R
substation, to
sectionalize long R
feeders

• On taps or laterals to
protect the main line
from troubles on these
taps or laterals.
RECLOSER APPLICATION CRITERIA

1. System voltage
2. Maximum fault current available at its
location
3. Maximum load current
4. Minimum fault current within the zone to
be protected
5. Coordination with other devices on both
the source and the load sides
RECLOSER APPLICATION CRITERIA

1. System voltage
The recloser must have a voltage rating
equal to — or greater than — the system
voltage.

2. Maximum fault current available at the

recloser location
The recloser interrupting rating must be
equal to — or greater than — the maximum
available fault current at its location.
RECLOSER APPLICATION CRITERIA

3. Maximum load current

The recloser continuous current rating must be
equal to — or greater than — the anticipated
circuit load.
For series-coil-type reclosers, the coil size can
be selected to match the present load current &
the anticipated future load current. Minimum-
trip current is nominally twice the coil
continuous-current rating.
For electronically controlled reclosers,
minimum-trip current must be greater than any
anticipated peak load. Generally, a trip-current
value of at least twice the expected load current
is used.
RECLOSER APPLICATION CRITERIA

4. Minimum-fault current within the zone to

be protected
The recloser should sense & interrupt the
minimum fault current that might occur at the
end of the line section

5. Coordination with other devices

Recloser timing and sequences are selected to
coordinate with the source-side devices. After
the size and sequence of the required recloser
has been determined, the protective equipment
down the line is selected to coordinate with it.
OPERATING LEVERS & INDICATORS
1. Manual Operating Handle
• A yellow lever that is used to
manually trip the recloser
• For the Type DV recloser, this
is also used to close the
recloser.
• For the Type KFME, WE, WVE
& VWVE reclosers, this is used
for manual tripping & to
override the controls to keep
the recloser open. This cannot
be used to manually close the
recloser but must be in the
closed position (up) before
the recloser contacts can be
closed.
OPERATING LEVERS & INDICATORS

2. Contact Position Indicator

• A red flag that is also linked
to the interrupter
mechanism but
independent of the yellow
handle
• It drops down from under
the sleethood when the
interrupter contacts are
open.
OPERATING LEVERS & INDICATORS
3. Operations Counter
• Cumulatively records
each time the recloser
opens.

4. Non-reclosing Lever
Found on Type DV
reclosers, this sets the
unit to one shot to
lockout after fault
interruption
RECLOSER CONTROL SETTINGS
1. Number of Operations
 Determines the number of operations of the
recloser to lockout and also the number of
operations the timing plugs for the ground-trip
and phase-trip are to be used.
 MERALCO reclosers are set to 3 counts to
lockout and the number of fast trip operations
set to 1.

2. Recloser Interval Timing Delay

 The reclosing interval of each operation to
lockout can be programmed.
 The reclosing intervals used by MERALCO are 2
seconds for the first reclosing and 15 seconds
for the next.
RECLOSER CONTROL SETTINGS
3. Minimum Trip Settings
 Each type of recloser offers a wide range of
minimum ground trip and phase trip settings
 The 3 phase settings must be the same
 The minimum phase trip setting is usually
2.5 times the expected peak load current

4. Ground- and Phase-Trip Timing

 Time-current curves for both phase and
ground tripping must be set
 When dual-timing operation is programmed,
the fast curve always precedes the delayed
curve
RECLOSER CONTROL SETTINGS

5. Reset Delay
• The reset delay is the time interval after which
the count in the recloser’s memory is cleared.
• This usually occurs when a temporary fault is
cleared before lockout occurs.
• Reset times from 10 to 180 seconds are
available.
• A ten (10) second reset time is used by
MERALCO.
Ground Trip Setting Consideration

 75% of faults involve ground, and most of them

are high impedance faults. The resulting fault
current is often near the value of the peak load
current. The recloser may, therefore, not recognize
a high impedance ground fault. To detect these
type of faults, the ground trip setting of the
recloser is used.

 The minimum ground trip setting must be set

above the normal level of unbalance of the load.
Also, the resulting load unbalance from the
tripping of the largest single-phase device at the
recloser’s loadside must also be considered.
 MERALCO’S EXISTING RECLOSERS

VOLTAGE
RATING
TYPE PHASE COUNT TYPICAL SETTINGS
VWVE 3 67 1. Shots to L.O. : 3
38 kV WVE 3 16 2. Reset Time : 10 sec.
DV 1 8 3. Minimum Trip Current
KFME 3 28 Ground : 200, 100, 70, etc.
15.5 kV
WE 3 6 Phase : 340, 240, 200, etc.
TOTAL COUNT 125
4. Number of Fast Trips
Ground : 1 (None for Type DV)
Phase :2
5. Reclosing Time
First : 2 seconds
Second : 15 seconds
6. TCC Curves
Ground :1&8
Phase :A&D
 MERALCO’S EXISTING RECLOSERS
Specifications Summary

Recloser Type DV WVE VWVE KFME WE

Phase 1 3 3 3 3
Nominal System Voltage (kV) 24.9 - 34.5 24.9 - 34.5 24.9 - 34.5 2.4 - 14.4 2.4 - 14.4
Maximum Rated Voltage (kV) 38 38 38 15.5 15.5

BIL (kV) 150 150 150 110 110

Max Continuou Current 560 560 560 400 560
Max Interrupting Rating (Sym.) 8000 8000 12000 6000 10000
Interrupting Medium Oil Oil Vacuum Vacuum Oil
Control Type Hydraulic Electronic Electronic Electronic Electronic
Reclosers
Used by
MERALCO
THE KYLE TYPE DV
HYDRAULICALLY-
CONTROLLED
RECLOSER

Specifications Summary
Nominal System Voltage (kV) 24.9 - 34.5
Maximum Rated Voltage (kV) 38
BIL (kV) 150

Max Continuou Current 560

Max Interrupting Rating (Sym.) 8000

Interrupting Medium Oil

Control Type Hydraulic
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Operation
• Automatic tripping is initiated by a series-trip
coil (in series with the recloser contacts) that
releases the stored-energy trip mechanism
when an overcurrent occurs.
• Current-carrying and interrupting capacities
depend on the current rating of the series trip
coil
• Minimum-trip current is 200% of the coil
rating except X coil ratings which initiate
tripping at 140%
• A closing solenoid supplies the energy for
contact closing and also stores energy in the
trip mechanism
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Operation
• High-voltage closing solenoids, rated based on
system operating voltage, are connected to the
system on the source side of the recloser
• Low-voltage closing solenoids can be used if
auxiliary voltage is supplied to the recloser
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER

Construction features, operating levers, and

indicators for the Type DV Recloser
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Operating Levers and Indicators

The DV Reclosers’
sleet hood,
showing the
manual operating
handle, non-
reclosing lever
and contact
position indicator.
Also found under
the sleet hood is
the operations
counter.
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Major Components

1. Arc interrupting assembly

2. Closing solenoid
3. Closing solenoid contactor
4. Hydraulic integrator assembly
5. Series trip solenoid
6. Time-delay unit
7. Head mechanism
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER

Major
Components

1. Arc interrupting
Assembly
• Heart of the
recloser
• Circuit opening is
achieved by a
double-break
moving contact
assembly
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER

Major
Components

2. Closing Solenoid
• Closes the moving
contacts and also
extends the
opening spring
located in the head
assembly.
• Only energized a
few cycles during
the closing
operation
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER

Major
Components

3. Closing Solenoid
Contactor
• Completes the
closing solenoid
circuit during the
closing operation
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Major Components

4. Hydraulic Integrator Assembly

• Each time the recloser trips, a hydraulic pump
makes one stroke forcing a measured amount of
fluid under the lockout piston
• The lockout piston advances a definite amount after
each recloser trip operation
• The lockout piston in turn advances a lockout lever
• After a selected number of fast operations, the
series trip solenoid linkage engages the time-delay
unit
• When the selected number of of repeated trip
operations have occurred, the lockout lever prevents
reclosing and the control lever unlatches to signal
the recloser has locked open.
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Major Components

Cutaway
view of
hydraulic
integrator

Hydraulic
integrator
& time-
delay unit
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Major
Components
5. Series Trip Solenoid
• This device carries full
line current
• When current greater
than the min trip value
flows, the solenoid
plunger moves
downward causing a
trip operation
• For delayed operations
the plunger is
restrained by a time-
delay unit, & requires
more time to trip the
recloser
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Major Components
6. Time-Delay Unit
• A sealed time-delay unit provides consistent delay
action by forcing hydraulic fluid through orifices
• In order to ensure reliable timing characteristics, the
fluid in the time-delay units is HFA (Hydraulic Fluid,
Aircraft).
7. Head Mechanism
• Incorporates transfer linkage from the integrator,
closing solenoid & time-delay assemblies to the
moving contact rod.
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Hydraulic Control Setting
Setting the fast & delayed operations & the number of
operations to lockout requires partial untanking of the
recloser

1. Number of
operations to
lockout
• the lockout
lever is
indexed to 1 of
3 holes in its
assembly,
corresponding
to the number
of desired Hydraulic Integrator & Time-
operation
Delay Linkage
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Hydraulic Control Setting
2. Number of fast operations
• Established by indexing the sequence selector cam
• The cam is rotated until the desired number of fast
operations appears opposite an arrow above the
cam
• An indent holds the cam in the selected position.

Hydraulic
Integrator &
Time-Delay
Linkage
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Hydraulic Control Setting
3. Number of delayed operations
• Determined by the number of fast operations
• For example, if 3 operations to LO have been
selected & the cam has been adjusted for 1 fast
operation, the sequence will be 1 fast & 2 delayed
operations.

Hydraulic
Integrator &
Time-Delay
Linkage
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Hydraulic Control Setting
4. One operation to lockout
• Done through the external non-reclosing
handle, located under the sleet hood
• Moving this handle down activates the non-
reclosing feature, which overides the internal
setting, but does not change it physically.
 THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER
Hydraulic Control Setting

5. Changing the Time Current Curve

• Accomplished by loosening the thumbscrew &
indexing the pin on the time-delay unit to the bracket
hole for the alternate curve
THE KYLE TYPE DV RECLOSER

Manual Closing
of a De-
energized Type
DV Recloser
 THE KYLE TYPE
KFME
ELECTRONICALLY-
CONTROLLED
RECLOSER
Phase 3
Nominal System Voltage (kV) 2.4 - 14.4
Maximum Rated Voltage (kV) 15.5

BIL (kV) 110

Max Continuou Current 400
Max Interrupting Rating (Sym.) 6000
Interrupting Medium Vacuum
Control Type Electronic
THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Operation
• Tripping & closing are initiated by signals from
the electronic control
• When currents in excess of the programmed
minimum-trip value are detected in one or more
phases, a signal from the control actuates a
solenoid in the operating mechanism to trip the
opening springs & open the interrupter contacts

Form 3A Control Form 4C Control

THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Operation
• Closing
energy and
the force to
charge the
opening
springs is
supplied by
a closing
solenoid
energized
from the
source side
of the
recloser
THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Operation
• Arc interruption
takes place
within the 3
sealed vacuum
interrupters.

• Oil is used for

electrical
insulation, but
is not involved
in arc
interruption.
THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Operation

Schematic Diagram
THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Operating Levers and Indicators

Contact position indicator

Non-reclosing Operations
lever counter

Manual operating handle (yellow)

THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER
Electronic Control

• All operating
parameters, like
phase- and ground-
fault minimum trip
levels, TCC selection &
sequence of recloser
Form 3A Control operation are done via
the electronic control
• The Form 3A control is
a solid-state electronic
type while the Form 4C
is a microprocessor-
based control type

Form 4C Control
THE KYLE TYPE KFME RECLOSER

Typical Pole Installations

 THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE
THREE-PHASE ELECTRONICALLY
CONTROLLED RECLOSERS
Recloser Type WVE VWVE WE
Phase 3 3 3

Nominal System Voltage (kV) 24.9 - 34.5 24.9 - 34.5 2.4 - 14.4

Maximum Rated Voltage (kV) 38 38 15.5

BIL (kV) 150 150 110

Max Continuou Current 560 560 560

Max Interrupting Rating (Sym.) 8000 12000 10000

Interrupting Medium Oil Vacuum Oil

Control Type Electronic Electronic Electronic

THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Operation

• Recloser tripping and closing are initiated by

signals from the electronic control

• Line current flow is sensed by 1000:1 CTs

mounted on the source-side bushings under
the head of the recloser.

• When currents in excess of the programmed

minimum-trip value are detected in one or
more phases, a signal from the control
actuates a solenoid in the operating
mechanism to trip the opening springs & open
the interrupter contacts.
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Operation
• Closing energy & the force to required to
charge the opening springs is supplied by a
closing solenoid
• Oil interrupters are used in WE & WVE. Vacuum
interrupters are used in VWVE.
• All are oil-insulated.

WE Recloser VWVE Recloser

 THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS

Untanked view of Type WE recloser. Construction of WVE

is similar.
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS

Untanked Type VWVE vacuum recloser

THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Oil Interrupters (WE, WVE)
• Arc interruption is
furnished by bridge-
type contacts,
providing 2 current
breaks in series per
phase.
• The stationary contact
assemblies are tulip-
type clusters of silver-
plated contact fingers
held by garter springs.
• As the contacts open,
Cross-section of a the arc generates gas
pressure in the upper
typical interrupter
chamber, which blasts
used in oil oil across the arc & out
interrupting reclosers through the vents.
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Vacuum Interrupters (VWVE)
• Enclosed in the
interrupter is a stationary
and a moving contact
assembly
• The moving contact has a
travel of approximately
½ inch, its shaft passing
through a flexible
bellows that maintains
vacuum integrity
• Contacts are made of
non-welding alloy. Cross section
of a typical
vacuum
interrupter
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Manual Operation
• The recloser can be manually tripped at any time
by lowering the yellow manual operating lever
under the sleet hood. With the handle down, the
control cannot close the recloser.
• Raising the yellow handle on a recloser controlled
with a Form 3A control will close the recloser
unless the control is in the LO position.
• Raising the yellow handle on a recloser controlled
by with a Form 4C or FXA control will not close the
recloser. Manual closing is accomplished by
raising the yellow handle and then moving the
manual control switch to the CLOSE position.
• The recloser will close if the closing coil has the
proper voltage applied to it.
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Manual Operating Lever & Indicator

Yellow manual operating

(trip-and-reset) handle
• Used to manually trip
the recloser & override
the control to keep the
recloser open

Contact position Indicator

• A red flag labeled OPEN independent of the yellow handle
• Drops down from under the sleethood when the
interrupter contacts open
THE TYPE WE, WVE & VWVE RECLOSERS
Electronic Control
• As with the Type KFME recloser, all operating
parameters for the Type WE, WVE & VWVE
reclosers are provided by the electronic control
• The controls used by MERALCO are the Form 3A
solid-state electronic control & the Form 4C &
Form 5 microprocessor-based controls

Form 3A ControlForm 4C Control Form 5 Control

Type WE & WVE
Reclosers in
service