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Old Glasgow Excel 200 Amp. 3 Phase fused switch.

Zoomup
Evnin' all,

                       I have a holiday chalet park with about 80+ chalets on it that I am responsible for electrically. In the main intake room there is a Delta 657 that supplies the Glasgow Excel 200 Amp three phase fused switch. I went to lubricate it today. It has a retracting handle and is very mechanical inside, with a flag that shows ON or OFF through a little window. The red phase fuse seems to be original, as is the yellow phase fuse. The blue phase fuse has been replaced at some point in time and seems newer than the other two. (Busmann DD200.)


Now what I noticed is that the fingers on the blue phase switch blades are damaged and burnt back by a mm or two. It appears that the switch has been opened on a heavy load, or that the contacts are deteriorating due to additional loads being added. Did the old fuse blow due to overheating of the contacts, or are the contacts damaged due to the fuse getting hot? Who knows?


Can we still get spare parts for this fused switch?


Thanks,


Z.


  • 0
    What did your search throw up, there some about I believe
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Zoomup:

    Can we still get spare parts for this fused switch?


     




     

    Eaton still make them (slightly different colour) - there are a raft of spare "bits" knocking around that well known internet auction site 


    Regards


    OMS
  • 0

    Blencathra:

    What did your search throw up, there some about I believe




    On the baying flea site I could only find a 100 Amp version for an undred squid, but the blades would be smaller I imagine.


    Z.

  • 0

    OMS:




    Zoomup:

    Can we still get spare parts for this fused switch?


     




     

    Eaton still make them (slightly different colour) - there are a raft of spare "bits" knocking around that well known internet auction site 


    Regards


    OMS

     




    Thanks OMS.


    Z.

  • 0
    These devices are built like your proverbial brick dunny, so something major must have happened.


    Why not speak to Eaton? I have found them very helpful.


    I doubt that you will find the spare parts on fleabay and I'm not sure that I would want to buy second-hand.


    One last thing, have a close look at the fixed contacts and ensure that they have not been twisted.
  • 0

    Chris Pearson:

    These devices are built like your proverbial brick dunny, so something major must have happened.


    Why not speak to Eaton? I have found them very helpful.


    I doubt that you will find the spare parts on fleabay and I'm not sure that I would want to buy second-hand.


    One last thing, have a close look at the fixed contacts and ensure that they have not been twisted.




    Hello Chris,

                     I did have a look at the fixed contacts but they are mostly hidden by porcelain insulation "blocks" and are difficult to see.  I didn't look too deeply though as I can not see a way to disconnect the incoming supply which comes from the Delta unit mentioned above. The ends of the fingers are definitely eaten away and I am concerned about the reliability of the blue phase switch. The other two are as good as new.


    Z.


    Z.

  • 0
    Having today visited my local U.K.P.N. depot and spoken to an engineer, I have discovered that the Delta 657 unit is U.K.P.N.s property and contains "J.P." main fuses. I was given a helpline number to book a visit to remove the main fuses for safe repair of the 200 Amp fused switch when I can get spares for it. Eaton has replied from Hungary requesting more info. on the 200 Amp 3 phase fused switch. A depot sign at my local U.K.P.N. depot states that the number of days without an injury in the Norwich Cluster is 1687 days. Well done U.K.P.N.


    Z.
  • 0

    Zoomup:

    I did have a look at the fixed contacts but they are mostly hidden by porcelain insulation "blocks" and are difficult to see.  I didn't look too deeply though as I can not see a way to disconnect the incoming supply which comes from the Delta unit mentioned above. The ends of the fingers are definitely eaten away and I am concerned about the reliability of the blue phase switch. The other two are as good as new.




    Zoomup, is that the fingers on both the supply and load sides of the fuse carrier?


    I think that the female side of the contacts have to be inspected - it seems most unlikely that the fingers could be eroded, but not the other side of the contacts.


    I don't see any alternative to getting the fuses pulled so that you can get the shield off and have a proper look.

  • 0

    Chris Pearson:




    Zoomup:

    I did have a look at the fixed contacts but they are mostly hidden by porcelain insulation "blocks" and are difficult to see.  I didn't look too deeply though as I can not see a way to disconnect the incoming supply which comes from the Delta unit mentioned above. The ends of the fingers are definitely eaten away and I am concerned about the reliability of the blue phase switch. The other two are as good as new.




    Zoomup, is that the fingers on both the supply and load sides of the fuse carrier?


    I think that the female side of the contacts have to be inspected - it seems most unlikely that the fingers could be eroded, but not the other side of the contacts.


    I don't see any alternative to getting the fuses pulled so that you can get the shield off and have a proper look.


     




    Yep Chris, the male fingers on the blue phase are eroded at the ends. I suspect that the live female parts might be damaged as well, so it is best to renew both sets whilst I am doing the job.


    Z.

  • 0
    I believe that the blades on the square section rotating shafts have to be manually set for correct operation. A new shaft with affixed blades from one fused switch may not work correctly in another fused switch of the same catalogue number. I did notice that after lubrication the ON indicator flag showed correctly in the observation window, before lubrication it seemed not to be fully showing, and a part of the OFF indicator was showing, indicating that perhaps the switch was not fully closed.


    I stumbled upon this advice from the H.S.E.


    Design rating and system modifications 21 Switchgear is described as being ‘overstressed’ when it is operated beyond its design rating. This could be due to excess load or where the fault energy (the energy that the switchgear would need to carry, make or interrupt in the event of an electrical fault) exceeds the capability of the switchgear. If required to operate under these conditions, overstressed switchgear may not cope with the electrical, magnetic and thermal stresses imposed upon it. This can result in it failing catastrophically with the potential to cause injury. Switchgear must not be used where its strength and capability may be exceeded, unless it is used in such a way that nobody could be exposed to danger. 22 When originally installed, switchgear should have been adequately rated for the duty it was intended to perform. Changes to an electrical system can result in switchgear becoming overstressed. Careful consideration must be given to system modifications to ensure that dangerous conditions are not created. Changing the configuration of a system through switching operations that put transformers into parallel operation can result in an increase in fault energy. Such arrangements may result from a response to abnormal system conditions or be necessary during planned maintenance work. Interlock systems should be used to prevent overstressing in such circumstances. Where it is not possible to use interlocks, clear operating instructions must be provided to prevent configurations that have the potential to overstress switchgear.


    Z.

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