VES-U Vacuum Breaker Up-right (VBU) Switch Parts

The new VBU™ module is VES-U part no. 1002719G2, shown at above right.  At left, a drawing showing how a Mitsubishi™ vacuum interrupter is installed in the module.

The replacement VBU mechanism above manufactured by VESCO is VES-U part No. 1004429G1 and has been engineered to perform better than the original Joslyn™ mechanism design.  The original adjustment cams have been reincorporated into our version, improving the overall life expectancy and number of operations this unit can provide over the original design.  The cam can be seen in the above picture as well, which has also been enhanced. The Square D™ contact blocks shown at left above been replaced with newer version Allen-Bradley™ contactors.  They are mounted on the side of the VES-U mechanism as shown to the above right.

When VBU style switches are used on arc furnaces, the causes of down time can be categorized as being attributed to modules, operating mechanisms, and controls.  Design changes in remanufactured modules have eliminated almost all routine failures in modules.  Design changes in the reverse engineered mechanism above have enabled that mechanism to exceed 100,000 operations in life testing.  The control problems have been addressed by the control shown here.  Diagnostics are part of this control’s program.  This control is an adaptation of the control here for which there are more twenty installations.