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PB145 High Voltage Dead Tank Circuit Breakers

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Reliable High-Voltage Breakers

The PB145 Family of High-Voltage Dead-Tank Circuit Breakers (123–170 kV) from Pennsylvania Switchgear offers high performance, reliability, and easy maintenance through advanced interrupter technology, internal tank heating, and an integral particle trap design. These breakers exceed ANSI standards with superior short-circuit capability, fast interruption, and customizable features for diverse installation environments.

  1. Rated for 123–170 kV, 40 kA short-circuit, and BIL up to 750 kV.
  2. Integral particle trap and internal SF₆ tank heater enhance dielectric reliability and simplify maintenance.
  3. Built-in lube fittings and accessible auxiliary switches enable quick servicing without special tools.
  4. Standard features: composite insulators, galvanized frame, stainless-steel hardware, NEMA 3R cabinet.
  5. Optional features: porcelain or high-altitude insulators, NEMA 4X cabinet, and enhanced seismic performance.
  6. Operates from −55 °C to +50 °C, up to 3,300 ft altitude.

Pennsylvania Switchgear engineers design advanced high-voltage circuit breakers using powerful tools such as CFD, FEA, and 3D CAD to achieve exceptional performance, reliability, and operating speed. The PB145 breaker family exemplifies this expertise, featuring advanced spring and interrupter technology tested to L30 line fault duties, a 1.5 first-pole-to-clear factor at 170 kV, a high asymmetry ratio of 33, and superior short-time current test results exceeding standards. Designed and built in the U.S. by specialists dedicated to circuit breaker innovation, the PB145 also offers simplified maintenance with accessible lube fittings, hand-charging capability, and integrated auxiliary switches for ease of service.

The PA Switchgear HV Circuit Breaker Advantage

Tank Cross Section

Electric-Field-Particle-Trap

Design Features

Integral Particle Trap: Improved dielectric performance is achieved through the patented particle trap design, integral to each interrupter’s enclosure. The trap ensures that any particles or arc by-products generated during breaker operations are electrically shielded at the enclosure’s lowest point.

Integral Particle Trap/Tank Heater

Integral-Particle-Trap-Tank-Heater

Tank Cross Section

Specialized Heater Element: Unlike conventional external heaters, Pennsylvania Switchgear heaters are installed inside the tank to directly heat the SF6 gas. This means the heater element can be replaced within minutes without opening the tank or removing the SF6 gas.

  1. Integral particle trap
  2. Composite insulators
  3. Galvanized support frame
  4. Powder-coated NEMA 3R control cabinet
  5. Stainless steel door handles
  6. Stainless steel SF6 tubing
  7. Ganged SF6 monitoring
  8. SAE hardware
  9. Fully assembled shipments
  1. Low-temperature performance to -55˚C
  2. ASME Pressure Vessel Certification
  3. Internal tank heater
  4. Porcelain insulators
  5. Extra-high creep/high-altitude insulators
  6. High seismic performance
  7. Individually-phased SF6 monitoring
  8. NEMA four-hole universal positioning terminals
  9. NEMA 4X mechanism/control cabinet
  10. Custom control package
  11. Extra auxiliary contacts
  12. Custom support structure
  13. Side-mounted position indicator for long-distance viewing
PB145 Circuit Breaker Specifications
Inches A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P
PB123-40 138 74 71 71 58 153 115 82 68 48 22 181 84 58 41
PB145-40 138 74 71 71 58 153 115 82 68 48 22 181 84 58 41
PB170-40 143 77 74 74 62 158 115 85 72 56 22 188 84 58 41
PB-145-Dead-Tank-Drawing
Rating PB123-40 PB145-40 PB170-40
StandardsANSI/IEEEANSI/IEEEANSI/IEEE
Maximum Voltage123 kV145 kV170 kV
BIL550 kV650 kV750 kV
Frequency60 Hz60 Hz60 Hz
60 Hz Withstand260 kV310 kV365 kV
Short-Circuit Current40 kA40 kA40 kA
Continuous Current2 kA / 3 kA / 4 kA2 kA / 3 kA / 4 kA2 kA / 3 kA / 4 kA
Interrupting Time3 cycles3 cycles3 cycles
Duty CycleO-0.3s-CO-15s-COO-0.3s-CO-15s-COO-0.3s-CO-15s-CO
Temperature-55°C to +50°C-55°C to +50°C-55°C to +50°C
Altitude Above Sea Levelup to 3,300 ftup to 3,300 ftup to 3,300 ft
Seismic (IEEE 693-2005)HighHighHigh
Normal Operating Pressure90 psig @ 20°C90 psig @ 20°C90 psig @ 20°C
Minimum Pressure to Interrupt Fault Current76 psig @ 20°C76 psig @ 20°C76 psig @ 20°C
Minimum Pressure to Interrupt Load Current76 psig @ 20°C76 psig @ 20°C76 psig @ 20°C

Manufacturing Facility in Canonsburg, PA

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