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Signode
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lahore
Posts: 369

How to Interlock Two ACBs?

01/27/2014 12:00 AM

Hi;

We have a Terasaki brand AT40 series 4000A main ACB at one LT distribution panel. We want to install another ACB for a stand by generator's incoming. To interlock the both generator ACB and existing 4000A ACB, I had an idea to use the UVT (under voltage trip) coil but the existing 4000A ACB don't have UVT. Moreover, it has been obsolete and no UVT available in market. There is no possibility to mechanically interlock the both as there is almost 12feet distance in between them. Any other idea to interlock them without replacement of existing one?

?

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RAMConsult
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Engineering Fields - Power Engineering - New Member

Join Date: May 2007
Location: NYC metropolitan area.
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#1

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 12:11 AM

Kluging together an interlock scheme can only lead to trouble. Your best bet is to determine exactly how you want the breakers to behave under all possible operating conditions, and then hardwire this logic into the breaker control scheme.

If these breakers are mechanical only and have no electrically operated mechanism aside from the UVT, then you should replace them with modern breakers that do. There's just no way to accomplish your goal by misusing existing hardware or adding your own, personnel and equipment safety are at risk.

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Tornado
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Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member Engineering Fields - Piping Design Engineering - New Member

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#2

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 12:27 AM

Just get creative with piano wire and pulleys....

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eautocad
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Middle East [Bahrain]
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#3

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 12:43 AM
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rogerggbr
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#4

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 2:54 AM

1. Talk to Terasaki - they have parts for all their breakers and the AT series is not totally obsolete.

2. Use Castell/Fortress key interlock between the breakers (2 locks, 1 key). Simple, effective.

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3PhaseDesign-Craig
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#5

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 3:27 AM

I agree, talk to Terasaki, they do have a spares policy and you could probably get UVT's. But they also have the option for cable interlocking for greater than 12 feet, so you may also be able to get that too.

I would suggest you talk to the service team in Terasaki UK
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PWSlack
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United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

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#6

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 5:06 AM

Yep. Terasaki's Technical Helpline is the correct destination for this question.

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lyn
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#7

Re: How to interlock two ACBs?

01/27/2014 8:44 AM

I wouldn't do it this way, but...........................GB Mechanical interlock.pub - Cleaveland / Price Inc.
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Musthafa
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 84
Good Answers: 4
#8

Re: How to Interlock Two ACBs?

01/28/2014 12:35 AM

Anyway, you need to modify the existing LV panel for expanded chamber to accommodate the new ACB and its control relays. It is better to provide an Auto Transfer Switch as recommended by eautocad in the reply #3.
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powersolutionsFBD
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Faridabad Near New Delhi India
Posts: 240
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#9

Re: How to Interlock Two ACBs?

01/28/2014 2:00 AM

In case manual changeover is acceptable between Mains and Generator then for safety add Castle key interlock as suggested by CR4 member 'rogerggbr" In India I can find Castle key interlock in 4 to 5 US Dollars and easy to add. One has to just fix this to each ACB such that it hold mechanical trip push button on front of ACB pressed which is released by single key. Hence with this one ACB is in TRIP FREE MODE and other released for closing.

In case AMF operation is desired, safer method shall be to install new C/O panel. C/O panel can be installed near the Mains DB so that you can use existing power cables. The C/O scheme SLD is presented by another CR4 member 'eautocad'
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Stuart Smith
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
#10

Re: How to Interlock Two ACBs?

01/28/2014 11:56 AM

Hi,

You are correct, AT40 could be electrically interlocked with another Terasaki ACB via the UVT. Castell keys could also be added if you need mechanical interlock system but this would be manual. UVT device can still be purchased from Terasaki service division in the UK - directresponse@terasaki.co.uk. Hope this helps,
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Signode
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lahore
Posts: 369
#11
In reply to #10

Re: How to Interlock Two ACBs?

02/02/2014 1:41 AM

Thanks to all participants especially Tornado .

I will let you inform latter on after completion of job.

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Users who posted comments:

3PhaseDesign-Craig (1); eautocad (1); lyn (1); Musthafa (1); powersolutionsFBD (1); PWSlack (1); RAMConsult (1); rogerggbr (1); Signode (1); Stuart Smith (1); Tornado (1)

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