VD4/R

Secondary Vacuum Circuit Breakers

VD4/R

Secondary Vacuum Circuit Breakers

Protecting an evolving grid in secondary distribution 

ABB’s medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers for secondary distribution protect the evolving grid by safely interrupting the power flow when a grid anomality happens and then re-establishing it once is fixed. Grid anomalies can be caused by over currents - the overload through lightning or malfunctioning electric equipment or a short circuit in the system. ABB’s medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers are key components to ensure continuous power flow to industrial, commercial, and residential users.  

ABB’s circuit breakers have been a market benchmark for over 35 years. ABB’s vacuum interrupters, within the circuit breakers, are embedded in poles for protection against humidity, shocks and dust. ABB’s circuit breakers are available for original equipment manufacturers (OEM), panel builders and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPCs) partners to incorporate in their own installations or for use in repair, retrofit and upgrade projects. ABB offers a complete package for secondary distribution partners with our VD4/R together with the load break switch and disconnector GSec/GSec air and ABB Relion protection relay family. 

ABB supports customers and partners in staying ahead of increasing electrification needs, technology, and regulatory changes, providing the power to adapt to a rapidly evolving energy landscape. 

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ABB's portfolio for secondary vacuum circuit breakers


SERVICE RETROFIT VD4-UniAir

TECHNICAL FEATURES

✓ Rated voltage: up to 24 kV
✓ Rated current: up to 1,250 A
✓ Rated short circuit current: up to 25 kA

VD4/R: Compact low-duty medium voltage vacuum circuit breaker for secondary distribution

VD4/R, up to 24 kV, is a compact medium voltage circuit breaker with lateral mechanical actuator (spring mechanism) for secondary distribution. VD4/R can operate in all medium voltage secondary distribution systems and MV/LV transformer substations in factories, industrial workshops, etc. It also delivers good performance in harsh environment as the vacuum interrupters are embedded in the resin poles, protecting vacuum interrupters against impacts, condensation and polluted environments. 

It is a preferred solution for low duty distribution and features a modular spring-operated mechanical actuator which ensures easy operation even without auxiliary supply. It can perform up to 10,000 class M2 mechanical operations. 

Learn more (VD4/R documents)

Benefits

  • Compact solution for low-duty distribution
  • Easy and fast installation
  • 10,000 maintenance-free mechanical operations

Typical Applications

  • Factories
  • MV/LV transformer substations
  • Industrial workshops
  • Services-providing sectors

Product scope

Click the arrow to learn more about product scope.
 service-retrofit-vd4-uniair400x200
 
VD4-R 
Rated Voltage 
up to 24 kV 
Rated Current
up to 1,250 A 
Rated short circuit current 
up to 25 kA
Technology 
Vacuum 
Operating mechanism 
Mechanical 
Mechanical operations 
10,000 cycles 
Standards 
IEC 
Industries 
Renewables, industries, infrastructures,
building, data centres, utilities 

Customer benefits

ABB_picto_machine building

Continuous operation

  • Reduced spares and maintenance – 10.000 mechanical close-open operations assured (M2 class). 
  • Long electrical life with vacuum interrupter technology embedded in poles for optimum protection from external factors. 
ABB_picto_easy_to_install

Easy to install

  • Easy and fast to install with on board protection relay and current sensors available. 
  • Full range of plug and play accessories. 
ABB_picto_4safety_and_protection

Safe

  • Hazardous situations prevented through integrated mechanical anti-pumping system to prevent accidental reclosing 
  • ABB by your side – Count on a worldwide presence for any support you may need.



Configure your VD4/R



ABB e-Configure (Devices)

Learn More

ABB_picto_brochures
VD4/R brochure

Related offering

UniSec
Electrifying the world - Solar Inverter
Primary vacuum circuit breakers
Pole400x200
Poles
GSec400x200
GSec / GSec Air
Primary Protection Relays
Primary protection relays

FAQ

1. What is a vacuum circuit breaker? 
A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) is a protection device for electrical circuits capable of interrupting the energy flow in a circuit during normal operations, maintenance or in case of a potential anomality in the grid. The core component in ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers are the vacuum interrupters, where the current is extinguished and are embedded inside the poles. Vacuum technology in medium voltage is a mature and well tested technology, there where products in the market since 1950s. 
2. How does a vacuum circuit breaker work? 
Vacuum circuit breakers protect the evolving grid by safely interrupting the power flow when a grid anomality happens and then re-establishing it once is fixed. Grid anomalies can be caused by over currents - the overload through lightning or malfunctioning electric equipment or a short circuit in the system. The vacuum circuit breakers interrupt the current through the vacuum interrupters, where the current is extinguished and are embedded inside the poles. 
3. How do ABB’s circuit breakers protect against environmental factors?  
ABB’s circuit breakers feature vacuum interrupters embedded in poles, which protect against humidity, shocks, and dust. This design ensures durability and reduces the risk of failure due to contamination, tracking, or partial discharge.
4. What’s the difference between a vacuum circuit breaker and a switch disconnector? 
The main difference between a vacuum circuit breaker and a switch disconnector is that the circuit breaker is capable to protect the electrical circuit by clearing the fault currents. The switch disconnector instead will not interrupt the fault current, but once opened it permits to operate on the disconnected part of the plant guaranteeing the insulation from the still active part of the electrical circuit. 
5. Does ABB offer other type of circuit breakers than vacuum ones? 
Yes, ABB offers also SF6 circuit breaker: the HD4. ABB’s complete transition to SF6-free portfolio will be phased in line with our ambitious sustainability targets, evolving regulatory deadlines, market demand, and production capacity.  
6. What are the key benefits of ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers?  

Vacuum technology offers many advantages: 

  • It does not require any additional refill of gas (SF6) or oil, after the operation the vacuum automatically recovers its insulating properties – as a consequence, vacuum circuit breakers require minimal maintenance.  
  • The vacuum grants a high dielectric strength allowing a compact design. 
  • The electrical arc is contained inside the vacuum interrupters contributing to a reduced footprint. 
  • Environmentally friendly, vacuum circuit breakers do not use greenhouse gases to break the current. 
7. Are ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers easy to maintain?  
Yes, they are. ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers demand very low maintenance. 
8. Are ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers customizable for specific needs? 
Yes, they are. Our customers can select the best customization and accessories for the circuit breaker among those available. ABB also has specific circuit breakers for specific applications such as VD4G for generator applications, VD4-CS for inrush free capacitor bank operations, VD4-AF and AF1 for electrical arc furnaces transformers.
9. What is the VD4/R indoor vacuum circuit breaker used for? 
The VD4/R, up to 24 kV, is designed for secondary distribution in medium voltage systems. It is ideal for use in MV/LV (Medium Voltage / Low Voltage) transformer substations, factories, industrial workshops, and the services sector. 
10. How does the VD4/R ensure easy operation and installation? 
The VD4/R features a modular spring-operated mechanical actuator, which allows for easy operation even without an auxiliary supply. It also offers an optional integrated solution with onboard-tested relay and current sensors/transformers for fast and easy installation. 
11. Why is the VD4/R a preferred solution for low duty distribution? 
The VD4/R is specifically designed for low duty distribution, providing reliable performance with its lateral mechanical actuator. Its compact and modular design makes it a versatile and efficient choice for various secondary distribution applications. 

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