Klockner Moeller - Moeller Electric Safety Related Control Relays

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Safety-Related Control Relays

Wood Dale, IL, December 17, 2007 - The increasing proportion of wind generated power in Europe's power grid system requires the use of wind turbine generators with a stable and predictable operating behavior: In the event of a short-circuit in the power supply system, not all wind turbines should be disconnected from it. This would have serious consequences since the grid would become unstable and the supply could not be compensated for elsewhere. In the event of a short-circuit, state-of-the-art wind turbine generators therefore have to stay connected to the grid for a defined period. Moeller's DILH contactors are specially designed to stay on safely and reliably during a short-circuit (voltage drop). If there is a drop in the control voltage by 85 percent, the contactors stay switched on for three seconds - without the need for a USP unit. The DILH contactors also have a compact design thus reducing the required size of the switch cabinet.

For its DILH contactors Moeller uses vacuum technology, i.e. switching operations do no not involve any escaping gases. This means that a switch cabinet can be designed with narrow spaces between components. Unlike conventional air contactors, which require greater mechanical forces to close the contacts for the higher ratings, an intelligent control electronics unit is used for less destructive switching in the vacuum tubes. This reduces the mechanical forces and drive output required, whilst increasing the lifespan of the contactors for operation over several decades.

From a rated current of 1600 A the contacts are divided up between up to three contactors. The integrated release electronics ensures absolutely synchronous switching of all contactors, thus relieving the user of otherwise unavoidable control routines from the PLC program.

Wind turbine generators over two megawatts often require medium-voltage switchboard systems instead of low-voltage systems, in order to control the generated power reliably, and as a consequence, involve considerably higher costs. Moeller contactors are available for up to a rated operational current of 2200A. The 2500 A rating class will be added to the series by Q3/2008, thus allowing the use of inexpensive low-voltage power distribution systems in a large number of wind turbines.

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