Eaton’s Power Xpert UX International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) rated high-voltage switchgear system is designed for the most critical applications. The company’s focus is to develop the latest power distribution and protection technologies to optimise the performance of any installation while keeping personnel and equipment safe.

With more than 90 years of experience, Eaton can provide the right equipment for the most demanding applications.

As a global platform, the Power Xpert UX switchgear system is designed according to the latest IEC standards and is fully supported by Eaton’s manufacturing facilities worldwide.

“The Power Xpert UX switchgear system complies with the latest specifications, which are focused on the ultimate safety of personnel while they in the vicinity of the switchgear panel,” explains Eaton product manager Johan Els.

The unit has been designed with safety in mind, with mechanical and electrical interlocks that are required not only in terms of the specifications but also from Eaton’s research and development team, who believes that operator safety is paramount, he adds.

The Power Xpert UX builds on the success and legacy of Eaton’s Unitole MV switchgear. The UX is a global design that is certified to the latest IEC 62271 -100 and -200 standards. UX is a complete range of up to 4000 A, 50 kA-3s short-circuit withstand, and 50 kA-1s AFLR internal arc classification.

The Power Xpert UX is designed as a modular system, allowing for full customisation to meet specific application requirements. The system’s broad set of features can be tailored to meet client’s exacting performance, reliability and safety requirements, drawing on Eaton’s extensive experience in insulation technologies, combining cast resin insulation and fully insulated busbar systems.

Els explains that the design features include the combination of vacuum interrupters for switching, cast-resin technology and clean air as the insolation medium, ensuring that the Power Xpert UX is an environment-friendly system while safeguarding operator safety.

“When you consider the types of customers requiring medium-voltage switchgear, safety is of paramount importance,” he says.

Eaton’s expertise in switchgear innovation, including cast-resin, vacuum circuit breaker and contactor technologies, arc interruption and electrical field control, have been integrated into the design and development of the unit.

“This ensures that the switchgear has the highest levels of safety and operational reliability at all times,” says Els.

The withdrawable-type vacuum contactor switching devices offer maximum performance, safety and functionality, with a mechanical life of up to 10 000 operations.

The compact UX design is based on Eaton’s leadership vacuum technology and is available in panel widths of 600 mm, 800 mm and 1 000 mm, as well as three system voltages of 12 kV, 17.5 kV and 24 kV.

Eaton's latest vacuum circuit breaker, the W-VACi, is at the heart of Power Xpert UX. The W-VACi, with its advanced vacuum interrupter contact designs, yields longer life and is very compact.

The Eaton Power Xpert UX has been specified on several South African and international projects this year, including on a project, in Ghana, where the company supplied an e-house solution.

“The e-house is fully mobile and was constructed completely in South Africa before being shipped,” says Els, highlighting that the system can be easily adapted to customer-specific plant requirements.

Eaton has also supplied the Power Xpert UX to a large data centre in Johannesburg as a solution to its main intake substation, and supplied units to a local municipality, where the unit supplies a newly built hospital.

Els highlights that the footprint of Eaton’s Power Xpert UX switchgear is one of the most compact of all systems available on the market, as the vacuum circuit breaker panels have a rated current from 630/1250A up to 31.5 kA, taking up less floor area – of about 37% – than similar switchgear solutions on the market.

“If you consider a substation with up to 40 panels, a saving of 37% on the floor space is significant. It will require fewer building materials and a smaller area, which is especially important for data centres or the retail industry, for example,” he concludes.

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About Eaton

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with deep regional application expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; power quality, backup power and energy storage; control and automation; life safety and security; structural solutions; and harsh and hazardous environment solutions.

Through end-to-end services, channel, and an integrated digital platform and insights Eaton is powering what matters across industries and around the world, helping customers solve their most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services.

They provide sustainable solutions that help their customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power –safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Eaton has over 700 employees and numerous distributors across Africa, allowing them the opportunity to help their customers grow and provide sustainable economic benefits to the communities in which they operate.

Johan Els, Product Manager 

Email address – JohanEls@Eaton.com