S&C Omni-Rupter - User Manual

August 15, 2011© S&C Electric Company
Photo Sheet 765-707
S&C Omni-Rupter
®
Switches
Outdoor Distribution (14.4 kV and 25 kV)
Optional Wildlife Protection
Wildlife Protection Option
Birds and tree squirrels are a leading cause of short-term
unexplained outages on distribution systems. To address
this problem, S&C is pleased to introduce a wildlife
protection option for manually operated Omni-Rupter
Switches in the upright mounting configurations. The
new option effectively prevents animals from making
phase-to-grounded part contact.
Unique Design Prevents Animal-Intrusion-Related
Outages
The key to the wildlife protection option is its unique
angled wildlife discs that cover the bases of the support
insulators—providing an excellent barrier between the
energized and grounded parts of the switch. These discs
snap together without tools, and fit both Cypoxy
®
and
porcelain insulators. The wildlife discs are made of a
durable, flexible, UV-stabilized polycarbonate material—
the same material S&C has used on distribution fuse
rain caps for over 20 years. The sloped construction
of the discs provides an uneven foothold for climbing
and perching animals, while shedding ice and rain. The
steep slope of the discs also deters nest building under
energized parts of the switch. The wildlife discs float
on the insulators and have no effect on their insulation
characteristics, but attach securely enough to avoid spin-
ning or movement during high winds.
Wildlife Protection for Omni-Rupter Switches
14.4-kV Upright Omni-Rupter Switch with wildlife protection option.

Summary

Wildlife Protection for Omni-Rupter Switches

Wildlife Protection Option

Introduces a wildlife protection option for manually operated Omni-Rupter Switches to prevent animal contact.

Unique Design Prevents Animal-Intrusion-Related Outages

Describes the angled wildlife discs made of polycarbonate that provide a barrier and deter animals.

Retrofit Installed Switches

Retrofit Installation

Explains that wildlife protection is retrofittable to existing Omni-Rupter Switches with a snap-fit design.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The S&C Omni-Rupter® Switch, designed for outdoor distribution at 14.4 kV and 25 kV, offers an optional wildlife protection feature aimed at mitigating outages caused by birds and tree squirrels. These animals are a significant source of short-term, unexplained outages on distribution systems, and this protection option is specifically engineered to prevent them from making contact between energized and grounded parts of the switch.

Function Description

The core function of the Omni-Rupter Switch is to provide reliable switching in outdoor distribution environments. With the added wildlife protection, its function expands to include enhanced operational reliability by preventing animal-induced outages. The protection system achieves this by creating an effective barrier between energized and grounded components, thereby eliminating common points of contact for wildlife.

The key to this protection is a unique design featuring angled wildlife discs. These discs are strategically placed to cover the bases of the support insulators, forming a critical barrier. In addition to the discs, the wildlife protection option incorporates insulated covers for the switch base, further safeguarding against accidental contact. A fiberglass interphase operating rod is also included, which helps to eliminate the possibility of phase-to-grounded part contact by wildlife, offering a comprehensive protective solution.

Usage Features

The wildlife protection option for the Omni-Rupter Switch boasts several user-friendly features that enhance its applicability and ease of integration.

• Unique Angled Wildlife Discs: These discs are a central component of the protection system. Their angled design serves multiple purposes:

  • Barrier Creation: They provide an excellent barrier between the energized and grounded parts of the switch, effectively preventing animals from bridging this gap.
  • Uneven Foothold: The sloped construction of the discs creates an uneven and unstable surface, deterring climbing and perching animals. This makes it difficult for wildlife to gain purchase and move across the switch components.
  • Weather Shedding: The slope also aids in shedding ice and rain, preventing accumulation that could potentially compromise the switch's operation or create alternative pathways for animals.
  • Nest Deterrence: The steep slope actively discourages nest building under the energized parts of the switch, removing another common source of animal-related interference.
  • Compatibility: The discs are designed to fit both Cypoxy® and porcelain insulators, ensuring broad applicability across different switch configurations.
  • Secure Attachment: Despite "floating" on the insulators without affecting their insulation characteristics, the discs attach securely enough to resist spinning or movement even during high winds, maintaining their protective function in adverse weather.

• Insulated Covers for Switch Base: These covers provide an additional layer of protection, insulating the switch base and further reducing the risk of phase-to-grounded part contact.

• Fiberglass Interphase Operating Rod: The inclusion of a fiberglass operating rod further enhances safety by minimizing the possibility of wildlife making contact between different phases or between a phase and ground.

• Durable Material: The wildlife discs are constructed from a durable, flexible, UV-stabilized polycarbonate material. This is the same material S&C has successfully used for over 20 years on distribution fuse rain caps, attesting to its proven longevity and resistance to environmental degradation. This material choice ensures the protection system remains effective over an extended service life.

Maintenance Features

The wildlife protection option is designed with ease of maintenance and installation in mind, offering significant advantages for both new installations and existing systems.

• Retrofit Capability: A key maintenance feature is the ability to retrofit the wildlife protection onto all installed Omni-Rupter Switches that are in the upright mounting configuration. This means that existing infrastructure can be upgraded without requiring a complete replacement of the switch, offering a cost-effective solution for improving reliability.

• Tool-Free Installation: The unique "snap-fit" design of the discs allows for installation without the need for any special tools. This simplifies the installation process and reduces the time required for deployment.

• Installation on Energized Pole: The protection system can be installed with the switch still on the pole, requiring only a brief outage. This minimizes disruption to service and reduces operational downtime, making maintenance more efficient.

• No Disassembly Required: The design ensures that no disassembly of switch parts is needed during installation. This further streamlines the process, reduces labor time, and minimizes the risk of damaging switch components during the upgrade.

• Easy-to-Install Insulating Cover: For already-installed switches, an easy-to-install insulating cover is used. This cover is designed to wrap securely around the interphase operating pipe, providing effective insulation and protection without complex procedures.

These features collectively make the S&C Omni-Rupter Switch with wildlife protection a robust, reliable, and user-friendly solution for enhancing distribution system resilience against animal-induced outages.

S&C Omni-Rupter Specifications