Power plants

The customer in Vietnam operated an indoor high-voltage switchgear with a generator that had been in service for only two years. Despite this relatively short period of operation, the equipment was already in very poor technical condition and contained components from suppliers that the customer could no longer accept for political and strategic reasons. The existing solution posed a risk to safe and stable operation and did not meet the requirements for long-term reliability.

Zákazník realizující projekt přečerpávací elektrárny požadoval dodávku středněnapěťového rozváděče tvořícího uzel (starpoint) generátoru. Zařízení muselo splňovat vysoké nároky na bezpečnost, spolehlivost a provozní stabilitu, včetně integrace měřicích prvků a přesně definovaných zkoušek. Součástí zadání byla také kompletní odpovědnost dodavatele za návrh, výrobu, kontrolu a tovární zkoušky zařízení.

The operator of a coal-fired power plant in the Czech Republic required a reliable solution for interconnecting medium-voltage equipment within a technological system. Due to the outdoor installation, emphasis was placed on resistance to weather conditions, safe operation, and long-term reliability of the equipment under both normal and fault conditions.

The power plant, owned by the Ministry of Energy, consists of a steam unit and six gas turbines. As a result of military conflicts in past decades, some generating units were damaged or completely dismantled. Following the end of the conflicts, a gradual rehabilitation and modernization program was initiated, including the restoration of the high-voltage distribution systems.

IVEP participated in the project by delivering two key high-voltage solutions, each addressing a different technical challenge.

The customer required a compact and clearly arranged solution for the medium-voltage generator power output that would:

• combine multiple functions into a single device,
• minimize space requirements within the generator block,
• ensure safe and reliable connection of the generator to the downstream equipment.

The specification also emphasized long-term operation, clear wiring layout, and ease of maintenance.

The customer operated a disconnector with an earthing switch in the vicinity of a transformer, where:

• the equipment performed approximately 500 switching operations per month,
• the ambient temperature long-term reached up to 70 °C,
• the environment was moderately dusty.

The customer operates a testing laboratory for medium-voltage asynchronous motors, which are supplied without their own cable terminations. For repeated testing of various machines, a universal and safe solution was required for:

• quick connection of power cables,
• handling in a laboratory environment,
• easy operation without the need for complex procedures.

Emphasis was placed on:

• operator safety,
• minimum possible equipment dimensions,
• simple design without measuring or protective devices,
• the ability to handle the equipment using a crane,
• a freestanding design with an open bottom section for cable entries.

The GSI-CB switchgear was supplied as the main power output from the generator to the primary power distribution system of the power plant. The equipment is installed indoors and forms a key link between the generator and the downstream distribution technology. The customer required a solution with high operational reliability, capable of meeting the demanding conditions of power generation while also allowing customization to specific project requirements.

The customer required a solution that respected the specific generator arrangement, where:

• both the power and neutral terminals are located on one side of the machine,
• a common terminal box for power and neutral must be installed on a single foundation,
• the interconnection between the power and neutral sections has a very limited length of approximately 750 mm,
• the connection of customer cables must be implemented via drilled cable glands and busbars with pre-drilled holes.

Emphasis was placed on precise mechanical execution, low contact resistance, and a clear arrangement of current paths.