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Page I The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching...
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ATTENTION: Southern States will begin supplying a portion of new operating mechanism designs with Rapid-Set clevises for orders designed after 9/1/23. If your Operating Mechanism print calls for Rapid-Set clevises (see image below for an example), please utilize the instructions on the following pages for all linkage adjustments.
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Please scan or use the link below for video instructions of Rapid-Set. Southern States Rapid Set Instructions S T E P 1 : Install the auxiliary arm by aligning the straight edge of the arm with the center of the vertical pipe and bolting it into place using two of the provided mounting holes.
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S T E P 2 : Install the adjustable arm with the radius “R” set to the recommended length provided in the operating mechanism drawings. S T E P 3 : Install the auxiliary arm Rapid-Set clevis and drive pipe. Ensure that roughly 12” of pipe extends beyond the adjustable arm clevis connection so that the pipe makes contact with the adjustable arm in the position shown.
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S T E P 4 : With the auxiliary arm properly aligned with the vertical pipe and the switch phase in the full closed position, pierce the pipe at both ends. NOTE: U-bolt style clevises require pre-drilling on all pipes thicker than SCH40.
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S T E P 6 : After the drive phase is adjusted to operate correctly, set all phases to full closed, and install the interphase pipe following the procedure below. For switches driven by the center phase: a. With the interphase pipe centered and all clevises in place, pierce the interphase pipe at the locations shown.
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For switches driven by one of the end phases: a. With the interphase pipe centered and all clevises in place, pierce the interphase pipe with at the locations shown. Do not remove plastic caps at this time. b. Adjust the timing of the center phase by adjusting the length “L” of the Rapid-Set clevis attached to the drive phase.
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c. Set the timing of the last phase by adjusting the length “L” of the Rapid-Set clevis attached to the last phase. S T E P 7 : With all the phases adjusted, open and close the three phase assembly and inspect for proper operation. Once adjustments are finalized, pierce all remaining connections (switch operator, adjustable arm, etc).
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Please ensure that you are using the latest installation and maintenance instructions. If you do not understand any part of these instructions or need assistance, contact Southern States Service Division at 770-946-4562 during normal business hours (8:00am – 4:30pm EST, M-F) or 770-...
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The purchaser (“Purchaser”) of certain Equipment (the “Equipment”) identified in the Instruction Manual accompanying these Terms of Use sold by Southern States, LLC (“Southern States”), by Purchaser’s acceptance or Use of Equipment in any way, agrees to the Terms of Use set forth below (the word “Use” herein means receipt, testing, inspection, installation, operation, maintenance and otherwise handling the Equipment): •...
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The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching LIMITED WARRANTY Southern States, LLC (“SSLLC”) warrants only to the Warranty Holder (hereinafter defined as the “End User” or the “Immediate Purchaser”, as applicable, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Limited Warranty as set forth below), that the Product identified below will, upon shipment, be free of defects in workmanship and material for the applicable Warranty Period.
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Page V The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching...
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Page VI The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching Type RDA, RDA-1 Double End Break Disconnect Switch 69 kV – 230 kV...
Page VII The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching Table of Contents Chapter Page Summary & Introduction ........................1 Important ............................1 Summary ............................1 Introduction ............................ 2 Product Description ........................... 3 Typical Switch ..........................3 Ratings .............................. 4 Receiving, Handling & Storage ......................5 Receiving &...
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Page VIII The Quality Name in High Voltage Switching List of Tables and Figures Tables Page Table 2: Recommended Installation and Maintenance Table ............18 Figures Page Figure 1: Typical Double End Break Disconnect Switch & Common Terminology ......3 Figure 2: Hinge Assembly Match Mark (115 –...
Southern States Representative. The contents of this instruction manual should not become part of or modify any prior or existing agreement, commitment or relationship.
Summary & Introduction Introduction The Southern States type RDA and RDA-1 are three insulator double end break group-operated outdoor air disconnect switches. Standard with aluminum live part construction, these switches offer maximum versatility and ice breaking capability in the harshest of conditions. Each switch can be operated using a manual or electrical motor operator and mounted upright, vertically, or underhung.
Page 3 of 19 Product Description Product Description Typical Switch The RDA and RDA-1 switch consist of the following single pole assemblies: • Live Parts (A) – Switch jaws, switch blade, hinge mechanism, & arcing horns • Base • Insulators •...
Page 5 of 19 Receiving, Handling & Storage Receiving, Handling & Storage Receiving & Unpacking Unpack the equipment and check for damages or shortages immediately. The bill-of- material from the Unit Assembly (switch) and Operating Mechanism drawings should be used for this purpose and can be found in the carboard tube housing inside the op mech container.
Page 6 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Installation & Adjustment Procedures Preferred Switch Assembly Method 1. Uncrate the switches, remove the shipping ties, and check for damage in transit. If any damage is found, immediately file a claim with the carrier and notify the factory. 2.
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Page 7 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures 3. Rotate the switch arm to relieve the contact pressure on the switch blade. Remove the live parts from the adaptors and save the bolts for re-use (if they are of a type specified on the unit assembly drawing for insulator mounting –...
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Page 8 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures 6. Figure 5 for Jack screw adjustments procedure. Adjustments to these switches mainly concern getting the insulator stacks properly aligned. This is done with the jack screws that support the adaptors to which the insulators are bolted. The best procedure to do this is described below.
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Page 9 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Figure 6: Rotating Insulator Figure 7: Adjusting the Rotating Insulator for Concentric Rotation (230 kV only) For 161 kV & below, use levels or plumb lines to true the rotating insulator Step 1: Rotate the insulator up against a bearing stop and position the reference point over the center of the insulator top.
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Page 10 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Step 3: If during rotation the insulator has wobbled, leave it against the bearing stop in step two. Use the jack screws that mount the rotating insulator to the bearing to tilt it back one-half the distance to the reference point on the marker.
Page 11 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Proper Contact Engagement 8. Carefully close the switch, checking for proper contact engagement described below. NOTE: Final adjustment usually cannot be made to these switches until the conductors are attached. Therefore, the conductors should be bolted on before proceeding further. If this is not possible, be sure to recheck the contact engagements described in A through D below after the conductors are tied on and before energizing the switch.
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Page 12 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures D. Although the switch is fully closed and will have adequate contact pressure if the blade has rotated to within plus or minus 5° of perpendicular in the contacts, every effort should be made to get the tips as nearly vertical in the contacts as possible.
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Page 13 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Figure 13: Arcing Horn Attachment Blade arcing horn (arrow) goes under arc horn. Figure 14: Arcing Horn Blade Tip Correct arcing horn adjustment has horn parallel to movement of the blade tip, allowing light contact through full length of engagement.
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Page 14 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures This could cause contact overheating. 12. When all adjustments are made, install the operating mechanism as directed in the following section:...
Page 15 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Operating Mechanism A – Motor or Manual Operator B – Vertical Pipe C – Bearing Mounting Bracket D – Vertical Bearing with Bushing E – Pipe Collar (See Cautionary Note – Figure 18) F –...
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Page 16 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures NOTE: On some installations you will find self-piercing set screws in the pipe clevises. These screws should be tightened to only grip the pipe during initial adjustments: Do not pierce the pipe until directed to do so. Adjust the switch by the driven phase first.
Page 17 of 19 Installation & Adjustment Procedures Operating Mechanism Adjustment 1. The adjustable arm should travel at least 180 from toggle closed to toggle open. Manually test operate. 2. If the switch does not fully open, the radius of the arm is too short. To correct: a.
Recommended Inspection & Maintenance Recommended Inspection & Maintenance Southern States’ disconnect switches are designed to operate with minimum maintenance. While disconnecting switches are not readily serviced at frequent intervals, periodic inspection is important for satisfactory operation and maximized overall life. Frequency of inspection and maintenance depends on the installation site, weather, atmospheric conditions, experience of operating personnel, and any special operation requirements.
Page 19 of 19 Recommended Inspection & Maintenance Patrolling Inspection (6 Months) The patrolling inspection is a largely visual inspection on an energized unit in service. The frequency of the inspection is determined by the local conditions and policies of the owner of the equipment. •...
Page 20 of 19 Appendix Appendix Appendix A: General Installation Notes Threaded Clevises When threaded clevises are specified, one is generally attached to the adjustable arm, and two more to the center phase switch arm. (Refer to the plan view of the operating mechanism drawing, and the Illustration above.) Operating mechanism adjustments consist mainly of incremental lengthening and/or shortenings of the pipes that connect the switch arms together.
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