Instruction Sheet 466-501
December 19, 2022
© S&C Electric Company 2022, all rights reserved
VacuFuse
®
II Self-Resetting Interrupter—Quick Operation Guide
Outdoor Distribution (12.47 kV through 27.0 kV)
Understanding the LED Indicators and POSITION Indicator
LED Indicators
There are two LEDs on the base of the VacuFuse II interrupter. See Figure 2.
The CHARGING LED is white and indicates the VacuFuse II interrupter is harvesting
energy to close the vacuum interrupter. When the VacuFuse II interrupter is powered, the
CHARGING LED will start flashing at one flash per second as long as sufficient voltage
is present in the cutout mounting and the vacuum interrupter is open. When full charge
is achieved, the READY TO CLOSE LED will illuminate and the CHARGING LED will
continue blinking.
POSITION Indicator
The POSITION indicator is located on the base of the VacuFuse II interrupter’s housing.
It contains a highly reflective visible red or green target that indicates the position of
the vacuum interrupter inside the device. The target is green when the vacuum
interrupter is in the
Open
position and red when the vacuum interrupter is in the
Closed
position, unless the VacuFuse II interrupter was ordered with the “-J1” suffix
(red open/green closed).
Installing a VacuFuse II Interrupter into the Cutout Mounting
WARNING
Provide training to line crews on the use of both a hotstick and an extendostick
before installing or operating the VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupter. The
VacuFuse II interrupter is different from other cutout-mounted devices. Failure to
properly handle a VacuFuse II interrupter with a hotstick and/or an extendostick
may lead to serious injury or death.
For instructions on how to install a cutout mounting, see the “Installing the VacuFuse II
Self-Resetting Interrupter Mounting” section of S&C Instruction Sheet 466-500.
WARNING
VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupters must be installed, operated, and maintained
by qualified persons knowledgeable in overhead electric power distribution equipment
and the associated hazards. This guide is not a replacement for adequate training
and experience in safety procedures for this product. Read S&C Instruction Sheet
466-500 thoroughly and carefully before installing or operating your VacuFuse II
Self-Resetting Interrupter.
DANGER
VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupters may be energized from either side and in any
position. Always consider all parts live until de-energized, tested, and grounded.
Understanding the Closing Sequence
Note:
The VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupter is shipped from the factory with the
vacuum interrupter in the
Open
position.
When closing the VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupter into the cutout mounting
the CHARGING LED will blink at a one-second interval as long as there is sufficient
voltage present in the cutout mounting and the vacuum interrupter is open. The READY
TO CLOSE LED will steadily illuminate when the VacuFuse II interrupter has harvested
enough energy to close the vacuum interrupter and when the manual operating lever is
in the
Down
position.
The VacuFuse II Self-Resetting Interrupter requires 45
±
10 seconds to harvest enough
energy to close the vacuum interrupter.
There are two ways to close the vacuum interrupter:
Option 1: Automatic Delayed Close
Place the manual operating lever into the
Up
position at any time prior to closing the unit
into the cutout mounting, or less than 35 seconds after the CHARGING LED has begun
blinking. When closed into the cutout mounting in this state, the CHARGING LED will
blink at a one-second interval if there is sufficient voltage present in the cutout mounting
and the vacuum interrupter is open. The VacuFuse II interrupter will automatically close
the vacuum interrupter after 45
±
10 seconds.
Option 2: Manual Close
Place the manual operating lever into the
Down
position prior to closing the unit into the
cutout mounting or less than 35 seconds after the CHARGING LED has begun blinking.
Wait until the READY TO CLOSE LED illuminates and is solidly lit. At that time, the
interrupter is ready to be closed manually by moving the manual operating lever to
the
Up
position. Three seconds after the lever is moved to the
Up
position, the vacuum
interrupter will close.
Always check the position of the vacuum interrupter by confirming the POSITION
indicator at the base of the interrupter is red before walking away. See Figure 1.
Figure 1. A VacuFuse II Self-Resetting
Interrupter (vacuum interrupter closed).
POSITION
indicator
LED
indicators
Figure 2. A VacuFuse II Self-Resetting
Interrupter (vacuum interrupter open).
CHARGING
LED
POSITION
indicator in
the Open
(green)
position
READY TO
CLOSE LED
STEP 1.
If using an existing cutout mounting:
Visually inspect the cutout mounting
for damage or excessive wear, particularly in the upper and lower contact
areas. If ANY damage is visible, replace the cutout mounting before proceeding.
DO NOT install and/or energize a VacuFuse II interrupter into a damaged
cutout mounting.
STEP 2.
Installation using insulated gloves:
With the manual operating lever in the
Up
position, insert the VacuFuse II interrupter into the proper cutout mounting
with gloved hands, as shown in Figure 5 on page 2.
Installation using the Talon™ Handling Tool:
Attach a Talon Handling
Tool to a short hotstick. Insert the curled prong of the Talon tool into the lifting
eye of the trunnion, and raise the VacuFuse II interrupter into the mounting.
Rotate the hotstick counterclockwise 180 degrees to disengage it.
Closing the VacuFuse II Interrupter into the Cutout Mounting
NOTICE
Read the “Understanding the Closing Sequence” section before closing the
VacuFuse II interrupter into its cutout mounting.
STEP 1.
Confirm the VacuFuse II interrupter is in the
Open
position by viewing its
POSITION indicator. Place the manual operating lever in the correct position
for the closing sequence desired.
STEP 2.
Stand firmly in front of and in line with the cutout mounting. Do not operate
standing directly underneath the VacuFuse II interrupter. If using an
extendostick, stand from 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3.1 m) away from the pole.
STEP 3.
Insert the straight prong of a Talon tool or distribution prong into the pull-ring.
STEP 4.
Swing the VacuFuse II interrupter to within approximately 45 degrees of the
fully
Closed
position. See Figure 3.
STEP 5.
While firmly gripping the stick, drive the VacuFuse II interrupter closed with
forward force. Maintain the forward force until the interrupter properly closes
and latches into the cutout mounting.
STEP 6.
Disengage the prong from the pull-ring, taking care to avoid pulling the
VacuFuse II interrupter open.
Figure 3. A VacuFuse II interrupter within
approximately 45 degrees of the fully
Closed position.
45°
