Description

The VIDAR Vacuum Interrupter Tester is an essential tool for maintaining the integrity and reliability of high-voltage electrical systems. It provides a non-invasive, rapid, and accurate method for assessing the vacuum integrity of vacuum interrupters (VIs) in switchgear, preventing costly failures and ensuring operational safety.

VIDAR: The Ultimate Non-Invasive Vacuum Interrupter Tester

Ensure Grid Reliability & Prevent Catastrophic Failures

Vacuum interrupters are the critical heart of modern switchgear, providing efficient and reliable current interruption. However, over time, the vacuum within these bottles can degrade due to various factors, leading to partial discharge, insulation breakdown, and ultimately, catastrophic failure. The VIDAR Vacuum Interrupter Tester is the indispensable solution for proactively identifying these hidden defects, ensuring the longevity of your assets and the safety of your personnel.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Non-Invasive, In-Situ Testing:

  • Benefit: Eliminate the need for disassembling switchgear or removing the vacuum interrupter from its operational environment. The VIDAR connects directly to the exterior of the VI, drastically reducing outage times, labor costs, and the risk of damaging equipment during handling.
  • How it Works: By applying a precisely controlled high-voltage pulse across the external surface of the interrupter, VIDAR measures the breakdown voltage characteristics without any physical intrusion into the vacuum bottle.

• Precision Vacuum Integrity Assessment:

  • Benefit: Leverage the proven scientific principle of Paschen's Law to detect even minute degradations in vacuum pressure. VIDAR provides a clear "Good" or "Bad" indication and, where applicable, a quantitative measure of the breakdown voltage, allowing for informed maintenance decisions.
  • Accuracy: High-resolution measurement capabilities ensure reliable detection of potential failures long before they become critical, enhancing predictive maintenance strategies.

• Rapid & Efficient Operation:

  • Benefit: Complete a full test cycle in mere seconds. This unparalleled speed allows maintenance teams to test a larger number of VIs in less time, maximizing efficiency during scheduled outages and minimizing operational disruption.
  • Productivity: Drastically increases the throughput of your maintenance routines, translating into significant cost savings.

• Unparalleled Safety & Reliability:

  • Benefit: Proactive identification of faulty vacuum interrupters prevents dangerous flashovers, explosions, and unplanned outages. By ensuring the integrity of your VIs, VIDAR protects human lives, valuable assets, and the stability of your electrical network.
  • Risk Mitigation: Reduce the risk of arc flash incidents and equipment damage caused by vacuum loss.

• Intuitive & User-Friendly Design:

  • Benefit: Engineered for ease of use, VIDAR features a clear, high-contrast graphical display and simple, straightforward controls. Operators can perform tests with minimal training, reducing the learning curve and improving operational efficiency.
  • Accessibility: Guided testing procedures ensure consistent and accurate results regardless of operator experience.

• Built for the Field: Portable & Robust:

  • Benefit: Housed in a durable, lightweight, and compact casing, the VIDAR is designed to withstand the rigors of industrial and outdoor environments. Its portability makes it ideal for field service, remote substations, and difficult-to-access locations.
  • Durability: IP-rated protection ensures reliable operation in various weather conditions and harsh industrial settings.

• Comprehensive Data Management & Reporting:

  • Benefit: Store test results internally, allowing for easy recall and analysis. Connect to a PC via USB for advanced data management, trending, and professional report generation. This facilitates informed decision-making, compliance documentation, and long-term asset management.
  • Traceability: Track historical performance of individual VIs to identify trends, predict end-of-life, and optimize replacement schedules.

How VIDAR Works:

The VIDAR unit generates a controlled, high-voltage pulse, typically ranging from 5kV to 30kV (model dependent), which is applied across the external insulation of the vacuum interrupter. Based on Paschen's Law, a vacuum interrupter with good vacuum will exhibit a significantly higher dielectric strength and withstand this voltage without breakdown. If the vacuum has degraded (e.g., due to a micro-leak), the gas pressure inside the bottle increases, leading to a lower breakdown voltage. The VIDAR precisely measures this breakdown threshold, comparing it against established thresholds to determine the VI's status ("Good" or "Bad").

Ideal Applications:

• Utilities: Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Substations.
• Industrial Facilities: Manufacturing Plants, Petrochemical Refineries, Mining Operations, Data Centers.
• Renewable Energy: Wind Farms, Solar Plants.
• Commercial Buildings: Large Campus Facilities, Hospitals, Airports.
• Maintenance & Service Companies: Providing inspection and testing services for high-voltage equipment.
• Switchgear Manufacturers: For quality control and outgoing inspection.

Why Choose VIDAR?

• Unmatched Efficiency: Reduce testing time from hours to seconds.
• Cost Savings: Prevent costly equipment damage, unplanned outages, and unnecessary replacements.
• Enhanced Safety: Protect personnel and assets from catastrophic failures.
• Proactive Maintenance: Transition from reactive to predictive maintenance strategies.
• Reliable Diagnostics: Trust in accurate, repeatable results based on established scientific principles.
• User-Centric Design: Easy to operate, rugged for field use, and powerful for data analysis.

Key Technical Specifications (Illustrative - actual specifications may vary by model):

• Test Voltage Range: 5 kV to 30 kV (adjustable)
• Measurement Principle: Paschen's Law, High-Voltage Breakdown Detection
• Measurement Accuracy: ± (1% of reading + 200V)
• Display: High-contrast LCD with backlight
• Test Time: < 5 seconds per interrupter
• Data Storage: Internal memory for 1000+ test results
• Connectivity: USB for PC communication
• Software: PC analysis and reporting software included
• Power Supply: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery (8+ hours operation) or external AC adapter
• Operating Temperature: -10°C to +50°C (14°F to 122°F)
• Dimensions: Approx. 250 x 180 x 70 mm (9.8 x 7.1 x 2.8 inches)
• Weight: Approx. 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
• Safety Features: Overvoltage protection, clearly marked safety warnings, insulated test leads.

What's Included:

• VIDAR Main Unit
• High-Voltage Test Leads (pair)
• Ground Cable
• AC Power Adapter / Charger
• USB Communication Cable
• PC Software (on USB drive or download link)
• User Manual
• Rugged Carrying Case

Invest in the VIDAR Vacuum Interrupter Tester today and elevate your electrical system maintenance to a new standard of reliability and safety.

Contact us for a demonstration or to request a detailed quote!