NOJA Power’s new fuse link mounted circuit breaker, which brings the benefits of reclosing to traditional fuses, has passed its KEMA type test.
With the successful type tests completed, NOJA Power has commenced manufacture of the EcoLink against advance orders and has opened the order books for further demand.
Deliveries will commence from November 2024.
The EcoLink is a 15kV rated, 100A continuous current fuse link mounted circuit breaker designed to replace fuses on rural lines and fused lateral feeders.
The EcoLink product mounts in existing medium voltage fuse holders, and is configured to interrupt faults in the same time as a conventional fuse, except it has the additional ability to reclose.
Given that 80 per cent of faults on the overhead line are transient, a single successful reclose of an EcoLink will restore power and often save network operators more than the cost of the install in maintenance and replacements.
NOJA Power’s EcoLink product was successfully type tested for duty at the KEMA facility in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
NOJA Power Group Managing Director, Neil O’Sullivan, said that the EcoLink is the most innovative product NOJA Power has ever developed.
“We are very proud of it and are excited to have launched production,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“I am sure this product will make a significant global impact to electricity distribution networks.”
NOJA Power’s EcoLink product provides unique advantages, including:
- Rapid start up – a completely deenergised EcoLink can be closed onto the fault, harvest energy and trip within a few cycles. The EcoLink’s supercapacitor array gathers sufficient trip energy to allow similar responses to existing fuses. The bigger the fault, the faster the trip.
- Lighter weight – the EcoLink only weighs only 7.4kg.
- Live settings update – an EcoLink’s settings can be amended wirelessly without taking the device out of service, with a local IEEE1686 cybersecurity compliant connection.
- No need to drop out – the EcoLink’s design allows it to remain in the open position while energised.
- An interlocked manual operation arm – EcoLink can be installed in a fuse holder while open, ensuring the electrical close operation is performed by the internal vacuum interrupter. Conversely, the interlock mandates current interruption by the VI prior to removal, mitigating the risk of operators drawing an arc.
NOJA Power’s production facility in Brisbane has commenced manufacture of the EcoLink.
For technical ratings of the product, visit www.nojapower.com.au/product/ecolink
Featured image: NOJA Power staff with the EcoLink® at KEMA in Arnhem in the Netherlands. Image: NOJA Power.
