NOJA Power 15-kV Automatic Circuit Recloser attains ENA conformity certification for use on U.K. electricity distribution grid

Electrical switchgear engineers NOJA Power today announces that its OSM15 Automatic Circuit Recloser (ACR) has been issued with a Notice of Conformity Certificate by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Switchgear Assessment Panel. The certificate signifies that the OSM15 ACR satisfies the requirements of ENA TS 41-36 Issue 2* and meets the technical specifications detailed in “Engineering Recommendation G79 Parts 1 and 2a – Switchgear” proving the unit is suitable for use on the U.K. electricity.

ENA represents the transmission and distribution network operators for gas and electricity in the UK and Ireland. The association’s goals are to promote the UK and Ireland energy networks and ensure those networks are the safest, most reliable, most efficient and sustainable in the world.

ENA TS 41-36 is a specification that defines the technical requirements for switchgear rated at voltages within the range 7.2 to 36 kV, for use on 6.6-, 11-, 20- and 33-kV distribution systems in the U.K. and Ireland. ENA switchgear specialists assess new switchgear products––following the process detailed in the Engineering Recommendations––and units that meet the specified criteria are given an ENA Notice of Conformity Certificate through the Switchgear Assessment Panel. (See “About Switchgear Assessment Panel” below.)

The OSM15 ACR is manufactured at NOJA Power’s global headquarters and assembly facility in Brisbane, Australia. The ACR is a distribution automation protection device capable of operating up to a rated maximum voltage of 15.5 kV and continuous current of 630 A. The OSM15 ACR also features a fault make capacity (RMS) of 12.5 kA and an impulse withstand phase-to-earth and phase-to-phase of 110 kV.

Key features of the OSM15 ACR include the use of a vacuum interrupt and solid dielectric insulator instead of the environmentally unfriendly oil or sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas used in older products and a stainless steel enclosure that forms the only solid dielectric unit with controlled arc venting on the market. The controlled arc venting design meets the requirements of IEC62271-200 Clause 6.106 and Annex A, and the efficacy of this important safety feature has been verified by KEMA, an independent laboratory based in the Netherlands, as part of a full type-test.

“Obtaining a Notice of Conformity Certificate from ENA for the OSM15 ACR was an arduous process that took more than six years and put the product under an extremely high level of scrutiny. This included additional type-testing to confirm the product’s 12.5-kA, one-second arc fault withstand capability – a key requirement of the standard,” says John Dykes, NOJA Power’s U.K. Sales Manager.

But it has been well worth the effort as the U.K. represents a significant market for NOJA Power. The certification allows British utilities to confidently specify NOJA Power’s products as a key element in the development of a country-wide smart grid.”

According to the U.K.’s Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), smart grids will make a key contribution to U.K. energy and climate goals. The U.K. is investing in smart grid development with initiatives such as a roll-out of smart electricity and gas meters to all homes by 2020, an Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) fund of £500 million over the next five years to support smart grid trials and a DECC grant of £2.8 million to eight small smart grid demonstration projects.