DTEK will replace more than 40 old oil circuit breakers with new and environmentally friendly vacuum circuit breakers on the power networks across Dnipropetrovsk Region

Thermal power generation03 June 2021

In 2021, energy workers from DTEK Dnipro Grids will replace 41 oil circuit breakers of 35-6 kV* with new vacuum ones. They are reliable and do not pose a potential hazard to the environment due to possible oil leakage. Thanks to them, customers will have a more stable electricity supply and a safer environment.

DTEK will replace more than 40 old oil circuit breakers with new and environmentally friendly vacuum circuit breakers on the power networks across Dnipropetrovsk Region

The breakers will be replaced in nine distribution points and power substations of Dnipro, Krivyi Rih, as well as Pavlogradsky and Novomoskovsky Districts.

“Sustainable development is a priority for DTEK's investments. DTEK Dnipro Grids is upgrading the network, replacing equipment with new, more efficient, and environmentally friendly ones. This is our contribution to high-quality and reliable power supply, preservation of the environment and shaping an ecological future. Last year, we replaced 61 oil switches with new vacuum ones. In 2021, we will replace 41 more. By the end of the year, 76% of circuit breakers operating in Dnipropetrovsk Region will not have environmentally hazardous oil in their design,” says Andrii Tereshchuk, CEO of DTEK Dnipro Grids.

According to the head of the company, abandoning oil switches is a conscious choice. After all, they are morally and technically outdated, have a limited service life, require regular expensive repairs and are environmentally hazardous.

The main advantages of modern vacuum circuit breakers are durability, efficiency, compactness, ease of repair, fire and explosion safety. They do not contain petroleum products or other hazardous substances and are completely environmentally friendly.

Today, 7,676 circuit breakers function at high and medium voltage facilities of DTEK Dnipro Grids. Of these, 1,917 (25%) are oil ones, and 5,759 (75%) – vacuum ones. The company plans to completely abandon the use of oil switches by the end of 2030.

Reference:

* 35-6 kV Circuit breakers are devices designed for use under high and medium voltage. With their help, the company's energy workers connect / disconnect electrical lines, turn on/off electrical equipment at electrical infrastructure facilities. In terms of functionality, these devices are like automatic switches that are usually installed in residential premises and are designed to turn on / off the electricity of the entire room or its individual power lines.