Bison^® Revolutionizes Medium Voltage Breakers with Compact DC Motorized Operators

In the ever-evolving Electric Transmission and Distribution market, space is a premium commodity, especially in below-ground electric service vaults. Traditionally, these fixed-space environments have relied on manual breaker systems. 

However, as utilities push towards automation, the challenge has been to integrate motorized systems without expanding vault size—a costly and often impractical solution.

Bison^® has risen to this challenge by customizing their AC PowerSTAR Gearmotor for DC operation, specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of these confined spaces. 

This innovative approach has allowed a leading global Switchgear supplier to replace traditional motorized operators with more compact and energy - efficient versions.
   
Overcoming Challenges
The transition from manual to automatic switches in medium voltage breaker systems presents several hurdles. The vaults and their amperage are fixed, necessitating evolution within these constraints. Additionally, the new system had to accommodate from one to six ways without increasing the breaker footprint, be 100% watertight, and operate with less than a 10-amp draw while providing position reporting via an encoder.

Innovative Solutions
Bison^® tackled these challenges head-on by developing a narrow, space-saving gearmotor with a DC input motor, housed in a sealed stainless-steel enclosure. This customized PowerSTAR DC gearmotor, equipped with an optional brake and encoder, met all the desired application characteristics.

Impressive Results
The results were groundbreaking. Bison^® achieved an industry-low 4.5-amp draw, eliminating the cost and space required of an extra power circuit. The gearmotor was built within the breaker system size constraints, ensuring it fit perfectly into existing vault spaces. This innovation not only met the technical requirements but also offered significant savings in space and installation costs compared to traditional linear actuators or other geared motors.

By breaking the space-intensive paradigm, Bison^® has set a new standard in the industry, providing OEMs with powerful, compact motor operators that pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective automation of medium voltage breaker systems. Get in touch to explore how this solution can revolutionize your medium voltage breaker systems.