Arc-resistant medium voltage motor control center

GE Limitamp AR Arc Resistant Medium Voltage Motor Control delivers increased safety, reliability and ease of maintenance for operations and maintenance managers, as well as contractors and specifiers by containing and redirecting arc-flash energy away from employees.

August 17, 2011

GE Limitamp AR, the arc-resistant version of the GE Limitamp motor control center (MCC), meets and exceeds market safety requirements, such as the IEEE C37.20.7 standard, offering more reliable operation and control of medium-voltage installations, the company said in a July 21 announcement. Providing Type 2B protection for personnel in the event of an arc flash, the Limitamp AR is reportedly ideal for industry applications including petrochemicals; mining, oil and gas; pulp and paper; water treatment and utilities – any place where an extra margin of protection is essential. 

“GE’s Limitamp AR offers the peace of mind of knowing your employees are less exposed to the dangers of arc flash,” says Alejandro Izquierdo, product line manager for GE Energy Industrial Solutions. “In situations where arc flash may be a concern, plant managers, contractors and specifiers can now combat these dangers with the Limitamp AR.”

In the case of an internal arc fault, GE’s Limitamp AR contains and redirects the arc flash energy and exhaust gases up through special vent flaps at the top of the enclosure and away from the system through a plenum. With heavy-duty, reinforced 0.12 thick steel side panels and welded bottom plate, the Limitamp AR features a sealed design that protects the low-voltage box from gases and other materials.

In addition to increased safety, reliability and ease of maintenance, the Limitamp AR delivers both flexibility and rugged design, helping to meet the most current seismic regulations and designed for exigent environments. The Limitamp AR reportedly offers a competitive, increased range of features and solutions for medium-voltage motor controls and reduced PPE requirements.

GE’s Limitamp AR is now available for one- and two-high full-voltage nonreversing (FVNR) 400A, NEMA 1, 50kA motor starters, rated for 2.4 – 7.2 kV. It will soon be available for 800A, 3000A main bus, and other types of medium-voltage starters.

www.ge.com 

General Electric

– Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com