AURORA, CO September 2011 - On the Thursday before Labor Day, Voyten Electric (Franklin, PA) got the call that a leaky roof had caused an outdoor substation to explode at a nearby manufacturing plant in Western Pennsylvania, putting hundreds of people out of work for the indefinite future. OEM replacement switchgear would take up to 12 weeks to deliver, but using PEARL Inspect & Test (I&T) standards, Voyten was able to get replacement switchgear on site within two business days and the plant running again within a week.

"Apparently, the GE AM vertical lift 5kV substation switchgear wasn't thirsty," said Mike Nightingale, President of Voyten Electric. "When the water hit the gear, it blew the roof right off the substation."

Allegheny Field Services (Johnstown, PA), the primary contractor on the repair, estimated that an OEM replacement, including three feeder vacuum breakers, would take a minimum of 12 weeks, possibly as many as 14. Based on their long relationship with Voyten Electric, Allegheny gave Voyten a call to see if they could help.

"We had a surplus 5kV ABB VHK switchgear on site, which was actually an upgrade for the customer because it included a main along with the three feeder circuits," explained Gregory Plowman, Project Manager of Voyten Electric. "We put eight technicians on the project right away, using PEARL I&T standards 2310 for Medium Voltage Switchgear and 2220 Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers Vacuum to clean, test, and document the switchgear's performance. We would have used PEARL's reconditioning standards, but the customer needed the equipment right away, no exception.

"Although we had the switchgear in stock, we needed the vacuum breakers, so we turned to the PEARL network," added Plowman. Because all PEARL members must comply with site inspection and a code of ethical business conduct, Voyten could trust that VHK vacuum breakers from National Switchgear Systems, Inc. (Lewisville, TX) and North American Switchgear, Inc. (Cleveland, OH) would meet or exceed the equipment's original specification.

"We were able to get the switchgear at the site in two days," concluded Plowman. "And with a crew of four working 16 hours, we finished the testing on the customer's site. Within a week, Allegheny had them up and running. So, the workers got a long Labor Day vacation instead of layoff that lasted months."

The Cutler Hammer vacuum breakers are still visible in the GE AM vertical lift 5kV substation that blew up after water leaked into the outdoor substation just before Labor Day. Note how the roof buckled upwards from the initial explosion.

About PEARL:
Founded in 1997, the Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL) creates, collects, and disseminates information, policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the proper recycling and reuse of electrical power equipment. Its 70+ corporate members must meet strict technical, safety, and operational requirements.

Editorial Contact Winn Hardin Marketing Director Tel: 904-246-8958 winnhardin@pearl1.org

Association Manager Mark Stone Tel: 877-AT-PEARL Fax: 888-996-3296 pearl@pearl1.org