A Low-Wear Onload Tap Changer Diverter Switch for Frequent Voltage Control on Distribution Networks

This paper presents a fast mechanical diverter switch design suitable for new “arcless” hybrid onload tap-changing systems. In such systems, arcing at contact separation and contact closure is almost completely eliminated by the inclusion of alternate current paths incorporating semiconductor devices. This allows the use of compact, air-insulated mechanical contacts that do not need to withstand significant arc erosion or provide arc quenching. As a result, the moving mass and the drive system for the switch may be dramatically reduced in size, leading to low inertia of the moving parts and resulting in very rapid operation times. An integrated, high-torque, low-mass permanent-magnet actuator is presented that provides detent (unpowered) contact force coupled with a cantilever spring contact system sized for an 11-kV 2-MVA onload tap changer. The design delivers operation times of under 20 ms and is capable of sustaining more than 10⁶ operations. The complete design is experimentally verified under representative electrical conditions, and contact wear levels comparable to pure mechanical (zero current) operation are demonstrated.