Automation of E,KF,L and H Type Reclosers.The retrofitting of actuators to existing hydraulic reclosers achieves the benefit of being able to remotely open of close the devices.

The actuators can be installed without removing the recloser from the line or without the need to isolate the HV supply, using live line techniques. Installation can be completed within an hour by an experienced installation team.

This will improve the speed with which faults can be located on the network and the supply restored. Industry feed back is that at least 50 % of the time, and perhaps as much as 70% of the time, when the recloser is switched following a lock out the fault has cleared and the power can be restored.

Product Description & Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
The MHL REcloser ACTuator offers four principle functions:
a) Remote control of the Manual Lever.
b) Remote control of the Non Recloser Lever.
c) Remote indication of the status of the recloser.
d) Remote indication of the position of the recloser contacts via the operation counter, along with the ability to monitor and record the number of operations of the recloser.

The MHL's RE-ACT™ MkII Actuator comprises the following components:
DC motor connected to a torque limiting mechanical clutch
A step down gear box
A connection plate enabling the actuator to be fitted via the recloser ice cover to the operating shafts for the Manual or Non-Reclose Levers, and the operations counter.

The basic control scheme offers control and indication of the switch status only.
However because the automation requires the installation of: Communications RTU Auxiliary Power supply The normal operation of the recloser is that the Yellow Manual operation lever drops to the open/lockout position once the recloser has performed a complete reclose sequence.

This has two functions: It indicates to the maintenance staff that the recloser has locked out It also enables the close coil to be de-energised and allows the main contacts to open and remain open. MHL's RE-ACT™ Actuator uses mechanical spring release system, which ensures that the connection to the actuator drive is de-coupled when: The recloser reaches the end of each open/close action Should there be power supply or control failure. This ensures that the manual operation lever can move freely independent of the actuator motor. No drilling of the recloser is needed as mounting brackets have been made to utilise the mounting points and replace the ice shield. Connection to the Manual and Non Reclose levers is by means of a machined connected on the end of the drive shaft. The connector slips over the operating shaft .No drilling or bolting is required