Although the use of vacuum technology started off in medium-voltage power transformers and high performance contactors, its importance is now also growing with regard to applications for on-load tap-changers. We are the first manufacturer to introduce vacuum technology for on-load tap-changers. In this respect we have been relying on empirical values since the beginning of the eighties. These are based on vacuum switches for the North American market for which special interrupters were developed. Further development and optimising meant that vacuum technology attained the high degree of technical maturity required for on-line tap-changers. Thanks to high-tech manufacturing processes our vacuum interrupters have become so compact that they can fit into conventional tap-changer constructions with room to spare.
As the vacuum interrupters are an hermetically closed system, occurrences of arcs no longer contaminate the ambient environmental medium. This means:
- in contrast to the switching medium insulation oil, there is no longer any carbonation ;
- there is no longer any need for the oil filter unit for cleaning the environmental medium, that was formerly needed in certain applications;
- replacement of the switching/resistor contacts is no longer needed;
- clean oil makes maintenance work easier;
- the longer service life of the oil helps conserve this valuable resource;
- there are no problems disposing of the oil because it is not contaminated;
- consistent switching capacity of the vacuum interrupters over the whole service life;
- maintenance free up to 300,000 switching operations;
- longer maintenance intervals, less maintenance required, lower maintenance costs;
- simplified servicing logistics;
- increased availability of the transformer.
This environmentally sound innovation with its optimised use of resources, an innovation that fulfils so many customer requirements, means that we have not only ensured our position of world market leader but have also taken the lead in technology as well.
News of our vacuum technology
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06.05.2008Asia-Pacific
2000. VACUTAP® VR regulates voltage in Bangkok
At a festive ceremony at the Regensburg plant, Managing Director Michael Rohde handed over no less than three new fresh-from-the-factory VACUTAP® VR 1300s to high-ranking representatives of the MEA (Metropolitan Electricity Authority), the local power supply company in Bangkok, and to local transformer manufacturer Tira Thai.
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01.03.2008Top news
Production Record
During a short ceremony at the foot of the Sugar Loaf Mountain Regional Sales Manager Heinz Sperger from MR Germany handed the 4000th VACUTAP® over to the responsibles at Light Rio. With him was Head of Development Dr. Dieter Dohnal and their colleague, technical General Manager of MR do Brasil Marcelo da Costa.
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23.05.2007Europe
1000th VACUTAP VR makes sure that voltage stays regulated in Austria
During a small celebration at the hydroelectric power plant in Lambach, MR managing director Michael Rohde officially presented the 1000th VACUTAP VR to representatives of the customer Energie AG Oberösterreich (a power provider in upper Austria).
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16.09.2005
VACUTAP® ready for sea
Dansk Olie og Naturgas A/S (DONG) and British Centrica plc look forward to completing work for Barrow Offshore Wind farm. End of August 2005, the substation was erected - on top the Areva power transformer with an on-load tap-changer VACUTAP® VRC inside.
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31.05.2005Europe
Stable Voltage under the Eiffel Tower
One of the world's largest transportation companies, the Métro company in Paris, called RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens), depends on the advantages of MR vacuum switching technology.
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17.09.2004Top news
First VACUTAP® VRC 700 Delivered
Delivery of the first VACUTAP® VRC 700 to an Italian customer marks the beginning of manufacturing of a new series of MR on-load tap-changers which offer a wide range of advantages. These devices are maintenance-free up to 300,000 tap-changing operations - for almost all power applications.