GE AKD-10 Application Manual page 9

Enhancements for greater operator safety during maintenance operations
• IR scanning windows
Optional Infrared (IR) Scanning Windows can be provided in the switchgear rear
covers to facilitate the use of IR cameras for thermally scanning cable terminations.
Use of the IR windows minimizes exposure to live conductors while performing
this preventative maintenance operation. The IR windows are available in two
formats – an IR "transparent" mesh type and a crystal type. The transparent mesh
is suitable for NEMA 1 indoor applications. The crystal type is used for outdoor
NEMA 3R applications and can also be specified for indoor applications. Both
types of IR windows have a gasketed cover plate secured with tamper-resistant
hardware. Quantity and location of the IR windows are dependent on the breaker
stacking arrangement.
• Remote racking
All WavePro circuit breakers now include provisions to accept a remote racking
device that allows the operator / electrician to move the breaker anywhere
between the DISCONNECT and CONNECT positions without standing in front of
the circuit breaker cubicle. The remote racking device attaches to the circuit
breaker escutcheon (800-2000A frame) or to the circuit breaker frame (3200-
5000A frame) without opening the cubicle door, and it is powered from any standard
120 volt AC receptacle. A switch on the remote racking device sets the direction
of travel and the racking motor is provided with thermal overload protection. The
control box on the end of the 30-foot cord has a single pushbutton to control the
operation of the remote racking device, providing the operator the capability to
stand outside the arc flash boundary while racking a circuit breaker into or out
of its cubicle.
GE's manufacturing processes and testing set the quality standards in the
switchgear industry:
• Paint finish
AKD-10 switchgear is protected by the "E-coat" paint system consisting of a
"cathodic electrodeposition" process employing the same principle used in
electroplating: An electrically charged object immersed in a bath of oppositely
charged particles will attract, and become coated with, those particles. In the
process, switchgear parts are conveyed through a seven-stage washing process,
where they are thoroughly cleaned, surface prepared, sealed and rinsed. Next,
the parts are immersed in an electrocoating tank, where they receive an epoxy
coating 0.7 to 0.8 mil thick on every surface. After a rinse, the parts enter a curing
oven, where the coating is baked, fusing it to the metal and ensuring a hard,
uniform finish. The resulting ANSI-61 light gray paint finish far exceeds the
requirements of UL 1558 and ANSI C37.20.1, which requires, at a minimum, passing
a 200-hour salt spray test. Periodic testing by an independent laboratory subjects
the "E-coat" to a minimum of 500 hours of a salt spray, 2,000 hours in a humidity
cabinet, plus acid and alkaline resistance tests, spot and stain tests, marring
tests and impact and flexibility tests. These tests prove that AKD-10 switchgear
can handle different severe operating environments.
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