An underlying, future-proofing bonus

The need for increased reliability drove this upgrade project. “Just knowing that we’ve got something that will run for another 10 or 20 years and with greatly reduced maintenance requirements,” said Aguilar, “are the greatest outcomes of the system which has now been operating since early 2022.” But there are additional benefits to the VD4 technology and its 2,500 amp rating compared to the previous circuit breakers’ 2,000 amps.

“The potential is for the circuit breaker to increase power to the furnace, reducing melt shop cycles from 40 minutes to a hypothetical 35 minutes,” said Aguilar. “So, you could maybe save five minutes on each cycle, which gives you greater productivity.”

Lin said, “Whenever any upgrades have been carried out at InfraBuild, there has been an element of ‘future proofing’ involved. In this case it allows for a higher power input to the electric arc furnace if needed in future.”

“This project demonstrates how ABB Electrification Service combines deep expertise in complex upgrades, extensions and retrofits with cutting-edge technology like the VD4-AF circuit breaker, delivering major gains in efficiency and reliability, and ensuring InfraBuild’s melt shop is ready for the future.”

Despite having to crane the new 1.9-tonne panel through the roof of the facility to position it in the switchgear room which is at four-story level, and almost five days of painstaking connection work, Aguilar and his team received well-earned recognition when the circuit breaker fired up the furnace. “It’s always great to see the result of a project, when it’s in place and working!” he concluded.