What's That? That's Neat.

Toronto Hydro visual trivia showcases work around the city.

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - It's a circuit breaker valve. What's that? That's neat. The valve pictured here is from a vintage General Electric KSO oil-filled circuit breaker at one of our north Toronto stations. The typical life span of a station circuit breaker is 42 years. Generally, after 4 to 8 power interruptions, an oil circuit breaker requires maintenance. To service the circuit breaker, oil must be drained from the circuit breaker tank into temporary storage drums by way of this valve.

As part of Toronto Hydro's infrastructure renewal program, a number of these circuit breakers are being replaced with new, oil-free, vacuum circuit breakers. These units are safer for employees and, given they are oil free, more environmentally-friendly, and maintenance can be done significantly faster. New vacuum circuit breakers can cost roughly $60,000 (does not include labour for engineering, installation and commissioning).

Toronto Hydro has almost 200 municipal stations in the city and circuit breakers are an important part of station operations. A high voltage circuit breaker is a large device that is designed to protect the distribution system from damage caused by excessive current -- a short circuit. When the circuit breaker detects a problem in the system it will stop the flow of current quickly. Its function is similar to a circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel, except it is responsible for an entire neighbourhood.

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Image with caption: "This is a circuit breaker valve from a vintage General Electric KSO oil-filled circuit breaker at one of Toronto Hydro's north stations. The typical life span of a station circuit breaker is 42 years. Generally, after 4 to 8 power interruptions, an oil circuit breaker requires maintenance. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131126_C4674_PHOTO_EN_33800.jpg

Image with caption: "A high voltage circuit breaker is designed to protect the distribution system from damage caused by excessive current. When the circuit breaker detects a problem in the system it will stop the flow of current quickly. Its function is similar to a circuit breaker in a home's electrical panel, except it is responsible for an entire neighbourhood. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131126_C4674_PHOTO_EN_33801.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected]
W: 416-542-2621
C: 416-903-0440