August 15, 2011© S&C Electric Company Photo Sheet 765-707
S&C Omni-Rupter®Switches
Outdoor Distribution (14.4 kV and 25 kV)
Optional Wildlife Protection
Wildlife Protection Option
Birds and tree squirrels are a leading cause of short-term
unexplained outages on distribution systems. To address
this problem, S&C is pleased to introduce a wildlife
protection option for manually operated Omni-Rupter
Switches in the upright mounting configurations. The
new option effectively prevents animals from making
phase-to-grounded part contact.
Unique Design Prevents Animal-Intrusion-Related
Outages
The key to the wildlife protection option is its unique
angled wildlife discs that cover the bases of the support
insulators—providing an excellent barrier between the
energized and grounded parts of the switch. These discs
snap together without tools, and fit both Cypoxy®and
porcelain insulators. The wildlife discs are made of a
durable, flexible, UV-stabilized polycarbonate material—
the same material S&C has used on distribution fuse
rain caps for over 20 years. The sloped construction
of the discs provides an uneven foothold for climbing
and perching animals, while shedding ice and rain. The
steep slope of the discs also deters nest building under
energized parts of the switch. The wildlife discs float
on the insulators and have no effect on their insulation
characteristics, but attach securely enough to avoid spin-
ning or movement during high winds.
Wildlife Protection for Omni-Rupter Switches
14.4-kV Upright Omni-Rupter Switch with wildlife protection option.
