The first research team to appear in Icpe since its start is the electrical switchgear team, which has always been concerned with the transition of electrical switching devices to sustainable, clean and environmentally friendly technologies.
At Icpe appears for the first time, in Romania, a team that aimed at research in the field of vacuum switching. The first achievements appeared in the years 1967-1968 but the development was stopped due to the technological development level existing at that time in the field of metal-ceramic, metal-glass brazing / soldering, respectively the problem of sealing the vacuum interrupters chambers and the problems of vibrations in contact. The activity resumed in the 1980s, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Doc. Gheorghe Hortopan and continues until now.
As a result of a close collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Bucuresti, prestigious companies and universities from France, Germany and the Netherlands, in 1992, Icpe begins the first national manufacturing process of low voltage vacuum switching contactors in Romania, being quickly followed by the manufacturing of medium voltage contactors with vacuum switching. A few years later Icpe approaches and develops the manufacturing of low and medium voltage circuit breakers with vacuum interrupters. Currently, Icpe is the only local company producing vacuum switching electrical equipment.
Icpe has contributed massively to the development of urban electric transport since the 1960s. The low and medium voltage direct current electrical equipment developed at Icpe, was and is mainly intended for equipping urban means of transportation (trams, trolleybuses, subway), of stationary and mobile heating systems for passenger car sets as well as the supply of consumers with heavy working conditions (conveyor belts, rolling mills, overhead cranes, mining operations, etc.).
As a necessity of the internal market, Icpe has made and manufactured the following products:
- Direct current single phase electromagnetic contactors 63-1250A, 1200 Vc.c.
- Single phase DC circuit breakers 630A, 1250A, 800 Vdc.
- Ultra-fast direct current single phase switches 2500A, 3150A, 5000A, 6300A, 750Vdc, 1000Vdc.
- Switch-disconnector 3150A, 1000Vdc.
- Three phase contactor with medium voltage vacuum switching 7.2, 12kV, 50Hz, 630A
- Compact three-pole contactor with low voltage vacuum switching 400/690 / 1200V, 50Hz, 200/315/400 / 630A
- Single phase contactor with vacuum switching 1500V, 50Hz, 630A
- Single phase r switch with vacuum switching 1500V, 50Hz, 1250A
- Triple switch with vacuum switching 7.2.12kV, 50Hz, 630 / 1250A
- Single phase switch with vacuum switching 27.5kV, 50Hz, 1250A
- Detachable trolley equipped with three-pole contactor with vacuum switching, fuses and current transformers 7.2kV, 160A
Icpe introduced for the first time the research and development of a wide range of low voltage and medium voltage electrical fuses. An essential technological field of the Icpe electrical apparatus team was the production of electrical fuses. Ultra-fast fuses and medium voltage fuses form a class of protection devices that are very common in electrical installations. They appeared with the development of electric power drives and find their applicability in the most diverse industrial fields: metallurgy, energy, chemical industry, drilling wells, food industry, railway and urban transport, cement industry, furniture industry, shipyards, automotive industry, light industry, etc.
Between 1970 and 1980, when in our country there was an openness to technical innovations from the Western countries and the emergence of the first electric power shareholders, Romania was forced to develop the field of electrical fuses. Thus, between 1975 and 1976, the first series of ultra-fast 660 V AC fuses in three construction dimensions, was researched and assimilated in manufacturing at IAEI Titu. This type of fuses were later assimilated at Icpe. After 1985 and until 1990, Icpe assimilated several special types of ultra-fast fuses for the cement industry (CLA Taşca, Medgidia, Aleşd), for the aluminum industry (I. Aluminiu Slatina), for the metallurgical industry (COS Târgoviște; Industria Sârmei Câmpia Turzii; SIDERURGICA Hunedoara) and for urban electric transport (METROREX and RATB).
After 1990, although funding was modest, Icpe‘s achievements were exceptional. Icpe continues the Romanian technological tradition from 1950 to the present. Today, Icpe is the only Romanian brand that manufactures low and high voltage switchgear and fuses in local design and development.
by Radulian Alexandru, Nicolae Mocioi
27.02.2021
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