Advanced Technology Center

Advanced Technology Center

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S&C Electric Company — one of Chicago’s leading manufacturers — continues to invest in the future with a striking addition to the area’s high-tech scene: the company’s unique Advanced Technology Center (“ATC”).

This state-of-the-art facility will enable S&C to accelerate development and delivery of innovative electrical switching and protection products worldwide, including the highly sophisticated automatic service restoration, energy storage, and power quality equipment needed for the Smart Grid.

At the heart of the ATC is the Nicholas J. Conrad Laboratory, the largest manufacturer-owned short-circuit testing laboratory in North and South America. It has two 850-megawatt electrical short-circuit test generators that can test up to 100 kA and up to 230,000 volts. The laboratory will allow S&C to perform quality control and other testing at the Chicago industrial campus, instead of relying on costly, time-consuming visits to test labs in Europe.

Advanced Technology Center

In addition to the Nicholas J. Conrad Laboratory, the ATC houses S&C’s Product Innovation offices, plus expanded molding operations. S&C is the largest manufacturer of high-voltage cycloaliphatic epoxy insulators in the U.S. These insulators are superior to porcelain insulators for many reasons — including their ability to integrate intelligent voltage and current sensing, as well as control, diagnostic, and automation components. Such components are essential to equipment for the Smart Grid.

Laboratory Accreditation

A2LAThe Nicholas J. Conrad Laboratory has been accredited to ISO17025:2005 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation for the following tests:

  • Line Charging,
  • Cable Charging,
  • Interrupting,
  • Fault Making,
  • Short-Time and Peak Withstand,
  • Making / Breaking,
  • Breaking,
  • and Critical Current.


View the ATC Brochure

Nicholas J. Conrad Laboratory 50/60-Hz Testing Capabilities

Circuit Breaker and Recloser Three-Phase Tests
Rated/Test Voltage, kVMaximum Current, kA
15
17
27
38
31.5
25
25
15

Circuit Breaker Single-Phase Tests
Rated Voltage, kVTest Voltage, kVMaximum Current, kA
15.5
29
38
13.4
23.5
32.9
63
31.5
25

Disconnect Switch Three-Phase Tests
Ten-Cycle Duration
Three-Phase Momentary/Peak
Withstand Maximum Current, kA
Constant Fault CurrentPeak Current Mitigated By
Switched Inductors
Current Droops to 80%
40 80 100

Short-Time
Withstand Maximum Current, kA
Two-Second DurationThree-Second Duration
100 80

Loadbreak Switch Three-Phase Tests
Load Switching
Rated/ Test Voltage, kVMaximum Current, A
15.5
29
38
2000
1200
1200

Fault Closing
Rated Voltage, kVTest Voltage, kVMaximum Current, kA
15
15.5/27
27
38
38
9
15.5
27
22
38
63/80/100
40/50/63
25/31/40
25/31.5/40
12.5/16/20

Fuse Single-Phase Tests
Rated/Test Voltage, kVMaximum Current, kA
15.5
29
38
50
31.5
20

Arcing Fault Three-Phase, 0.5-Second Tests
Rated Voltage, kVTest Voltage, kVMaximum Current, kA
15
15
27
27
38
38
15
7.9
27
15.5
38
27
40
63
25
40
12.5
25


 All current ratings are symmetrical. In each instance, the first peak asymmetrical current is 2.7 times the symmetrical current unless the current is controlled by additional circuit resistors or switched peak-currentlimiting inductors.

 Single-phase testing at phase-to-ground voltage is permissible for single-phase switches.

 Multiple current capability varies with standard requirements X/Y/Z, where:
X = Constant fault current;
Y = Peak current mitigated by switched inductors;
Z = Current droops to 80% at 10 cycles.

The ATC is one of the most environmentally-friendly facilities of its kind in the world. The 43,000-squarefoot structure minimizes environmental impact through numerous energy-efficient and sustainable design features, including an 8,000-square-foot green roof, use of recycled content and locally-produced building materials, and other innovative measures.

The ATC holds LEED Gold Certification rating per the U.S. Green Building Council. It’s one of the first industrial buildings in the Chicago metropolitan area to hold such a rating.