Eaton : Helping Utilities Enhance Safety, Modernize Infrastructure and Support Reliable Hydropower Generation

Power Management Expertise and Solution Portfolio Showcased at HydroVision International 2014, Booth #616

PITTSBURGH, PA - Power management company Eaton will showcase its solutions and services for hydropower generation at HydroVision International 2014 at booth #616, from July 22 to 25 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Eaton provides a wide range of solutions and life extension services to optimize the performance of new and existing hydropower utilities, and will deliver a presentation on electrical equipment modernization best practices at the event.

"Eaton's solutions and services are helping hydropower facilities improve reliability, efficiency and safety while reducing operating costs," said John Gadbury, utility segment manager, Electrical Engineering Services and Systems Division, Eaton. "We can support virtually every testing, maintenance and repair program with a highly scalable and geographically diverse staff and services designed to extend the life of existing facilities while meeting evolving regulatory requirements."

Many hydropower plants have been in service for 60 or more years with circuit breakers that are well beyond their expected service life. Some of these circuit breaker designs require more maintenance over time and genuine replacement parts are often not available, potentially resulting in improper circuit breaker function, downtime and increased maintenance expenses. To help address this issue, Eaton's Larry Yonce, product line manager, will present a paper titled, "Equipment Life Extension and Modernization of Generator Circuit Breakers," on Friday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m.

The paper will address generator circuit breakers and a specific installation at the Gaston Hydro Station. Based on project experience, the paper will propose improvements associated with modernization and conversions of various types of older circuit breakers to provide higher reliability, extended insulation life and safer operation for personnel. It is co-authored by Dave Mitchell, a technical consultant from Dominion Electric Transmission and William Long, an engineering consultant with Eaton.

Eaton will also showcase the benefits its power management solutions for hydropower customers, including:

• Medium voltage vacuum replacement breakers
• Low voltage circuit breaker replacement and reconditioning solutions
• Motor control centers including FlashGard® technology, the first arc-preventative motor control center in the industry
• Medium voltage VCP-WG generator breakers that interrupt high fault currents of power systems
• Operator control and display consoles

To learn more about Eaton's solutions and services for hydropower facilities, visit www.eaton.com/utility.

Eaton has one of the largest and most experienced teams of power system engineers in the industry. Eaton's Electrical Engineering Services and Systems team offers a comprehensive portfolio of services tailored for every stage of a power system's life cycle, whether design, build or support. To learn more, visit www.eaton.com/service.

HydroVision is the world's largest hydropower conference and exhibition. It is a five-day training and networking event that includes workshops, seminars, briefings and meetings of hydro organizations. To learn more and register, visit www.hydroevent.com.

Eaton's Electrical Sector is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today's most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.www.eaton.com.