Silver based alloys are used for electrical contacts in low-voltage switchgear. Silver-tin oxide of 90:10 composition is the most commonly used material amongst all. Due to continuous escalation as well as unpredictable variation in the cost of silver, possibilities of reduction in use of silver are being explored. Recent developments in materials processing technologies have made it possible to develop new compositions for many applications. In view of this, technology for preparing silver-tin oxide contacts (using 14% Tin Oxide) has been developed at ERDA.
The contact tip made using the new process has been evaluated for material properties (Density: 98% of theoretical density; Electrical Conductivity: 82% IACS & Hardness: 95 HV). The performance of contacts in contactor of 16A, AC3 rating conforms to IEC 60947-4-1 (2012) for endurance test and is found to be at par with conventional (90: 10 Ag-SnO2) contacts.
Highlights of Technology
Specification of a contact tip made is as follows
- Composition: Silver (86%) – Tin oxide (14%)
- Density: 98% of theoretical density of monolithic material
- Electrical Conductivity: 82% IACS
- Hardness: 95 HV
- Microstructure of contact tip: Uniform distribution of tin oxide particles in the silver matrix
- Performance evaluation: Conforms to IEC 60947-4-1 (2012) for endurance test carried-out on contactor of rating 16A AC 3
Salient features of the process developed
- Non-toxic
- Less energy consumption
- Less time
Application
- Potential applications of this contact material will be low voltage circuit breakers like MCB, contactors, ELCB etc.
Benefits
- Higher resistance to arc-erosion & higher anti-weldability
- Higher hardness along with conductivity
- As the Silver content is less than conventional by 4%, cost of the LV Switchgear made with new contact tips will be less by 4%.
ERDA's
Leadership Team
ERDA's
Middle Management Team
| Name of Employee |
|---|
| Mr. Mehul Patel Sr. Manager HR |
| Mr. Pratik Shah Asst. Manager Accounts & Finance |
| Mr. Pranav Parikh Dy. Manager Business Development |
| Mr. Shailesh Patel Sr. Manager Cables, CT-PT, Capacitors & PD |
| Mr. Ravi Nandwana Sr. Engineer CT-PT & Capacitors |
| Mrs. Vidya Kapse Dy. Manager Customer Relationship Management |
| Mr. Puran Gajera Dy. Manager EMI/EMC |
| Mr. Nitin Chitte Asst. Manager Impulse – Makarpura |
| Mr. Anil Solanki Sr. Manager Information Technology |
| Mr. Jaydeep Sheth Dy. Manager Liquid Dielectric |
| Mr. Ravi Singh Dy. Manager Motors & Pumps, Solar Pump & Converters |
| Mr. Anil Suthar Dy. Manager Mechanical |
| Mr. Bhavesh Vasiyani Manager Non Destructive & Energy Management |
| Mr. Mitesh Prajapati Sr. Engineer Quality System |
| Mr. Sandeep Soni Manager Short Circuit 3– Savli |
| Mr. Amar Shah Dy. Manager Third Party Inspection |
| Mr. Asheesh Dhaneria Manager TM5(A) NPT Electronics, TM5 (B) NPT Electrical |
| Mr. Munaf Patel Manager Short Circuit 2 – Makarpura |
| Mr. Pankaj Chawla Manager ERDA (North) |
| Name of Employee |
|---|
| Mr. Laxman Bhekare Sr. Manager Admin |
| Mr. Rakesh A Patel Dy. Manager Appliance |
| Mr. Brijesh Sachdeva Manager Business Development ERDA (North) |
| Mrs. Sheetal Panchal Dy. Manager Cables |
| Mr. Nirav Taunk Manager Calibration |
| Mr. Umesh Soni Manager Electrical Diagnostics |
| Mr. Tejas Mistri Dy. Manager Energy Meter |
| Mr. Tirthashankar Vishwakarma Manager Impulse – Savli |
| Mr. Nitin Patel Dy. Manager Lamps & Luminaires & Solar |
| Mr. Pramod Patel Dy. Manager Maintenance (Civil & Electrical) |
| Mrs. Sneha Sheth Manager Solid Dielectrics |
| Mrs. Bhoomi Patel Dy. Manager Metallurgy |
| Mr. Shailesh Modi Sr. Manager Power Systems |
| Mr. Jeetendra Tahilwani Sr. Manager Transformers & Short Circuit 2 – Makarpura |
| Mr. Goutam Som Manager Switchgear & IP |
| Ms. Shefali Talati Dy. Manager TM4 Power Systems (R&D), Documentation |
| Mr. Kapil Sharma Dy. Manager Transformers |
| Mr. Nitin Doshi Sr. Manager ERDA (West) |
| Mr. Rajesh Marri Dy. Engineer ERDA (South) |
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ERDA's
Code of Conduct
Our Mission and Values statement clearly declares that we shall achieve excellence in our areas of operation. Achieving this excellence is not possible if we do not act with Integrity, Honesty, Impartiality, Dignity, Loyalty and Pride for the organization. We must always ensure that we live out those values every day.
One of our primary objectives is to help our customers, meet quality standards for virtually any market in the world and protect them against risk by ensuring compliance with local, national and international laws. The accuracy and validity of reports and certificates that we provide and maintaining the trust and confidence of our customers, their customers and others impacted by our work, are therefore important factors which contribute to our success.
Our objective is to achieve excellence by virtue of competence through R&D, testing, calibration, training and information dissemination to improve quality and reduce cost of equipment, materials and services for electrical industries, utilities and users of electricity.
ERDA's
CLIENTS & TESTIMONIALS
ERDA collaborates with Manufacturers, Distribution & Transmission Companies, Power Plants & Process Plants across India and Globe to meet their requirement for laboratory evaluation and contract research. Our state of the art laboratories along with highly competent manpower ensures proper evaluation of our client’s products and to get greater market access. With “Customer First” centric approach, more than 10,000 customers are part of ERDA family.
Precision Wire India Ltd. HAPPY CLIENT
“….On behalf of our company, I would like to congratulate & appreciate you on being able to successful completion of testing & witness of CTC/PICC & CCCR. It is because of the hard work & dedication of your team that made it possible to get the project done on the pre-decided deadline. I wholeheartedly appreciate the way you worked on this project & made it a success. We express our sincere gratitude to you & your team. Thank you for your cooperation & looking forward to more years to come…”
GR Power Switchgear Ltd. HAPPY CLIENT
“…Thank you so much for your kind support and prompt response towards completion of testing and immediate reports. We appreciate your capability and commitment towards customer satisfaction.
Keep up the good work….”
Radiant Enterprise HAPPY CLIENT
“…Once again you have proved that ERDA team is one the best in business and it is only possible due to strong, experienced, and dedicated work force like yours. Please accept our appreciation and we look forward to have more business in future…’’
Hitachi Energy HAPPY CLIENT
“…We at Hitachi Energy India Limited Bengaluru would like to appreciate the excellent support offered by the ERDA team (HV Division) during the compliance testing of our products.”
Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited HAPPY CLIENT
“…DHBVN is pleased to appreciate the efforts of ERDA team for providing the test report on very short notice in an emergency. We hope for the same cooperation & dedication from the officers be continued in future…”
Schneider Electric HAPPY CLIENT
“…Thank you ERDA team for your incredible work in Impulse testing. All of you provided good support. Thank you once again for your selfless assistance…”
R.B.Commercial Corporation HAPPY CLIENT
“…We are hereby very much thankful to ERDA- Savli team which have fully co-operated & helped us in getting our items tested & also providing immediately final test reports within a day by considering our emergency.
Truly entire ERDA – Savli team is so active & hard working in providing service to customer by considering their needs. We are thankful to entire ERDA team for their immediate help & co-operation to us…”
