A new Standard for Marine Power Distribution: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-48

New draft language for IEEE C37.20.3 - the power distribution standard for metal-enclosed interrupter (MEI) switchgear - proposes, for the first time, permitting the use of isolating switches with vacuum interrupter circuit breakers. This new development would allow an alternative means for disconnecting medium voltage (MV) breakers from a live circuit, more closely approximating the existing IEC standard construction. In accordance with the proposed new language, this paper presents three key developments for MEI switchgear for smaller, lighter, and more reliable solutions that maintain ANSI/IEEE safety and circuit breaker performance characteristics, which are typical of metal-clad (MC) switchgear.