This seminar provides a comprehensive analysis of the landscape of test switch technologies

used in the North America region. It addresses key questions regarding existing technologies

and their operational principles.

The session begins by examining the prevalent technologies, including the legacy knife switch

design, a technology that, while once dominant, now presents significant safety and operational

challenges. The seminar delves into the functionality of these traditional knife switches,

explaining their Normal Open (NO) circuit configuration, blade mechanism, and flat mechanism

of contact system. It then explores the inherent safety risks and operational limitations

associated with these designs, such as the potential for arcing during CT secondary circuit

interruption and issues related to contact degradation.

The SecuControl STS is a modern alternative, offering a significant advancement in safety and

efficiency. The seminar highlights the STS’s Normally Closed (NC) contact technology, a key

differentiator that eliminates the risk of arcing, and showcases its suite of safety features,

including finger-safe design and keyed disconnect pins. Participants will learn about the STS’s

superior functionality, including make-before-break contacts and integrated banana jacks for

testing. The session also covers the STS’s robust construction, ensuring durability and reliability,

and its flexible design, facilitating direct retrofits and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

A comparison of the SecuControl STS against traditional test switches underscores its

advantages in safety, performance, and cost-effectiveness. The seminar provides the attendees

with a thorough understanding of the current state of test switch technology in North America

and the benefits of adopting modern solutions like the SecuControl STS.