Relay Upgrades
Obsolete Controls and Protective Devices
Obsolete Protective Relays and Trip Units
If your power distribution system is more than 20 years old, the Medium Voltage Protective Relays and the Low Voltage Trip Units are probably obsolete. If the Protective Relays are electro-mechanical, you can still buy them but why would you. A solid-state multi-function relay is almost the same price. You gain a better degree of coordination, possible better arc-flash mitigation and communications.
If you have Low Voltage breakers that are 20 years old, each of them has been superseded by a newer offer. The old breaker may be still manufactured but it is only sold by the OEM’s Field Service (not commercially available). If you have a General Electric breaker, ALL of the General Electric breakers have been obsoleted since ABB purchased them (with the exception of the Power Break II and that is a 1995 design). You can purchase the Entelliguard Trip Unit but only through ABB Field Services.
There are third party solutions for both Medium Voltage Protective Relays and Low Voltage Trip Units . These are proven solutions that will be around for the next 20 years from reliable vendors.