Operating Force
Test Results
Measured input force on 230 kV gang-operated disconnect switches equipped with the UGOR. Tested at four substations using a calibrated digital crane scale with peak-hold function. Includes a direct side-by-side comparison against the Southern States HOGO operator on the same switch.
Same switch. Same day.
63% less force.
At Bob White substation, we were on-site while an original Southern States HOGO was being replaced with a new UGOR. We tested both operators on the same Southern States EV-2 230 kV switch before and after the swap, opening from fully closed to fully open each time.
Switch: Southern States EV-2, 230 kV, 2,000A, year 2013. Both operators tested open-direction only from fully closed position, using the same Klau Model OCS-L digital crane scale. Hook-and-shackle attachment used for the Bob White test (custom fixture used at the three other sites).
Note on gear ratio selection: The 36:1 ratio is standard for the large majority of installations. The 62:1 is specified for unusually heavy or stiff switches where additional mechanical advantage is required. The Bob White switch used here was a 62:1 application.
Calibrated instrument. Peak-hold. Real substations.
Klau Model OCS-L digital crane scale. OIML Class 3 load cell, ± 0.2 lb accuracy across the range tested. Peak-hold function records the maximum force applied during each operation.
A custom fixture was designed to attach the scale to the end of the UGOR crank arm at the same location as the operating handle. A handle on the opposite end allowed normal operating motion. Identical load-application geometry to field use.
Scale set to pounds with peak-hold active. Switch operated to full open — peak recorded as the open value. Scale cleared. Switch operated to full closed — peak recorded as the closed value.
The 36:1 and 62:1 ratios share the same mechanical efficiency per the drive manufacturer. A measured result from one ratio can therefore be scaled to calculate the expected result for the other ratio at the same installation.
Measured and calculated forces across gear ratios
Previously installed UGORs were tested at three substations. For each site, one ratio was directly measured and the other calculated from the shared-efficiency relationship.
| Substation | Switch | Amp | Year | Ratio | Max Open | Max Close | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | Pascor VBPA | 3,000A | Est. 2000 | 36:1 | 17.4 lb | 17.6 lb | Measured |
| 62:1 | 10.1 lb | 10.2 lb | Calculated | ||||
| Proctor | BBC TTR-6 | 2,000A | 1985 | 62:1 | 9.0 lb | 10.8 lb | Measured |
| 36:1 | 15.5 lb | 18.6 lb | Calculated | ||||
| Laurelwood | Pascor VBPA | 2,000A | 2015 | 62:1 | 16.6 lb * | 11.6 lb | Measured |
| 36:1 | 29.1 lb * | 20.3 lb | Calculated | ||||
| * Laurelwood open-direction force was substantially higher than the other sites. Attributed to switch setup at installation, not considered representative of typical performance. | |||||||
HOGO removed. UGOR installed. Tested both.
The Bob White test was an unplanned opportunity — we were on-site for the replacement, not a scheduled test program. The scale used was the same Klau OCS-L, but without the custom fixture. A hook was placed on the crank handle and a shackle used for grip. Both operators were tested open-direction only from fully closed. This makes the comparison valid as an apples-to-apples measurement under identical conditions.
Switch: Southern States EV-2, 230 kV, 2,000A, 2013. Same switch, same day, same instrument. The UGOR runs at a higher gear ratio (62:1 vs. 29:1) and still delivers 63% lower peak force, reflecting both the ratio advantage and the efficiency of the sealed slew-ring drive.
Tell us your switch make, model, amp rating, and bolt pattern. We’ll confirm fit and quote lead time. Call (727) 789-0951 or submit a quote request.