Avkobler

Avkobler is a term used in Scandinavian electrical engineering to describe a device whose primary purpose is to disconnect a part of an electrical installation from its power supply. It is commonly used in Norwegian and Danish technical language to refer to a switch or disconnector that provides a removable, safe interruption of a circuit for maintenance, testing, or safety purposes. Avkobler are designed to provide visible isolation so that personnel can confirm the circuit is de-energized.

Function and use

An avkobler physically opens the conductive path to prevent current flow. It can be operated manually or by an actuator (electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic). Depending on design, some avkobler are intended to break current under load (load-break capability), while others are used only for isolation after the circuit has been de-energized. They are widely employed in power distribution, substations, industrial plants, and offshore or marine installations to enable safe maintenance and to support protective coordination with other equipment.

Types and variants

- Isolators or isolating switches: provide visible isolation but are not typically designed to interrupt fault current.

- Load-break disconnectors: engineered to interrupt current and provide safe switching under load.

- Motor-, spring-, or manually operated variants: chosen based on location, voltage level, and duty cycle.

- Arc-extinguishing technologies: some avkobler incorporate air, vacuum, SF6, or other media to extinguish the arc and allow higher interruption ratings.

Safety and standards

Avkobler are designed to ensure safe operating clearance and reliable isolation. Proper installation, locking mechanisms, and tagging are essential to prevent accidental re-energization. In practice, selection and use follow national and international standards and guidelines for switchgear and disconnectors, typically aligned with IEC or national equivalents for voltage level, isolation requirements, and fault-current considerations.

See also: disconnector, switchgear, isolation switch, lockout-tagout.