Practical range of acceptable readings for a particular circuit breaker

Posted by Ackerley Acton Thu at 11:01 PM - 332 views - Filed in Protection

In general, acceptable measurement values for circuit breaker testing will depend on the model and type of circuit breaker. Experience, manufactur-ers information, and review of previous test records will indicate a practical range of acceptable readings for a particular circuit breaker. Corrective action will need to be taken when test measurements are outside of that range. The following electrical testing should be completed to assess the condition of the circuit breaker and to determine if further maintenance is required:

Before installing the arc-chutes, perform a micro-ohm test of each phase from disconnect stab (or cluster) to disconnect stab (or cluster) with the breaker closed, after manually opening and closing the breaker at least three times. If the breaker is not racked into a test device and is equipped with clusters, the micro-ohm readings should be taken from the mating surfaces that the clusters are installed on and not from the cluster itself. If the readings are acceptable, install the arc-chutes for further testing; otherwise, isolate and correct the problem.

Perform an overvoltage test of the breaker. All circuit breakers should be tested with a 1000-volt megger. If the megger test results are acceptable, an AC hi-pot (overvoltage) test should be performed on 2 kV and higher voltage-rated breakers. Considering the severe consequence of an insulation breakdown, the low cost for a low capacity 30 kV AC test set, and that breaker insulation failures are easy to repair, the AC hi-pot testing of all medium voltage (2 kV and higher) switchgear circuit breakers is recommended.

Open-Pole Insulation Test

Phase-to-Ground Insulation Test

Phase-to-Phase Insulation Test The following are the routine AC overvoltage test values for switchgear circuit breakers of various voltage ratings:

2.4 to 5 kV breakers

14.25 kV AC

7.2 kV breakers 13.8 kV breakers

19.5 kV AC 27.0 kV AC

The breaker should be able to hold the test voltage for 1 minute.

As illustrated in Figures 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, three tests will be required to properly megger or overvoltage stress the circuit breaker:

Open-pole insulation

Phase-to-ground insulation

Phase-to-phase insulation The following describes each test: o Open-pole insulation: With the breaker open and A, B, and C phases

jumpered together on both sides of the circuit breaker, con-nect the hot lead to the movablecontact side, and the test set return-lead and breaker frame-ground to the stationary-contact side. Minimum insulation resistance for this test is 3 megohms per rated phase-to-phase kV.

Phase-to-ground insulation: With the breaker closed and all jumpers and leads removed from the stationary side, connect the return to the breaker frame-ground to test the phaseto-ground insulation. Minimum insulation resistance for this test is 3 megohms per rated phase-to-phase kV.

Phase-to-phase insulation: With the breaker closed and A and C phases jumpered together, connect the hot lead to B phase and the return and breaker frame-ground to A and C phases to test the phase-to-phase insulation. Minimum insulation resistance for this test is 6 megohms per rated phase-to-phase kV.

Hi-pot leakage currents should be recorded during the foregoing test-ing and investigated when out of acceptable ranges or when there is a sig-nificant unbalance between phases. If the breaker does not pass the open pole megger or hi-pot test, the arc-chutes may require cleaning. Care must be taken when cleaning arc-chutes that contain asbestos, especially if the material is friable. Arcchutes that do not contain asbestos can normally be glass-bead blasted. Arc interruption byproducts can be removed by hand from asbestos containing arc-chutes, with nonmetallic grit sandpaper if care is taken to avoid the asbestos material. Ceramic surfaces can also be wiped clean with an approved solvent.

NOTE: Applicable local regulations must be followed when handling asbestos materials or when performing maintenance activities with equipment containing asbestos or suspected of containing asbestos.

Vacuum breakers: The normal method for testing vacuum-bottle integrity is to overvoltage or hi-pot the bottles. Manufacturers recommendations, intervals, and precautions should be followed. At a minimum, vacuum-bottle hi-pot tests should be performed at no more than 5-year intervals. The tester should be aware of the possibility of x-ray radiation from vacuum bottles under test.

Operational Tests

Connect the breaker to a test stand and perform the following tests:

A 70% of rated-voltage close test: Failure of the breaker to close may indi-cate the need for mechanism cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment.

A 50% of rated-voltage trip test: Failure to trip may indicate the need to clean, smooth, lubricate, and adjust the latch mechanism.

Full-voltage close and open timing tests: Using a high-speed cycle counter, measure the close and open time for three consecutive operations. If the average of the three timing tests falls outside the acceptable range, the bearings may need cleaning, lubrication, or replacement.

Reference: Electrical Power Plant Calculation

Article Tags: #CIRCUIT BREAKER #Practical range of acceptable readings for a particular circuit breaker #testing circuit breaker