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Depending on where circuit breaker is positioned in power network, different levels of reliability will be
required from it. It is these requirements that usually determine the test schedule for the breaker and the amount
of maintenance it will receive. In this two-part article we will look at the most common test methods for
breakers as well at some newer methods that are rapidly growing in popularity.
Revealed by
Opening time the time interval from when the opening release (the trip coil, for example) is activated
to the instant when the arcing contacts have separated at all poles.
Closing time the time interval from when the closing device (the closing coil, for example) is activated
to the instant when the arcing contacts touch each other in all poles.
The aim of the main contact timing test is to make sure that the opening and closing times are as specified by
the circuit breaker manufacturer. Times outside the manufacturers specifications, especially when switching
short-circuit currents, lead to an increased arcing time. This results in excessive contact wear (in the best case
scenario) and can also cause an equipment emergency, namely melting of the contacts. And, if the contacts
melt, the breaker will need to be serviced or replaced.
As well as acceptable opening and closing times for the circuit breaker as a whole, correct synchronization is
imperative, both between phases and, in case of multiple breaks per phase, between contacts in the same phase.
Synchronism within a phase is essential where several contacts are connected in series. Here, the breaker
becomes a voltage divider when it opens a circuit. If the time differences between the operations of the contacts
are too great, excessive voltage will appear across one of them resulting in flashover, with the possibility of
serious damage to the breaking chamber.
The time tolerance for simultaneity between phases is greater for a three-phase power transmission system
running at 50 Hz since there is always 3.33 ms between zero crossovers. Nevertheless, even in such systems, the
time tolerance is usually specified as less than 2 ms. It should also be noted that breakers that perform
synchronised switching must meet more stringent requirements in both of the aforesaid situations.
IEC 62271-100 requires that circuit breaker synchronization (phase versus phase) is better than 1/4 cycle for
closing operations and better than 1/6 cycle for opening operations. Synchronization between interrupters in the
same phase is specified as better than 1/8 cycle.
Resistor contact timing
The resistor contacts can be of the pre- or post-insertion type. Timing of resistor contacts is performed
simultaneously with the main contacts but it is only possible to detect the resistor contacts while the main
contact is open. The resistance value is a good parameter for evaluation.
Auxiliary contact timing
There are no generalized limits for the time relationships between main and auxiliary contacts, but it is still
important to understand and check auxiliary contact operation. The purpose of an auxiliary contact is to close
and open a circuit. Such a contact might, for example, enable a closing coil when a breaker is about to perform a
closing operation and then open the circuit immediately after the operation starts, to guard against coil burnout.
Auxiliary contacts are also used for relay protection and signalling purposes.
Primary injection test
For primary injection testing, a high current is injected on the primary side of the current transformer. The entire
chain current transformer, conductors, connection points, relay protection and sometimes the circuit breakers
as well is covered by the test. During primary injection testing, the system under test must be taken out of
service. This type of test is typically conducted as part of the commissioning process.
The only way to verify that a direct-acting low voltage circuit breaker operates properly is to inject a high
current through it and observe/record its performance.
Main contact motion
A high-voltage breaker is designed to interrupt short-circuit currents in a controlled manner. This puts great
demands on the mechanical performance of the operating mechanism and of all the components in the
interrupter chamber. The breaker has to operate at a particular speed in order to build up adequate pressure for
the cooling stream of air, oil or gas (depending on the type of breaker) to extinguish the arc that is generated
after the contact separation until the next zero crossing.
It is important to interrupt the current to prevent a re-strike. This is achieved by ensuring that the contacts move
sufficiently far apart before the moving contact enters the so-called damping zone. The distance throughout
which the breakers electric arc must be extinguished is usually called the arcing zone. From the motion curve,
velocity and acceleration curves can be calculated which reveal even marginal changes that may have taken
place in the breaker mechanics. The contact motion is captured by connecting a travel transducer to the moving
part of the operating mechanism. The transducer provides an analogue voltage related to the movement of the
contact. Motion is usually presented as a time versus distance curve.
Travel
The travel trace indicates the instantaneous position of the circuit breaker contacts during an operation, as
shown in Figure 4. The trace provides important information such as total travel, over-travel, rebound, undertravel, contact wipe or penetration of moving contact or operating-rod position at the time of close or open, and
it also reveals many types of anomalies.
To be continued
The second and concluding part of this article, which will appear in a future issue of Electrical Tester, will deal
with further widely used circuit breaker tests including coil and voltage tests; vacuum bottle, SF6 leakage and
air pressure tests; and new test methods, such as resonant frequency techniques, which are rapidly growing in
popularity.