Switches Air, Medium- and high Voltage, open

1. Visual and Mechanical Inspection

1. Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and specifications.

2. Inspect physical and mechanical condition.

3. Inspect anchorage, alignment, grounding, and required clearances.

4. Verify the unit is clean.

5. Inspect bolted electrical connections for high resistance using one of the following methods:

1. Use of low-resistance ohmmeter in accordance with section 7.5.1.2.2.

2. Verify tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections by calibrated torque-wrench

method in accordance with manufacturer’s published data or table 100.12.

3. Perform thermographic survey in accordance with Section 9.

6. Perform mechanical operator tests in accordance with manufacturer’s published data, if

applicable.

7. Verify correct operation and adjustment of motor operator limit switches, if applicable.

8. Verify operation and sequencing of interlocking systems.

9. Verify correct blade alignment, blade penetration, travel stops, arc interrupter operation, and
mechanical operation.

10. Verify correct operation of all indicating and control devices, if applicable.

11. Lubrication requirements

1. Verify appropriate lubrication on moving current-carrying parts.

2. Verify appropriate lubrication on moving and sliding surfaces.

1. Electrical Test

1. Perform resistance measurements through bolted connections with a low-resistance ohmmeter, if

applicable, in accordance with section 7.5.1.3.1.

2. Measure contact-resistance across each switchblade and fuse holder.

3. Perform insulation-resistance test on each pole, phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground with switch
closed and across each open pole for one minute. Test voltage shall be in accordance with
manufacturer’s published data or table 100.1.
4. Perform insulation resistance test on all control wiring with respect to ground. Applied potential
shall be 500 volts dc for 300 volt rated cable and 1000 volt dc for 600 volt rated cable. Test duration
shall be one minute. For units with solid-state components or control devices that cannot tolerate
the applied voltage, follow manufacturer’s recommendation.

5. Perform an overpotential test on each pole with switch closed. Test each pole to ground with all
other poles grounded. Test voltage shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s published data or
table 100.19.

2. Test values
1. Compare bolted connection resistance of similar connections.
2. Bolt-torque levels should be in accordance with table 100.12 unless otherwise specified by the
manufacturer.
3. Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of the normal range as
indicated in the manufacturer’s published data. If manufacturer’s published data is not
available, investigate any values in which deviate from adjacent poles or similar switches by
more than 50 percent of the lowest value.
4. Insulation resistance values should be in accordance with manufacturer’s published data or
table 100.1.
5. Insulation resistance values for control wiring shall be a minimum of 2.0 megohms.
6. The insulation shall withstand the overpotential test voltage applied.

ATS 2003.49