Stockholm, 2014-02-13

Application Note

Minimum Trip Voltage (MTV) Test

This application note explains how to use the SAT (Coil Analyzer) or POB (Coil Tester
& Power Supply) instruments to perform the “minimum trip voltage“ (MTV) test on a circuit
breaker.
To ensure that circuit breaker operation is within specification under the most rigorous
conditions placed on its tripping ability, circuit breaker trip coils are specified to work with a
minimum tripping voltage much below the nominal battery voltage. According to the standard
IEC 60694 closing coils shall operate correctly between 85% and 110% of the rated supply
voltage (AC or DC). Also, opening coils shall operate between 70% DC (85% AC) and 110%
(AC or DC) of the rated supply voltage.
The minimum trip voltage test is described in a number of international and national
standards such as IEC 56, ANSI C37.09 etc. Traditionally, this test was performed by tapping
into the main tripping battery. However, this method should not be utilized as it presents a
considerable risk to testing personnel, battery, and the breaker being tested.
A better way to carry out the MTV test is using our SAT or POB devices. These
devices are developed to supply voltage to breaker coils and spring-charging motor during
commissioning testing and field service. The SAT and POB generate filtered DC or AC
voltage (50 Hz or 60 Hz; true RMS). It eliminates the need for station batteries or converters
during a test. Output voltage is selectable from 10 V to 300 V DC or 10 V to 250 V AC (50/60
Hz; true RMS).

MTV test of the circuit breaker’s coils can be performed in two ways:

1. Manual:
A pre-selected DC voltage in the DC MAN (SAT) or Volt DC (POB) menu is brought to
selected coil by pressing START (on the SAT) or TRIG (on the POB) button. Voltage
level is increased manually until the coil is actuated.

2. Automatic:
Select minimum voltage Ustart, maximum voltage Ustop and step voltage ΔU on the
instrument in the DC AUT (SAT) or MTV DC (POB) menu (i.e. as shown in the Figure
1.). Press the START (TRIG) button. A pre-selected minimum DC voltage is applied
across desired coil, lasting 100 ms. If the coil is not actuated, after 900 ms of waiting
time, voltage is automatically increased for a pre-selected step (value 1 V to 19 V).
The instrument repeats this steps until coil is activated or maximum voltage Ustop
A-CBR402-101-EN

reached (Figure 2.).

1

Postal address Delivery address Contact

IBEKO Power AB IBEKO Power AB
Box 1346 Stockholmsvägen 18 phone: +46 8 731 76 99
181 25 Lidingö 181 50 Lidingö fax: +46 8 731 77 99
Sweden Sweden sales@dv-power.com
 Stockholm, 2014-02-13

Figure 1. The DC automatic menu

Figure 2. Testing signal in Automatic menu

Note: Please make sure the SAT (POB) is connected to control circuit to include
auxiliary contacts “a” and “b” within connection, exactly as shown in the Figure 3. If
the SAT cables are directly connected to the coil terminals a result will not be
obtained, since the SAT (POB) registers the minimum trip voltage at the moment when
auxiliary contact opens and the coil current drops to zero. The auxiliary contact in the
tested coil circuit has to be in a closed position. Therefore, the MTV test is performed
on the opening coil when the circuit breaker is in a closed position, while for
performing the MTV test on the closing coil the circuit breaker has to be in an open
position. Also, performing the MTV test on the closing coil requires operating
mechanism to be charged.
A-CBR402-101-EN

Figure 3. Connecting SAT (POB) to CB control circuit

2

Postal address Delivery address Contact

IBEKO Power AB IBEKO Power AB
Box 1346 Stockholmsvägen 18 phone: +46 8 731 76 99
181 25 Lidingö 181 50 Lidingö fax: +46 8 731 77 99
Sweden Sweden sales@dv-power.com
 Stockholm, 2014-02-13

Test could have three possible outcomes:

 The coil is actuated and the minimum trip voltage and maximum coil current are
registered;

 The maximum pre-selected test voltage is reached without coil actuation, which is
indicated by "No activation" message on the display, and announced by a sound and
light alarms. The reason can be the disconnected coil circuit (e.g. auxiliary contact is
open), insufficient high maximum pre-selected test voltage or a damaged coil;

 The coil is actuated with no registration of the minimum trip voltage and maximum coil
current. After the circuit breaker operation is executed, the SAT (POB) will continue to
“pump” the coil. This outcome indicates SAT (POB) is not connected in a proper way
as shown in the Figure 3, but directly to coils. If voltage supply is not stopped
manually by the user (by pressing the STOP button), the message “No activation” will
appear after reaching the maximum pre-selected test voltage. In this case, to prevent
possible coil damage, it is needed to stop voltage supply from SAT (POB) after coil
actuation.
A-CBR402-101-EN

2014 DV Power, Sweden. All rights reserved.

Postal address Delivery address Contact

IBEKO Power AB IBEKO Power AB
Box 1346 Stockholmsvägen 18 phone: +46 8 731 76 99
181 25 Lidingö 181 50 Lidingö fax: +46 8 731 77 99
Sweden Sweden sales@dv-power.com