Circuit breaker testing with CIBANO 500

Assessment examples

12 April 2021
Assessment with DRM

Example 1: SF6 MV CB – discontinuity of main contact

discontinuity
on red phase

Source: Schneider Electric

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Assessment with DRM

Example 1: SF6 MV CB – discontinuity of main contact

travel (mm)

DRM (Ω)

coil current (A)

Video: Schneider Electric

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Assessment with DRM

> Pre-insertion resistor

PIR
closed

CB closed

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Assessment with DRM

> Measurement both sides grounded: C/O threshold

ground loop
resistance

C/O threshold
e.g. 5mΩ

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Assessment with DRM

> Measurement both sides grounded: Interference and C/O threshold

> Interference caused by

large ground loops and
live lines nearby (coupling)
interference from
live lines nearby > Reduce interference by
moving grounding closer
to breaker
> C/O threshold may need
adaption in special cases
C/O threshold
e.g. 5mΩ

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Assessment with DRM

> Bad auxiliary contacts

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Assessment with DRM

> Drop of supply voltage (station battery)

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Assessment with DRM

> Check of Re-closure operation

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Assessment with DRM

> Check of Pole discrepancy protection

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Assessment of motor current

> Analysis of motor current

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Assessment of motor current

> Analysis of motor current

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Assessment of motion/travel

> Overtravel curve

> Overtravel = distance between maximum contact travel and final position
> An excessive oscillation at the end of the curve indicates a defective damping system
(worn out damper unit)

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Assessment of motion/travel

> Total travel curve

> Total travel = difference between start and end position of main contacts
> Deviations might indicate worn spring, leaking pressure system or high friction forces
(corrosion at mechanics?)

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Assessment of motion/travel

> Timing behavior

> Timing behavior = motion/travel of contacts over time

> Motion start too early: indication of worn contacts
> Motion finish too late: higher pressure or contact is too short (worn contacts)

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Example 1: Auxiliary contacts

> These are contacts that show the circuit breaker position. At least one
contact is used in each control circuit (trip/close) to control the coil supply.
Contacts not used in control circuits, are normally connected to terminals for
customer use.

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Example 1: Assessment of coil current

> Problem with open coil

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Example 1: Assessment of coil current

> Problem with open coil (with auxiliary contacts)

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Example 2: Assessment of auxiliary contacts

> Problems with auxiliary contacts

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Example 3: Assessment of coil current

> Problems with station battery supply

> Measurement with supply by station battery

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Example 3: Assessment of coil current

> Problems with station battery supply

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Example 4: Assessment of station battery

> Voltage drop due to bad station battery supply

129,15 V

103,71 V

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Example 7: Assessment of DRM

> Contact problem at main contacts?

Start of contact travel

Main contact is separated

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Example 7: Assessment of DRM

> Loose contact fingers or badly mounted connection clamps?

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Example 8: Assessment of DRM

> Phase B: worn out arcing contact?

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Example 8: Assessment of DRM

> Phase B: worn out arcing contact?

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