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Circuit Breaker Testing - New Approach: Thomas Renaudin
Circuit Breaker Testing - New Approach: Thomas Renaudin
Thomas Renaudin
SEEEI conference
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Circuit Breaker Testing
>
Circuit Breakers – Design and standards
Tests on Circuit Breakers
CIBANO 500
© OMIC
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Definition of Circuit Breaker
closed open
R=0Ω R = ∞Ω
© OMIC
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Purpose of Circuit Breakers in Power Systems
Network
>
Minimize losses in closed position
Circuit Breaker
x
>
Open and close on command
Busbar
>
Open or close a circuit to connect
the power to/from the transmission
Disconnector
line
(O - break, C - make)
Open a circuit for planned
>
Circuit Breaker
x
maintenance (O - break)
Open a circuit at system fault to
>
Power
protect the system behind the Transformer
© OMIC
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Circuit Breaker Components
A: interrupter chamber
B: insulated support column
C: support structure
D: central cubical
E: wiring
F: operating mechanism
Source: Siemens
© OMIC
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Standards – ANSI
> C37.04-1999
> Standard ratings defined
> C37.06-2000
> Schedule of preferred ratings
> C37.09-1999
> Type tests
> Routine tests
© OMIC
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Standards – IEC
> IEC 62271-100, 2001
> Type, routine & field tests
> Timing definitions
> Guide for selection and
specification
© OMIC
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IEC - timing definition
© OMIC
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Circuit Breaker Testing
© OMIC
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What is usually needed to test breakers
© OMIC
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Typical tests on circuit breakers
© OMIC
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1. Minimum Pick-up Test
© OMIC
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1. Minimum Pick-up Test
>
Indicates the lowest voltage to operate the trip or cl
ose coil
>
Start at a certain voltage level
>
Try to operate
>
If not working increase voltage and try again
>
Ramp the voltage pulse until minimum voltage is re
ached with which the circuit breaker switches
>
Everybody has a „selfmade“ solution for this test
© OMIC
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2. Contact Resistance Test
Conventional Setup
© OMIC
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2. Contact Resistance Test
>
Test is performed with a µOhm-Meter
>
A lot of different test devices on the market (weight,
handling, output current and accuracy)
>
Inject a high current
>
Measurement of a small voltage in a noisy environ
ment
>
Use 4-wire technique to connect
© OMIC
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3a. Timing Test
>
Connect to all main contacts
>
Connect to trip & close coil
>
Voltage supply required
Conventional Setup
Time-consuming and
error-prone
© OMIC
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3a. Timing Test - Measured Values
Open Time, Close Time, Contact Spread, Phase Spread, Trip-Free Time, Reclose Time
© OMIC
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3b. Timing undervoltage condition
>
Coils are normally driven by station battery
>
What happens if battery condition is not the best
>
Perform a test with reduced supply voltage (e.g. 80
%)
>
Check times for under voltage
>
does it work anyhow
>
are there any delays compared to nominal voltage?
>
Measure the overall times and compare to manufac
turer values
© OMIC
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3c. Coil Current
>
Important tool in circuit breaker analysis
>
Detect potential problems in actuating coils
>
Reveal information on power supply
>
Comparison is best method of analysis
© OMIC
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4. Motor Current
>
Connect source
to charging motor
or use current
clamp
>
Check charging
times and
charging currents
>
Compare with
previous
measurements
© OMIC
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5. Contact Travel
© OMIC
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6. Dynamic Resistance Measurement (DRM)
© OMIC
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6. Dynamic Resistance Measurement (DRM)
Use DRM to find out
>
Problems with contact fingers
>
Lubrication problems
>
The arcing contact length
motion
dynamic resistance
coil current
ms
© OMIC
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Conventional Setup for Circuit Breaker Testing
>
Rewiring between micro-
ohm measurement and ti
ming tests
>
Lots of cables
>
Time-consuming and
error-prone Mirco-ohm measurement
>
Long test cables create i
nductive loops which cat
ch interferences
>
External supply or statio
n battery required
Timing Tests
© OMIC
RON Page 28
CIBANO 500 – 3-in-1 Test System
>
Timing analyzer
>
Possible operations: O, C, CO, OC, O-CO, CO-CO, O-CO-CO
>
Motion measurement is possible in parrallel
>
Micro-ohm meter
>
Static AND dynamic contact resistance test
>
Powerful coil and motor stabilized supply
>
Coil/motor current analysis
>
Undervoltage condition test
>
Minimum pick-up test
>
Tests are possible without station battery
© OMIC
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CIBANO 500 – one system for all types of breakers
>
Medium-voltage circuit breakers
>
High-voltage circuit breakers (Live Tank)
>
High-voltage circuit breakers (Dead Tank)
© OMIC
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Unique connection concept
CB MC2
© OMIC
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Unique connection concept
© OMIC
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Unique connection concept
© OMIC
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Modular concept for simplified testing –
Transducer Node CB TN3
>
Accessory for motion/contact travel test
>
3 analog and digital channels for data
acquisition of linear or rotational motion
sensors
>
Interference-free digital transmission of
results via one cable
© OMIC
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Powerful software support
>
Primary Test Manager software supports all tests
>
One combined test report for all tests
© OMIC
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Benefits of all-in-one OMICRON approach
>
3-in-1 system combines:
>
timing analyzer
>
micro-ohmmeter
>
powerful AC/DC supply
>
One wiring for all test: all-in-one / all-in-once
>
One system for medium- and high-voltage circuit
breakers
>
Immunity to interference due to short test cables
>
One combined report for all tests
>
Light-weight test system for on-site testing (20 kg / 44.1 l
bs)
© OMIC
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© OMIC
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