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WESCOSA SITE TEST PROCEDURE

SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
Page No.

: 1 of 8

Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

1.

VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER:

1.1

Visual & Mechanical Inspection

A)

Inspect for physical damage & compare nameplate data with drawings and
specifications.

B)

Inspect anchorage alignment and grounding.

C)

Perform mechanical operational test on both circuit breaker and its operating
mechanism.

D)

Measure critical dimensions such as contact gap and wipe as recommended by

manufacturer. Make adjustment as needed.

E)

Check tightness of bolted connection using calibrated torque wrench. Refer table # 1
for proper torque values.

1.2

Electrical Tests:

A)

Perform contact resistance tests.

B)

Perform breaker travel & velocity analysis.

C)

Perform minimum pick-up voltage tests on trip & close coils.

D)

Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device.

E)

Perform insulation resistance tests, pole to pole, pole to ground and across open
poles rules

F)

Perform vacuum bottle integrity test (over potential) across each vacuum bottle with
the breaker in the open position in strict accordance with manufacturers instruction.
Do not exceed maximum voltage stipulated for this test.

G)

Perform insulation resistance test on all control wiring at 500V DC. (Do not perform
this test on wiring connected to solid-state relays).

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SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
Page No.

: 2 of 8

Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

H)

Perform an over potential test with breaker in close position, test each pole to ground
with other poles grounded for (one) minute test voltage shall be according to the table
# 3, and leakage current shall be recorded for each phase.

1.3

TEST VALUES:

A)

Compare contact resistance to adjacent poles and similar breakers. Investigate

deviations of more than 50%.

B)

Contact displacement shall be in accordance with factory recorded data marked on

the name plate of each vacuum breaker or bottle.

C)

Interrupter shall withstand the over voltage applied without breakdown for one minute.

D)

Compare circuit breaker travel and velocity values to manufacturer's acceptable limits.

E)

Insulation resistance minimum values shall comply with table # 2

F)

Power factor and capacitance test results shall be within nameplate rating for bushings.

1.4

RESISTANCE TEST:
This test generally performed to measure the resistance across the vacuum
interrupter. This contact resistance will be measured by using ducter (Low resistance
measuring instrument). The output Terminals of the ducter will be connected across
the one pole of the interrupter and the resistance across the interrupter is measured
in micro or milli ohms. This test will be repeated for other two poles. The test will be
compared with the manufacturer's recommendations.

1.5

BREAKER TROUPLE AND VELOCITY TEST:

This test is a manufacture's test, which will be performed on the breaker to find out

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SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
Page No.

: 3 of 8

Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

the trouble of the moving contact and the speed in which the moving contact
separates from the fixed contacts. This test can be conducted by applying a special
high accurate timing mean which allows to measure the time consumed to open the
main breaker contacts from the moments the full voltage has been applied to the trip
coil till it trips.
1.6

PICK-UP VOLTAGE TEST ON TRIPPED AND CLOSED COIL:

Apply the required control voltage through a variac and varying the voltage find out
the pick-up value for both tripping and closing coil, also increase the voltage above
pick-up value and reduce it slowly to find out the dropout voltage both for tripping and
closing coil.

1.7

TRIPPED CIRCUIT BREAKER BY OPERATING PROTECTIVE RELAYS:

This test generally performed by using protective relays. Close the breaker either
manually or electrically and trip the breaker through operating the protective relays
through their tripping contact. This test to be conducted by using all types of auxiliary
and protection types relays.

1.8

INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST:

This test is performed using meggar. The insulation resistance measurements to be
done between pole to pole and pole to ground and isolating distance (breaker in
close condition). For test values, refer to table - 2.

1.9

HI-POTENTIAL TEST:
This test will be performed on the interrupter to check the integrity of vacuum
interrupter.
Keep the breaker in open position and applying the high voltage across the isolating
contact. The value of the test voltage will be specified by the manufacturer. The
voltage should be applied gradually up to the specified test voltage recommended by
manufacturer.
This test to be performed on all the three poles to check the integrity of the
interrupter, leakage current shall be recorded for each phase. For test values, refer to
table #3.

1.10 INSULATION RESISTANCE ON CONTROL WIRING:

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SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
Page No.

: 4 of 8

Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

This test to be performed on all the control wiring except for the solid state relay or
any solid state device by using ducter. Test values refer to table # 2.
1.11 Acceptance Criteria:
Accept / Reject the tested component after verifying the test result in manufacturer's
technical particular / catalogue cut / operating instruction manual.
2.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS - MEDIUM VOLTAGE - AIR

2.1

VISUAL AND MECHANICAL INSPECTION

A)

Inspect for physical damage and compare nameplate information with plants and
specification.

B)

Inspect anchorage, alignment and grounding.

C)

Perform all mechanical operator contact alignment test on both the breaker and its
operating mechanism.

D)

Check tightness of bolted bus joints by using calibrated torque wrench. Refer to
manufacturer's instructions or Table# 1 for torque levels.

E)

Check cell fit and element alignment.

F)

Check racking mechanism.

G)

Verify that primary and secondary contact wipe and other dimensions vital to
satisfactory operation of the breaker are correct.

H)

Ensure that all maintenance devices are available for servicing and operating the
breaker.

I)

Lubricate all moving current carrying parts.

J)

Check for proper operation of the cubical shutter.

2.2

ELECTRICAL TESTS:

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Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
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Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

A)

Measure contact resistance.

B)

Measure insulation resistance pole to pole, pole to ground, and across open poles.
Use a minimum test voltage as recommended in Table #2.

C)

Perform insulation resistance at 1000 Volts DC on all control wiring. (Do not perform
the test on wiring connected to solid-state components.)

D)

Perform an over potential test with breaker in closed position test each pole to ground
with other poles grounded for one (1) minute at values in Table - #3 or manufacturer's
specifications.

E)

Perform minimum pick-up voltage tests on tripping and closing coils.

F)

With breaker in test position, make the following tests:

a)
Trip and close breaker with the control switch.
b)
Trip each breaker by operating manually each of its protective relays.

2.3

TEST VALUES:

A)

Determine contact resistance in micro ohms. Investigate deviations of more than 50%
compared to other poles and similar breakers.

B)

Minimum insulation resistance should comply with table #2.

C)

Power factor and arc chute watt loss should be compared with results from previous
tests of similar breaker or related to manufacturer's published data.

D)

Over potential tests shall be evaluated as pass / fail, and measured leakage current.

2.4

INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST:

Refer to Section # 1.8.

2.5

HI-POTENTIAL TEST:

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Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
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Revision No.

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Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

Refer to Section # 1.9.

2.6

INSULATION RESISTANCE ON CONTROL WIRING:

Refer to Section # 1.10.

2.7

Acceptance Criteria:
Accept / Reject the tested component after verifying the test result in manufacturer's
technical particular / catalogue cut / operating instruction manual.

CIRCUIT BREAKER - MEDIUM VOLTAGE - OIL:

3.1

VISUAL AND MECHANICAL INSPECTION

A)

Inspect for physical damage and compare nameplate data with drawing and
specifications.

B)

Inspect anchorage, alignment and grounding.

C)

Perform all mechanical operation and contact alignment tests on both the circuit
breaker and its operating mechanism in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

D)

Check tightness of bolted connections by using calibrated torque wrench. Refer to

manufacturer's instructions or Table # 1 for proper torque levels.

E)

Test pressure switch alarms and lockouts for pneumatic and / OR hydraulic operators
as recommended by the manufacturer.

F)

Perform circuit breaker time-travel analysis.

3.2

ELECTRICAL TESTS:

A)

Measure contact resistance. (Refer to Section # 1.4)

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Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
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Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

B)

Sample insulating fluid sample shall be laboratory tested for;

a) Dielectric breakdown voltage ASTM D-877
b) Color ASTM D-924
c) Power Factor: ASTM D-924
d) Interfacial tension ASTM D-971 or D-2285
e) Visual conditions ASTM D-1524

C)

Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device. (Refer to Section # 1.7)

D)

Perform insulation resistance tests pole to ground and across open poles
recommended values as per Table # 2. (Refer to Section # 1.8)

E)

Perform insulation resistance test on all control wiring at 500 volts DC. (Do not perform
this test on wiring connected to solid-state relays).

F)

Perform power factor tests on each phase with breaker closed. Determined tank loss
index.

G)

Perform power factor tests on each bushing. Use conductive straps and hot collar
procedures if bushing are not equipped with a power factor tap.

H)

Perform an over potential test on each pole with breaker in closed position. Test each
pole to ground with other poles grounded for one minute at values in table # 3 OR
manufacturer recommended level.

3.3

TEST VALUES:

A)

Determine contact resistance in micro ohms. Resistance value should not exceed
one hundred fifty percent (50%) of the high limit of the normal range as indicated in
the manufacturer's published data.

B)

Compare circuit breaker travels and velocity values to manufacturer's acceptable

limits.

C)

Insulating liquid test shall comply with table.

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Title: MEDIUM VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER

STP 01
Page No.

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Revision No.

: 02

Revision Date

: 31-May-04

Prepared By

: R. Yousuf

D)

Insulation resistance shall comply with table # 2.

E)

Power factor and capacitor test result shall be with in ten percent (10%) of nameplate
rating of bushings. Tank loss index shall not exceed the manufacturer's allowable
value.

F)

Over potential test shall evaluated as pass / fail, and leakage current should be
recorded for each phase.

3.4

Acceptance Criteria:
Accept / Reject the tested component after verifying the test result in manufacturer's
technical particular / catalogue cut / operating instruction manual
.