Circuit Breaker Testing

M.M. Meraat

Classification of Testing

Type Test Conducted on each prototype of CB. Routine Test Conducted on each CB. Reliability Test Check the reliability in actual operating condition. Commissioning Test Conducted on CB after installation.

Type Test

Mechanical Test Withstand voltage or Dielectric Test Temperature Rise Test Short Circuit Test

Type Test Mechanical Test

Endurance Test Circuit Breaker checked for 1000 open close operation. Operating Limit Test CB auxiliaries is tested.
Lower value CB perform properly without hesitation Upper Value Energy input does not damage the auxiliary equipment.

Component Testing Special type of test done during early development or some other requirements.

Type Test Dielectric Test

Lighting Impulse Test 1.2/50 uSec test waveform.

5 shots of +ve polarity. 5 shots of ve polarity.

Switching Impulse Test 50/2500 uSec waveform.

5 shots of +ve polarity. 5 shots of ve polarity. Above 300kv should be in wet condition.

Power frequency withstand Test Total of 15 shots

Not more than 2 flashovers. Test frequency 100hz. Normal current, normal voltage.

Type Test Temperature rise test

Should me made on a new CB with clean contact parts. Done in totally enclosed place. Control ckt. And auxiliaries are also undergo through test. Reading of the various parts are taken at a interval of 1 or half an hour. Max. temp. should not exceed the permissible value.

Type Test Temperature rise test

Item
Copper contact
in air with silver plating in air without silver plating in oil with silver plating in oil without silver plating 105 75 90 80

Max. Temp.

In oil CB Terminals of CB
with silver plating without silver plating Metal parts in contact with class E insulation

80
105 90

100

Type Test Short circuit Test

Breaking Test Capacity of CB to open during a short circuit.

The following factors are checked. 1. Condition of CB before test 2. Condition of CB during test 3. Condition of CB after test 4. Applied voltage before test 5. TRV 6. Test frequency etc..

Making Test Capacity of CB to close during an existing

fault. The same factors as above are checked during testing.

Type Test Operating Sequence Test

According to IEC
O-3minutes-CO-3minutes-CO for non-auto reclosing CB. O-.3Sec-CO-3minutes-CO-CO for auto reclosing CB.
Test Duty 1: 10% of rated SC current <20% DC component Test Duty 2: 30% of rated SC current <20% DC component Test Duty 3: 60% of rated SC current <20% DC component Test Duty 4: 100% of rated SC current <20% DC component Test Duty 5: 100% of rated SC current(Only the symmetrical component).

Routine Test

No load mechanical operation test to verify speed of travel, opening time, closing time. Millivolt drop test To measure the contact resistance.