CHAPTER 10

FUSES & BREAKERS

INDEX

10.1 Introduction to fuses.

10.2 Introduction.
10.3 Ratings of Circuit Breakers.
10.4 Classification of Breakers.
10.4.1 Oil Circuit Breaker
10.4.2 Plain Break Oil Circuit Breakers:
10.4.3 Air-Blast Circuit Breakers
10.4.4 Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6).
10.4.5 Vacuum Circuit Breakers.
10.5 Inspection and Test Procedures.
10.5.1 Measurement of Insulation Resistance.
10.5.2 Operation Tests.
10.5.3 Measurement of Speed of Operation.
10.5.4 Oil Tests.
10.5.5 Measurement of Circuit Breaker Operation Time.
10.5.6 Low Voltage Circuit Breakers.
10.5.7 Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers.
10.5.8 High Voltage Air Circuit Breakers (>1.1kv & =22kv).
10.5.9 High Voltage Oil Circuit Breakers (>1.1kv & =22kv).
10.5.10 High Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breakers (>1.1kv & =22kv).
10.5.11 High Voltage Sf6 Circuit Breakers (>1.1kv & =22kv).
10.5.12 High Voltage Oil Circuit Breakers (>22kv).
10.5.13 High Voltage Sf6 Circuit Breakers (>22kv).
10.5.14 Test for Auxiliaries.
10.5.15 Overload and Short Circuit Testing of Lt Air Circuit Breaker.
10.5.16 Short Circuit Testing.
 CHAPTER 10
FUSES & BREAKERS
10.1 Introduction to fuses:
Fuse is the most common device used for the protection of electrical
equipment for damages due to over current.it is the first protective device
developed by scientists and is most popular till date. In general, a fuse is small
metallic element inserted in between two terminals mounted on insulated base
and is connected in series with the circuit. The fuse is cheap and simplest
protective device and is used as circuit interrupting device under short circuit
conditions. This element carries full circuit current. It prevents over heating of
the electrical appliances.it is designed to carry the rated current of the circuit
continuously without any deterioration. Under over current conditions it melts
and interrupts the current before any damage to the equipment. The value of the
current that causes melting and the duration of over current allowed to flow
before interruption and governed by the operating characteristics of the
concerned fuse. Fuses are used very extensively in LV network. They are also
used up to 33KV, after every current interruption the fuse needs to be replaced
hence the fuse is used where frequent operations are not expected or where the
use of circuit breaker is uneconomical.
Fuse: a fuse is protective device used for protecting electrical equipment against
over loads and/or short circuits. A fuse is a short piece of metal inserted in the
circuit in series and melts when excessive current flows through it and thus
breaks the circuit. The general purpose of the fuse is to carry the rated current
safely without melting(fusing), but when the rated current is exceeded the fuses
should rapidly heat up to the melting point.in general the term fuse refers to all
parts of the device.
The time required to blow out the fuse depends upon the magnitude of excessive
current. The greater the current the smaller is the time taken by the fuse to blow
out I.e. the fuse having inverse time current characteristics.
Fuse element or fuse wire:
Generally, the fuse element has to satisfy the following conditions
 It has to carry rated current safely
 It has to break the circuit when the current exceeds the rated value.
The fuse elements generally made up of the material having low melting point,
low ohmic loss, high conductivity, least deterioration due to oxidation and low
cost. Material commonly used for fuse elements are tin, lead, silver, zinc,
copper, aluminium etc. In general no material possesses all the desirable
characteristics, the working results with fuses has proven that the most suitable
material for the fuse elements is a low melting point material such as tin, lead
or zinc. A low melting point has high specific resistance as can be seen from
the table.
METAL MELTING POINT( SPECIFIC
0
C) RESISTANCE(ohm-cm)
lead 328 21.5
tin 230 11.2
zinc 419 6.1
aluminium 670 2.85
silver 960 1.64
copper 1090 1.72

In general copper or lead tin alloy may be used as as an ordinary fuse elements
or fuse wire.
fuse link: it is the part of the fuse which needs replacement when the fuse blows
out.
Rated current: The rated current of is the rms value of the current it can carry
indefinitely without fusing.
Minimum fusing current:
the minimum using current in the minimum rms value of the current at which
the fuse element will melt. Generally, the minimum fusing current is more than
the rated current of the fuse.
The minimum fusing current depends upon various factors such as shape and
area of cross section of the fuse element, size and location of the terminals, fuse
material length, the of enclosure employed and the no. of strands in the stranded
fuse wire.
The approximate value of minimum fusing current
For a round wire it is given as
3
I  Kd 2

Where I= minimum fusing current

K= fuse constant depending up on the material of the fuse wire
d=diameter of the wire
Material Value Of Fuse Constant K For
D(Cm)
tin 405.5
iron 777
lead 340.5
aluminium 1870
copper 2530
Fusing factor:
fusing factor is defined as the ratio of minimum fusing current to the rated
current of the fuse element.
Fusing factor = (minimum fusing current/rated current)
This fusing factor is always greater than unity. For semi closed or Rewirable
fuse which employs copper wire as the fuse element fusing factor is equal to 1.9
to2.0 for the standard duty cartridge fuses fusing factor is equal to 1.45.
Cut off current:
The current at which the fuse element melts is called the cut off current and the
measured as an instantaneous value.
Pre arcing time or melting time:
the pre arcing time in the time accounted from the instant the current that will
cause a break in fuse wire starts flowing to the instant cut off and arc initiation.
Arcing time:
this is the time taken from the instant of arc initiation (cut off current) to the
instant of arc being extinguished or the current finally becoming zero.
Total operating time:
it is defined as the sum of the pre arcing time and arcing time.
Rupturing capacity or breaking capacity: it is the MVA rating of the fuse
corresponding to the largest prospective current which the fuse is capable of
breaking at the system voltage.
A fuse is never required to pass an actual current equivalent to its rupturing or
breaking capacity.
Classification of fuses:
The fuses can be classified as follows
1) Depending upon the type of enclosure:
a) Open type
 b) Semi-enclosed type
2) Depending upon the type of rating:
a) Lower rating (Rewirable fuses)
b) Medium rating (H.R.C)
c) Higher rating application (high rating H.R.C fuses)
3) Depending upon the type of fusing characteristics:

a) I2t characteristics
b) Rupturing characteristics
c) Cut-off current characteristics
4) depending upon the extinction of arc extinction in liquid medium
a) Oil-break circuit breaker fuses
b) Oil expulsion fuses
c) Oil-blast fuses
Fuse carriers: Fuse is a device which cuts off the circuit when more than
predetermined value current flows in the circuit.
It is the weakest point of circuit which breaks when more than normal current
flows in the circuit. The fuse is a wire or strip of short length having low melting
point held in porcelain fuse carrier and inserted in an electrical circuit as a
protective device. The porcelain fuse carrier is used for safe handling of fuse
wire.
Rewirable type fuse or Kit-Kat fuse unit:
It is the most important and common type of fuse unit used for all day to day
work in domestic installations.it can be rewired, even if the cut-out terminals are
energized without taking any safety precautions. The part fuse carrier which
holds the fuse wire is a separate unit and be taken out or inserted with care in the
base to which the incoming and outgoing live wire is permanently connected.
The unit in which the incoming and outgoing line or phase wire is connected
permanently with help of connecting terminals is known as base while
removable parts which holds fuse wire and fits in to base when inserted is known
as fuse carrier. The metallic part of the carrier when inserted in the base touches
metallic part of the base thus making continuity from one base terminals to the
second base terminals through the fuse wire and keeps the continuity.

These are simple in operation. Rewiring of fuse wire can be handled safely even
if the main supply is ON. Usually these are kept in cast iron boxes. But now a
days they are kept in moulded plastic boxes.
Cartridge fuse: cartridge fuse means any shape similar to the bullet containing
some enclosed material. In cartridge type fuse the fuse wire is enclosed in a tube,
bulb or case of some good insulating heat resistance material of the whole unit
is sealed off.
In case the fuse blows out due to some fault or over load it is replaced by a fresh
unit as the cartridge cannot be rewired due to its sealing. And some of cartridge
fuses are Rewirable type. These are fixed in its fuse carrier like the Kit-Kat unit.
H.R.C fuse: H.R.C fuse means high rupturing capacity fuse. It is in similar
construction to the cartridge type with the exception that the fuse wire (material)
can carry short circuit heavy current for a known time period. During this time
if the fault is removed, then it does not blow off otherwise it blows off and breaks
the continuity of the circuit.

The cartridge unit is either of glass or some other chemical compound that
is air tight construction to avoid the effect of atmosphere on the fuse material.
This effect may lower its related capacity due to continuous slow oxidation of
the wire materials. HRC cartridge fuse consists of a ceramic body having metal
end caps to which are welded fusible silver (or bimetallic) current carrying
elements.
The space within the body surrounding the elements is complexly packed with
a powder. This type of fuse is reliable and has inverse time characteristics.
Current Carrying Capacity of Fuse Element: the current carrying capacity of
a fuse element mainly depends on the metal used and the sectional area but it is
also affected by the length, the state of surface and the surrounding of the fuse.

3
I  Kd 2

K=proportional constant
Application of fuses:
 Protection cables
 Protection of bus bars
 Protection of motors
 Protection of low voltage distribution systems against over load and short
circuits
 Back up protection to circuit breakers
 Protection of semiconductor devices

10.2 Introduction of breakers.

A circuit breaker is defined as “a mechanical switching device capable of
making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions and also
making, carrying and breaking for a specified time, and breaking 2currents under
specified abnormal circuit conditions such as a short circuit” (IEEE Std.
C37.100).
The following are the necessary requirements for a circuit Requirements for
circuit breaker or switch gear:
o It must safely interrupt the normal working current as well as the
short circuit current.
 o Switch gear must isolate the faulty circuit as quickly as possible
because the longer the fault current continues to flow the greater
the damage to the equipment.
o It must have high sense of discrimination.
o It should not operate when an over current flows under healthy
conditions.

ARC PHENOMENON:
The arc consists of a column of ionized gas I.e., a gas which molecules have lost
one or more of their electrons resulting in positive ions and electrons.the
ionization is facilitated by
 An increase in field strength.
 Increase in mean free path.
 High temperature.

The electrons which have a negative charge are attracted towards the positive
contact i.e., anode and the electrons being light moves towards anode quickly.the
positive ions are attracted towards the negative contact i.e., cathode, but as the
positive ions comprise almost the entire weight of the atom they move towards
the negative of the atom they move towards the negative contact collide slowly.
Thus the fast moving electron collides with the slow moving ion constituting an
arc between the contacts. When a fault occurs in power system, an enormous
power can be fed into the fault, which requires the opening of circuit.the circuit
can be opened with the help of a circuit breaker. while opening the contacts of
circuit breaker an arc is established between the contacts. This arc should be
extinguished as early as possible.
Arc Voltage:
The voltage drop across the arc is called arc voltage.
 The arc voltage and current characteristics can be expressed as

Where arc current

Arc voltage
A and B= constants
l=arc length
ARC INTERRUPTION METHODS:
In the circuit breaker various methods are employed to extinguish the are
resulting from separation of the current carrying contacts. The arc can be
quenched either by high resistance interruption or low resistance interruption.
High resistance interruption (or) rheostat interruption:
In this method the arc is controlled that its effective resistance increase
with time so that the current is reduced to a value insufficient to maintain the
arc.
With an A.C quantity the total resistance of the circuit also tends to bring
the current in phase with the circuit voltage so the at current zero. The voltage
appearing across the contacts which is known as restricting voltage is relatively
low. The energy dissipated in this method is high. Hence the application of this
method is in DC circuit breakers and low and medium power industrial type air
circuit breakers.
The resistance of the ARC can be increase by any one of the following methods.
Lengthening of arc:
The length of the arc can be increased by increasing the gap length
between the contacts but it is not practicable to draw the arc out to such a length
that the voltage available becomes inadequate to maintain the arc.
 Cooling of arc:
The voltage required to maintain ionization increases with a decrease of
temperature so that cooling effectively increases the resistance.
Splitting of arc:
The arc resistance can be increased by splitting the arc into a number
of smaller arcs in series. Each one of these arcs experiences the effect of
lengthening and cooling.
Constraining the arc:
If the arc can be constrained in to very narrow channel the voltage necessary
to maintain it is increased. This method is mainly employed in air-blast circuit
breakers.
Low resistance or (current zero interruption):
In this method the arc gets extinguished at natural current zero of the A.C
wave and is prevented from restricting again by build-up of dielectric strength
of the contact space. The rapid increase of dielectric strength or post-zero
resistance is necessary for successful interruption and this is achieved by the
following methods.
Lengthening of the gap: The dielectric strength is proportional to the length of
gap so that lengthening by rapid operating of the contacts is an obvious
procedure. The permissible arc length is limited, however by other
considerations ex:arc energy, etc.
High pressure: If the pressure is increased the density of particles constituting
the discharge also increases. The increased density of particles senses higher rate
of deionization and thus the dielectric strength of the medium between the
contacts is increased
Cooling: Unnatural combination of ions and electrons takes place more rapidly
if they are allowed to cool. cooling by conduction to adjacent parts., baffles or
by the use of gas such as hydrogen that has a high diffusion and heat absorption
rate is therefore effective.
Blast effect: If the ionized particles between the contacts are swept away and
replaced by unimagined particles, the dielectric strength of the medium can be
increased considerably. this can be achieved by forcing the cool UN-ionized gas
or liquid in to the contact space.
Important terms:
Re striking voltage: It is the transient voltage that exists at or in close
proximity to reach zero current passes during the arcing time.
Recovery voltage: it is defined as power frequency rms voltage appearing
between the poles of the circuit breaker after final arc extinction. Or The power
frequency rms voltage that appears across the breaker contacts after the transient
oscillations die out and final extinction of arc has resulted in all the poles is
called the recovery voltage.
Amplitude factor: it is defined as the ratio of peak value of transient
restriking voltage to the peak vale of supply voltage. From the performance point
of view this factor must be small. Amplitude factor is always greater than unity.
Rate of rise of re striking voltage: it is the rate of rise of restriking voltage and
is expressed in KV /micro sec.it may be defined as the slope of steepest tangent
to the restriking voltage curve.
Current chopping: The phenomenon of breaking the current before it passes
through the natural zero is known as current chopping.
10.3 RATINGS OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS:
The ratings of the circuit breaker refer to the characteristic values that
define the working condition for which the circuit breaker is designed and built.
Circuit breaker must be capable of carrying the full load current continuously,
without excessive temperature rise, and should be capable of withstanding the
electrodynamics forces.
Various ratings of a circuit breaker are:
1. The number of poles
2. Rated voltage and rated current
3. Rated symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking capacities
4. Rated making capacities
5. Rated short-time current or rated maximum duration of the short
circuit.
6. Rated frequency
7. Rated operating duty.
8. The number of poles.
9. The number of poles per phase of a circuit breaker is function of the
operating voltage.

Rated voltage:
The rated maximum voltage of a circuit breaker is the highest rms
voltage above nominal system voltage, for which the circuit breaker ids
designed and is the upper limit for operation.
Rated current:
The rated normal current of a circuit breaker is the designed limit
of current in rms amperes which it shall be capable of carrying
continuously without exceeding the limit of observable temperature
rise.
Rated symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking capacities: Breaking
current of the circuit breaker is the current in that pole at the instant
constant-separation. It is expressed by two values.
Symmetrical breaking current:
It is the value of symmetrical breaking current, which the circuit
breaker is capable of breaking at stated recovery voltage and stated
reference RV (recovery voltage) under prescribed conditions. This is the
rms value of AC component in the pole at the instant of contact separation.

x
I rms  I sym 
2
Asymmetrical breaking current: It is the value of asymmetrical
breaking current, which the circuit breaker is capable of breaking at stated
recovery voltage and stated reference RV (recovery voltage) under
prescribed conditions. This is the rms value of the total current comprising
the AC and DC components in the pole at the instant of contact separation.

 x 
2

I asym     y2 
 2  
 
Rated making capacities: the making current of a circuit breaker when
closed on a short circuit. The making capacity of a circuit breaker is the
current that the circuit breaker is capable of making as stated voltage
under prescribed conditions of use and behavior.

Rated making capacity =1.8* 2 *symmetrical breaking capacity

= 2.55*
I rms
 Rated short-time current: the short time current of the circuit breaker is
the circuit breaker is the rms value of the current that a circuit breaker can
carry in a fully closed position without damage, for the specified short
time interval under prescribed conditions. It is normally expressed in KA
for a period of 1 sec OR 4 secs, known as one-second rating and four
second rating respectively. These rating are based on thermal limitations.
The short time rated current is the current that can be safely applied with
the circuit breaker in the normal conditions for 3 secs, if the ratio of
symmetrical breaking current to making current is less than 40 or for 1-
sec otherwise.
Rated frequency:
The rated frequency of the circuit breaker is the frequency at which it
is designed to operate.

Rated operating duty: The operating duty of a circuit breaker consists of

a prescribed number of unit operation at stated intervals.
10.4 Classification of breakers.
There are several methods of classification of circuit breakers. The most
general way of the rating of a circuit breaker is by the arc extinction medium.
The arc extinction can easily be done by using the different medium like air,
insulator, gas, vacuum, dielectric, etc.
By the arc extinction medium, the circuit breaker is categorised into four
types. They are the air break circuit breaker, air blast circuit breaker, sulphur
hexafluoride circuit breaker and vacuum circuit breaker.
1. Based on the type of service:
a. Indoor
b. Outdoor.
2. Based on the type of interrupting medium:
a. Oil circuit breaker
b. Air blast circuit breaker
c. SF6(sulphur hexa fluoride) circuit breaker.
d. Vacuum circuit breaker
3. Based on the type of break
a. Single break
b. Double break
4. Based on the of action
a. Automatic
b. Non- automatic
5. Based on the method of control
a. Remote control
b. Direct control
6. Based on the type tank construction
a. One tank for all poles
b. Separate tank for each pole
7. Based on the type of operation
a. Gravity opened
b. Gravity closed
c. Horizontal break
8. Based on the working voltage
a. Low voltage circuit breakers (up to 1000 volts)
b. High voltage circuit breakers (above 1000 volts)
10.4.1 Oil circuit breaker
In such circuit breakers, some insulating oil (e.g., transformer oil) is used
as an arc quenching medium. The contacts are opened under oil and an arc is
struck between them. The heat of the arc evaporates the surrounding oil and
dissociates it into a substantial volume of gaseous *hydrogen at high pressure.
The hydrogen gas occupies a volume about one thousand times that of the oil
decomposed. The oil is, therefore, pushed away from the arc and an expanding
hydrogen gas bubble surrounds the arc region and adjacent portions of the
contacts The arc extinction is facilitated mainly by two processes. Firstly, the
hydrogen gas has high heat conductivity and cools the arc, thus aiding the de-
ionisation of the medium between the contacts. Secondly, the gas sets up
turbulence in the oil and forces it into the space between contacts, thus
eliminating the arcing products from the arc path. The result is that arc is
extinguished and circuit current interrupted.
10.4.2 Plain Break Oil Circuit Breakers:
A plain-break oil circuit breaker involves the simple process of separating
the contacts under the whole of the oil in the tank. There is no special system for
arc control other than the increase in length caused by the separation of contacts.
The arc extinction occurs when a certain critical gap between the contacts is
reached. The plain-break oil circuit breaker is the earliest type from which all
other circuit breakers have developed. It has a very simple construction. It
consists of fixed and moving contacts enclosed in a strong weather-tight earthed
tank containing oil upto a certain level and an air cushion above the oil level.
The air cushion provides sufficient room to allow for the reception of the arc
gases without the generation of unsafe pressure in the dome of the circuit
breaker. It also absorbs the mechanical shock of the upward oil movement.
double break plain oil circuit breaker. It is called a double break because it
provides two breaks in series. Under normal operating conditions, the fixed and
moving contacts remain closed and the breaker carries the normal circuit current.
When a fault occurs, the moving contacts are pulled down by the protective
system and an arc is struck which vaporizes the oil mainly into hydrogen gas.
The arc extinction is facilitated by the following processes:

10.4.3 Air-Blast Circuit Breakers

These breakers employ a high pressure *air-blast as an arc quenching
medium. The contacts are opened in a flow of air-blast established by the
opening of blast valve. The air-blast cools the arc and sweeps away the arcing
products to the atmosphere. This rapidly increases the dielectric strength of the
medium between contacts and prevents from re-establishing the arc.
Consequently, the arc is extinguished and flow of current is interrupted.
10.3.4 Sulphur Hexaflouride (SF6) Circuit Breakers 4
In such circuit breakers, Sulphur Hexaflouride (SF6) gas is used as the arc
quenching medium. The SF6 is an electro-negative gas and has a strong
tendency to absorb free electrons. The contacts of the breaker are opened in a
high pressure flow of SF6 gas and an arc is struck between them. The conducting
free electrons in the arc are rapidly captured by the gas to form relatively
immobile negative ions. This loss of conducting electrons in the arc quickly
builds up enough insulation strength Circuit Breakers to extinguish the arc. The
SF6 circuit breakers have been found to be very effective for high power and
high voltage service.

Construction: It consists of fixed and moving contacts enclosed in a chamber

(called arc interruption chamber) containing SF6 gas. This chamber is connected
to SF6 gas reservoir. When the contacts of breaker are opened, the valve
mechanism permits a high pressure SF6 gas from the reservoir to flow towards
the arc interruption chamber. The fixed contact is a hollow cylindrical current
carrying contact fitted with an arc horn. The moving contact is also a hollow
cylinder with rectangular holes in the sides to permit the SF6 gas to let out
through these holes after flowing along and across the arc. The tips of fixed
contact, moving contact and arcing horn are coated with copper-tungsten arc
resistant material. Since SF6 gas is costly, it is reconditioned and reclaimed by
suitable auxiliary system after each operation of the breaker.
Working. In the closed position of the breaker, the contacts remain surrounded
by SF6 gas at a pressure of about 2·8 kg/cm2. When the breaker operates, the
moving contact is pulled apart and an arc is struck between the contacts. The
movement of the moving contact is synchronized with the opening of a valve
which permits SF6 gas at 14 kg/cm2 pressure from the reservoir to the arc
interruption chamber. The high pressure flow of SF6 rapidly absorbs the free
electrons in the arc path to form immobile negative ions which are ineffective as
charge carriers. The result is that the medium between the contacts quickly
builds up high dielectric strength and causes the extinction of the arc. After the
breaker operation (i.e., after arc extinction), the valve is closed by the action of
a set of springs.
10.4.5 Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB):
In such breakers, vacuum (degree of vacuum being in the range from
10−7 to 10−5 torr) is used as the arc quenching medium. Since vacuum offers
the highest insulating strength, it has far superior arc quenching properties than
any other medium. For example, when contacts of a breaker are opened in
vacuum, the interruption occurs at first current zero with dielectric strength
between the contacts building up at a rate thousands of times higher than that
obtained with other circuit breakers.
Principle. The production of arc in a vacuum circuit breaker and its extinction
can be explained as follows: When the contacts of the breaker are opened in
vacuum (10−7 to 10−5 torr), an arc is produced between the contacts by the
ionisation of metal vapour s of contacts*. However, the arc is quickly
extinguished because the metallic vapour s, electrons and ions produced during
arc rapidly condense on the surfaces of the circuit breaker contacts, resulting in
quick recovery of dielectric
strength. The reader may note the salient feature of vacuum as an arc quenching
medium. As soon as the arc is produced in vacuum, it is quickly extinguished
due to the fast rate of recovery of dielectric strength in vacuum.

Construction. the parts of a typical vacuum circuit breaker. It consists of fixed

contact, moving contact and arc shield mounted inside a vacuum chamber. The
movable member is connected to the control mechanism by stainless steel
bellows. This enables the permanent sealing of the vacuum chamber so as to
eliminate the possibility of leak. A glass vessel or ceramic vessel is used as the
outer insulating body. The arc shield prevents the deterioration of the internal
dielectric strength by preventing metallic vapours falling on the inside surface
of the outer insulating cover.
Working. When the breaker operates, the moving contact separates from the
fixed contact and an arc is struck between the contacts. The production of arc is
due to the ionization of metal ions and depends very much upon the material of
contacts. The arc is quickly extinguished because the metallic vapours, electrons
and ions produced during arc are diffused in a short time and seized by the
surfaces of moving and fixed members and shields. Since vacuum has very fast
rate of recovery of dielectric strength, the arc extinction in a vacuum breaker
occurs with a short contact separation (say 0·625 cm).

10.5 INSPECTION AND TEST PROCEDURES

10.5.1 MEASUREMENT OF INSULATION RESISTANCE
(a) MAIN CIRCUIT:
The measurement shall be made with an Insulation Tester (Megger)
power operated of not less than 1000 volts’ capacity. The value measured
shall not be less than 2 (Two) Mega ohm per KV rating.

(b) CONTROL CIRCUIT

The measurement may be made with a 500 V hand operated Megger or at
the most 1000 volts Megger. The value so obtained shall be not less than
5 (Five) mega ohms.

The measurement of contact resistance shall be made by voltage drop

method by passing a direct current (d.c.) of not less than 100 Amps through the
Circuit Breaker (in closed position) and measuring the voltage drop across the
breaker terminals (incoming – outgoing). This procedure is, however, not
practicable at site. Therefore, the following methods are suggested: -
(i) Milli-volt drop method – by passing an alternating current of not less than
100 amps and measuring the voltage drop and calculating the A.C. resistance.
This value when divided by factor of 1.2 will give the exact resistance of the
contact.
(ie) V x 1.2
(ii) Direct measurement of resistance by using MICRO OHM METER
It is suggested that a value of up to 100 micro ohms for new breakers
and upto 200 micro ohms for fairly old ones be permitted. The
measurement of contact resistance shall be done for circuit breakers,
critical busbar joints. Abnormal increase in the contact resistance
indicates the following abnormalities. Any of the above abnormality
may cause excessive heat loss due to localized heating resulting in
change of colour.
a) Presence of foreign materials in contacts.
b) Contact loose in support.
c) Loose jumper
d) Loose bushing connection
It is recommended that for medium and high voltages the resistance test
be made with 70A (or higher) direct current. The use of a higher current value
gives more reliable results than using lower current values. The resistance value
is usually measured in micro ohms (). The average resistance value for 15-
kV class air circuit breakers is approximately between 200-250 . The
evaluation should be made on comparing resistance values of the three phases
with each other or with resistance values of similar breakers. A difference of
more than 50 percent in resistance values among the three phases of breaker
should warrant further investigation.
10.5.2 OPERATION TESTS:
After satisfying the pre-conditions such as Gas pressure, Air pressure etc.,
the circuit breaker may be operated in the following manner: -
(i) Manual closing and tripping
(ii) Local electrical closing and tripping at normal control voltage.
(iii) Remote electrical closing and tripping at normal control voltage.
 (iv) The above operations at the minimum control voltage. (i.e. at 80% of
normal voltage for closing and 70% of normal control voltage for
tripping).
(v) Measurement of trip coil current & voltage dip during coil energisation
– the values so obtained shall be comparable to the coil rating specified
by the manufacturer.
10.5.3 MEASUREMENT OF SPEED OF OPERATION
The measurement may be made at normal control voltage and the values
obtained shall be not more than the ones given below: -
(a) Closing time = around 100 milli seconds.
(b) Tripping time = 40 milli seconds.
The above values are applicable to minimum oil, SF6 and vacuum circuit
breakers. In the case of Bulk oil circuit breakers, however, a tripping time of
upto 100 milli seconds is permissible.
10.5.4 Oil Tests
The oil in minimum oil circuit breaker shall be tested for following
parameters.
 Dielectric strength – The dielectric strength of the oil shall be same
as in case of transformer oil (i.e. 25 KV/mm breakdown value) & it
shall be tested by a standard transformer oil-testing machine.
 Colour: The ideal colour of insulating oil is light yellow. If the oil is
carbonized, the oil colour changes to dark brown.
10.5.5 Measurement of Circuit Breaker Operation Time
The time for operation of the circuit breaker (opening/closing)
shall be checked by a circuit breaker analyzer and shall be compared
with the original data/ manufacturer recommendation.
10.5.6 Low Voltage Circuit breakers
1. Visual & mechanical inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and
specifications.
 Inspect circuit breaker for correct mounting.
 Operate case for cracks or other defects.
 Inspect case for cracks or other defects
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance
using one of the following methods:
 Use of low resistance ohmmeter.
 Check tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections
by calibrated torque-wrench method in accordance with
manufacturer's published data.
 Inspect mechanism contacts and arc chutes in unsealed units.
2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact-resistance test.
 Perform an insulation-resistance test at 500 volts DC from
pole-to-pole and from each pole-to-ground with breaker
closed and across open contacts of each phase.
 Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections with
low-resistance ohmmeter, if applicable.
 Perform insulation resistance tests at 500 volts DC on all control wiring.
Do not perform the test on wiring connected to solid state components.
 Perform adjustments for final settings in accordance with coordination
study supplied by owner.
  Perform long-time delay time-current characteristic tests by passing 300
percent rated primary current through each pole separately unless series
testing is required to defeat ground fault functions.
 Determine short-time pick up and delay by primary current injection.
 Determine instantaneous pickup current by primary injection using run-
up or pulse method.
 Check correct operation of any auxiliary features such as trip and pick
up indicators, zone interlocking, electrical close and trip operation, trip
free and anti-pump function.

3.Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of
the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If
manufacturer's data is not available, checks investigate values, which
deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of the lowest
value.
 Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of 1 meg
ohms.
 Trip characteristic of breakers shall fall within manufacturer's
published time-current characteristic tolerance band, including
adjustment factors.
 Instantaneous pickup values of moulded-case circuit breakers shall be
within the tolerances, shown in Table -6
10.5.7 Low voltage Power Circuit Breakers
1. Visual and Mechanical Inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer’s recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage, alignment and grounding. Inspect arc chutes.
Inspect moving and stationary contacts for condition, wear and
alignment.
 Check that all maintenance devices are available for servicing and
operating the breaker.
 Check the primary and secondary contact wipe and other dimensions
vital to satisfactory operation of the breaker are correct.
 Perform all mechanical operation and contact alignment test on both
the switch and its operating mechanism.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance.
 Check cell fit and element alignment
 Check racking mechanism.
2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact-resistance test.
 Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections with
low-resistance ohmmeter, if applicable.
 Perform insulation resistance tests at 300 volts DC from pole-to-pole
and from each pole-to-ground with breaker closed and across open
contacts of each phase.
  Perform insulation resistance tests at 300 volts DC on all control
wiring. Do not perform the test on wiring connected to solid state
components.
 Make adjustments for final settings in accordance with coordination
study supplied by owner.
 Determine minimum pickup current by primary current injection.
 Determine long-time delay by primary current injection.
 Determine short-time pickup and delay by primary current injection.
 Determine ground-fault pickup and delay primary current injection.
 Determine instantaneous pickup current by primary injection.
 Activate auxiliary protective devices, such as ground-fault or under
voltage relays, to insure operation of shunt trip devices. Check the
operation of electrically operated breakers in their cubicles.
 Check correct operation of any auxiliary features such as trip and
pickup indicators, zone interlocking, electrical close and trip operation,
trip-free, and anti pump function and verify trip unit battery condition
 Check operation of charging mechanism.

3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of
the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If
manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values, which
deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of the lowest
value.
 Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of two
megohms.
  Trip characteristics of breakers shall fall within manufacturer's
published time-current tolerance bands.

10.5.8 High voltage Air Circuit Breakers (>1.1KV & =22KV)

1.Visual and Mechanical Inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer’s recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage, alignment and grounding. Inspect arc chutes.
Inspect moving and stationary contacts for condition, wear and
alignment.
 Check that all maintenance devices are available for servicing and
operating the breaker.
 Check the primary and secondary contact wipe and other dimensions
vital to satisfactory operation of the breaker are correct.
 Perform all mechanical operation and contact alignment test on both
the switch and its operating mechanism.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance.
 Check cell fit and element alignment
 Check racking mechanism
 Inspect puffer operation
 Perform circuit breaker timing tests.
2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact-resistance test.
 Measure insulation resistance pole-to-pole, pole-to-ground, and across
open poles. Use a minimum test voltage of 2500 volts.
  Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections with
low-resistance ohmmeter, if applicable
 Perform insulation resistance tests at 500 volts DC on all control
wiring. Do not perform the test on wiring connected to solid state
components.
 With breaker in the test position, make the following tests.
 Trip and close breaker with the control switch.
 Trip breaker by operating each of its protective.
 Check trip-free and anti pump function.
 Test trip and close circuit at reduced control voltages, if applicable.
 Perform dissipation-factor/ power-factor test with breaker in both open
and closed position.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
published data.
 Measure blow-out coil circuit resistance.

3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of
the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If
manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values which
deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of the lowest
value.
 Circuit breaker insulation resistance should be in accordance with Table
–1.
 Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of two
megohms.
  Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results shall be compared with
previous tests of similar breakers or manufacturer's published data.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage applied.
 Minimum pick up for trip and close coils shall conform to manufacturer's
published data.

10.5.9 High voltage Oil Circuit Breakers (>1.1KV & =22KV)

1. Visual and Mechanical inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer's recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage, alignment, and grounding.
 Check that breather vents are clear.
 Perform all mechanical operation and contact alignment tests on both
the circuit breaker and its operating mechanism in accordance with
manufacturer's published data.
 If performing internal inspection:
Remove oil. Lower tanks or remove manhole covers as necessary.
Inspect bottom of tank for broken parts and debris.
 Inspect lift rod & toggle assemblies, contacts, interrupters, bumpers,
dash-pots, bushing current transformers, tank liners, and gaskets.
 Slow-close breaker and check for binding, friction, contact alignment,
penetration and over travel. Verify that all phases make contact
simultaneously.
 Reflil tank(s) with filtered oil to correct levels.
 Test alarms and lock outs or recommended by the manufacturer.
  Perform circuit breaker time-level analysis.
 Record as-found and as-left operation counter readings.

2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact resistance test.
 Remove a sample of insulating liquid and test for dielectric breakdown
voltage, colour, visual condition etc.
 Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device.
 Perform insulation-resistance tests pole-to-pole, pole-to-ground, and
across open poles at 2500V minimum.
 Perform insulation resistance tests on all control wiring at 500V DC.
Do not perform this test on wiring connected to solid-state relays.
 Perform dissipation factor/ power factor tests on each pole with
breaker open and each phase with breaker closed. Determine tank loss
index.
 Perform power-factor/ dissipation factor tests on each bushing. Use
conductive straps and hot collar procedures if bushings are not
equipped with a power factor tap.
 Check trip, close, trip-free and anti-pump functions.
 Perform minimum pickup voltage tests on trip and close coils.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar
connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels
of the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published
 data. If manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values,
which deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of
the lowest value.
 Compare circuit breaker travel and velocity values to
manufacturer's acceptable limits.
 Insulating-liquid test results should comply transformer insulating
oil standard.
 Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of two
meg ohms.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results and tank loss index
shall be compared to manufacturer's published data. In the absence
of manufacturer's published data, the comparison shall be made to
similar breakers.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage
applied.
 Minimum pick up for trip and close coils shall conform to
manufacturer's published data.

10.5.10 High voltage Vacuum Circuit Breakers (>1.1KV & =22KV)

1. Visual and Mechanical Inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and
specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer's recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage, alignment, and grounding.
  Perform all mechanical operational tests on both the circuit breaker
and its operating mechanism.
 Measure critical distances such as contact gap as recommended by
manufacturer.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance using
one of the following methods:
 Use of low-resistance ohmmeter.
 Check tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections by
calibrated torque-wrench method in accordance with
manufacturer’s published data
 Perform timing tests.
 Record as-found and as-left operation counter readings.

2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact-resistance test.
 Perform minimum pick up voltage tests on trip and close coils.
 Verify trip, close, trip-free and anti-pump function.
 Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device.
 Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections
with a low-resistance ohmmeter, if applicable,
 Perform insulation-resistance tests pole-to-pole, pole-to-ground,
and across open poles at 2500 volts minimum.
 Perform vacuum bottle integrity (over potential) test across each
vacuum bottle with the breaker in the open position in strict
accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
  Perform insulation-resistance tests at 500 volts on all control wiring
DC. For units with solid-state components, follow manufacturer's
recommendations.
 Perform dissipation factor/ power factor tests on each pole with
breaker open and each phase with breaker closed.
 Perform dissipation-factor/ power factor tests on each bushing. Use
conductive straps and hot collar procedures if bushings are not
equipped with a power factor tap.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar
connections.
 Bolt-torque levels should be in accordance with Table 7.12 unless
otherwise specified by manufacturer.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels
of the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published
data. If manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values
which deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of
the lowest value.
 Contact displacement shall be in accordance with factory recorded
data marked on the nameplate of each vacuum switch or bottle.
 The interrupter shall withstand the overpotential voltage applied.
 Compare circuit breaker timing value to manufacturer's published
data.
  Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of two
megohms.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results and tank loss index
shall be compared to manufacturer's published data. In the absence
of manufacturer's published data, the comparison shall be made to
similar breakers.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor and capacitance test results should
be within ten percent of nameplate rating for bushings.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage
applied.

10.5.11 High voltage SF6 Circuit Breakers (>1.1KV & =22KV)

1. Visual & mechanical inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and
specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer's recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage and grounding.
 Inspect and verify adjustments of mechanism in accordance with
manufacturer's published data.
 Inspect air compressor in accordance with manufacturer's
published data.
 Inspect hydraulic system in accordance with manufacturer's
published data.
 Test for gas leaks
  Check correct operation of all air and SF6 gas pressure alarms and
cut-outs.
 Slow close/open breaker and check for binding.
 Perform time-travel analysis.
 Test SF6 gas for moisture and nitrogen content.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance using
one of the following methods:
 Use of low resistance ohmmeter.
 Verify tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections by
calibrated torque-wrench method in accordance with
manufacturer's published data
 Record as-found and as-left counter operations.
 Check operation of all heaters.

2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact resistance test.
 Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections
with a low-resistance ohmmeter, if applicable
 Perform insulation-resistance tests pole-to-pole, pole-to ground,
and across open poles at 2500 volts minimum.
 Perform insulation-resistance tests on all control wiring at 500
volts DC. For units with solid-state components, follow
manufacturer's recommendations.
 Perform dissipation factor/ power factor tests on with breaker and
bushings.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
  Perform minimum pick-up voltage test on trip and close coils.
 Check trip, close, trip-free, and anti pump functions.
 Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device.

3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of
the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If
manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values which
deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of the lowest
value.
 Compare time-travel data with manufacturer's published data.
 Control wiring insulation resistance should be a minimum of two meg
ohms.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results and tank loss index shall
be compared to manufacturer's published data. In the absence of
manufacturer's published data, the comparison shall be made to similar
breakers.
 Dissipation-factor/ power factor and capacitance test results should be
within ten percent of nameplate rating for bushings.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage applied.
 Minimum pickup for trip and close coils shall conform to
manufacturer's published data.

10.5.12 High voltage Oil Circuit Breakers (>22KV)

1. Visual and Mechanical inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and
specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
 Confirm correct application of manufacturer's recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage, alignment, and grounding.
 Check that breather vents are clear.
 Perform all mechanical operation and contact alignment tests on
both the circuit breaker and its operating mechanism.
 If performing internal inspection:
Remove oil. Lower tanks or remove manhole covers as
necessary. Inspect bottom of tank for broken parts and debris.
 Inspect lift rod and toggle assemblies, contacts, interrupters,
bumpers, dash-pots, bushing current transformers, tank liners, and
gaskets.
 Slow-close breaker and check for binding, friction, contact
alignment, penetration and over travel. Verify that all phases make
contact simultaneously.
 Refill tank(s) with filtered oil to correct levels.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance using
one of the following methods:
 Use of low-resistance ohmmeter.
 Verify tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections by
calibrated torque-wrench method in accordance with
manufacturer’s published data.
  Test alarms and lock outs for pneumatic and/or hydraulic operators
as recommended by the manufacturer.
 Perform circuit breaker time-level analysis.

2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact resistance test.
 Remove a sample of insulating liquid. Sample shall be tested for
the following: -
 Dielectric breakdown voltage:
 Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device.
 Check trip, close, trip-free and anti-pump function.
 Perform insulation-resistance tests pole-to-pole, pole-to-ground,
and across open poles at 1500 volts minimum.
 *Perform insulation-resistance tests on all control wiring at 500
volts DC. For units with solid-state components, follow
manufacturer's recommendations.
 Perform power-factor tests on each pole with breaker open and
each phase with breaker closed. Determine tank loss index.
 Perform power-factor tests on each bushing. Use conductive
straps and hot collar procedures, if bushings are not equipped with
a power factor tap.
 Perform minimum pickup voltage tests on trip and close coils.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
3. Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar
connections.
  Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels
of the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published
data. If manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values
which deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of
the lowest value.
 Compare circuit breaker travel and velocity values to
manufacturer's acceptable limits.
 Insulating-liquid test results should comply transformer oil
requirements.
 Control wiring insulating resistance should be a minimum of two
meg ohms.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results and tank loss index
shall be compared to manufacturer's published data. In the absence
of manufacturer's published data, the comparison shall be made to
similar breakers.
 Dissipation-factor/ power factor and capacitance test results should
be within ten percent of nameplate rating for bushings.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage
applied.
 Minimum pick up for trip and close coils shall conform to
manufacturer's published data.

10.5.13 High voltage SF6 Circuit Breakers (>22KV)

1. Visual & mechanical inspection
 Compare equipment nameplate data with drawings and specifications.
 Inspect physical and mechanical condition.
  Confirm correct application of manufacturer's recommended
lubricants.
 Inspect anchorage and grounding.
 Inspect and verify adjustments of mechanism in accordance with
manufacturer's published data.
 Inspect air compressor in accordance with manufacturer's published
data.
 Inspect hydraulic system in accordance with manufacturer's published
data.
 Test for gas leaks
 Check correct operation of all air and SF6 gas pressure alarms and cut-
outs.
 Slow close/open breaker and check for binding.
 Perform time-travel analysis.
 Test SF6 gas for moisture and nitrogen content.
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance.
 Record as-found and as-left counter operations.
 Check spring charging motor starts counter and compare with
operations counter, if applicable.
 Verify operation of all heaters.

2. Electrical tests
 Perform a contact resistance test.
 Perform resistance measurements through all bolted connections with
a low-resistance ohmmeter.
  Perform insulation-resistance tests pole-to-pole, pole-to-ground, and
across open poles at 2500 volts minimum.
 Perform insulation-resistance tests on all control wiring at 500 volts
DC. For units with solid-state components, follow manufacturer's
recommendations.
 Perform dissipation factor/ power factor tests on with breaker and
bushings.
 Perform an over potential test in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
 Perform minimum pick-up voltage test on trip and close coils.
 Check trip, close, trip-free, and anti-pump functions.
 Trip circuit breaker by operation of each protective device. \

3.Test values
 Compare bolted connection resistance to values of similar connections.
 Microhm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of
the normal range as indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If
manufacturer's data is not available, investigate any values, which
deviate from similar connections by more than 50 percent of the lowest
value.
 Compare time-travel data with manufacturer's published data.
 Control wiring insulation resistance should be a minimum of two meg
ohms.
 Dissipation-factor/ power-factor test results and tank loss index shall
be compared to manufacturer's published data. In the absence of
manufacturer's published data, the comparison shall be made to similar
breakers.
  Dissipation-factor/ power factor and capacitance test results should be
within ten percent of nameplate rating for bushings.
 The insulation shall withstand the over potential test voltage applied.
 Minimum pickup for trip and close coils shall conform to
manufacturer's published data.

10.5.14 TESTS FOR AUXILARIES: -

(a) Anti pumping relay functioning.

(b) Spring charge motor functioning.

(c) Gas pressure switches functioning – operation of switches and their

contacts as per

the set values as prescribed by the manufacturers.

(d) Air pressure switches functioning – operation as per set values.

(e) Compressor motor functioning.

(f) Gas leak test by the use of leak detector or by applying

(g) Air leak test soap solution.

10.5.15 OVERLOAD AND SHORT CIRCUIT TESTING OF LT AIR
CIRCUIT BREAKER

1. Trip the circuit breaker by pressing the trip push button of the release.
This is necessary to check the mechanical setting of the release.
2. For Secondary Injection Method, disconnect all the wires from magneto
thermal release.
3. Set the release at point 1.0 for all three phase as shown below.
4. Wire normally open (NO) auxiliary contact of ACB in series with test
panel’s Auxiliary contact. (This is to cut off the current flowing through the
release as soon as ACB trips).
5. Find out the rated C.T. secondary current. For L&T ACB rated C.T.
secondary current is 8.75 AMP.
Calculate the test current as follows:
* For 2 times overload (200%)
Test current = Rated C. T. secondary current x No. of times of
overload
= 8.75 x 2
= 17.50 amps.
6. Find out the minimum and maximum trip time for 200% and 300%
overload from the manufacturer curves and noted down in the table below.
7. Switch on the supply and adjust the test current. Immediately switch off
the current. Keep the variac at adjusted position. Reset the time counter.
Release setting = one
Sr. Test Trip Time in Sec. Remarks
No. Current OK / Not
(Amp.) OK
Actual As Per Curve
R Y B Min. Ma
x.
8. Switch on the current and check trip time of the ACB. Fill up the data in
above table.

10.5.16 SHORT CIRCUIT TESTING

1. For short circuit testing, connect the output terminals of current control
panel to S and M1 or M2 terminals of release.
2. When M1 is connected test current should be 45 Amp and for M2 the test
current should be 57 Amp.
3. Close the breaker.
4. Switch on the current and check for instantaneous tripping operation of
breaker.