Deep Dive: Circuit Breaker Timing
HOW CAN BREAKER TIMING MEASUREMENTS FACILITATE TARGETED, PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE PLANNING?
Once connected to the breaker’s control circuit, the Optimizer3 Circuit Breaker Monitor will take the measurements seen in the graphic below each time the breaker operates. These measurements are logged in the history, enabling the utility to identify trends and schedule preventive maintenance, if needed. Each of these measurements has a programmable alarm limit that can be viewed remotely.
The availability and fidelity of these timing measurements enable utilities to defer or eliminate off-line testing. This diagram illustrates the timing measurements made by the Optimizer3 during each trip operation.
TRIP OPERATION
1. Opening Time (Trip): Represents the time it takes for the breaker’s trip latch to operate, measured from the beginning of the Trip Initiate signal, as the trip coil is energized and ending with the opening of the 52a switch, cutting power to the trip coil. This measurement is important because the trip latch can become sticky after long periods of inactivity. The Optimizer will catch the infamous “First Trip”, which cannot be measured with offline tests.
2. Arc Time: Represents the breaker’s ability to stop the flow of current. It is affected by the velocity of the breaker and the dielectric property of the SF6 gas. The Optimizer measures this beginning with the opening of the 52a switch and ending when the current flow drops below 7% of the full-scale current range.
3. Clearing Time: Represents the breaker’s ability to clear a fault. It is the sum of the Opening (Trip) Time and the Arc Duration.
4. Opening Travel Time: Measured beginning with the opening of the 52a switch, as the breaker begins to trip, and ending with the closing of the 52b switch when the breaker is fully open.
CLOSE OPERATION
Similarly, the Optimizer3 also measures closing time, close travel time, and closing velocity during breaker's closing operation.
Closing Travel Time
Measured the same way, in the opposite direction, beginning with the opening of the 52b switch, as the breaker begins to close, and ending with the closing of the 52a switch when the breaker is fully closed.
INCON® OPTIMIZER3 CIRCUIT BREAKER MONITOR
The INCON® Optimizer3 Circuit Breaker Monitor is an online continuous performance monitor for high voltage circuit breakers, designed to facilitate condition-based maintenance with real-time performance and health data.
With early detection of circuit breaker deficiencies, the Optimizer3 enables utilities to proactively address issues before they escalate, saving both time and resources while helping to boost reliability. Deploy maintenance with intelligence, defer offline testing, limit truck rolls, and lower overall maintenance costs with the Optimizer3
Extend Circuit Breaker Life
Defer or Eliminate Offline Testing
Employ Condition-Based Maintenance
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