Special Topic

SW I TCH GE AR TE S TI NG

Effective switchgear testing

Determining operating times
using external sensors
Christian Studen M.Sc., Product Manager, KoCoS Messtechnik AG, Korbach, Germany

Various mechanical and electrical parameters must in accordance with its specifications. This is not always
be tested in order to fully assess the functionality of achieved, one of the reasons for this often being
medium- and high-voltage breakers. Gas-insulated inadequate maintenance, and it can be that during
switchgear in particular present the tester with special the course of the first switching operation the circuit
challenges, one of these being the connection of the test breaker does not open within the time specified by
equipment. There is also a growing demand worldwide the manufacturer. One of the causes for this is friction
for solutions for “first trip tests“. ACTAS switchgear which is created by deposits such as hardened grease or
test systems use external sensors in conjunction with by environmental influences.
external trigger signals to provide a flexible way of The problem is usually solved by the first switching
carrying out tests of this type. operation, as this loosens indurations and deposits. If this
is not the case and the problem persists over a number
The great advantage of connecting the measurement of switching operations, it can lead to serious damage
technology to the circuit-breaker in this way is that to the breaker itself and to the power network too, of
the switchgear does not have to be disconnected. The course. This makes it all the more important to service
prerequisite is, of course, that the measured quantities and test switchgear in accordance with the specified
can be accessed safely. The coil currents are recorded cycles. By measuring the operating times, conclusions
using current clamps, while the main contact times are can be drawn as to the state of the contact system, and
determined using capacitive voltage taps or current the first trip is, of course, particularly significant. With
clamps. This provides a quick way of making “first conventional (offline) measuring methods, however, the
trip“ measurements and determining operating times breaker is disconnected and earthed before the test and
on gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear and this requires that an initial switching operation be carried
GIS installations which are earthed on both sides, to out before the measuring equipment is connected. This
mention just two possibilities. makes it impossible to draw conclusions about the
behaviour of the breaker during the first trip. This is just
Testing circuit breakers “online“ one of the reasons why the demand for testing circuit-
As a component part of the power supply system, a breakers “online“, i.e. without disconnecting them
circuit breaker functions primarily as a pure conductor beforehand, is increasing worldwide. Another reason is
within the network and the only requirement it initially that operating and maintenance budgets are constantly
has to fulfil is that its transfer resistance be as low as shrinking. In addition, the demands placed on modern
possible. And this situation often persists for years at testing technology are increasing, using it flexibly and
a time. As long as no fault occurs, there is no need in a way that saves time is a must nowadays. KoCoS
for the circuit breaker to operate. This is very much in Messtechnik AG meets these requirements with its
the interests of the network operator, but it poses a ACTAS switchgear test systems.
considerable challenge to the technology of the breaker
because as soon as a fault occurs, the breaker has to
interrupt a high fault current within a few milliseconds  

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STATION TRIP CLOSE

BATTERY CONTACT CONTACT

TRIP CLOSE
COIL COIL

DC PROBE

CT‘S

SECONDARY CT
ACTAS P 360 WIRING

Figure 1: Connection scheme of a first trip measurement with ACTAS P360 and AC/DC current

..
The advantages of the first trip measurement method:

..
clamps. The sensors are connected to the secondary side of the current transformers and to the
release coils.
No need to disconnect the circuit breaker
No need to disconnect control circuits
With ACTAS, circuit breakers can be tested both online Savings in measurement time and resources

.
and offline using a variety of methods. Tests carried out Breaker sticking/delay can be detected during
during or after maintenance work on the breaker to the first switching operation

. .
assess the condition of the interrupter unit, for example, It may be possible to do without a complex
are usually carried out offline, i.e. after the breaker has offline test
been disconnected and earthed. Dynamic measurement Tests are possible under real conditions
methods offer a multitude of ways to carry out a No long downtimes for the components to be
detailed analysis without having to open the main tested
contact chambers. Current sources or ohm meters are
used to assess the characteristics of resistance, current Using ACTAS, first trip measurements can be performed
and voltage drop. Offline tests, however, are usually on three phases. For connection to secondary current
expensive and require a lot of time and personnel. transformers, up to nine external analog sensors, such
as non-contact DC or AC clamps, can be connected
Advantages of the first trip measurement method to the test system simultaneously and recorded. Up
As an online test, using the first-trip measurement to three direct voltage measurement channels are
method with ACTAS has some advantages over offline available for voltage transformers. The measuring
testing. From an economic point of view, the amount of equipment and sensors are mounted while the breaker
time that can be saved is particularly relevant, as the is in operation. Usually AC/DC current clamps are used
disconnection and isolation of the breaker from other which are mounted on the secondary side of the current
equipment is completely eliminated. In addition, there transformers and on the operating coils. The operating
are also savings with regard to maintenance costs and times can be evaluated via the signals recorded
resources if no defects are detected during the online accordingly and the characteristic of the coil current
measurement as this may make it unnecessary to carry can give an indication of the status of the components
out a test in offline mode. of the switchgear.

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Figure 2: Evaluation of a first trip measurement with ACTAS P260. The sine characteristic
shows the measured currents in the secondary transformers. The resulting binary signals of
the main contacts are displayed above. The measurement was triggered by an external trigger Passive determination of operating times for gas-
signal on the coil current.
insulated medium-voltage switchgear
The time to contact separation and the contact
In addition to the main contact times, which are
resistances are measured on medium-voltage breakers
determined via the secondary current of the current
as a rule. However, in some cases appropriate travel
transformers, coil currents can also be recorded.
characteristics are also recorded in order give an
According to IEC 62271-100, the operating times
indication of the state of the whole breaker. The
determined are composed of the time to contact
connection of the operating time measuring leads is
separation and the arcing time. Due to the large number
made directly to the main contacts in this case or at
of analog measurement inputs, ACTAS also offers the
easily accessible points such as busbars.
possibility of recording values such as auxiliary contact
times. It is also possible to record travel signals, but
With gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear,
measurements may only be made via a monitoring
however, there are hardly any ways of attaching the
system or via encoders integrated in the breaker to
operating time measuring leads to the main contacts
avoid having to handle unprotected drives.
of the circuit breakers. The connection could be made,
Further advantages of online testing result from the fact
if at all, via reserve panels or other components. If the
that no control circuits and no terminal strips located in
system is currently under construction and the first tests
the cabinet have to be disconnected. This avoids errors
are to be carried out, there are usually ways and means
caused by changes to the wiring when connecting the
of carrying out the measurements in the conventional
measuring equipment. It may even be possible to detect
way. However, if the plant is in operation and revision
wiring problems which may exist in the system, as the
measurements are be carried out, the cost-benefit ratio
circuit breaker is tested under real conditions with the
is very unsatisfactory. Planning and execution take a
first trip method.
lot of time, making the conventional measuring method
By contrast, when tests are evaluated, it does not
quite simply uneconomical for gas-insulated medium-
matter whether they were performed online or offline.
voltage switchgear.
By superimposing the results of new tests on old test
results, a comparison can always be made by laying the
The new measuring method with external sensors makes
signal characteristics over each other and comparing
it possible to test this type of system with a reasonable
them. The coil current and coil voltage characteristics
amount of effort. It is even less time-consuming than
can be compared in this way to determine whether
testing a non-gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear
the release coils are sticking or delayed or whether the
with conventional measuring methods, as the system
supply voltage is faulty.

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SW ITCH GEAR TES TI NG

does not have to be disconnected. The VDS (Voltage For the connection of external sensors, the ACTAS P360
Detection System) installed in the systems is used to test system offers a total of nine sensor connection
measure the operating times. These are capacitive sockets to which current clamps as well as pressure
measurement points for voltage indicators or integrated and travel sensors can be connected. Due to the
capacitive voltage indicators to VDE 0682-415 or IEC dual functionality of the sensor connection sockets,
61243-5. If no voltage transformers are installed, these analog and also digital or incremental sensors can be
measurement points are the only way and the safe way connected to the same sockets. This makes it possible
to establish a connection to the main contacts of the to simultaneously record and analyse the coil current
circuit breakers. for the closing and opening coil as well as the currents
of the drives installed in gas-insulated medium-voltage
These capacitive measurement points can be connected switchgear, such as disconnectors and earthing switches.
directly to the analog measurement inputs of the ACTAS Only the test system with the appropriate current clamps
test system provided for this purpose without further is required for this purpose, other components are not
intermediate measuring components. The capacitive needed. The evaluation and calculation of results is also
measuring points are used to measure the three-phase carried out automatically, this being another unique
sine wave of the voltages, as it were. If the circuit breaker selling point for ACTAS in comparison with other test
is connected via the control room, the voltage break is systems.
displayed on the ACTAS test system. However, in order to
be able to determine an operating time, current clamps Determination of operating times for GIS with
are used and are attached to the opening and closing earthing on both sides
coils. The procedure with this method is similar to the In high-voltage systems, there is a basic requirement
procedure for a first trip measurement. External trigger that any parts on which work is being carried out must
signals which can be set in the test system can be used be earthed. However, DIN VDE0105-100 and EN50110-
to trigger the recording of the measurement values and 1 introduce another difficulty, especially for GIS
an appropriate evaluation. In ACTAS, external triggers systems, namely that a circuit breaker must be earthed
can be set on any signal, regardless of whether they on both sides in the substation for testing purposes.
are individual binary or analog signals or signal groups. With outdoor switchgear, measurement with earthing
The evaluation of the operating time is fully automatic on both sides is generally not a major problem and
in ACTAS. It is not necessary to set a cursor to manually the solution provided by KoCoS is “Dynamic Timing“
evaluate and enter the operating times. and the combination of the ACTAS switchgear test
system with the PROMET ohm meter. Both systems

Figure 3: Evaluation of a measurement on

a gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear
via VDS. The sine characteristic shows the
voltage measured via the VDS. The resulting
binary signals of the main contacts are
displayed above. The measurement was
triggered by an external trigger signal on the
coil current.

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SW I TCH GE AR TE S TI NG

can be used stand alone, but it is also possible to Another way of determining operating times for a GIS
control the ohm meters using ACTAS. In this context system which is earthed on both sides is a combination
PROMET functions as a main contact measuring lead, of the KoCoS “First Trip“ and „Dynamic Timing“
as it were, for the Dynamic Timing method. PROMET SE measurement methods. Here, the circuit-breaker must
ohm meters have two current outputs and two voltage have at least one insulated earthing switch connected
feedback channels. Up to 200 A can be provided per to the outside. Again, PROMET ohm meters are used
current output. The operating time of the breaker can which, depending on the model, generate currents of
be determined by the current flowing in the interrupter up to 600 A and can be controlled by ACTAS. However,
unit or by the measured voltage drop. In addition to Rogowski coils are used as current sensors in this case
the operating time measurement, static and dynamic because they can be flexibly attached to the insulated
resistance measurements can be carried out with the earthing switch. The current characteristics measured
same measurement setup. External sensors play an in the insulated earthing switch during the switching
important role here too, as current clamps can be used operation can be used to determine the operating times
to carry out the resistance measurement with earthing for opening and closing the circuit breaker. This method
on both sides. has a great safety advantage as the GIS system can
With GIS switchgear, it is not very easy to determine the remain earthed on both sides during the entire duration
operating times with earthing on both sides using this of the test.
method due to the very low resistance ratio between
earth and interrupter unit. Many test methods can only Finally, it should be noted that the use of external
be used if the SF6 gas is extracted and then refilled after sensors enables flexible, effective tests to be carried out
the test. In addition, the breaker must be completely on switchgear to meet the economic requirements of
disconnected. KoCoS, on the other hand, offers the first- today‘s companies - the prerequisite, of course, is always
trip method which enables GIS systems to be tested the safe accessibility of the measurement quantities.
economically.

Figure 4: ACTAS switchgear test systems,

PROMET ohm meter and accessories for
carrying out online and offline tests.

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Special Topic
SWITCHGEAR TESTING AT ITS BEST!
SW ITCH GEAR TES TI NG

Literature:
[1] Richter, F.: Verfahren zur Durchführung und Bewertung von
Schaltgeräteprüfungen
ETZ, issue 15 (2003)
[2] Dreier, J.: Überprüfung und Beurteilung von Motoren und
Auslösespulen an Schaltgeräten
Netzpraxis, volume 54 issue 6 (2015)
[3] Studen, C.: Schaltgeräte zeit und kostensparend prüfen
Netzpraxis, issue 9 (2017)
[4] IEC 62271-100
High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 100 2008
[5] DIN VDE0105-100 / EN50110-1
Operation of electrical installations 2013
[6] VDE 0682-415 / IEC 61243-5 LD M
ARKET
WOR ADER
LE
Live working - Voltage detectors Voltage detective systems

.
(VDS) 2001
[7] KoCoS MESSTECHNIK AG, Korbach: www.kocos.com

ACTAS P260 |360

Curriculum Vitae
Christian Studen is Product
Manager for Circuit Breaker Portable Switchgear
Test Systems at KoCoS Mess-
Test Systems
technik AG in Korbach, Ger-
many. He provides product ACTAS P260 / P360 for comprehensive
and application support to tests on medium-, high- and extra-high-
distributors and customers voltage switchgear.
throughout the world. Extremely
 robust and compact
 Stand-alone-operation: operation and
Christian joined KoCoS in May 2013 and spent evaluation via 7“ touch screen
the first two years on the Service & Support team
 PIR and main contact measurement
acquiring knowledge and practical experience in on up to 12 main contact chambers
electrical power engineering. After completing an
 Static and dynamic resistance
apprenticeship as a power electronics installer with determination on up to 12 main
Viessmann in Allendorf, Germany, Christian earned contact chambers
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of  Switchgear tests in a single test
Applied Sciences in Lemgo, Germany. While wor- procedure
king towards his M.S. in Mechatronic Systems, he  No need for time-consuming
was employed as a research assistant in the power reconnection during tests
electronics laboratory.  Testing with earthing on both sides

Christian Studen M.Sc., Product Manager, KoCoS switchgear test systems are the
KoCoS Messtechnik AG, Korbach, Germany number 1 worldwide with over 25 years
of experience in development
and manufacturing.

ACTAS – TEST THE BEST!

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