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IEEE Guide For Investigation, Analysis, and Reporting of Power Circuit Breaker Failures

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IEEE Guide for Investigation, Analysis,
and Reporting of Power Circuit Breaker
Failures

IEEE Power & Energy Society

IEEE Guide for Investigation, Analysis,

and Reporting of Power Circuit Breaker
Failures

Sponsor

Switchgear Committee
of the
IEEE Power & Energy Society

Approved 31 October 2011

IEEE-SA Standards Board

Authorized licensed use limited to: CONACYT CONSEJO NACIONAL DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA. Downloaded on November 10,2018 at 19:53:20 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
Abstract: Practices and processes to perform, analyze, and report failure investigations of power
circuit breakers are provided.
Keywords: circuit breaker, circuit breaker failure analysis, circuit breaker failure guide, circuit
breaker failure investigation, circuit breaker failure reporting, IEEE C37.10

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

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Introduction

This introduction is not part of IEEE Std C37.10-2011, IEEE Guide for Investigation, Analysis, and Reporting of
Power Circuit Breaker Failures.

This guide is a revision to IEEE Std C37.10-1995 (Reaffirmed in 2002 and 2008). This guide also
incorporates the previous IEEE Std 1325™-1996 (Reaffirmed in 2002 and 2008).

This issue of IEEE Std C37.10 has the following changes:

Changed title from IEEE Std C37.10-1995

Included failure reporting form from IEEE Std 1325-1996
Added additional definitions
Updated references
Added a subclause on failure investigation preparedness
Re-ordered and revised material to better align with the investigative process
Added a url directing readers to an interactive reporting form that will be available from IEEE with
the guide
Added to the bibliography (The bibliography has the standards listed in chronilogical order with the
intent to make it easier to correlate the appropriate standards with the date of the circuit breaker
being investigated.)
Added and consolodated safety considerations

Users of this guide are reminded to use the appropriate edition of the circuit breaker standards that apply to
the circuit breaker being investigated.

Notice to users

Laws and regulations

Users of these documents should consult all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance with the
provisions of this standard does not imply compliance to any applicable regulatory requirements.
Implementers of the standard are responsible for observing or referring to the applicable regulatory
requirements. IEEE does not, by the publication of its standards, intend to urge action that is not in
compliance with applicable laws, and these documents may not be construed as doing so.

Copyrights
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regulation, standardization, and the promotion of engineering practices and methods. By making this
document available for use and adoption by public authorities and private users, the IEEE does not waive
any rights in copyright to this document.

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Patents
Attention is called to the possibility that implementation of this guide may require use of subject matter
covered by patent rights. By publication of this guide, no position is taken with respect to the existence or
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may be obtained from the IEEE Standards Association.

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Participants
At the time this IEEE guide was completed, the Quality & Reliability Working Group had the following
membership:

W. J. (Bill) Bergman, Chair

Mauricio Aristizabal, Vice Chair

Roy Alexander Mike Crawford Albbert Livshitz

Mike Anderson Patrick DiLillo Dave Lombardo
Paul Barnett Dennis Dufournet Dave Mitchell
Stan Billings Pete Dwyer Mike Orosz
Frank Blalock Douglas Giraud Mirko Palazzo
Anne Bosma Mietek Glinkoswski Anthony Ricciuti
John Brunke Joanne Hu Rod Sauls
Arben Bufi Rick Jackson Devki Sharma
Don Cantrelle Huaying Liu Alan Storms*
Chih Chow Yasin Musa John Webb

*deceased

The following members of the individual balloting committee voted on this guide. Balloters may have
voted for approval, disapproval, or abstention.

William J. Ackerman Edwin Goodwin Jeffrey Nelson

Satish Aggarwal Randall Groves Michael S. Newman
Michael Anderson Ajit Gwal Joe Nims
Mauricio Aristizabal Charles Hand T. Olsen
Arun Arora Helmut Heiermeier Mirko Palazzo
Ali Al Awazi Gary Heuston David Peelo
W. J. (Bill) Bergman Werner Hoelzl Anthony Picagli
Stan Billings Gary Hoffman Iulian Profir
Wallace Binder Wayne Johnson Anthony Ricciuti
Thomas Bishop Andrew Jones Michael Roberts
Thomas Blackburn John Kay Charles Rogers
Frank Blalock Gael Kennedy Edward Rowe
Anne Bosma Yuri Khersonsky Sukhbir Sachdev
Dieter Braun James Kinney Rod Sauls
Steven Brockschink Joseph L. Koepfinger Bartien Sayogo
Chris Brooks Jim Kulchisky Devki Sharma
John H. Brunke Saumen Kundu Gil Shultz
Ted Burse Carl Kurinko James Smith
Eldridge Byron Chung-Yiu Lam Jerry Smith
Chih Chow John Leach Ralph Stell
Michael Crawford Kevin Lippert Gary Stoedter
Gary Donner Huaying Liu Alan Storms
Randall Dotson Albert Livshitz James Swank
Neal Dowling R. Long David Tepen
Denis Dufournet Thomas Lundquist Wayne Timm
Donald Dunn Greg Luri Eric Udren
Marcia Eblen William McBride John Vergis
Douglas Edwards Peter Meyer Waldemar Von Miller
Kenneth Edwards Gary Michel John Webb
Gary Engmann Jeffery Mizener Larry Yonce
Keith Flowers Daleep Mohla Richard York
Marcel Fortin Georges Montillet Jian Yu
David Galicia Yasin Musa Kipp Yule
Mietek Glinkowski Dennis Neitzel

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When the IEEE-SA Standards Board approved this guide on 31 October 2011, it had the following
membership:

Richard H. Hulett, Chair

John Kulick, Vice Chair
Robert M. Grow, Past Chair
Judith Gorman, Secretary

Masayuki Ariyoshi Jim Hughes Gary Robinson

William Bartley Joseph L. Koepfinger* Jon Rosdahl
Ted Burse David Law Sam Sciacca
Clint Chaplin Thomas Lee Mike Seavey
Wael Diab Hung Ling Curtis Siller
Jean-Philippe Faure Oleg Logvinov Phil Winston
Alex Gelman Ted Olsen Howard Wolfman
Paul Houzé Don Wright

* Member Emeritus

Also included are the following nonvoting IEEE-SA Standards Board liaisons:

Satish Aggarwal, NRC Representative

Richard DeBlasio, DOE Representative
Michael Janezic, NIST Representative

Catherine Berger
IEEE Standards Project Editor

Erin Spiewak
IEEE Standards Program Manager, Technical Program Development

vii
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Contents
1. Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Preparation and training....................................................................................................................... 2

2. Normative references.................................................................................................................................. 2

3. Definitions .................................................................................................................................................. 3

4. Procedure for investigation of circuit breaker failures ............................................................................... 5

4.1 Determining the hazards and risks associated with the circuit breaker inspection .............................. 5
4.2 Classification of failures ...................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Immediate action ................................................................................................................................. 7
4.4 On-site data collection (major failures) ............................................................................................... 8
4.5 Investigation ........................................................................................................................................ 8
4.6 Investigation flow chart ....................................................................................................................... 9
4.7 Recommended plan of action ............................................................................................................ 11

5. Diagnostic tests and advanced diagnostics ............................................................................................... 12

6. Data collection and data structure............................................................................................................. 21

6.1 General approach............................................................................................................................... 21
6.2 Preparation......................................................................................................................................... 22
6.3 Immediate investigation..................................................................................................................... 23

7. Failure report utilization ........................................................................................................................... 27

7.1 Failure report utilization—General.................................................................................................... 27
7.2 Failure report utilization—Circuit breaker user................................................................................. 27
7.3 Failure report utilization—Circuit breaker manufacturer .................................................................. 28

Annex A (informative) Failure reporting for power circuit breakers ........................................................... 30

Annex B (informative) Bibliography............................................................................................................ 33

B.1 Guides to reliability design/analysis ................................................................................................. 33
B.2 Failure investigation.......................................................................................................................... 33
B.3 Guides to failure reporting ................................................................................................................ 33
B.4 Equipment failure statistics ............................................................................................................... 34
B.5 Guides to equipment monitoring....................................................................................................... 34
B.6 Circuit breaker reference books ........................................................................................................ 34
B.7 Circuit breaker tutorials .................................................................................................................... 34
B.8 Circuit breaker standards—USA....................................................................................................... 35
B.9 Circuit breaker standards and technical reports—IEC ...................................................................... 38
B.10 Switchgear standards—Canada....................................................................................................... 41
B.11 Other references .............................................................................................................................. 41

Annex C (informative) Circuit breaker design and construction.................................................................. 42

C.1 Overview........................................................................................................................................... 42
C.2 Purpose.............................................................................................................................................. 42
C.3 Types of circuit breakers................................................................................................................... 42
C.4 Interruption mediums of circuit breakers .......................................................................................... 43
C.5 Mechanisms of circuit breakers ........................................................................................................ 46

viii
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: This standard is not intended to ensure safety, security, health, or
environmental protection. Implementers of the standard are responsible for determining appropriate
safety, security, environmental, and health practices or regulatory requirements.

This IEEE document is made available for use subject to important notices and legal disclaimers.
These notices and disclaimers appear in all publications containing this document and may
be found under the heading “Important Notice” or “Important Notices and Disclaimers
Concerning IEEE Documents.” They can also be obtained on request from IEEE or viewed at
http://standards.ieee.org/IPR/disclaimers.html.

1. Overview

1.1 Scope

This guide provides practices and processes to perform, analyze, and report failure investigations of power
circuit breakers.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this guide is

a) To provide guidelines and promote uniformity in the analysis of power circuit breaker failures
b) To provide guidance for systematic and uniform data collection so that valuable evidence is not lost
or destroyed
c) To provide a methodology by which the most probable cause of any particular circuit breaker
failure may be determined
d) To encourage cooperative efforts by users and manufacturers during failure analysis
e) To provide guidance for reporting failures for power circuit breakers

1
Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

1.3 Preparation and training

The investigation of circuit breaker failures requires some preparation and training of personnel.

The importance of preserving evidence that will allow successful determination of the cause of the failure must be
balanced with the needs for safety of restoration of service. An organization should recognize the sometimes
competing goals of restoring electric service and determining the cause of the failure. It is important to declare the
priorities, which may change during the course of the investigation.

Local or on-site personnel should be adequately trained to deal with immediate hazards, isolation, grounding etc.
These personnel may not be in charge of the subsequent investigation of the failure. Therefore, an organization
should decide well ahead of time who will be trained to perform the actions at the scene required to preserve
evidence, as well as contacting the appropriate internal group who will organize or lead the formal investigation.
There may be a separate protocol and level of detail for different levels of investigation, depending on the nature and
initially perceived severity of the failure.

An overall corporate incident management plan with a plan to handle possible circuit breaker failure investigations
is recommended.

Active and planned cooperation between the owner of the circuit breaker and the equipment manufacturer is highly
encouraged and is almost certain to result in a more accurate assessment of the incident. Full sharing of information
relative to the circuit breaker failure is essential to having a productive process that will lead to improvements in
circuit breaker design, manufacture, application, operation, and maintenance.

2. Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document (i.e., they must be
understood and used, so each referenced document is cited in text and its relationship to this document is explained).
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For this guide, undated references refer to the most appropriate
edition of the referenced document and that edition applies (including any amendments or corrigenda). The
investigation of circuit breaker failures requires use of references that are appropriate to the time when the circuit
breaker was designed, tested, and applied to the power system. Annex B lists some historic versions and editions of
circuit breaker standards.

IEEE Std C37.04™, IEEE Standard Rating Structure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers. 1, 2

IEEE C37.06™, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis—
Preferred Ratings and Related Required Capabilities for Voltages Above 1000 V.

ANSI C37.06.1™, American National Standard Guide for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on Symmetrical
Current Basis Designated “Definite Purpose for Fast Transient Recovery Voltage Rise Times”. 3

IEEE Std C37.09™, IEEE Standard Test Procedure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical
Current Basis.

IEEE Std C37.010™, IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical
Current Basis.

1
The IEEE standards or products referred to in this clause are trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
2
IEEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
(http://standards.ieee.org/).
3
ANSI publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York,
NY 10036, USA (http://www.ansi.org/).

2
Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

IEEE Std C37.011™, IEEE Application Guide for Transient Recovery Voltage for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers.

IEEE Std C37.012™, IEEE Application Guide for Capacitance Current Switching for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers.

IEEE Std C37.013™, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical
Current Basis.

IEEE Std C37.015™, IEEE Guide for the Application of Shunt Reactor Switching.

IEEE Std C37.016™, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Circuit Switcher Rated 15.5 kV through 245 kV.

IEEE Std C37.11™, IEEE Standard Requirements for Electrical Control for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.

IEEE Std C37.13™, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in Enclosures.

IEEE Std C37.14™, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in Enclosures.

IEEE Std C37.100™, IEEE Standard Definitions for Power Switchgear.

NOTE 1—Specific standards have been listed above; however, it must be recognized that circuit breakers have been
manufactured and applied to power systems using standards of previous versions or editions. Requirements in standards have
changed over time. Standards referenced for a failure investigation must be of the appropriate edition for the time when the
circuit breaker was manufactured. The application standards used in the investigation must also be appropriate for the time when
the circuit breaker was manufactured even though the circuit breaker may have been manufactured earlier than its installation on
a power system.
NOTE 2—Some types of devices referred to as circuit breakers may have specific standards that are applicable to their design
and/or installation. Examples are generator circuit breakers (IEEE Std C37.013) and circuit switchers (IEEE Std C37.016).

3. Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. The IEEE Standards Dictionary:
Glossary of Terms & Definitions should be referenced for terms not defined in this clause. 4

Report writers are encouraged to use the following definitions to promote consistent language in the report and to
assist understanding by those reading the report.

3.1 ancillary equipment: Auxiliary or accessory equipment (e.g., thermometer, liquid level gauge, pressure gauge)
(see also The IEEE Standards Dictionary: Glossary of Terms & Definitions).
3.2 circuit breaker unavailability: Time from the discovery of the failure until the breaker is ready to be returned
to service.
3.3 contributing cause: A condition that contributes to the cause of the failure; however, may not of itself, result in
failure.
3.4 control circuit failure: Failure attributed to the inability of the electrical control circuit to perform its function.
3.5 defect: Imperfection in the state of an item (or inherent weakness) which can result in one or more failures of the
item itself or of another item under the specific service or environmental or maintenance conditions for a stated
period of time.

4
The IEEE Standards Dictionary: Glossary of Terms & Definitions is available at http://shop.ieee.org/.

3
Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

3.6 diagnostic tests: Comparative tests or measurements of one or more of the characteristic parameters of a circuit
breaker to verify that it performs its functions.
NOTE—The result from diagnostic tests can lead to the decision of carrying out overhaul. 5

3.7 electrical failure (of a circuit breaker): Failure attributable to the application of electrical stresses to the main
circuit of the circuit-breaker.
3.8 examination: An inspection with the addition of partial dismantling, as required, supplemented by diagnostic
tests in order to reliably evaluate the condition of the circuit breaker.
3.9 failure: Termination of the ability of an item to perform its required functions.
NOTE—The occurrence of a failure does not necessarily imply the presence of a defect if the stress is beyond that originally
specified.

3.10 failure analysis: The logical, systematic examination of an item or its diagram(s) to identify and analyze the
probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failure. (See The IEEE Standards Dictionary: Glossary
of Terms & Definitions.)
3.11 failure cause: The circumstances during design, manufacture, or use that have led to failure. Synonym: root
cause. (See The IEEE Standards Dictionary: Glossary of Terms & Definitions.)
3.12 failure detection: Examination to determine the position, evidence, and type of failure.
3.13 failure mode: The manner in which failure occurs; generally categorized as electrical, mechanical, thermal,
and contamination.
3.14 failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA): A process of identifying potential failures and their
corresponding effects on the product or process under consideration—generally a design tool; however, it can also
be used for failure analysis.
3.15 focused tests: Tests performed to identify a particular area of failure.
3.16 forensic engineering: Forensic engineering is the investigation of materials, products, structures or
components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property.
3.17 initiating cause: A cause that directly leads to the failure.
3.18 in-service inspection: Investigation of the principal features of the circuit breaker in service, without
dismantling. This investigation is generally directed toward pressures and/or levels of fluids, tightness, position of
relays, pollution of insulating parts; however, actions such as lubricating, cleaning, washing, etc., that can be carried
out with the circuit breaker in service are included.
NOTE—The observations resulting from inspection can lead to the decision of carrying out overhaul.

3.19 major failure (of a circuit breaker): Failure of a circuit breaker that causes the termination of one or more of
its fundamental functions, which necessitates immediate action.
NOTE 1—A major failure will result in an immediate change in system operating condition; e.g., the backup protective
equipment being required to remove the fault, or will result in mandatory removal from service for non-scheduled maintenance
(intervention required within 30 min).
NOTE 2—CIGRE WG A3.0 defines a switchgear major failure as “failure of a switchgear and control gear which causes the
cessation of one or more of its fundamental functions. A major failure will result in an immediate change in the system operating
conditions, e.g., the backup protective equipment will be required to remove the fault, or will result in mandatory removal from
service within 30 minutes for unscheduled maintenance.”
NOTE 3—IEC also provides a definition for a third failure type category: A defect is an “imperfection in the state of an item (or
inherent weakness) which can result in one or more failures of the item itself or of another item under the specific service or
environmental or maintenance conditions for a stated period of time.” Defects are, however, not included in the survey.

5
Notes in text, tables, and figures are given for information only and do not contain requirements needed to implement the standard.

4
Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

3.20 mechanical failure (of a circuit breaker): Failure other than an electrical failure.
3.21 minor failure (of a circuit breaker): Any failure of a part or a sub-assembly that does not cause a major
failure of a circuit breaker.
NOTE—CIGRE WG A3.06 defines minor failure as “failure of an equipment other than a major failure or any failure, even
complete, of a constructional element or a sub-assembly which does not cause a major failure of the equipment.”

3.22 monitor: Continual or periodic collection of data in order to observe or determine trends.
3.23 overhaul: Work done with the objective of repairing or replacing parts that are found to be out of tolerance by
inspection, or test, or examination, or as required by equipment maintenance manual, in order to restore the
component and/or the circuit breaker to an acceptable condition.
3.24 operational failure: A failure where the circuit breaker fails to operate as intended when an operation is
initiated.
3.25 repair: Work done to restore the component or the circuit breaker to condition for operation.
3.26 root cause failure analysis (RCFA): A method or series of actions taken to find out why a particular failure or
problem exists and to correct those causes; investigative techniques applied to the determination of factors leading to
the initiating or original failure.
3.27 servicing: Planned maintenance or reconditioning of the circuit breaker including lubricating and replacing
minor parts.
3.28 trending: The comparison of monitored data to determine or plan maintenance tasks and/or equipment
replacement.

4. Procedure for investigation of circuit breaker failures

For major failures, the local personnel should be adequately trained to deal with immediate hazards, isolation,
grounding, etc. These personnel will likely not be in charge of the investigation of the failure. Therefore, although
4.2 through 4.6 describe what needs to be done, an organization should decide who will be trained to perform the
actions at the scene required to preserve evidence, such as those listed in item a), b), d), and e) in 4.2, as well as
contacting the appropriate internal group who will organize or lead the formal investigation. There may be a
separate protocol for different levels of investigation, depending on the nature and initially perceived severity of the
failure.

The user and manufacturer are very much encouraged to agree on the approach to evaluating the failure. Identify the
prime reason for the investigation—e.g., is the prime importance to find the root cause of the failure or is it to repair
the circuit breaker and return it to service? The method of investigation and disassembly could be quite different
under these two scenarios.

4.1 Determining the hazards and risks associated with the circuit breaker inspection

Electrical hazards must be considered during the circuit breaker failure investigation. Some components adjacent to
the circuit breaker under investigation, as well as the parts of the control and protection circuits could remain
energized or become energized during the investigation.

Appropriate isolation and temporary protective grounding must be established prior to the investigation. Proper
personal protection should be selected and used based on the company safety policies and/or results of the arc-flash
studies.

The failure of any electrical equipment could result in some level of hazardous material in, on, or around the circuit
breaker site. These materials may be visible [such as an ash or discoloration of component(s)] or may be invisible
products.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

One must recognize that arc deposited residue may contain material that is hazardous to those working in and
around the failed component(s). It is generally not possible to visually determine whether health hazards are present.

A first level assumption must be made that the materials in and around the failure are hazardous until clarification
and classification has been confirmed, generally from the manufacturer. If the equipment vendor cannot provide
verification of the material content, you should arrange for the material to be sampled and identified by a specialist
before anyone is exposed.

Many workplace health and safety regulations apply in general (including OHSA, NFPA 70E, IEEE Std 1584, and
NESC C2 in the USA). Follow company procedures and practices. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) that is
appropriate to the worksite and conditions.

In addition, the following discussion describes some of the possible hazards.

Some older circuit breakers incorporated arc chute designs that contained asbestos and that may also include levels
of radon. The percentage content of these two materials varied from one manufacturer to the next. Some early
models of power circuit breakers also incorporated mercury-filled switches in the circuit breaker cell design. Some
older oil-filled circuit breakers may contain oil with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). Asbestos, mercury, and PCB
are materials known to be hazardous to humans. A high degree of expertise is required to safely execute the
environmental requirements for a safe investigation.

Arc chutes were often constructed with some proportion of asbestos to resist the high temperatures of the electrical
arc. Although tightly bound to the base material and not easily released to the atmosphere, (known as “non friable”
asbestos) if these types of arc chutes are severely abraded, they may release dust that can become a hazard. When
disturbed, flaking occurs resulting in airborne particles. A failure of a circuit breaker containing asbestos will
distribute a certain level of airborne and residual contamination. While asbestos has been banned by the
environmental protection agencies for most countries, electrical equipment containing asbestos has been and
continues to be in service even after more than 40 years. A similar hazard can exist with asbestos wiring if it is
shredded in the failure process.

More recently, high-voltage circuit breakers utilize Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas as the insulation and interruption
medium. SF6 is heavier than air and will not support life. Because SF6 is heavier than air, SF6 gas can accumulate or
be trapped in low “pockets.” There can be a risk of asphyxiation and inhalation of toxic gases when SF6 is released
in an indoor substation. If released into the atmosphere, precautions should be observed in nearby trenches,
depressions, and other locations where the gas can accumulate for short periods of time before dispersing into the
atmosphere. Any tank previously containing SF6 should not be entered without thorough ventilation and checks for
suitable breathing atmosphere. Arced SF6 gas is initially accompanied by a strong and irritating odor indicating toxic
decomposition products. These products are injurious and exposure to them should be avoided. The arc byproduct
powders are reactive with moisture and, if inhaled, could cause irritation in the nose, throat, and lungs. Contact with
body perspiration could cause skin irritation.

Most HV circuit breakers contain some form of stored energy to allow opening and sometimes reclosing. This stored
energy can take the form of springs, pneumatic, hydraulic systems, and magnetic actuated mechanisms or some
combination of them. A circuit breaker may fail without discharging some or all of the stored energy. Special
procedures are generally required to discharge the stored energy.

Broken porcelain or other materials can be very sharp and may have been projected some considerable distance from
the circuit breaker.

Debris may have been projected to heights above the circuit breaker installation area. The site should be inspected
for debris that has been projected to height and not yet fallen back to ground level.

Sometimes the worksite will be at an elevated height. Use appropriate fall prevention and fall arrest facilities.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Remember that some of those participating in the failure investigation may not be familiar with all of the possible
hazards.

Make sure the worksite is safe.

Refer also to 4.3 for immediate action after a circuit breaker failure.

4.2 Classification of failures

A failure investigation should begin by determining whether the failure was a major failure, operational, or minor in
order to decide what course of action to follow.

Refer also to preparations and training recommendations in Clause 4.

a) Major failures. A large failure of the circuit breaker in which physical damage has occurred to power current
carrying, power current interrupting, or high-voltage isolating elements. Major failures require the
following:
1) Exercise of extreme caution to minimize risk to personnel and other system equipment
2) Collection of physical data and photos to aid in analyzing the failure
3) Clean-up, repair or removal, and replacement of the failed circuit breaker to restore service
b) Operational failures. A failure of the circuit breaker in which a lack of basic function occurs such as, a
change of state occurs when not commanded, a change of state does not occur when commanded, the circuit
breaker is locked in position due to a lack of some critical parameter, or an alarm is activated to warn of
impending lack of basic function. An operational failure requires the following:
1) Caution to determine whether it is appropriate to approach the circuit breaker
2) Checking or troubleshooting features to diagnose the source of the failure
3) Repair of the circuit breaker to restore service
c) Minor failures. A minor failure requires the following:
1) Checking or troubleshooting features to diagnose the source of the failure
2) Repair or scheduling of repairs to the circuit breaker to prevent future lack of function

4.3 Immediate action

a) If there has been any personnel injury and/or continuing fire, call for medical emergency help.
b) Provide first aid as needed.
c) Evacuate the immediate area.
d) Electrically, pneumatically, etc. isolate failed equipment as dictated by equipment condition.
e) Do not try to operate failed equipment. Isolate from high-voltage sources. Before removing auxiliary power,
verify status of all relay targets and collect volatile memory if possible.
f) Extinguish fire with caution or let it burn out. Cold water on hot porcelain can cause it to fracture. Prevent
fire from spreading.
g) Be aware of hazards of arced SF6 gas and by-products, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), asbestos, and other
toxic materials that could be present.
h) Secure the area. Wait a few minutes. Do not immediately approach failed equipment because there may be
high pressures, voltage, charged springs, or excessive thermal or mechanical stresses in the equipment.
i) Visually inspect failed equipment from an appropriately distanced location to assess the situation.
j) Follow established safety-related working procedures for isolation, grounding, arc-flash hazard assessment,
selection of PPE, etc., and practices regarding environment protection and spill control, etc.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

4.4 On-site data collection (major failures)

a) Take good quality photographs of everything before any disassembly or moving of parts.
b) Photographs that show an overview from all angles as well as photographs that show close-up details will
assist in documenting visual evidence. It is recommended that photographers include some form of reference
measurement in all close-up photos to provide a reference to size.
c) If on-site disassembly is required, photograph each step, with a photo title, information or photo number
card appearing in the photo. A scale measure that appears in each photograph can assist with later
measurements. Consider backup recording by video camera. Record all observations.
d) Determine the position of all relays, targets, and counter readings, and determine system pressures before
removing control voltages, if possible. Photograph the position of all relays, targets, and counter readings, if
possible.
e) Interview observers or record their observations as soon as possible.
f) Obtain station oscillograms, sequence of events, station or operator logs, and fault recordings.
g) Obtain samples of oil, gas, air, etc.
h) Record weather and other environmental conditions.
i) Record electric system conditions and system operations/changes at, or just prior to, the event.
j) If a failure was explosive, determine locations of expelled parts, distances parts traveled, sizes of parts,
which parts, etc. Map the location of exploded/propelled items. Inspect parts for arc, wear, distortion marks
etc. before beginning clean up, etc. Make photographs, videos, drawings, etc. as appropriate.
k) Record the above data in the Circuit Breaker Reporting Form in Annex A.

4.5 Investigation

Refer to preparations and training in Clause 4.

a) Contact the manufacturer and determine if the manufacturer wishes to be represented during failure
investigation. Determine if a consultant or other resources are required to assist in analysis of failure.
b) Determine events immediately preceding, immediately succeeding, and concurrent with failure.
c) Review maintenance records to see if there has been any recent or repeating type activity. Often failures
result from parts disturbed during maintenance procedure.
d) Inspect circuit breaker (external). Look for sticking parts, arc marks, burning, eroded metal, molten metal,
signs of excessive pressure, etc., leakage of fluids [smoke (gas) or oil (liquid)]. Document with photographs.
e) Determine or clarify the position (where they were before and immediately after the event) of all operating
mechanism parts including auxiliary switch contacts, props, latches, linkage, pressure switches, valves, and
control power breakers. Disconnect supply source switches before releasing mechanism stored energy.
Follow manufacturer’s requirements regarding maintenance operations.
f) Open breaker access panels, inspect internals, and disassemble as necessary. Try to avoid disassembly until
experts arrive!
g) Investigate each subsystem thoroughly [tripping subsystem including latch energy sources, linkages, etc.;
main current contact path and movement, arcing contacts, nozzles, etc.; fluid subsystems (gas, air, and
liquid)]; (i.e., investigation on a system and subsystem basis). A fault tree or FMEA can usually provide
guidance regarding which systems and subsystems to investigate.
h) If disassembly is required, photograph each step, with an information card appearing in the photo. Consider
backup recording by video camera. Record all observations.
i) All parts should be saved until the investigation is complete. Avoid a hasty cleanup.
j) Acquire/review manufacturer’s service advisories, engineering information, drawings, and test reports or
other “special releases/reports.”

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4.6 Investigation flow chart

In many situations, it may be desirable to perform selected tests. Figure 1 has been developed as a guide to aid in the
determination and investigation of a failure.

The two starting points for this flowchart are as follows:

a) Circuit breaker failure.

b) Diagnostic tests that show deviation from past history. Routine tests cover such tests as those listed in
Table 3.
The paths in the flowchart lead to scrapping or repairing and returning to service. Prior to returning to service, it
may be desirable to perform selected tests to verify suitability for service.

Based upon the external observations (see Table 16) or the presence of obvious damage, selected tests may be
performed as suggested in Table 17. From their results, a hypothesis of failure can be developed. This may be
confirmed through internal inspection and teardown as deemed appropriate.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Failed or
malfunctioned

Preserve
evidence

Data gathering
(Table 2)

Selected tests
(Table 3)

Maintenance and
routine tests show Analysis of data Monitor
deviation from past

Yes Problem No Return to

service

Internal inspection and Yes Damage No Internal inspection and

testing (Table 3) is testing (Table 3) Selected tests
obvious
(Table 3)

Candidate Yes
for
repair

Analyze test Perform

No results corrective action

Evaluate corrective
SCRAP
action required on Yes Problem No
found
other circuit breakers

Further Yes
No
testing

Site Yes
repair

No Further Yes Analyze repair

testing options

Figure 1 —Flow chart of recommended investigation actions

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4.7 Recommended plan of action

4.7.1 Failure investigation

a) Determine if the circuit breaker was in a long-term static position or if it had recently changed state when
the failure occurred or was initiated.
b) If the failure was during a static position
1) Determine where the initial failure occurred.
2) Determine whether the insulating fluid (gas or liquid) systems were fully charged and full.
3) Determine whether the paths to ground were in specified condition, i.e., gas and air dry; minimum
external contamination; no conducting paths to ground.
4) Determine whether there were any voltage stresses that could have exceeded the nameplate levels, i.e.,
lightning, switching surges, or other transients.
5) Analyze maintenance records for evidence as to the cause.
6) If the breaker failed while open, check for condition of the grading capacitors that could cause unequal
voltage distribution across the contacts.
7) Determine if other system events occurred recently or at the time of failure.
c) If the failure appeared to be initiated during fault interruption or opening operation.
1) Read oscillographs and digital fault recordings if available.
2) Determine whether the operating voltage and system short-circuit level was within the nameplate
rating of the circuit breaker.
3) Determine whether the breaker has capability of switching capacitors if it was used for that purpose.
4) Check the pressure interlocks for adjustment and proper functioning.
5) Verify that all mechanisms are in the same position. Look for broken parts of mechanism or valve gear
as well as for evidence of pumping if all mechanisms are not in the same position.
6) If a circuit breaker opened and failed several seconds or minutes later, consider the possibility that it
opened, dumped insulating fluid by a valve failure or other means, and then failed dielectrically.
7) Determine whether there was any lightning activity in the vicinity. If so, consider the possibility that
the circuit breaker was opening due to a lightning stroke or shield failure and failed due to a
subsequent lightning stroke.
8) Look at maintenance records for evidence.
9) Check condition of resistor switches, resistors, and grading capacitors for any malfunction that would
cause unequal voltage distribution across the contacts.
d) If the failure appeared to be initiated during closing
1) Read oscillographs and digital fault recorders if available.
2) Determine whether the system momentary current was within the nameplate rating of the circuit
breaker.
3) Determine whether the breaker was fully closed.
4) Look at the maintenance records for evidence.
e) A review of the above results should give direction to the troubleshooting staff.

4.7.2 Review of circuit breaker application

a) Review the circuit breaker installation, operation, and maintenance manual to compare actual conditions and
practices with installation, operation, and maintenance conditions and practices.
b) Review manufacturer and owner circuit breaker drawings to verify that the circuit breaker has been installed
according to its planned installation design.
c) Refer to the appropriate edition of IEEE standards for circuit breaker ratings and testing. Refer to Annex B
for a listing of some of the current and superseded switchgear standards.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

d) Refer to IEEE standards and guides for the application of circuit breakers, especially IEEE Std C37.06,
ANSI C37.06.1, IEEE Std C37.010, IEEE Std C37.011, IEEE Std C37.012, IEEE Std C37.015, and IEEE
Std C37.11, IEEE Std C37.13, and IEEE Std C37.14. These guides and standards contain information that
may pertain to the specific application conditions where and when the circuit breaker was installed and
should be used as a basis for verifying the power system and circuit breaker needs and capabilities. Refer to
Annex B for a listing of some of the current and superseded switchgear guides.
e) Refer to the original circuit breaker specification and technical documents provided by the manufacturer at
the time of purchase and application.
f) Verify that the appropriate editions or versions of the standards, to which the circuit breaker was
manufactured and applied, are used for the investigation.
g) Be aware that due to increased system fault contribution and/or operating voltage, an older circuit breaker
may no longer be adequate for the existing application. A short circuit study should be made to determine if
the circuit breaker is adequate to interrupt the fault current that was available at this circuit position at the
time of the circuit breaker failure. Similarly, an insulation coordination study may be appropriate to
determine if the circuit breaker had appropriate dielectric capabilities for the application at the time of the
failure.
NOTE—A different short circuit study may be required to apply a replacement circuit breaker to this location, This short circuit
study considers the future short circuit current that will be available for the replacement circuit breaker to interrupt well into the
future.

4.7.3 Summarizing failure analysis

a) In summarizing the failure analysis, indicate the sequence of events that caused the failure. If possible, give
the time the events occurred and backup data.
b) State the most probable cause of failure.
c) State any corrective actions that may minimize the risk of future failure occurrences.
d) The failure analysis should make use of terminology used in IEEE Std C37.100 and in Clause 3 of this
guide.

4.7.4 Summary

a) Gather data as described in Clause 6.

b) Review records of oscillographs and operations, including weather, and any voltage and current transient
information on system and related circuit breaker operations.
c) Review existing application vs. ratings of the applied circuit breaker.
d) Review maintenance records.
e) Prepare sequence of events from the time all systems were normal until failure.
f) Propose all possible failure sequences.
g) Determine most likely cause by analyzing each possible failure sequence using the evidence collected.
h) Inspect other identical type circuit breakers and determine if all parts are present, in similar condition to the
failed circuit breaker and that no foreign parts are present.
i) Determine if other similar equipment has had similar experiences, or could have similar failures in the
future.
j) Determine corrective action plan.
k) Determine which parts are damaged and what damaged them.

5. Diagnostic tests and advanced diagnostics

As an aid to diagnose the circuit breaker condition and to predict any impending failure, the user should consider
monitoring the various circuit breaker features and functions.

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Circuit breaker diagnostics will assist the user in predicting the working condition of the parts and in extending the
maintenance intervals.

Circuit breakers can be furnished with some built-in monitors. Additional monitoring is possible. The quantity and
complexity of additional monitoring will depend upon the type and rating of the circuit breaker, and its importance
in the system and user’s preferences.

Monitoring a circuit breaker requires some or all of the following actions on the part of the user:

a) Periodic visual inspection and recording of indicators, marks, gauges, indicating lights, etc., at the circuit
breaker location, without any dismantling, or de-energizing, but may require opening mechanism cabinet
doors.
b) Periodic visual inspection and recording of indicators and gauges, etc., at a remote location, without
dismantling, de-energizing of the circuit breaker. This may require permanent connection of transducers,
auxiliary contacts, etc.
c) Periodic visual inspection and recording of indicators, gauges, etc., temporarily connected to the circuit
breaker, e.g., pressure gauges.
d) Automatic recording, continuous or periodic at set intervals, of the circuit breaker’s basic functions by using
chart recorders, sequence of events recorder, fault monitors, etc. This may require the circuit breaker to be
de-energized and partially dismantled or at least operated while in service.
e) Installation of complex diagnostic systems, either permanently connected to each circuit breaker or as a
plug-in device to be used periodically.
f) Diagnostic tests carried out externally, e.g., timing tests, contact resistance, insulation, power factor, etc.
This may require the circuit breaker to be de-energized and partially dismantled or at least operated while in
service.
g) Inspection with de-energizing and partial dismantling, as required, supplemented by measurements, non-
destructive tests, etc.

Analysis of pressure switchs’ settings and operation. This may require the circuit breaker to be de-energized. Table 1
through Table 14 list some of the features and characteristics of the circuit breaker recommended for testing or
monitoring. These tables include the following:

Characteristic to be tested or monitored

Circuit breaker operating mode for testing or monitoring
Parameters measured and derived information
Assessment of the circuit breaker condition based on the derived information

Some of the characteristics are monitored continuously by means of gauges, mechanical indicators, or by means of
relays, transducers, etc., connected to the circuit breaker control system. Remote indication is provided by
transducers. Other characteristics require the circuit breaker to be de-energized and isolated or even dismantled.
Several characteristics such as power factor, resistances, etc., require the user to maintain records and observe the
trend of the measured values for proper assessment of the circuit breaker condition.

NOTE—The following letter symbols apply to the Operating Mode column in Table 1 through Table 14.
I Circuit breaker energized and in service
O Circuit breaker de-energized and isolated

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Table 1 — Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (mechanical features)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Indicator status vs. I Compare open/closed status Integrity of mechanism, linkages, latches,
mechanism position indicators vs. mechanism position and indicators to move main contacts to
open/closed status position correctly
indicate position
Main contact status vs. O Time from coil energization to main Operation of trip coil, close coil,
trip close commands contact make or break mechanism during open and close
Contact (main, resistor O Contact displacement and contact Strength of stored energy system;
switch, auxiliary continuity vs. time adequacy of lubrication damper operation,
switch) position vs. contact bounce, mechanism friction, and
time adequate contact engagement
Auxiliary contact I Time from coil energization to Operation of trip coil, close coil,
status vs. trip close auxiliary contact make or break mechanism during close/open operation
command
Condition of latch O Determine the proper operation of Time required to operate trip or close
devices latch devices latch indicates condition of latch system

Table 2 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (electrical current carrying features)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Contact resistance O Resistance in P: of contacts and Contact surfaces joint integrity and
other parts of current path applied forces
Integrity of electrical O Connections temperature Contact and terminal condition
joints measurements
Bushing terminal I Relative temperature of bushing Bushing terminal temperature within
temperature terminal specification at a given reference current
loading level
Condition of bushing terminal

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Table 3 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (electrical insulating features)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Voltage withstand of O Voltage withstand or breakdown at Find contaminated or otherwise
insulation (High- no less than specified voltage inadequate line-to-line and line-to-
voltage withstand tests ground insulation
are difficult to perform
in the field.)
Interrupter voltage O Voltage withstand or breakdown at Find contaminated interrupter insulation
withstand (High- no less than specified voltage and grading capacitor insulation
voltage withstand tests
are difficult to perform
in the field.)
Audible noise I Unusual audible noise, corona, or Identifies deterioration or degradation of
vibration present the insulating paths
External corona test O Corona present Insulation deterioration
Partial discharge test Contacts damaged or not touching
(performed in a plant
or laboratory with
acceptable low
background PD level)
Leakage current, O Capacitance, leakage current, and Capability of bushing insulation to
power factor and power factor of entire breaker from withstand specified voltage
capacitance of the all primary terminals to ground Quality of bushing insulation
breaker (leakage current and insulation Integrity of all line-to-ground insulation
power factor may be a function of systems
bushing surface contamination)

Table 4 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (auxiliary and control circuits)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Closing power I Voltage of sources Adequacy of sources to supply closing and
source and tripping tripping power and to charge stored
power of source, energy devices (pneumatic, hydraulic or
recharging power spring) and power to heaters (if present)
source, heater power
source
Trip and close coil O, I Coil current magnitude and shape Integrity of coils, auxiliary switch
operation during operation contacts and wiring, plus capability of
power source
Motor operation I Stored energy device; current drawn Integrity of motors, auxiliary switch
from source on operation contacts and wiring, plus capability of
power source
Heater operation I Heater current drawn from source on Integrity of heaters, wiring, and capability
operation of power of source
Remote control O, I Remote controls produce desired Integrity and position of local/remote
operation operational results switch, wiring and communication
channels
Control circuit O Determine that the control circuit Control circuit is functioning correctly
function functions in the manner intended

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Table 5 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (Interrupter)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment
assessed (from tests Mode information
and/or monitors)
Interrupter O Current and contact travel during Integrity of interrupter, linkages and
performance switching operation mechanism to interrupt current and open
the power circuit
Interrupter usage O Arc energy accumulated or amount of Interrupter life expended or remaining
contacts eroded based on adjusted
interrupted amperes (I n t) where n is
dependent on type of contact

Table 6 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of metal-clad circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Mechanical inter- lock O Circuit breaker open/closed status or Prevention of closed circuit breaker from
function change of status vs. circuit breaker engaging or disengaging primary
position in cubicle disconnects. Prevention of circuit breaker
with charged springs from being
withdrawn from cubicle
Breaker/switchgear O Breaker rating compared to Presence and proper operation of insertion
rating installation switchgear cubical rating interference features to prevent circuit
Interference features breaker of one rating from being installed
in a different rated switchgear cubicle

Table 7 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of air magnetic circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Arc chute O Physical and magnetic properties of Verify the integrity of all arc chute parts
arc chute to control the arc by physical and/or
magnetic means
Puffer O Air flow rate and volume on open Proper operation of puffer to
operation and on open strokes of produce an air flow to interrupt the arc at
close/open operation low currents
Cooling fans (if I Operation, air flow Adequacy of cooling
present)

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Table 8 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of vacuum circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and Assessment

assessed (from tests and/or mode derived information
monitors)
Vacuum interrupter O Voltage withstand or breakdown Adequacy of vacuum, open gap
at no less than specified voltage dimensions, contact characteristics
required to successfully withstand
specified voltage and interrupt arcs
Contact condition O Main contact wear dimension Change in contact dimension, contact
gap, contact life, contact wear, closing
and over-travel
Cooling fans (if present) I Operation, air flow Adequacy of cooling

Table 9 —Diagnostics or circuit breakers (special features of bulk oil circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and Assessment

assessed (from tests and/or mode derived information
monitors)
Oil volume I Level of oil in tank, Level of oil Verify that enough oil is present
in bushings
Oil quality I Oil power factor, Presence of proper oil quality required
Oil particle type and count, to successfully withstand voltage and
Dissolved and free water in oil, interrupt arcs
Withstand voltage of oil
Closing (opening) resistors (if O Resistance in Determine if resistance is within
present) tolerance
O Insertion time in ms Determine if insertion time between
resistor switch closing (opening) and
main contact closing (opening) is
within tolerance
Current-carrying capacity I, O Oil level, Determines indirectly the ability
Grading resistor (if present) Tank temperature of the circuit breaker to carry load
current
O Varnish or carbon on contacts Determine indirectly the ability of the
circuit breaker to carry load current
O Resistance in Determine if resistance is within
tolerance
Bushing condition O Power factor and capacitance Verify correct values within tolerance
Grading capacitors (if O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance is within
present) tolerance

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Table 10 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of live tank minimum oil circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Oil volume I Level of oil in tank Verify that enough oil is present
Level of oil in bushings
Oil quality O Oil power factor, Presence of proper oil quality required to
Oil particle type and count, successfully with-stand voltage and
interrupt arcs
Dissolved and free water in oil,
Withstand voltage of oil
Closing (opening) O Resistance of contacts in micro ohms Determine if resistance is within tolerance
resistors (if present) (); Resistance of closing or
opening resistors in ohms ()
Current-carrying O Varnish or carbon on contacts Determine indirectly the ability of the
capacity circuit breaker to carry load current
O Oil level, Determine indirectly the ability
Tank temperature of the circuit breaker to carry load current
O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance is within
Grading capacitor (if tolerance
present)
Interrupter pressure I Pressure Determine if pressure is within specified
value
Grading resistor (if O Resistance in micro ohms () Determine if resistance is within tolerance
present)

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Table 11 — Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of two-pressure SF6 circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
SF 6 gas level (low I Pressure, Assess ability to withstand voltage
pressure; low density) Density (pressure and temperature)
SF 6 gas/seal heater operation
SF 6 gas level (high I Pressure, Assess ability to interrupt current
pressure; high density) Density (pressure and temperature)
SF 6 gas/seal heater operation
Interrupter action O Pressure changes vs. time during Assesses operation of blast valve and
switching operation interrupter nozzle and contacts
Moisture in SF 6 I Measure water vapor in SF 6 in parts Assess level of H 2 O in SF 6, which can
per million (ppm) affect voltage withstand and interrupting
ability and corrosivity
Closing (opening) O Resistance in micro ohms (); Determine if resistance is within tolerance
resistors (if present) Resistance of closing or opening
resistors in ohms ()
O Insertion time in ms Determine if insertion time between
resistor switch closing (opening) and main
contact closing (opening) is within
tolerance
Voltage grading O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance is within
capacitors (if present) tolerance
Line-to-ground O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance is within
capacitors (if present) tolerance

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Table 12 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of single-pressure SF6 circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
SF 6 gas level (low I Pressure Assesses ability to withstand voltage and
pressure; low density) Density (pressure and temperature) to carry and interrupt current

Moisture in SF 6 I Measure water vapor in SF 6 in parts Assess level of H 2 O in SF 6 that can affect
per million (ppm) voltage withstand and interrupting ability
Closing (opening) O Resistance in micro ohms (); Determine if resistance is within tolerance
resistors (if present) Resistance of closing or opening
resistors in ohms ()
O Insertion time in ms Determine if the insertion time between
resistor switch closing (opening) and main
contact closing (opening) is within
tolerance
Voltage grading O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance are within
capacitors (if present) Power factor of capacitors (especially tolerance
oil-filled capacitors)
Line-to-ground O Capacitance in pF Determine if capacitance and power factor
capacitors (if present) are within tolerance
SF 6 gas/seal heater I Heater current/Heater resistance Assess condition of SF 6 gas and seal
heaters

Table 13 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of air blast circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Low-pressure air level I Pressure Assesses ability to withstand voltage and
to interrupt current
High-pressure air level I Pressure Determine that there is sufficient air to
replenish low-pressure level
Interrupter action O Pressure changes vs. time during Assesses operation of blast valve and
switching operation interrupter nozzle and contacts
Moisture in air I Measure water vapor in air in parts Assesses level of H 2 O in air, which can
per million (ppm) affect voltage withstand and interrupting
ability and corrosivity
Closing (opening) O Resistance in micro ohms (); Determine if resistance is within tolerance
resistors (if present) Resistance of closing or opening
resistors in ohms ()
O Insertion time in ms Determine if the insertion time between
resistor switch closing (opening) and the
main contact closing (opening) is within
tolerance
Voltage grading O Capacitance in pF Determine ability to distribute voltage
capacitors (if present) among series interrupters

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Table 14 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of current transformers

associated with circuit breaker) (free standing or bushing type)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

assessed (from tests mode information
and/or monitors)
Leakage current O Leakage of current Detects cracked or contaminated
insulation
Pressure buildup I, O Increase in pressure Gassing current transformer
Oil quality I Oil power factor, oil particle type and Presence of proper oil quality required to
count dissolved and free water, successfully withstand voltage
withstand voltage of oil
External corona test O PD present Insulation deterioration contacts damaged
Internal corona test or not touching
Partial discharge test
(performed in a plant
or laboratory with
acceptable low
background PD level
Oil volume I Low oil level Verify that enough oil is present
SF 6 gas level I Pressure Assesses ability to withstand voltage
Capacitance O Insulation integrity Capacitance within specification
Power factor O Insulation integrity Power factor within specification
Ratio O Turns ratio Ration of primary current to secondary
current within specification
Excitation current O Turn to turn insulation integrity Excitation current within specification

6. Data collection and data structure

6.1 General approach

While the user definitely needs to advise the manufacturer of a failure, the manufacturer and user need to agree on
the proper approach to evaluating the failure. Define the priority as to whether the investigation is to find the root
cause of the failure or to repair the circuit breaker and return it to service. The method of disassembly may be quite
different under these two different and sometimes conflicting scenarios.

Cooperation at all levels of the participating organizations will significantly facilitate the investigation at the site and
improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. Certain personnel or departments may be assigned the lead role in certain
situations in accordance with an overall corporate incident management plan.

It is important that the manufacturer be informed of the equipment failure, especially when it is under warranty and
always if there is injury or major equipment damage. The manufacturer will probably be expected to supply
information such as the factory test data, inspection history, and internal construction drawings, and investigation
support. If at all possible, do not remove or disassemble any portions of the circuit breaker until the manufacturer
has visited or concurred with the action. Manufacturers have detailed knowledge of the science, materials, and
assembly methods related to their circuit breaker. Disassembly in another manner or sequence may result in lost
information.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Any significant failure, and all failures that involve personal injury, may involve regulatory review or litigation.
Well-documented written, video, photographic, and drawing records of all observations are critical to a factual
record and must be retained. Nothing should be trusted to memory.

Development of a team concept may be helpful for the final analysis of data. It is suggested that the team include
representatives of the user and manufacturer/repair facility. This may facilitate the work and may also minimize bias
considerations in the final diagnosis.

6.2 Preparation

Some preparation prior to traveling to the site will aid site investigation. Failure investigations at the site are similar
to detective work; knowledge of the subject, a well-ordered approach, a sense of curiosity, and objectivity are vital.

A quick review of information (including operation and maintenance records) that might be available in a file
regarding the specific circuit breaker may prove to be valuable before traveling to the site. Some items may also be
taken to the site. Table 15 is a suggested checklist of various items.

Table 15 —Suggested checklist of preparation items

____ Circuit breaker instruction manuals—includes such items as outline and schematic drawings, descriptions
of components, and factory photographs
____ Test reports (factory and field)
____ Any prior written reports or notes about previous failures
____ Routine inspection reports
____ One line diagram of station
____ Relaying scheme
____ Records of maintenance work which may include reports on past problems
Camera including close-up lens (digital with suitable resolution, video, 35 mm film), flash, batteries, digital
____
memory cards. Preserve digital photographs in their original version and format.
____ Tape measure, calipers (Vernier, dial, or digital)
____ Protective clothing, safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hat, gloves
____ Binoculars
____ Magnifying glass
____ Digital sound/voice recorder, tape, and batteries
____ Flashlights
____ Oil sample bottle and syringes
____ Gas sample bottles and associated connections
____ Plastic bag(s) to protect evidence
____ Plastic tag(s) and permanent markers to identify evidence
____ Records of relay targets
____ Oscillographic recordings, digital fault recordings, or sequence of events records
____ Identification of personnel who may have been present
____ Information of system operating conditions
____ Trouble reporting form
____ Work permit/guarantee or isolation/clearance

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

6.3 Immediate investigation

Timeliness of an inspection of the failed circuit breaker is very important. Evidence could be destroyed because of
movement of the circuit breaker or changes in the system configuration; therefore, data collection and tests should
proceed as quickly as possible.

Work crews are almost always on-site before investigators. Their standing instructions should be to follow the
outline discussed in Clause 4, and to bypass failed equipment rather than to “clean it up.” Someone in the work crew
should be appointed to preserve evidence and to follow the process outlined in Clause 4. However, it is not always
practical to cease restoration of service until the investigators arrive on-site. Thus, instructions should be given to
operating personnel for restoration of service consistent with minimum negative impact on failure investigation
work. If possible, all work should cease on the circuit breaker until the investigators have a chance to look at the
circuit breaker, take photographs, notes, and perform tests that will assist future analysis.

When injury or major damage (including a major electrical system outage) has occurred, the following must be
considered in the collection and securing of evidence. If the result of a circuit breaker failure is an injury or fatality,
or if the failure could result in a future lawsuit, then the investigation must be done differently.

a) First, absolute control over the scene of the failure must be immediately taken. The number of personnel
must be limited to minimize the risk of damage to evidence. Nothing should be touched, except as necessary
for safety of the scene and to render aid to any injuries, until the investigators are all on scene.
b) Before moving or removing any material it should have its position documented (photograph or notes) and
each piece moved or removed should be labeled.
c) Each piece moved or removed should be packed in a way that will not modify its characteristics.
d) Each piece moved or removed should then be secured by appropriate personnel under a chain-of-possession
that is traceable to the failure site. This means the piece is always under control (locked up where only
appropriate custodians have access).

Oscillograms, digital fault recorders, sequence of events recordings, and printouts should be reviewed.

Familiarity with the site, circuit breaker and general area is important. Personnel familiar with the operation and
maintenance of the circuit breaker should be part of the investigation team.

A complete investigation of each circuit breaker subsystem is necessary for a thorough investigation.

It is better that at least two individuals initially inspect the circuit breaker. Two people can support one another and
discuss the various findings and the immediate “next step” at the site.

Items that may be of importance include conditions and events at the time of the failure, physical inspections of the
circuit breaker following failure, and electrical conditions of the circuit breaker following failure. Table 16 is a
suggested checklist of observations.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Table 16 —Suggested checklist of general observations

External conditions Recorded data

___ time of day
___ “power out" “no lights” call (power out)
___ storms or lightning in area, general weather conditions
___ temperature
___ unusual sounds, odors, sights
___ debris expelled from circuit breaker
___ dead animals in area
___ evidence of animal contact (animal may not be dead)
___ foreign objects in area
___ parts—visual
___ evidence of vandalism
___ interview of witnesses or station operators present when unit tripped or failed
___ load interrupted
___ system disturbances—both local and remote
___ switching configuration in station at time of event
___ previous, subsequent or concurrent switching operations
___ location of surge arresters
___ signs of arcing or damage (metal erosion) to substation bus, insulators, steel
structures
___ movement of circuit breaker on its base

Main tank Recorded data

___ bulged
___ cracked
___ leaks
___ evidence of overheating
___ oil level
___ gaskets or seals, leaks, expulsion, etc.
___ gas temperature
___ presence of arc marks, eroded metal, molten metal
___ air or gas valves—open or closed
___ air pressure
___ gas pressure

Bushings Recorded data

___ signs of arcing—phase to phase or phase to ground
___ leaks
___ broken porcelain
___ holes in cap, bulging, burn holes in body, ripped/broken sheds
___ pollution
___ tracking
___ oil level
___ gas pressure

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Operating mechanism Recorded data

___ linkages, loose, bent, corroded, broken
___ spring condition
___ pressure in air reservoir, normal—low
___ hydraulic “pre-charge” pressure
___ sludged hydraulic fluid
___ control valves—open or closed
___ corrosion in air or hydraulic system
___ piping, leaks
___ oil level in dashpots
___ blown fuses
___ breaker position, open or closed
___ counter reading
___ loose bolt/nuts securing the operating mechanism to the breaker
___ control cabinet condition

Protective relay targets Recorded data

___ all targets that dropped/indicated
___ all targets that should have dropped but did not drop
___ digital protective relay sequence of events data
___ digital protective relay recorded trip data
___ digital protective relay recorded pre-trip data

Operation of Protection and Monitoring Devices Recorded data

___ oscillograph
___ sequence of events recorder
___ digital fault recorder
___ fault recorder
___ annunciator
___ blown fuses
___ operation counter
___ operation of other breakers on the system
___ gas pressure

6.3.1 Electrical tests

Safety-related work methods and practices should be observed. (Refer to 4.1.) Before performing any tests, any
necessary safety-related work permits should have been issued and precautions should be taken to isolate the circuit
breaker from the power system and to properly ground the circuit. Table 17 is a suggested checklist of electrical
tests. It is recommended to consult the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Table 17 —Electrical and other tests

Field tests
Auxiliary power supply voltage
Contact resistance
Insulation resistance
Power factor
Starting and running currents of motors
Opening and closing coil resistances
Timing test with motion analyzer
Value of closing resistors
Value of opening resistors
Value of grading resistors
Value of grading capacitors (capacitance, power factor)
Insulation and resistance of bushing current transformers
Insulation power factor (all paths)
Contact wear/erosion
Oil or gas quality

Other tests
Operating mechanism Control and Auxiliary Devices
Calibration and scaling of safety valves
Calibration of pressure gauges
Calibration of pressure switches
Operating mechanism
Free movement of mechanism
Fluid in dashpots
Compressor inter-stage pressures, oil level
Moisture levels in air, oil, and gas systems
Lubrication
NOTE—These are tests that are common or usual tests. (Review the manufacturer’s instruction book for test values and testing
methods.)

6.3.2 Tests of insulating medium

These should include chemical analysis of gas, moisture content, and dielectric withstand test. Check the PCB
content of oil (to determine handling and disposal requirements).

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

7. Failure report utilization

7.1 Failure report utilization—General

Circuit breaker failure analysis is undertaken for a number of reasons including the following interrelated items.
Circuit breaker owners and manufacturers are the most likely to benefit from circuit breaker failure analysis.

a) Determine the cause of failure in this specific circuit breaker so that it can be correctly repaired or replaced.
b) Determine the cause of failure in this specific circuit breaker so that it will not be repeated.
c) Determine the cause of failure in this specific circuit breaker so that it will not be repeated in other circuit
breakers, especially circuit breakers of the same model or operating features.
d) Verify that circuit breakers are correctly applied to the power system, especially in the application being
considered.
e) Verify that design or manufacturing deficiencies are correctly revised.
f) Verify that installation and maintenance deficiencies are correctly revised.
g) Mitigating operational, safety risks in some instances, and formulating equipment replacement strategies.

7.2 Failure report utilization—Circuit breaker user

A user (owner, asset manager) of circuit breakers can derive benefit from circuit breaker failures investigation.
These benefits include at least the following possibilities:

a) Research and development to address the technical issues and failure mechanisms highlighted in the survey.
b) Identification of changes in specifications, standards, and guides to optimize circuit breaker application,
design, and construction. Such optimization could include better focused testing requirements from both the
user and manufacturer to identify the most likely causes of failures.
c) Information from this analysis may be used to understand the failure with respect to proper application and
operation, maintenance effectiveness, monitoring opportunities, asset refurbishment, and asset replacement.
d) Assist the user in developing the extent to which the failure could impact the population of breakers on their
system and aid in tailoring corrective action plans.
e) Manufacturing and installation methods should be reviewed to minimize identified failure mechanisms and
causes.
f) The analysis of how performance or reliability changes with age may affect maintenance requirements,
either for entire populations or specific equipment types. Aged equipment may benefit from additional
monitoring and analysis may help to justify reconditioning an item.
g) Assisting the user in developing, prioritizing, and justifying programmatic decisions on entire populations of
equipment including modifying maintenance intervals, replacement or refurbishment of equipment, and
outage planning.

The user can utilize the failure reports to

h) Establish or supplement existing systems to keep specific, uniform, and informative records of field failures.
i) Provide data reports that can be sorted by manufacturer, model of equipment, age of equipment, similarity of
application, etc.
j) Provide data that can be used to analyze failures, and find trends or problems that should be reported to the
manufacturer.
k) Provide data that can be used to study specific failures involving application conditions and maintenance
practices.
l) Communicate to the manufacturer problems that require technical analysis and recommendation.

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Copyright © 2011 IEEE. All rights reserved.

7.3 Failure report utilization—Circuit breaker manufacturer

As soon as practical after the site investigation has begun and applicable information has been collected, a Failure
Report (see Annex A) should be provided to the “Quality and Reliability Officer” of the circuit breaker
manufacturer. Although not necessarily complete at this time, this report should include any diagnostics that have
been performed, circuit parameters prior to and during event, and any other relevant observations that have been
collected.

7.3.1 Assessment of current status

Receipt of a Failure Report by the manufacturer should result in an assessment of current status so that the
manufacturer may respond with any of the following actions, as appropriate:

a) Review and report from the field

b) Gather missing information such as nameplate data, etc.
c) Determine if adequate application information is available
d) Determine what other information is needed and how to get it
e) Recommend the data collection and data structure to be used in the investigation, if not already determined
(Clause 6)
f) Review manufacturer’s production test records
g) Review circuit breaker user’s maintenance records
h) Identify and receive failed part(s) from the field
i) Send replacements and/or arrange for repairs (if needed)
j) Provide suggestions to minimize risk of further damage to circuit breaker
k) Provide suggestions to minimize risk of damage to other equipment
l) Provide suggestions to minimize risk of reoccurrence of the failure
m) Notify users of circuit breaker status
n) Notify others (authorities, other users, etc., as appropriate) of situations outside circuit breaker; for example,
notify the authorities of an oil spill
o) Recommend who should visit the field site to investigate

7.3.2 Assessment of investigation and collected data

Accumulation of field failure information by the manufacturer can provide useful component level quality and
reliability trending data. Benefits may include the following:

a) Updates to existing component failure statistics

b) Estimates of lifetime before failure of components
c) Estimates of acceptable maintenance intervals
d) Possible need for recalls and/or field advisories

7.3.3 Benefits of root cause and other failure analysis techniques

In-depth failure analyses as described in Clause 4 may identify the following:

a) Design flaws in components or systems in the circuit breaker

b) Misapplications of the circuit breakers
c) Manufacturing process control weaknesses
d) Component quality problems
e) Inspection weaknesses of components or completed apparatus

f) Unexpected failure mechanisms

g) Operator errors

7.3.4 Corrective actions

The manufacturer’s determination of corrective actions and product improvements may result in the following:

a) Overall design improvements

b) Component specification and standards improvements
c) Application recommendation improvements
d) Manufacturing process improvements
e) Improved focused inspection and tests
f) Improved circuit breaker standards
g) Recommended improvements to maintenance procedures
h) Recommended improvements to diagnostic tests and advanced diagnostics (Clause 6)

The circuit breaker manufacturer should provide the user with an appropriate response when the failure analysis is
complete.

Annex A

(informative)

Failure reporting for power circuit breakers

A Failure Reporting Form has been developed by the IEEE Switchgear Committee to improve the reliability of
circuit breakers through uniform reporting of field failures. The use of this approach is the recommended practice
for all users of power circuit breakers.

The form is derived from the experiences and with the approval of both manufacturers and users. Its main goals
and requirements are simplicity of use, sufficient information to define the field failure including its related
environment, and to establish records and references for further analysis and action should the situation repeat
itself or as other factors surface.

This Failure Reporting Form is part of this guide.6

An interactive form-enabled PDF (IEEE Std 37.10-2011_Failure_Reporting_Form.pdf) is available for download

at the following URL http://standards.ieee.org/downloads/37/37.10-2011/.7

6
Copyright release statement: Users of this standard may freely reproduce the IEEE Std 37.10-2011 Failure Reporting Form in this annex so that
it can be used for its intended purpose.
7
Copyright release statement: Users of this standard may freely reproduce the IEEE Std 37.10-2011 Failure Reporting Form at this website so
that it can be used for its intended purpose.

FAILURE REPORTING FOR POWER CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Check all appropriate blocks and provide information indicated. For major trouble provide additional information requested
on the back of this page, supplementing with additional pages if necessary.
EQUIPMENT:
Station User Ident. of Breaker
Manufacturer Type
Rated Voltage ______ kV Interrupting Rating ______ kA
BIL ______ kV Continuous Current ______A
Serial Number Ship date
Install Date Modernized Date
Air blast / Air magnetic /
Interrupter Oil / SF6 / Vacuum / Enclosure Freestanding / Metal-clad / GIS
Other

ENVIRONMENT:
Industrial / Urban / Suburban / Rural / Sea coast /
___
Location Indoor / Outdoor Environment (best fit) Above 1000 m (3300 ft) / High Contamination /
__ Other
Weather
Dry Rain Lightning in area Fog
Conditions
Snow Frost Freezing Rain Condensation
Temperature Rising / Falling / Steady / Wind
Extreme Cold ______ qC Calm / Light / Strong-steady / Strong-gusty
Trend Level
External Earthquake Wind Abnormal Terminal Loading
Mechanical
Stresses Involve Other Nominal System Voltage _____ kV

TROUBLE:
Installation / In-service / Maintenance / Test /
When Discovered ______ Other Operations on Counter (s) ____ ____ ____
Breaker Mode at Time of Energized / De-energized Close / Open
Tripping / Closing / Fault interruption / Load switching
Trouble Reclosing / No Action / Line switching / None

Breaker Response Not called upon to operate / Performed as intended / Unsatisfactory operation / Failed to operate
External insulation to gnd. / Internal insulation to gnd. / Insulating medium / Isolating contact / Bushing / Interrupter / Seals-
Subsystem in Trouble Gaskets / Air system / Hydraulic system / SF6 system / C.T. / Resistor sw. or aux. int. / Voltage grading dev. / Line terminals /
Compressor / Heater / Electrical controls
State specifically what failed with instruction book references

Has it occurred before on this type of breaker? Yes / No How many times? ______

State how previous problem was corrected

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Possible Causes Design/Mfr Shipping Storage Installation
Maintenance Wear/Aging Animals/Birds Other Not Obvious
Comments and Suggestions

EFFECT:
No interruption /___ wks / ___ days / ___ hrs
Breaker Down Time ___ min Repair Time ___ wks / ___ days / ___ hrs ___ min
Immediate forced outage / Outage within 20 minutes / Required subsequent outage / Repair deferred until regular maintenance /
Breaker Outage Status No outage for repair

User Person Completing Report Date

User Approval Name Date
User Contact Name Telephone Number
User Company

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR ANALYSIS OF MAJOR OR

SYSTEM RELATED FAILURE
(USE ADDITIONAL PAGES AS NECESSARY)

(1) Single line station diagram showing involved breakers (attach copy)

(2) Operation and timing sequence (including all alarms) of this and related breakers from the last time that
conditions were definitely normal.

(3) Line conditions before, during, and after failure.

(4) Oscillograms—attach with explanation and interpretation.

(5) Attach a description of the exact position of all mechanical components from the control solenoid through
all interrupter contacts as applicable. (Photograph each detail before mechanisms; supply copies of photos
with report.)

(6) Describe arc damage and location of arc products relative to valve seals. (Photograph each in detail
before any clean up or post-failure mechanism movement; supply copies of photos with report.)

Annex B

(informative)

Bibliography

B.1 Guides to reliability design/analysis

[B1] CSA CAN/CSA-Q634-M91, Risk Analysis Requirements and Guidelines. 8

[B2] IEC 812-1985 first edition, Analysis techniques for system reliability—Procedure for failure mode
and effects analysis (FMEA). 9
[B3] IEC 1025, “Fault tree analysis (FTA)” 1990-10 first edition.
[B4] IEEE Std 493™-2007, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems. 10, 11
[B5] IEEE Std 1332-1998, IEEE Standard Reliability Program for the Development and Production of
Electronic Systems and Equipment.

B.2 Failure investigation

[B6] IEEE Std C57.125-1991, IEEE Guide for Failure Investigation, Documentation, and Analysis for
Power Transformer and Shunt Reactor.
[B7] NFPA-921-1995, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.
[B8] NFPA-907M- 1983 (withdrawn, elements included in NFPA-921), Manual on the Investigation of
Fires of Electrical Origin. 12
[B9] NFPA-422M- 1979, “Aircraft Fire Investigators Manual.”
[B10] The Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation Procedures Guidebook, EPRI Report 1001890,
Published March 2003. 13

B.3 Guides to failure reporting

[B11] IEEE Std C57.117-1986 (Reaff 1992), IEEE Guide for Reporting Failure Data for Power
Transformers and Shunt Reactors on Electric Power Systems.

8
Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 178 Rexdale Boulevard, Rexdale (Toronto), Ontario, Canada, M9W 1R3.
9
IEC publications are available from the Sales Department of the International Electrotechnical Commission, Case Postale 131, 3, rue
de Varembé, CH-1211, Genève 20, Switzerland/Suisse (http://www.iec.ch/).
10
IEEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ
08854, USA (http://standards.ieee.org/).
11
The IEEE standards or products referred to in this annex are trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
12
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 http://www.nfpa.org.
13
EPRI Members: EPRI Publications are available from your company libraries, your manager for EPRI Technology Transfer, or the
EPRI Order and Conference Center at: EPRI Order and Conference Center, 1355 Willow Way Suite 278, Concord, CA 94520-5728,
U.S.A., Phone (800) 313-3774 press 2 or Phone (925) 609-9169.
EPRI Nonmembers: Contact the EPRI Order and Conference Center for information about ordering this report.

B.4 Equipment failure statistics

[B12] Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) Forced Outage Performance of Transmission Equipment
available by five year windows of performance data for periods January 1, 1984 through December 31,
1996. 14
[B13] “The First International enquiry on Circuit Breaker Failures & Defects in Service” ELECTRA No.
79, Dec 1985, pp. 21 - 91. {20,000 circuit breakers of all types >63 kV for the years 1974 through 1977;
(77,892 circuit-breaker-years)}.
[B14] “Final Report of the Second International Enquiry on High Voltage Circuit Breaker Failures”,
CIGRE Working Group 13.06 Report, June 1994. {18,000 single pressure SF6 circuit breakers >63 kV for
the years 1988 to 1991; (70,708 circuit-breaker-years)}
[B15] “An International Survey on Failures in Large Power Transformers in Service”—Final report of
Working Group 05 of CIGRE Study Committee 12 (Transformers), published in Electra No. 88, January
1983.
[B16] IEEE Std 493-1997, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems.

B.5 Guides to equipment monitoring

[B17] Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), “CEA Project No. 485T1049 On-line Condition
Monitoring of Substation Power Equipment—Utility Needs” January 1997.
[B18] IEEE Std C37.10.1™, IEEE Guide for the Selection of Monitoring for Circuit Breakers.
[B19] A value based methodology for selecting on-line condition monitoring of substation power
equipment. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Substation Equipment Diagnostics Conference V,
New Orleans, Louisiana February 17–19, 1997.

B.6 Circuit breaker reference books

[B20] Power Circuit Breaker Theory and Design, edited by Charles H. Flurscheim, IEE Power Engineering
Series 1, Published by Peter Peregrinus Ltd., London, United Kingdom, 1982.
[B21] Circuit Interruption: Theory and Techniques, edited by Thomas E. Browne, Jr., Electrical
Engineering and Electronics/21, Published by Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1984.
[B22] SF6 Switchgear, by H M Ryan & GR Jones, IEE Power Engineering Series 10, Published by Peter
Peregrinus Ltd., London, United Kingdom, 1989.
[B23] High Voltage Circuit Breakers: Design and Applications, by Ruben D. Garzon, Published by Marcel
Dekker, Inc. 2002.

B.7 Circuit breaker tutorials

[B24] IEEE Tutorial: “Design and Application of Power Circuit Breakers”—PES General Meeting,
Pittsburgh, July 2008. (Series of circuit breaker tutorials are available at
http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/switchgear/TechPres.htm.)

14
Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), Research & Development, Suite 1600, One Westmount Square, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada, H3Z 2P9.

B.8 Circuit breaker standards—USA

The following standards have been listed in chronological order since numbering, scope, and issuing
agencies have changed over time. It is suggested that users of this guide refer to standards that are older
than the date of manufacture of the circuit breaker being investigated unless there is knowledge that the
circuit breaker was designed to an even earlier version of standard. Reaffirmed standards are listed for
completeness.

[B25] IEEE C2-2012, National Electrical Safety Code®, (NESC®). 15

[B26] IEEE Std C37.06™-2009, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis—Preferred Ratings and Related Required Capabilities for Voltages Above
1000 V.
[B27] IEEE Std C37.015™-2009, IEEE Guide for the Application of Shunt Reactor Switching.
[B28] IEEE Std C37.013™-1997(Reaff 2008), IEEE standard for AC high-voltage generator circuit
breakers rated on a symmetrical current basis.
[B29] IEEE C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code®, (NESC®).
[B30] IEEE Std C37.09™-1999 (Reaff 2007), IEEE Standard Test Procedure for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis
[B31] IEEE Std C37.20.6™-2007, IEEE Standard for 4.76 kV to 38 kV Rated Ground and Test Devices
Used in Enclosures.
[B32] IEEE Std C37.20.7™-2007, IEEE Guide for Testing Metal-Enclosed Switchgear Rated up to 38 kV
for Internal Arcing Faults.
[B33] IEEE Std C37.59™-2007, IEEE Standard Requirements for Conversion of Power Switchgear
Equipment.
[B34] IEEE Std C37.100.1™-2007, IEEE Standard of Common Requirements for High Voltage Power
Switchgear Rated Above 1000 V.
[B35] IEEE Std C37.04-1999 (Reaff 2006), IEEE Standard Rating Structure for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers (ANSI).
[B36] IEEE Std C37.016™-2006, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Circuit Switcher rated 15.5 kV
through 245 kV.
[B37] IEEE Std C37.010™-1999 (Reaff 2005), IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B38] IEEE Std C37.011™-2005, IEEE Application Guide for Transient Recovery Voltage for AC High-
Voltage Circuit Breakers.
[B39] IEEE Std C37.012™-2005, IEEE Application Guide for Capacitance Current Switching for AC
High-Voltage Circuit Breakers.
[B40] IEEE Std C37.11™-1997 (Reaff 2003), IEEE Standard Requirements for Electrical Control for AC
High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis (ANSI).
[B41] IEEE C2-2002, National Electrical Safety Code.
[B42] IEEE Std C37.59-2002, IEEE Standard Requirements for Conversion of Power Switchgear
Equipment.

15
The NESC is available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
(http://standards.ieee.org/).

[B43] ANSI C37.06.1-2000, American National Standard Guide for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated
on Symmetrical Current Basis Designated “Definite Purpose for Fast Transient Recovery Voltage Rise
Times.”
[B44] IEEE Std C37.04-1999, IEEE Standard Rating Structure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
(ANSI).
[B45] IEEE Std C37.09-1999, IEEE Standard Test Procedure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers rated
on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B46] IEEE Std C37.010-1999, IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B47] IEEE Std C37.083-1999, IEEE Guide for Synthetic Capacitive Current Switching Tests of AC High-
Voltage Circuit Breakers.
[B48] IEEE Std C37.14-1999, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures.
[B49] IEEE C37.20.2-1999 IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad Switchgear.
[B50] IEEE Std C37.11-1997, IEEE Standard Requirements for Electrical Control for AC High-Voltage
Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B51] IEEE Std C37.59-1996, IEEE Standard Requirements for Conversion of Power Switchgear
Equipment.
[B52] IEEE Std C37.011-1994, IEEE Application Guide for Transient Recovery Voltage for AC High-
Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B53] IEEE Std C37.013-1993, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on
a Symmetrical Current.
[B54] IEEE Std C37.015-1993, IEEE Application Guide for Shunt Reactor Switching.
[B55] IEEE C37.20.2-1993, IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad and Station Type Cubicle Switchgear.
[B56] IEEE Std C37.14-1992, IEEE Standards for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures.
[B57] IEEE Std C37.100-1992 (Reaff 2001), IEEE Standard Definitions for Power Switchgear (ANSI).
[B58] IEEE Std C37.59-1991, IEEE Standard Requirements for Conversion of Power Switchgear
Equipment.
[B59] IEEE C2-1990, National Electrical Safety Code.
[B60] IEEE Std C37.13-1990, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures
[B61] IEEE Std C37.013-1989, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on
a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B62] IEEE C2-1987, National Electrical Safety Code.
[B63] IEEE C37.20.2-1987 IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad and Station-Type Cubicle Switchgear
[B64] IEEE C2-1984, National Electrical Safety Code.
[B65] IEEE C2-1981, National Electrical Safety Code.
[B66] IEEE Std C37.081-1981, IEEE Guide for Synthetic Fault Testing of AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B67] IEEE Std C37.13-1981, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures—ANSI/IEEE C37.13-1981.

[B68] ANSI/IEEE C37.04-1079, IEEE Standard Rating Structure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B69] ANSI C37.06-1979, Preferred Ratings and Related Required Capabilities.
[B70] ANSI/IEEE Std C37.09-1979, IEEE Standard Test Procedure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B71] ANSI/IEEE Std C37.010-1979, IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B72] ANSI/IEEE Std C37.011-1979, IEEE Application Guide for Transient Recovery Voltage for AC
High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B73] ANSI/IEEE Std C37.012-1979, IEEE Application Guide for Capacitance Current Switching for AC
High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B74] IEEE Std C37.14™-1979, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures.
[B75] ANSI C37.0731-1973, Application Guide for Capacitive Current Switching.
[B76] ANSI C37.079-1973, Method of Testing Circuit Breakers When Rated for Out-of-Phase Switching.
[B77] ANSI C37.073-1972, Requirements for Capacitive Current Switching.
[B78] ANSI C37.0732-1972, Preferred Ratings for Capacitive Current Switching.
[B79] ANSI C37.074-1972, Requirements for Switching Impulse Voltage Insulation Strength.
[B80] ANSI C37.076-1972, Requirements for Pressurized Components.
[B81] ANSI C37.078-1972, Requirements for External Insulation.
[B82] ANSI C37.081-1972, Test Values for External Insulation.
[B83] ANSI C37.11-1972, Requirements for Electrical Control on AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis and a Total Current Basis.
[B84] ANSI C37.072-1971, Requirements for Transient Recovery Voltage.
[B85] ANSI C37.0721-1971, Application Guide for Transient Recovery Voltage.
[B86] ANSI C37.0722-1971, Transient Recovery Voltage Ratings.
[B87] ANSI C37.071-1969, Requirements for Line Closing Switching Surge Control.
[B88] ANSI C37.12-1969, Guide Specifications for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis and a Total Current Basis.
[B89] ANSI C37.03-1964, Definitions.
[B90] ANSI C37.04-1964, Rating Structure.
[B91] ANSI C37.05-1964, Measurement of Voltage and Current Waves.
[B92] ANSI C37.06-1964, Schedules of Preferred Ratings for Power Circuit Breakers.
[B93] ANSI C37.07-1964, Reclosing Factors.
[B94] ANSI C37.09-1964, Test Code for Power Circuit Breakers.
[B95] ANSI C37.010-1964, IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis.
[B96] ANSI C37.4-1953, AC Power Circuit Breakers.
[B97] ANSI C37.5-1953, Methods for Determining the RMS Value of a Sinusoidal Current Wave and
Normal-Frequency Recovery Voltage, and for Simplified Calculation of Fault Currents.

[B98] ANSI C37.6-1953, Schedules of Preferred Ratings for Power Circuit Breakers.
[B99] ANSI C37.9-1953, Test Code for Power Circuit Breakers.
[B100] ANSI C37.7-1952, Interrupting Rating Factors for Reclosing Service.
[B101] ANSI C37.8-1952, Rated Control Voltages and their Ranges.
[B102] ANSI C37.12-1952, Guide for Specifications for Alternating Current Power Circuit Breakers.

B.9 Circuit breaker standards and technical reports—IEC

[B103] IEC 60050-441 ed2.0, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary. Switchgear, controlgear and
fuses.
[B104] IEC 62271-110 ed2.0 (2009-01), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 110: Inductive
load switching.
[B105] IEC/TR 62271-305 ed1.0 (2009-11), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 305:
Capacitive current switching capability of air-insulated disconnectors for rated voltages above 52 kV.
[B106] IEC/TR 62271-303 ed1.0 (2008-07), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 303: Use and
handling of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
[B107] IEC 62271-100 ed2.0 (2008-04), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 100: Alternating
current circuit-breakers.
[B108] IEC/TS 62271-304 ed1.0 (2008-05), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 304: Design
classes for indoor enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV up to and including
52 kV to be used in severe climatic conditions.
[B109] IEC/TR 62271-310 ed2.0 (2008-03), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 310:
Electrical endurance testing for circuit-breakers above a rated voltage of 52 kV.
[B110] IEC 62271-1 ed1.0 (2007-10), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 1: Common
specifications.
[B111] IEC 62271-3 ed1.0 (2006-06), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 3: Digital interfaces
based on IEC 61850.
[B112] IEC 62271-201 ed1.0 (2006-06), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 201: AC
insulation-enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including
52 kV.
[B113] IEC 62271-202 ed1.0 (2006-06), IEC 62271-202 ed1.0, High-voltage switchgear and
controlgear—Part 202: High-voltage/low voltage prefabricated substation.
[B114] CIGRE 304 October 2006, Guide for Application of IEC 62271-100 and IEC 62271-1 Part 1
General Subjects.
[B115] CIGRE 305 October 2006, Guide for Application of IEC 62271-100 and IEC 62271-1 Part 2
Making and Breaking Tests.
[B116] IEC/TR 62271-300 ed1.0 (2006-11), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 300: Seismic
qualification of alternating current circuit-breakers.
[B117] IEC 60422 ed3.0 (2005-10), Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment—Supervision and
maintenance guidance.
[B118] IEC 60376 ed2.0 (2005-06), Specification of technical grade sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for use in
electrical equipment.
[B119] IEC 60480 ed2.0 (2004-10), Guidelines for the checking and treatment of sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6) taken from electrical equipment and specification for its re-use.

[B120] IEC 62271-200 ed1.0 (2003-11), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—Part 200: A.C. metal-
enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV.
[B121] IEC 61958 ed1.0 (2000-11) High-voltage prefabricated switchgear and controlgear assemblies—
Voltage presence indicating systems.
[B122] IEC/TR 62063 ed1.0 (1999-08), High-voltage switchgear and controlgear—The use of electronic
and associated technologies in auxiliary equipment of switchgear and controlgear.
[B123] IEC 60056-am3 ed4.0 (1996-10), Amendment 3—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers.
[B124] IEC 60056-am2 ed4.0 (1995-03), Amendment 2—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers.
[B125] IEC 60056-am1 ed4.0 (1992-11), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers.
[B126] IEC 60056-4-am3 ed3.0 (1981-06), amendment 3—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 4: Type tests and routine tests.
[B127] IEC 60056-1-am2 ed3.0 (1981-04), Amendment 2—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 1: General and definitions.
[B128] IEC 60056-6-am2 ed3.0 (1981-04), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 6: Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders and rules for transport,
erection and maintenance.
[B129] IEC 60056-5-am2 ed3.0 (1981-04), Amendment 2—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 5: Rules for the selection of circuit-breakers for service.
[B130] IEC 60056-1 ed3.2 Consol. with am1&2 (1981-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 1: General and definitions.
[B131] IEC 60056-4 ed3.2 Consol. with am1&2 (1978-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 4: Type tests and routine tests.
[B132] IEC 60056-2-am3 ed3.0 (1977-11), Amendment 3—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 2: Rating.
[B133] IEC 60056-4-am1 ed3.0 (1975-12), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 4: Type tests and routine tests.
[B134] IEC 60056-4-am2 ed3.0 (1977-12), Amendment 2—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 4: Type tests and routine tests.
[B135] IEC 60056-1-am1 ed3.0 (1975-10), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 1: General and definitions.
[B136] IEC 60056-2-am2 ed3.0 (1975-10), Amendment 2—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 2: Rating.
[B137] IEC 60056-3-am1 ed3.0 (1975-09), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 3: Design and construction.
[B138] IEC 60056-5-am1 ed3.0 (1975-09), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 5: Rules for the selection of circuit-breakers for service.
[B139] IEC 60056-6-am1 ed3.0 (1975-09), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 6: Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders and rules for transport,
erection and maintenance.
[B140] IEC 60056-3 ed3.1 Consol. with am1 (1975-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers
—Part 3: Design and construction.

[B141] IEC 60056-5 ed3.1 Consol. with am1 (1975-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers
—Part 5: Rules for the selection of circuit-breakers for service.
[B142] IEC 60056-6 ed3.1 Consol. with am1 (1975-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers
—Part 6: Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders and rules for transport, erection and
maintenance.
[B143] IEC 60056-4A ed1.0 (1974-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 4: Type
tests and routine tests—Appendix E: Methods of determining prospective transient recovery voltage waves.
[B144] IEC 60056-2-am1 ed3.0 (1972-07), Amendment 1—High-voltage alternating-current circuit-
breakers—Part 2: Rating.
[B145] IEC 60056-4 ed3.0 (1972-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 4: Type
tests and routine tests.
[B146] IEC 60056-1 ed3.0 (1971-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 1: General
and definitions.
[B147] IEC 60056-2 ed3.0 (1971-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 2: Rating.
[B148] IEC 60056-3 ed3.0 (1971-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 3: Design
and construction.
[B149] IEC 60056-5 ed3.0 (1971-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 5: Rules for
the selection of circuit-breakers for service.
[B150] IEC 60056-6 ed3.0 (1971-01), High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 6:
Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders and rules for transport, erection and
maintenance.
[B151] IEC 60056-4-am1 ed1.0 (1965-04), Amendment 1—IEC specification for alternating current
circuit-breakers—Chapter 4: Rules for the erection and maintenance of circuit-breakers in service.
[B152] IEC 60056-5 ed1.0 (1963-01), Specification for alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 5:
Guide to the field testing of circuit-breakers with respect to the switching of overhead lines on no-load.
[B153] IEC 60056-6 ed1.0 (1963-01), Specification for alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 6:
Guide to the testing of circuit-breakers with respect to the switching of cables on no-load.
[B154] IEC 60056-7 ed1.0 (1963-01), Specification for alternating-current circuit-breakers—Part 7:
Guide to the testing of circuit-breakers with respect to the switching of shunt capacitor banks.
[B155] IEC 60056-1B ed1.0 (1962-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—
Chapter 1: Rules for short-circuit conditions, concerning the asymmetrical breaking capacity of circuit-
breakers.
[B156] IEC 60056-1A ed2.0 (1959-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—
Chapter 1: Rules for short-circuit conditions.
[B157] IEC 60056-3 ed1.0 (1959-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—Chapter
2: Rules for normal load conditions—Part 2: Rules for operating conditions—Part 3: Co-ordination of rated
voltages, rated breaking-capacities and rated normal currents.
[B158] IEC 60056-4 ed1.0 (1959-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—Chapter
4: Rules for the erection and maintenance of circuit-breakers in service.
[B159] IEC 60056-2 ed1.0 (1955-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—Chapter
2: Rules for normal load conditions - Rules for temperature-rise.
[B160] IEC 60056-2 ed2.0 (1955-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—Chapter
2: Rules for normal load conditions - Rules for temperature-rise.
[B161] IEC 60056-1 ed2.0 (1954-01), IEC specification for alternating current circuit-breakers—Chapter
1: Rules for short-circuit conditions.

[B162] IEC 60056 ed1.0 (1937-01), IEC specification for alternating-current circuit-breakers.

B.10 Switchgear standards—Canada

[B163] EEMAC G8-3.1, EEMAC Standard for Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage Power Circuit Breaker
Switchgear G8-3.1.
[B164] EEMAC G8-3.2, 1989, EEMAC Standard for Metal-Clad and Station-Type Cubicle Switchgear
G8-3.2.
[B165] EEMAC G14-1, 1987, Procedure for Testing the Resistance of Metalclad Switchgear under
Conditions of Arcing due to an Internal Fault.

B.11 Other references

[B166] NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.
[B167] IEEE Std 1584™, IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations.

Annex C

(informative)

Circuit breaker design and construction

C.1 Overview

This annex is intended to describe the principal features, interruption mediums, mechanisms, and methods
of operation of various types of circuit breakers, from current offerings to older technologies still in use
today. It is not to be considered to cover every possible model or variation offered by every manufacturer,
but a representative assortment of common types used through the industry in various applications.

C.2 Purpose

The purpose of this annex is to assist the user in identifying and understanding the general principles of
how each type of circuit breaker functions. Circuit breakers will be separated by the following broad
categories:

a) Physical location
b) Voltage and current ranges
c) Interruption mediums
d) Mechanism types

C.3 Types of circuit breakers

Circuit breakers are mechanical switching devices capable of making and breaking currents under either
normal or specified abnormal (short circuit) conditions on the power system. 16

Power circuit breakers covered by this document can be broadly segregated into one of two categories,
indoor or outdoor construction. Each type performs the same basic functions, connecting a load to a source
through an interrupting device, but differs in its execution according to the physical constraints associated
with its construction. Further distinctions can be made by consideration of circuit breaker voltage, power
frequency, insulation types and levels, and current ratings for both continuous and short circuit levels.

Indoor power circuit breakers are typically incorporated into some type of common physical structure
specifically designed and constructed to house the circuit breaker and its connections to a source and load.
In most cases, the indoor circuit breaker support structure, or switchgear, is not used for a single device, but
more likely found to contain multiple circuit breakers arranged to feed multiple loads from a single source
or supply. Voltages for indoor power circuit breakers range up to 38 kV and sometimes higher. The
majority of circuit breakers encountered will be for an AC power supply. DC power circuit breakers are
commonly applied at 250 V dc and below but are available for transit applications up to 3200 V.
Continuous current levels up to 12,000 A and interrupting levels up to 200,000 amperes are available.
Indoor circuit breakers can be supplied as fix mounted devices or devices that are removable from the
switchgear structure in the normal course of operations and maintenance. Generator circuit breakers can
have interrupting ratings up to approximately 275 kA.

Outdoor power circuit breakers are typically physically independent devices designed and constructed as
free standing objects. They are connected to a source and load by aerial cabling or bus structures. While
multiple outdoor circuit breakers are usually located in electrical power substations and in close proximity

16
Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, 15th Edition, page 10-64.

to each other, each device is separate from adjacent units; having its own mounting foundation and
isolation means. Outdoor circuit breakers are not intended to be removed during normal operation and
maintenance. Voltages for outdoor power circuit breakers range from 5 kV up to 800 kV or higher. While
most outdoor circuit breakers are encountered in multiple pole AC formats, higher voltage single pole DC
breakers are available for specific transmission applications. Continuous current levels range from 600 up
to 6000 amperes and interrupting levels up to 80,000 amperes or higher.

In general terms, most indoor power circuit breakers are used in distribution level supply of electric power
and outdoor power circuit breakers are used in transmission level applications. Distribution level infers a
more localized use of power at lower voltage levels for specific customers or loads. Transmission level use
infers a broader movement of electric power from a source to a location across greater distances at higher
voltages. Examples of distribution level circuit breaker use may be individual circuit breakers feeding
specific loads, such as transformers, pumps or motors. An example of transmission level circuit breaker use
may be found in the incoming main circuit breaker at a utility substation from a transmission line feeding a
step down transformer, or in a utility substation switching loads from one source to another as power
demands change.

C.4 Interruption mediums of circuit breakers

The earliest means of interrupting and switching electrical current was the exposed open air knife switch
made of copper blades mounted on a slate surface. While effective, it was not the safest or cleanest method.
Advancements in technology have produced multiple other methods of current interruption that have
yielded better results suited to specific applications. Over the past 100 years, circuit breakers have been
developed to interrupt current using air, oil, gas, and vacuum as the primary insulating medium with great
success. Each medium has its own strengths and weaknesses making some more suited to specific
applications and voltages than others.

Circuit breakers using air, at atmospheric pressure, as the primary interrupting medium are predominantly
used in low voltage (< 1000 V ac and < 3200 V dc) applications. These devices may use multiple electrical
contacts to conduct the main current flow separate from the closing and opening events. These secondary
contacts are typically arranged to close before the main contact and open after the main contacts have
separated. This prevents undue arcing wear on the main contacts and extends the operational life of the
device. As the main contacts part, current still flows through the secondary contacts for a short period of
time. This allows the main contacts to reach a dielectric strength exceeding that of the secondary contacts,
ensuring all arcing during the interruption occurs at the secondary contact surfaces. These secondary
contacts usually have a wear material of silver-tungsten or copper-tungsten alloy on the working surface.
When the contacts close, the secondary contacts make before the primary contacts, allowing any prestrike
arcing to occur on the secondary contacts, leaving the primary contact surfaces clean and well preserved.
By keeping the main contacts free of arcing damage, they are better able to conduct high continuous
currents without excessive resistance and heat losses.

During an opening event, the arc is drawn between the two secondary contacts and elongated, deionized,
and cooled by dispersion across ablative plates in arc chutes. As the arc is elongated, the arc voltage
increases until the arc can no longer sustain or reignite after a current zero crossing and it is extinguished.
As the contacts continue to move towards the fully open position, the distance between them increases and
the dielectric strength becomes fully established. Unassisted air interruption was possible at lower voltages,
but as the system voltage increased above 1000 V it became more and more difficult to quench the arc in a
reasonable amount of space and bulk oil breakers (see below) were the predominant technology for high-
voltage circuit breakers for many years. Assisting technologies to force the electrical arc into the arc chutes
were eventually developed in the early 1940s and these included blasts of compressed air (see below) to
push the arc into the arc chutes, and electro-magnets (powered by a portion of the fault current diverted for
just such a purpose) to pull the arc to its demise. Contact movement during interruption is usually between
3 in to 6 in for voltages up to 15 kV, depending upon the specific rating of the device. Typical air magnetic
power circuit breakers operate in 3 cycles to 7 cycles from a trip command to interruption.

NOTE—Arc chutes were often constructed with some proportion of asbestos to resist the high temperatures of the
electrical arc; although tightly bound to the base material and not easily released to the atmosphere (known as
‘non-friable’ asbestos) should these types of arc chutes be severely abraded they may release dust they can become a
hazard. The use of asbestos in some cases continued through the 1970s and appropriate care should be taken when
investigating accidents involving early vintage air circuit breakers. Similarly, abrasive cleaning of arc-chutes to remove
carbon deposits should NEVER be undertaken on asbestos arc chutes—regardless of what advice may be given in the
1950s vintage instruction bulletins!

Oil was developed as the next interruption medium for circuit breakers. The device usually consisted of a
tank filled with transformer oil and the separable contacts immersed inside with current carrying bushings
of some type passing through the tank to allow connection to source and load. These were referred to as
bulk oil circuit breakers. The mechanism to drive the contact movement would normally be located outside
the tank and could consist of a spring charged, hydraulic, solenoid, or other stored energy type. As contacts
part in the oil, an arc would establish between the two surfaces and continue until the length of the arc and
dielectric strength of the oil quenched the arc after a current zero event and established an open condition
of suitable length to prevent reignition. As the design evolved, additional features were added to increase
the performance of the circuit breaker, including deionization grids, oil blasts across the arc path, oil tank
vents, and the use of multiple interrupters. These additional features increased the operational voltage for
oil breakers to upper transmission levels. As a by product of this arcing under oil event, free hydrocarbons
formed in the oil and would degrade the dielectric strength of the oil unless it was maintained by filtering or
replacement of the oil at periodic intervals. Typical oil power circuit breakers operate in 3 to 8 cycles from
a trip command to interruption with interrupting ratings to 63 kA.

Air blast circuit breakers were developed later as a byproduct of the air circuit breakers for use at higher
voltages and the desire for interruption not requiring the use of oil. Clean dry compressed air is directed
across the open contact gap to lengthen the arc until it can no longer sustain and extinguishes at a zero
crossing. These circuit breakers used several different methods of storing and delivering the compressed
air, depending on the voltage and interrupting ratings required. In most cases, these units also used the
same air supply to pneumatically operate the circuit breaker mechanism that opened and closed the contact
structure. While the majority of air blast circuit breakers were fix mounted outdoor types and intended for
high voltage, some were available in truck mounted configurations suitable for drawout metal-clad
switchgear applications at voltages less than 38 kV. The benefits of air blast circuit breakers were very fast
operation, 2 cycles or less from trip command to arc extinguishment, high continuous current levels, high
current interruptions, and high frequency of operation.

A second generation type of oil circuit breaker was developed later, known as a minimum oil type. These
units used a much smaller volume of oil in an interrupter chamber, usually segregated by individual poles.
Inside each interrupter, oil was directed in streams by the movement of the contacts, in hydraulic fashion,
to blow through the arc path, lengthening and cooling the arc, until it extinguished and established
dielectric strength across the open gap. In these minimum oil type circuit breakers, the individual pole
interrupters were supported by porcelain or other type insulators and were not dependent on the oil itself to
provide the electrical isolation from ground.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) circuit breakers were developed when its propensity for quenching an electrical
arc and insulating electrical components was found. SF6 gas is colorless, odorless, non-flammable, and non-
toxic at standard temperature and pressure. It is approximately 5 times denser than normal atmospheric air.
SF6 has very high thermal conductivity and high specific heat at temperatures above 2000 °K. These
attributes contribute to the cooling of the interrupting arc plasma at or near a current zero and help quench
the arc. It also exhibits electronegative behavior, or the ability to capture free electrons and form negative
ions. This last attribute allows it to achieve high dielectric strength after an arc interruption faster than some
other mediums, meaning higher recovery voltages earlier in the interruption sequence of events.

Contact structures with primary current carrying capacity are used in conjunction with secondary arcing
contacts and arranged to direct gas through the arc as the contacts separate. Several different methods have
been used to generate the gas stream used in the interruption. First generation SF6 circuit breakers relied on
stored gas at high pressure to be directed at the arc during interruption. Second generation SF6 circuit

breakers rely on the moving contact compressing lower pressure gas in one portion of the interrupter and
forcing it though a nozzle directed at or near the arc; these are referred to as puffer designs. A refinement of
the puffer design is the self-blast interrupter. In the self-blast design, the arc heats and compresses the
surrounding gas which flows into the self-blast chamber causing a high pressure to develop. (In the self-
blast design, the gas contained in a thermal volume is compressed and heated by arc energy causing a high
pressure to develop. This high pressure is used to cool the arc near current zero and to interrupt the current.)
Since the interrupting chamber is already full of cold temperature gas, the chamber is now filled with high
pressure and moderate temperature gas. This full pressure in the self-blast chamber is used to extinguish the
arc near current-zero. Typical circuit breakers range from drawout metal-clad circuit breaker applications at
5 kV to 38 kV and up to the highest rated outdoor circuit breaker at 800 kV (and above).

The SF6 gas can be used inside an interrupter assembly only, as the medium containing the arc that occurs
during circuit interruption, or it can be also be used inside a pressure vessel containing an entire circuit
breaker assembly to provide additional insulation. When used inside a pressure vessel containing the entire
circuit breaker assembly, it is referred to as Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS). The additional SF6 gas allows
components of different electrical potential to be located closer and still maintain the dielectric strength
needed. GIS circuit breakers are frequently used indoors to handle voltages and currents that would require
much larger physical structures if the insulation medium was air. A typical 38qkV GIS circuit breaker can
occupy a space equal to a conventional 15 kV metal-clad switchgear section. Connections to the circuit
breaker require bushings of some type to penetrate the gas-tight pressure vessel for both power and control
circuits. The closed environmental system of GIS equipment requires no external vent requirements and
keeps the equipment cleaner than comparable air insulated devices, making for much lower maintenance
requirements than previously described circuit breakers. SF6 circuit breaker contact travel and operating
speeds are similar to air magnetic circuit breakers of similar ratings.

Development on interrupting current in a near perfect vacuum began next. Several commercial entities
worked independently developing the vacuum interrupter. The interrupter element consists of two copper
alloy contacts, one stationary and one movable, inside a sealed chamber surrounded by a very high vacuum,
usually approximately 10–4 Pa or lower. Allowing contact movement while maintaining vacuum integrity is
achieved through the use of thin flexible metal bellows brazed or welded between the outer body of the
interrupter assembly and the moving contact stem. Contact movement required for circuit interruption in
vacuum is much smaller than comparably rated air, gas, or oil devices. The energy required to move the
contact only a short distance, 12 mm or less for 15 kV ratings, lead to development of smaller, faster, and
quieter circuit breakers ideally suited for use inside metal-clad switchgear. Typical vacuum circuit breaker
operation is 3 cycles to 5 cycles from a trip command to interruption. Service life of a vacuum circuit
breaker depends on the specific ratings of the device, but may average 10,000 mechanical operations or
more with little maintenance compared to other types. Currently, vacuum interrupters are widely used in
indoor circuit breakers for metal-clad switchgear from 2.5 kV up to 38 kV and current ratings up to 5000 A
or more. Some outdoor circuit breakers also use vacuum interrupters. Multiple interrupters can be arranged
in series to successfully interrupt higher currents and voltages.

Variations in copper alloy contact material influence performance of interruption, current carrying capacity,
and longevity. Each manufacturer of vacuum interrupters varies the alloy composition and shape of the
contact based on the specific requirements of the application. Motor starter contactors requiring higher
numbers of operation at lower interruption current use a different alloy material and shape than power
circuit breakers that would see fewer higher short circuit current interruptions. Simple butt contacts, spiral
shaped contacts, and multiple varieties of axial magnetic contacts are all available inside vacuum
interrupters depending on the intended duty, voltage, and interrupting current levels.

In all cases, vacuum interrupters use only one set of contacts, there are no separate arcing contacts. During
interruption, an arc is established inside the interrupter vessel as the contacts move apart. In most cases, the
contacts are convex shaped, with the centermost portion higher than the outermost edges. Additional
geometric features may be present in the domed shape to lengthen the distance from the center of the
electrode to the outer edge as measured across the surface. These shapes, allow the highest points of the
contact to carry the continuous current when the contacts are closed, but force the arc to the perimeter of
the contact during interruption. In this manner, the center of the contact could be considered the primary

contact surface and the outer edges the arcing surface. A strong arc forms between the primary surfaces
when the contacts separate during interruption. The single strong arc quickly breaks down to several
smaller less intense arcs and moves towards the outer edges due to magnetic forces and interaction with the
metallic contact shield inside the interrupter. As the arcs move towards the outer edges of the contacts,
where the distance between contact surfaces are longer, they lengthen and cool to the point that the arc
cannot sustain after a current zero and is extinguished. Metal vapor from the arc recombines with the
contact and shield components and high dielectric strength across the open gap is quickly restored. Because
of the shorter distances needed for interruption, vacuum circuit breakers operate faster and with less energy
required. Typical vacuum breakers operate in 3 cycles to 5 cycles and move the contacts less than 25 mm
(1 in) apart for up 38 kV applications.

Other new technologies, such as solid state circuit interruption, are being developed currently, but not
readily available for commercial use.

C.5 Mechanisms of circuit breakers

Many power circuit breakers use some type of stored energy to allow instant operation after sometimes
extended periods of inactivity. Solenoid operated circuit breakers and some LV MO circuit breakers do not
use stored energy. Whether it is the 800 kV outdoor circuit breaker at the utility switchyard or the 15 A
panel board circuit breaker in your home, it is expected to work quietly providing current as needed, but
open instantly when required to interrupt a fault or overload.

Typical power circuit breakers use spring energy, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, solenoids, or
permanent magnets to release the stored energy as needed. To satisfy the performance requirements of the
design tests noted in IEEE Std C37.09, IEEE Std C37.013, and IEEE Std C37.016, a power circuit breaker
must be able to open from a closed state on command. They must also be able to close again (either 0.3 or
15 s) into a short circuit fault, hold for a specified short duration (typically 1 s or 2 s, depending on rating)
and open again, if the circuit breaker is rated for recloser duty. Protection and control devices may open the
circuit breaker faster than the specified “hold” time. All high-voltage power circuit breakers can perform an
open, close, and open sequence without the need for a time delay to recharge springs or rebuild operating
pressure. This allows the circuit breaker to clear a fault on the circuit, then close again and clear once more
if the fault is still present, almost instantaneously. This is a very common occurrence during storms in areas
with overhead distribution lines.

In spring charged mechanism types, a motor or other device compresses a main spring to charge the
operating mechanism. Various manufacturers use extension or compression, springs, depending on their
specific design requirements. Once the operating mechanism is charged, the spring energy can be used to
drive linkages that will move the primary electrical contacts from an open position to the closed position.
Once the main spring has been discharged, the circuit breaker will automatically recharge the main spring
unless the power source has been deactivated. As the main spring discharges, on most spring charged
mechanisms, a second smaller spring charges in preparation for opening the circuit breaker. These springs
are sized according to the energy required to move the contacts together under a short circuit condition.
Closing the electrical contacts into the electromagnetic repulsive forces requires more energy than opening
them. When opening the contacts under short circuit conditions, the electromagnetic repulsive forces assist
the contacts to move apart. This translates into most main springs or closing springs being larger than the
corresponding opening springs. This differential in spring energy allows the action of the main spring to
charge the opening springs and close the circuit breaker at the same time, depending on the specific design.

With the primary electrical contacts in the closed position and the main spring charged, the operating
mechanism is poised to open the electrical contacts upon command by discharging the opening spring
energy. At this point, immediately after an opening command, the main spring is still compressed or
charged and can be discharged to close the contacts again if required. This second closing command will
then move the contacts together again and charge the opening spring again, allowing a second opening of
the contacts upon command. This allows the circuit breaker to satisfy the reclosing duty operation of an

open command, close command, and open command in rapid succession without the need for additional
time to recharge the operating springs.

As prescribed by the circuit breaker design requirements in IEEE Std C37.04, IEEE Std C37.013, and IEEE
Std C37.016, and production tests in IEEE Std C37.09, IEEE Std C37.013, and IEEE Std C37.016,
performance of a circuit breaker operating mechanism is mandated to include the ability of an opening
command to prevail of a closing command. This is condition is described as trip-free, either mechanically
when performed using the manual controls or electrically when performed using the control circuitry. It is
an important feature that provides additional safety in the design of a power circuit breaker. If an operator
has mechanically locked and tagged a circuit breaker so other work can be performed on the device fed by
the circuit breaker, any attempt to inadvertently close the circuit breaker by an unknowing third party will
be thwarted by the circuit breaker’s trip free condition. While this feature is a valuable tool, it will never
replace or supersede proper training and procedures.

Hydraulic and pneumatic circuit breaker mechanisms perform the same role of providing energy to drive
the primary electrical contacts, but differ in their energy storage means. Typically an electric motor of some
type is used to power a pump or compressor that pressurizes the hydraulic fluid or air system. Depending
on the size of the circuit breaker, this device may be “on-board” or provided by a separate source. As the
circuit breaker is operated, a portion of the pressurized fluid or air is discharged from an accumulator or
storage tank to provide the operating mechanism motion. Pressure monitoring switches are used to
determine the condition of the stored energy level of the mechanism and interconnected with the control
circuitry to prevent operation if minimum energy levels are not present. In some cases, hybrid operating
mechanisms utilize pressurized fluid to close or trip the circuit breaker and a spring for the other function.

C.5.1 Solenoid operated mechanism

The earliest type of automatic closing mechanism on high-voltage power circuit breakers was the solenoid
mechanism. It consisted of a large stationary frame with a moving soft iron core which drove a series of
mechanical linkages culminating in the main contacts of the circuit breaker. As the main contacts reached
their fully closed position, they would be held in place by a mechanical latch. This closing motion also
charged the opening springs of the circuit breaker against the need for subsequent opening of the circuit
breaker. The requirement to be able to close main contacts of the circuit breaker against the electromagnetic
forces of a full bolted fault as well as simultaneously charge the opening springs required a solenoid of
substantial power and considerable current draw, some breakers requiring up to 300 A at 230 V ac. Due to
the energy requirements necessary to close solenoid breakers, these type of mechanisms had not on-board
stored energy for closing. Without an external source of closing power, no method of safely closing the
circuit breakers onto an energized bus was possible. While closing required a large amount of electrical
power, the opening was driven by opening springs and required only enough energy to release the trip latch
of the breaker.

Although simple in concept, these solenoid mechanisms sometimes incorporated sophisticated mechanisms
including pneumatic damping as part of the main plunger assembly with a check-valve to properly damp
the velocity of the plunger on closing but allow for rapid opening and finely balanced and machined trip
latches to provide for reliable latching of the mechanism in the closed position yet allow for rapid and low
energy opening of the circuit breaker—occasionally directly powered by on-board current transformers,
even for high-voltage circuit breakers. Controlling the high closing currents required a substantial contactor
in its own right which also required maintenance or periodic renewal. For the sake of efficiency DC
solenoids were preferred, this would however necessitate the use of either on-board or panel mounted
rectifiers of the necessary capacity, early rectifiers, such as of the copper and lead-plate variety, were prone
to increasing internal resistance as they aged and resistors to adjust the output voltage were often provided.

Because the solenoid provided only the closing energy and would be pushed back to the open position in
the event the mechanical latch was tripped, these solenoids are mono-stable devices (e.g., left to their own
devices they will return to one position—open).

C.5.2 Bi-stable magnetic operating mechanism

A more modern incarnation of the solenoid operating mechanism is the bi-stable magnetic actuator.
Although often confused with the venerable solenoid operator due to their basic similarity in operating
principles, several distinct differences in the two devices make them unique devices: First, the main
operating actuator consists of a permanent magnetic armature of sufficient strength to hold the circuit
breaker in either the closed or the open position without the need for a mechanical latch. There are no
opening springs; instead one or two coils act as flux shifters to nullify and/or overcome the permanent
magnet’s force and move the mechanism to its alternate position. Second, the energy necessary to
accomplish this flux shifting and mechanism state change is stored on-board the circuit breaker with
capacitors.

The removal of opening springs and the associated mechanical trip latch along with the greatly simplified
energy storage mechanism greatly reduces the number of mechanical components and moving parts.
Although not necessary to the construction of a bi-stable magnetic operating mechanism it is common for
manufacturers to extend this reduction of moving parts to the balance of the circuit breaker, replacing
control relays and auxiliary switches with solid state equivalents. One manufacturer claims a 90% reduction
in moving parts. Another consequence of the removal of the opening springs and the associated mechanical
latches is that it now takes considerable energy, which must be drawn from the on-board capacitors, to
accomplish the flux shifting and open the circuit breaker. Unlike the stored energy of an opening spring,
which is retained indefinitely, various circumstances can drain the energy from the on-board capacitors.
Should this energy be depleted, it becomes impossible to open the circuit breaker in its usual fashion until
this energy is replenished. Different manufacturers have developed varying methods of opening the circuit
breaker in this eventuality.

To minimize risk of misoperation of the circuit breaker mechanism if the necessary energy is not available,
several indicators or interlocks are provided. IEEE Std C37.04, IEEE Std C37.013, and IEEE Std C37.016,
describes operating mechanism requirements for power circuit breakers and IEEE Std C37.09, IEEE Std
C37.013, and IEEE Std C37.016, describes design and production tests to evaluate the circuit breaker’s
ability to meet those requirements. For spring driven stored energy mechanisms, visible indicators are
mandated to display the condition of the drive springs as “charged” or “discharged”. For compressed gas or
fluid operated mechanisms, a pressure gauge is supplied to visually determine the stored energy present.

Various types of circuit breakers and their characteristics can be summarized as follows:

a) Types of Circuit Breakers

1) Indoor
2) Outdoor
3) Voltages and current
b) Interruption Mediums of Circuit Breakers
1) Air
2) Oil
3) Gas
4) Vacuum
c) Types of Mechanisms of Circuit Breakers
1) Spring Energy
2) Hydraulic/Pneumatic energy
3) Solenoid/Magnetic
d) Function of Circuit Breakers
1) How Operation is Initiated
i) Voltage Conditions

ii) Current Conditions

2) How They Operate
i) Charging
ii) Closing
iii) Tripping

Authorized licensed use limited to: CONACYT CONSEJO NACIONAL DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA. Downloaded on November 10,2018 at 19:53:20 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.

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IEEE Guide For Investigation, Analysis, and Reporting of Power Circuit Breaker Failures

Uploaded by

IEEE Guide For Investigation, Analysis, and Reporting of Power Circuit Breaker Failures

Uploaded by

IEEE Power & Energy Society

IEEE Guide for Investigation, Analysis,

Approved 31 October 2011

IEEE-SA Standards Board

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

PDF: ISBN 978-0-7381-7144-9 STD97176

Secretary, IEEE-SA Standards Board

This issue of IEEE Std C37.10 has the following changes:

 Changed title from IEEE Std C37.10-1995

Laws and regulations

W. J. (Bill) Bergman, Chair

Roy Alexander Mike Crawford Albbert Livshitz

William J. Ackerman Edwin Goodwin Jeffrey Nelson

Richard H. Hulett, Chair

Masayuki Ariyoshi Jim Hughes Gary Robinson

Satish Aggarwal, NRC Representative

4. Procedure for investigation of circuit breaker failures ............................................................................... 5

5. Diagnostic tests and advanced diagnostics ............................................................................................... 12

6. Data collection and data structure............................................................................................................. 21

7. Failure report utilization ........................................................................................................................... 27

Annex A (informative) Failure reporting for power circuit breakers ........................................................... 30

Annex B (informative) Bibliography............................................................................................................ 33

Annex C (informative) Circuit breaker design and construction.................................................................. 42

The purpose of this guide is

1.3 Preparation and training

IEEE Std C37.100™, IEEE Standard Definitions for Power Switchgear.

4. Procedure for investigation of circuit breaker failures

In addition, the following discussion describes some of the possible hazards.

Make sure the worksite is safe.

4.2 Classification of failures

Refer also to preparations and training recommendations in Clause 4.

4.3 Immediate action

4.4 On-site data collection (major failures)

Refer to preparations and training in Clause 4.

4.6 Investigation flow chart

The two starting points for this flowchart are as follows:

a) Circuit breaker failure.

Yes Problem No Return to

Internal inspection and Yes Damage No Internal inspection and

Analyze test Perform

No Further Yes Analyze repair

Figure 1 —Flow chart of recommended investigation actions

4.7 Recommended plan of action

4.7.1 Failure investigation

4.7.2 Review of circuit breaker application

4.7.3 Summarizing failure analysis

a) Gather data as described in Clause 6.

5. Diagnostic tests and advanced diagnostics

 Characteristic to be tested or monitored

Table 1 — Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (mechanical features)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Table 3 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (electrical insulating features)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Table 5 —Diagnostics of all types of circuit breakers (Interrupter)

Table 6 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of metal-clad circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Table 8 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of vacuum circuit breakers)

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

Table 14 —Diagnostics of circuit breakers (special features of current transformers

Characteristics to be Operating Parameter measured and derived Assessment

6. Data collection and data structure

6.1 General approach

Table 15 —Suggested checklist of preparation items

6.3 Immediate investigation

Table 16 —Suggested checklist of general observations

External conditions Recorded data

Main tank Recorded data

Changed title from IEEE Std C37.10-1995

Characteristic to be tested or monitored