Safe Circuit Breaker Timing with New Technology

Linus Claesson, Zoran Stanisic, Heinz Wernli, Klas Pettersson

GE Energy, Test Equipment, Programma Electric, Eldarvägen 4, 187 75, Täby, Sweden

An oral presentation of this article was given at CMD2006, International Conference on

Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis, Changwon, Korea, April 4, 2006. The article is available on
the proceedings CD. The conference is Technically Co-sponsored by CIGRÉ and IEEE.

The article is under copyright by The Korea Institute of Electrical and Electrical Material
Engineers and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute.
 Safe Circuit Breaker Timing with New Technology
Linus Claesson, Zoran Stanisic, Heinz Wernli, Klas Pettersson
GE Energy, Test Equipment, Programma Electric, Eldarvägen 4, 187 75, Täby, Sweden
Abstract — The best way to improve personnel safety
when working in a substation is to increase the distance
between personnel and devices with high voltage.
Regulations and laws require all objects to be grounded on
both sides before any maintenance work is performed on
the object. For circuit breaker maintenance, the most basic
and important test, that is main contact timing, is
performed today without this basic safety prerequisite.
Additionally, there is no feasible technique for this test
with both sides grounded. A new technology that makes
main contact timing of high voltage circuit breaker
possible with both sides grounded is described. Capacitive
property of circuit breakers for high frequency signals is
used. Increased safety and simplified work process are the
main advantages. The method described applies to any
circuit breaker, but is best for GIS, generator circuit
breakers and for the highest voltages is where there is the
most to gain.
Index Terms — Safety, Circuit breaker testing, Circuit
breakers, Timing, Capacitance, Resonance.
I. INTRODUCTION
The use of electricity throughout society has increased
tremendously over the last century. In parallel, the
safety around all components and systems has increased.
When Thomas Alva Edison lit the first light bulbs on the
Swedish countryside, there was no protective insulation
on the wiring. Today, we have a consumer system that
makes utilization of electricity, in homes and industries,
much safer.
In transmission and distribution systems, the power is
stronger and safety systems less developed. In high
voltage substations, only highly trained and skilled
professionals can be permitted to work. They have to be
well acquainted with the safety deficits. Still, there are
accidents with severe outcome for workers in substation
environments.
Safety in electricity transmission and distribution is a
high priority to all involved, from the political level to
the field engineer. With the evolution of electronics, it
becomes possible to improve substation safety. The
proposed method is one example.
II. SUBSTATION PERSONNEL SAFETY
Since testing of circuit breakers was started, safety for
the personnel has been a high priority for development
of test methods and equipment. The best way to improve
personnel safety, when working in a substation, is to
increase the distance between personnel and devices
with high voltage. When an object is taken out of
service, there are three main cases when the object
becomes dangerous due to high power electric potential.
The first is if a fault occurs and an unwanted electrical
potential reaches the object. The second is lightning
somewhere on the lines coming in contact with the
object. The third is capacitive coupling from one
conductor with high voltage causing a dangerous
potential on the object in question. The voltage can
cause a current of 20 mA, or even more, through a
human body. Currents above 3.5 mA are considered
dangerous according to IEC® EN 61010.
The only way to make an object safe, for all the cases
mentioned, is to connect the object to a ground at all
points where it is in contact with the surrounding
system. In this way, any potential on the object will take
the shortest path to earth that is through the 120 mm
grounding cable. An object grounded in this way cannot
become dangerous.
Regulations and laws require all objects to be
grounded on both sides before any maintenance work is
performed on the object. There are approved exceptions
for this safety prerequisite because it is not possible to
do all maintenance work with both sides grounded.
Main contact timing of circuit breakers is performed
with only single side grounding.
Another property of substation test equipment that is
important for safety is the user interface. Interaction
shall be straightforward, fast and easy. Field engineers
shall spend energy solving the task they are out to solve,
not figuring out how the equipment works. This
property is hard to put numbers on and is not covered in
standards and regulations.
While typically safe, there are obvious risks to
personal safety inside a substation. The time in the
substation is not only expensive, it also means exposure
to a less safe environment. This is another argument for
choosing user-friendly equipment in the name of safety.
III. CIRCUIT BREAKER TIMING
The most basic and important test for circuit breaker
diagnosis is main contact timing. The response time is
measured from operation command until operation,
close or open, is completed. If the main contact timing
on an interrupter is deviating from the manufacturer
recommendation, the circuit breaker needs maintenance.
Main contact timing also evaluates synchronization
between phases in a three-phase system and the
synchronization of multiple contacts within one phase. IV. BOTH SIDES GROUNDED TIMING
Procedures for diagnostic test are described in [1].
A new technology that makes main contact timing of
A. Conventional Timing Method high voltage circuit breaker possible with both sides
grounded is now described. Dangerous voltage can be
Conventional technology for main contact timing is to
kept at a safe distance from all personnel throughout the
use ohms law with a DC test voltage over the circuit
circuit breaker timing test. A safe area around the circuit
breaker to distinguish the moment when the circuit
breaker can be created and clearly marked with security
breaker state changes from open to close. This method is
fencing in accordance with common recommendations
not based on a standard and there is, therefore, no
and regulations. Accidents with electric arc and
absolute reference point. However, it is today’s state of
electrocution can be avoided. A schematic diagram of
the art process and used throughout the industry.
the application is given in Fig. 1. On the outside of the
With both sides of the circuit breaker connected to
double grounding there will be potentially dangerous
ground, this method does not work. The DC test voltage
voltages. On the inside, between the groundings, the
will only sense the connection over ground and not what
electrical potential is removed through the groundings.
happens on the circuit breaker. Therefore, safe timing is
This creates the Safe area also shown in Fig. 1.
not possible.
The increased safety is not based on the new method
To overcome this safety drawback, EDF, the state-
or equipment. Safety comes from keeping both sides
owned electricity company in France, uses an automatic
grounded throughout the timing test.
grounding device. A voltage sensor automatically closes
a ground connection if there is a voltage potential
between the object and ground. This device is used on
one side while the other is grounded with a cable. The
timing test is more complicated and requires longer time
within the substation.
B. On-line Indirect Timing
As an alternative to the above approach, it is possible
to derive timing data for a circuit breaker by sensing on
the auxiliary contacts during an open-close operation.
This On-line Indirect Timing gives timing based on the
control circuit’s information. Usually the trig coil
current curve is also recorded as additional data.
The advantage is that the circuit breaker can stay in
service even though the open-close operation will cause
a disturbance on the power delivery. One drawback is
that timing values are not the real values and do not
reflect the circuit breaker performance. The method is Fig 1. Schematic hook-up diagram for timing with both
not suitable for circuit breaker diagnosis. It is a quick sides grounded. Between the grounding leads a safe area is
created where personnel can be safe during a timing test.
test where the primary take-away is that the circuit
breaker reacted on open and close commands. The test
The result of a main contact timing based on this new
reveals about the same information as an optical
technology is in no way different for an interpreter and
inspection. It is not advisable to base a diagnosis on this
fully compatible with the conventional main contact
kind of test.
timing measurement. On the graphical user interface, the
C. Dynamic Resistance Measurement (DRM) same thin or bold line will appear representing open and
close. The new technology is embedded within the
With DRM, a high current is used to obtain the
device without impacting user interaction. For the field
resistance during a circuit breaker operation. The
personnel the way of working becomes somewhat easier
resistance trace is used primarily for advanced
and faster, but otherwise remains familiar.
diagnosis, but the contact time is readily available. The
The method is non-intrusive and does not affect the
drawback with this method is the requirements on
circuit breaker in any way. The only connections are
equipment to generate the strong current. Equipment is
low current sense leads to the bus bars. The mechanism
heavy and expensive. DRM is performed with only one
is not touched and there is, therefore, no need for any
side grounded.
mechanical adoptions or conversion tables for different
circuit breaker types. No reference value from
manufacturing, commissioning or other beforehand
information is required.
 With an easier and faster test, field personnel can
dedicate more attention to performing the actual task.
The amount of time spent in the substation is also
reduced.
V. APPLICATION AREA
The method is applicable on any circuit breaker.
There are some cases where, for practical
considerations, the double grounding brings advantages
beyond what has been described so far. These cases are
described briefly below.
A. High Voltage Circuit Breakers
For high voltage circuit breakers the advantages of the
technique is interesting. This is because the safety
concern increases with increasing voltage. The proposed
technique has no upper limit for voltage and is fully
applicable on high voltage, ultra high voltage and
extremely high voltage.
B. Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB)
The power outlet from a turbine in a power plant has
a high current. The short circuit current can be around
900 kA at 11-33 kV. The high current requires very
thick conductors to avoid overheating. The bus bars and
couplings are enormous, with hundreds of screws drawn
to an accurate torque. Disconnection of the bus bar takes
more than one day. If one screw is drawn to the wrong
torque, there will be a spot of increased resistance that is
heated. If the heating is strong, the power plant needs to
be closed down for the loose bolt to be drawn. Knowing
this, it is easy to understand why power plant owners are
reluctant in disconnecting the bolted bus bars for a
timing measurement.
All service in the power plant is scheduled around
planned overhaul events. At this time, there is all kind of
personnel working on the turbine and power line. Safety
requirements demand the GCB to be grounded at both
ends during planned service events.
Timing of the main contacts with conventional timing,
using a DC voltage to sense contact, is now only
possible if one bus bar is disconnected. The proposed
method allows timing with both sides grounded. The
time-consuming work to disconnect the bus bar is saved
and the risk to have one loose bolt causing resistive
overheating is eliminated.
C. Gas Insulated Substation (GIS)
The major advantage with GIS is the reduction of
space required compared to air-insulated substations.
The maintenance and test interval for circuit breakers
installed in GIS is longer compared to air-insulated
installations. GIS have been installed since the 1980s
and many are reaching the age for maintenance.
To diagnose a GIS circuit breaker, the most important
diagnosis tool is the main contact timing described
previously. Conventional timing requires that at least
one side of the circuit breaker be grounded. An Isolated
Ground Switch has a built-in feature that permits access
to the primary circuit without grounding it. An Isolated
Ground Switch is, therefore, required on at least one
side for a conventional timing without a full dismantling
of the GIS.
Early GIS installations rarely have Insulated Ground
Switches installed. Usage has increased over the
decades, but it is still common to find new installations
without Insulated Ground Switches. The dismantling
required for conventional timing is time consuming and
expensive. Also, if the bolts are not properly drawn,
there will be a SF6 leakage.
The proposed method is capable of performing a
timing measurement of a GIS circuit breaker where
there is not an Isolated Ground Switch available.
VI PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUE
A. Resonant Frequency Model
The fundamental physical property that the proposed
diagnostic technique is based upon is that a capacitance
is formed when two areas of conductor is separated by
an insulation medium. In a circuit breaker, the contacts
are the conductors and the insulation media is usually
oil, air, vacuum or SF6. Any circuit breaker, therefore,
holds capacitance. When the contacts move, i.e. during a
close or open operation, the capacitance varies.
The capacitance in the circuit breaker is used as a part
of a resonant circuit. The circuit also contains
inductance and resistance. The inherent resistance and
inductance of the cables used to connect the measuring
device is used. See Fig. 2 for a model. The dashed box
is the interrupter part of the circuit breaker. The
interrupter has a small resistance by design. The variable
capacitance is formed by the two separated connectors
and is variable with connector position, drawn as a
variable capacitor in Fig.2. When the circuit breaker is
closed, the capacitance is zero. In Fig. 2 grading
capacitors and pre- insertion resistors are excluded.
The LRC resonant circuit has a distinct resonant
frequency. The resonant frequency is dependent on the
value of the circuit breaker capacitor; therefore, the
resonant frequency will vary with movement of the
main contacts.

Fig. 2: The resonant circuit model formed by the circuit
breaker (dashed box) and the connection cables from the
measurement unit. The grounding cables are also included in
the figure, even though they are not part of the resonant
circuit.
The ground connection has a very limited influence
on the resonant circuit for high frequency signals
because the impedance in the ground cables is too high.
In special situations, like application on GIS, the
grounding connection requires an increase of impedance
on the ground connection. This is achieved by putting a
ferrite clamp around the ground connector. The ferrite
clamp is two half-donuts that are easy to attach around a
cable or bridge.
B. Measurement Principle
A resonant circuit with the resonant frequency
depending on the contact position has been defined. The
first step in the measurement is to identify the resonant
frequency. A sweep scanning over different frequencies,
in the MHz band, and comparing the response strength
reveals the resonant frequency. This is preferably
performed on the closed circuit breaker.
The next step is to generate a signal with the resonant
frequency over the resonant circuit and record the
response during an operation. The operation is either
open or close. The recorded response will be
proportional to the capacitance of the circuit breaker.
The diagnosis technique is to use the non-linear change
in capacitance and stepwise change in resonance of the
circuit breaker with the major events through an
operation. Fig. 3 is showing a theoretical diagram for a
close operation. At t0 the circuit breaker is open. Along
the contact motion, the response signal amplitude
changes. First contact is at t1, with a discontinuous jump
in response. The first contact time t1 is the measurement
value that IEC® [5] and ANSI/IEEE® [4] standard
defines as the timing value. The bounces between t1 and
t2 are due to touches of arcing contact and main contact
before a permanent contact is established. At t2 there is a
discontinuous jump in response taking place when the
main contact closes. Thresholds are used to convert the
response values into a traditional timing graph, shown
below in Fig. 3, where the thin line represents open and
the bold line represents a closed circuit breaker.
The proposed method for diagnostic test is covered in
two patents [2] and [3].
Fig. 3: The response measured when applying the high
frequency AC test signal over a close operation. Below is the
traditional thin or thick line indication circuit breaker status.
C. Diagnosis
The result is interpreted in the same way as for
conventional timing. All results are in accordance with
the established standards [4] and [5].
VII. FIELD EXPERIENCE
Field experience is still limited to trial tests with
prototype product and prototype software. Results are
straightforward to verify, as conventional timing is well
understood. The first results are promising and verifies
the application field described above. No field test has
been made on GCB.
VIII FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
This technology holds promise for future
development to obtain even better analysis compared to
conventional technology and what has been verified in
the field.
A. Velocity Without Transducer
It is desired to measure the velocity of moving parts
within the circuit breaker, like the mechanism, to
conduct a condition diagnosis. The conventional way to
measure the velocity is to physically mount a transducer
on the accessible moving part and record the signal.
With a conversion table, the contact motion can be
calculated. The conversion table translates the REFERENCES
movement on the accessible mechanical part where the
transducer is mounted into actual movement of the [1] F. Salamanca, F. Borras, H. Eggert, W Steingräber,
“Preventive diagnosis on high-voltage circuit-breakers”
connector. CIGRÉ Symposium Berlin 1993, 120-02.
With further development and research, there are [2] “Methods and apparatus for analyzing high voltage
technical openings to measure the contact movement circuit breakers”, U.S. Patent 6 963 203, Nov.8, 2005.
velocity without using a physical transducer. The [3] “Methods and apparatus for analyzing high voltage
resonant properties that change with mechanism circuit breakers”, U.S. Patent 6 850 072, Feb.1, 2005.
[4] IEEE® Std C37.09-1999.
position are taken advantage of. The measurement will [5] IEC® Std 62271-100.
need calibration from a previous operation with
transducer-based velocity measurement. During this TRADEMARK NOTICES
calibration, operation data is collected that can later IEC® is a registered trademark of International
replace the transducer. A conversion table is created that Electrotechnical Commission.
is valid for this particular type of circuit breaker. IEEE® is a registered trademark of Institute of Electrical and
This method of measuring velocity is less invasive as Electronics Engineers
no mechanical parts are touched. This improves safety
further because no objects are mounted on the circuit
breaker. It also reduces the need for mechanical adapters
and knowledge of conversion tables. The circuit breaker
type does not have to be known and the easy procedure
is identical, independent of circuit breaker type. Both
sides remain grounded.
B. Pre-Insertion Resistor (PIR)
In some circuit breaker constructions a resistor is
connected in parallel to the main interrupter. An
interrupter in series connects the Pre-Insertion Resistor
(PIR). The PIR is used to limit the current to be
interrupted. The PIR is in parallel to the dashed box and
not shown in Fig. 2.
With a PIR in the circuit breaker, the resonant model
is changed. Depending on the PIR status, there are two
different resonant frequencies. A diagnosis of a circuit
breaker with PIR shall include timing measurement of
the PIR connector. The proposed methods can detect the
transition of the PIR connection.

IX. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn from this
paper:
1) The safety for field personnel can be substantially
improved during timing test of circuit breakers.
2) The proposed method is general for all kinds of
circuit breakers. Interpretation is not changed. The
amount of time required for measurement is reduced.
The hook-up procedure is easier.
3) The proposed method is non-intrusive and does not
require any beforehand information. Timing and
velocity is measured without touching any mechanical
part.