UNCONTROLLED COPY - PRINTED: 5/6/15 5:19 PM

Last Revised Date: 12/2006

Last 3 Yr Review Date: 09/2012

ENCO GENERAL PROCEDURE ELECT

E-7029

REV. 2

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF
METAL-ENCLOSED POWER SWITCHGEAR
CUSTODIAN:

L. King

DATE:

09/12/12

(SPECIALIST)

REVIEWED/REVISED BY:
D. Halliburton

Technical

(NAME)

(JOB TITLE )

D. Neely

Mech. Tech.

(NAME)

(JOB TITLE)

(NAME)

(JOB TITLE)

APPROVED BY:

C. Ware

09/11/12
09/12/12

09/13/12

PURPOSE
To provide basic guidelines for performing preventive and predictive maintenance of
metal-enclosed power switchgear.
SAFETY
To ensure personnel safety and equipment reliability, qualified electrical technicians must
adhere to established safety procedures. All precautions shall be taken when performing
preventive maintenance on power switchgear or any switchgear related equipment
including de-energizing and clearing per SP-52 and SP-5.
DEFINITION
Switchgear is a general term covering switching and interrupting devices alone or their
combination with other associated control, metering, protective and regulating
equipment. A Power Switchgear assembly consists of a complete assembly of one or
more of the above noted devices and main bus conductors, interconnecting wiring,
accessories, supporting structures and enclosure. Power switchgear is principally used
for incoming line service and to control and protect load centers, motors, transformers,
motor control centers, panel boards and other secondary distribution equipment.
Enclosed switchgear assembly consists of a metal-enclosed supporting structure with
the switchgear enclosed on the top and all sides with sheet metal (except for ventilating

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openings and inspection windows). Access within the enclosure is provided by doors or
removable panels.
GENERAL
Metal-enclosed switchgear is universally used throughout industry for utilization and
primary distribution voltage service for AC and DC applications and for outdoor and
indoor locations. Metal-enclosed switchgear is applicable for voltages through 35KV.
Specific types of metal-enclosed switchgear used in industrial plants are: (1.) metal-clad
switchgear, (2.) metal-enclosed 600 volt and below power circuit breaker switchgear and
(3.) metal-enclosed interrupter switchgear.
Metal-Clad Switchgear is metal-enclosed power switchgear applicable for voltages from
2.4KV through 35KV; however it is seldom used above 15KV for economical reasons. It
is characterized by the following necessary features:

The main circuit switching and interrupting device is of the removable type
arranged with a mechanism for moving it physically between connected and
disconnected positions and equipped with self-aligning and self-coupling primary
and secondary disconnecting devices.

Major parts of the primary circuit, such as the circuit switching or interrupting
devices, buses, potential transformers and control power transformers are
enclosed by grounded metal barriers. Specifically included is an inner barrier in
front of or a part of the circuit interrupting device to ensure that no energized
primary circuit components are exposed when the unit door is opened.

All live parts are enclosed within grounded metal compartments. Automatic
shutters prevent exposure of primary circuit elements when the removable
element is in the test, disconnected or fully withdrawn position.

Primary bus conductors and connections are covered with insulating material
throughout. For special configurations, insulated barriers between phases and
between phase and ground may be specified.

Mechanical interlocks are provided to ensure a proper and safe operating

sequence.

Instruments, meters, relays, secondary control devices and their wiring are
isolated by grounded metal barriers from all primary circuit elements with the
exception of short lengths of wire, such as instrument transformer terminals.

The door through which the circuit interrupting device is inserted into the housing
may serve as an instrument or relay panel and may also provide access to a
secondary or control compartment within the housing.

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The term metal-clad switchgear can be properly used only if metal-enclosed

switchgear conforms to the foregoing definition. All metal-clad switchgear is metal
enclosed, but not all metal-enclosed switchgear can be correctly designated as metalclad.
Metal-enclosed 600 volt and below power circuit breaker switchgear is metal-enclosed
power switchgear including the following equipment as required:

600 volt and below power circuit breakers (fused or un-fused)

Bare bus and connections

Instrument and control power transformers

Instruments, meters and relays

Control wiring and accessory devices

Cable and busway termination facilities

The 600 volt and below power circuit breakers are contained in individual grounded
metal compartments and controlled either remotely or from the front of the panels.
The circuit breakers are usually of the drawout type, but may be non-drawout.
Metal-enclosed interrupter switchgear is metal-enclosed power switchgear including the
following equipment as required:

Interrupter switches

Power fuses

Bare bus and connections

Instrument and control power transformers

Control wiring and accessory devices

The interrupter switches and power fuses may be of the stationary or removable type.
For the removable type, mechanical interlocks are provided to ensure a proper and
safe operating sequence.
Metal-enclosed bus is an assembly of rigid electrical buses with associated connections,
joints and insulating supports all housed within a grounded metal enclosure. There are
three basic types of metal-enclosed bus construction: non-segregated phase, segregated
phase and isolated phase. The most prevalent type used in industrial power systems is the
non-segregated phase which is defined as one in which all phase conductors are in a

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common metal enclosure without barriers between the phases. When metal-enclosed
buses over 600 volts are used with metal-clad switchgear, the bus conductors and
connections are covered with insulating material throughout. When metal-enclosed buses
are associated with metal-enclosed 600 volts and below power circuit breaker switchgear
or metal-enclosed interrupter switchgear, the primary bus conductors and connections are
usually bare.
PROCEDURE
Due to the diversity of switchgear assemblies utilized on site, each area electrical
mechanical group should maintain the enclosed switchgear assemblies associated within
their assigned area. At a minimum, specific preventive maintenance performed should
include:

Routine external inspection of metal-enclosed power switchgear.

1. Inspect the anchorage, alignment, grounding and required area clearances.
2. Check and clean the outside of the unit, particularly the top area, for dust and
signs of water accumulation.
3. Verify that filters and vents are clean and clear of obstructions.
4. Check all indication lights and meters to be functional.
5. Verify proper equipment identification labels are in place and accurate.
6. Verify bolts to covers and doors are in place and secure.

Inspection and preventive maintenance for the breaker cubicles of metal-enclosed

switchgear (performed during preventive maintenance of the breaker).
CAUTION: Preventive maintenance of metal-enclosed switchgear is only
performed when energized buses or related equipment are not
exposed or accessible and when control circuits that may be
energized from other sources have been identified.
1. Check the equipment cubicle doors to ensure free action, proper fit and secure
latching. If applicable, check the operation of the cubicle door interlocks.
2. Verify space heaters are operational.
3. Inspect the cubicle for obvious damage or defects. Clean out any dirt or
foreign material.
4. Check breaker control circuits including fuses, wiring harness and auxiliary
components.

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5. Check mechanical interlocks between the breaker and the racking mechanism
and lubricate mechanism if necessary.
6. Check all cubicle hardware for proper tightness.
7. Verify correct barrier installation and shutter operation (if applicable).
8. Utilize Infrared Thermography equipment to inspect energized parts made
accessible by opening external doors or that can be monitored through
inspection windows.
9. Check and clean draw-out type potential transformers and fuses.
10. Check and test ground connections.

Inspection and preventive maintenance of the metal-enclosed bus sections and

associated equipment.
CAUTION: Preventive maintenance of metal-enclosed bus or sections of bus
can only be performed when it has been de-energized and cleared
per SP-5 and ground chains have been installed.
1. Remove the covers of all de-energized bus and cable entrance cubicles and
clean the cubicles.
2. Check for signs of rodents or insects. Check for openings that would allow
entrance into the switchgear enclosure.
3. Verify cubicle heaters are operational.
4. Check cable terminations and bus insulation for signs of deterioration,
corona tracking or overheating.
5. Check bolted bus and cable connections to ensure that all are properly
torqued.
6. Check and test ground connections.
7. Check contact stabs or sockets for burning, pitting or signs of overheating.
Clean or replace and lubricate.
8. Check control circuit terminals for good connections.
9. Check and test fuses, potential transformers and current transformers.
10. Perform Megger and High Potential testing on bus.

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11. Check and clean insulators and surge arrestors.

12. Utilize Infrared Thermography equipment to inspect energized parts made
accessible by opening external doors or that can be monitored through
inspection windows.
TEST CRITERIA

Perform insulation-resistance tests on control wiring with respect to ground.

Perform electrical tests on instrument transformers.

Perform ground resistance tests.

Determine accuracy of all meters.

Perform insulation resistance tests on control power transformers.

Perform insulation resistance tests on the metal-enclosed buses.

Perform overpotential test on the metal-enclosed buses.

(Note: DC or AC overpotential tests shall be performed by qualified personnel)

FREQUENCY
The frequency for performing preventive maintenance of Metal-Enclosed Power
Switchgear is based on the following general recommendations. Although it is not
recommended to extend the frequency beyond that described herein, scheduled
maintenance may be set at an earlier frequency.

Infrared Thermography---------------------------------------------------------annually
Routine external inspection of switchgear enclosures----------------------monthly
Preventive maintenance of breaker cubicles
performed during preventive
maintenance of breaker
Preventive maintenance and testing metal-enclosed bus sections---------3 years*
*Note: Timing for preventive maintenance and testing should be coordinated
with area scheduled shutdowns.

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REFERENCES
For detailed maintenance information, refer to the following procedures and engineering
standards:
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE2- Electrical Equipment Maintenance, Inspection and
Testing Intervals.
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE19- Medium Voltage Motor Control Equipment
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE23- MediumVoltage and Low Voltage Drawout
Switchgear.
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE20- S&C Fused Interrupter Switch
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE27- Grounding Electrical Power Systems Before
Maintenance.
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE35- Motor Control Center Inspection and Testing
(600 volt maximum)
Corporate Electrical Standard: PE44- Thermographic Inspection Standard for Electrical
Equipment.
Engineering Specification: SE 38.1B Motor Control Center, 5KV/7.2KV Class
Engineering Specification: SE 62.1B Medium Voltage Metal-Clad Switchgear
Engineering Specification: SE 62.2B Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit
Breaker Switchgear.
Engineering Specification: SE 62.4B Low and Medium Voltage Non-Segregated MetalEnclosed Bus Duct.

General Electrical ENCO Procedure: E-7009 Use of Electrical Test Equipment

Below 600 volts