 Timing and Travel; testing used to determine and validate the performance

characteristics of circuit breakers. For example, the changing state of main and resistor
contacts (open- close, close-open, etc.) and auxiliary contacts (e.g., 52a and 52b) versus
time, varying defined distances traveled by the main contacts (e.g., total travel, over
travel, rebound, stroke, and contact wipe), velocity (average and instantaneous), dwell-
time and dead-time, are primary circuit breaker characteristics measured.

 Motion; see timing and travel above. The contact travel motion is captured by connecting
a travel transducer on the moving part of the circuit breaker’s operating mechanism or
interrupter and is used to assess the condition of the interrupter, damping units and
identify mechanical issues with the operating mechanism. The motion is presented as a
curve displaying distance vs. time. Several parameters are measured. For example, over
travel is the distance traveled by the contacts that exceeds their final resting position and
is measured to verify the proper operation of the damping assemblies within the
breaker. Measured values from the motion curves are compared to reference data
provided by the circuit breaker manufacturer.

 Coil current; this measurement can be performed online or offline and is used to detect
potential mechanical and/or electrical problems in actuating coils well in advance of their
emergence as actual faults, and extract information about lubrication and latch operation.
The quality of the control voltage supply is also detectable from these tests. This
diagnostic is perhaps most effective when it is performed as a "First Trip" activity. First
Trip is performed when the circuit breaker is in-service and has not been operated for a
long time. Lubrication problems are easiest to identify in this scenario. Comparison to
previous results is the best method of analysis.

 Static (contact) resistance measurements (SRM); micro-Ohm measurement of the

main contacts. This test is conducted by injecting DC current through the breaker main
contact system when the circuit breaker is closed, and measuring the voltage drop so that
the resistance can be calculated. The resistance reflects the condition of the conducting
parts.

 Vibration; non-invasive testing that is based on the premise that all mechanical
movements produce sounds and/or vibrations, and that by measuring them and comparing
the results with previous test results, the condition of the equipment in question can be
evaluated. The breaker can stay in service during the test. Using an accelerometer, an
Open-Close operation is analyzed. The first operation can be different than the second
and third because of corrosion and other metal to metal contact issues. The vibration
 method detects faults that may barely be indicated with conventional methods and is
published in CIGRE and IEEE papers.

 Motor current; applicability of this test is dependent on the circuit breaker’s operating
mechanism. A measure of motor current is only applicable on spring drives.

 Minimum pick-up measurement (minimum voltage to operate circuit breaker); this

test is intended to determine the minimum voltage at which the breaker is able to operate
– the contact timing parameters are not of interest, only whether the breaker operates or
not. It is a measure of how much force is needed to move the coil armature. Testing
begins at a low voltage, sending a control pulse to the breaker. The voltage is increased
by small increments (5 V) until the breaker operates; this voltage is recorded and is
expected to remain unchanged through future dates.

 Minimum voltage; this test is specified and recommended in international standards. The
objective of this test is to make sure that the breaker can operate at the lowest voltage
level provided by the station battery when the breaker has to operate during a power
outage. The test is performed by applying the lowest specified operating voltage and
verifying that the breaker operates within specified operation parameters. Standard test
voltage is 85% (and 70%) of nominal voltage for close and open.

 Station voltage; it is recommended to measure the voltage level of the battery or power
supply while operating the circuit breaker in order to verify that the CB is performing to
desired specifications. If the voltage level is low or not correct, one might accidentally
adjust parameters on the breaker when the cause of malfunction is the power supply.

 Power factor/dissipation factor/ tan delta and capacitance; provides means for
verifying the integrity of the insulation for circuit breaker components.

 Vacuum bottle test; applicable for vacuum circuit breakers. The vacuum bottle is tested
with high voltage AC or DC to check that the integrity of the vacuum is intact.