scope:

This guide provides direction for the selection of monitoring and for diagnostic parameters to be used with high-voltage circuit breakers (i.e., above 1000 V ac). It provides guidance on appropriate parameters to be considered for monitoring applied to various circuit breaker technologies.

This guide will lead a user through an analysis of circuit breaker performance and application expectations. The analysis includes a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) of the circuit breaker and associated components, an analysis of the risks associated with failure of the specific application, and a discussion of the items to be considered in a cost-benefit study to justify application of monitoring in its many forms. Monitoring is dependent on the technology of the circuit breaker and monitoring available at the time of application. FMEA, as well as failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA), are methods of reliability analysis intended to identify failures that have significant consequences affecting the system performance in the considered application.

NOTE-The examples shown are for illustrative purposes only. Numeric and financial values shown are solely for the purpose of showing that values can be assigned if so chosen. Actual circumstances will dictate values, costs, and expenses to be used in the quantifying of risk, economic evaluation and justification, and the ultimate selection of monitoring. The specific circuit breaker technology employed will also either restrict or broaden opportunities for monitoring.¹

This guide provides advice on what parameters can be monitored to derive information about the condition of a circuit breaker. Use of techniques, such as those in CEA Project No. 485T1049 (1997), provides more information on combining appropriate signals to derive greater information than either signal alone would provide.²

Circuits associated with the operation of the circuit breaker, which might include auxiliary contacts, X and Y relays, lockout switches, and so on, are included in this guide. External control circuits are not included in the scope of this guide. This guide is not intended to provide guidance on the monitoring of protection and control circuits, although they can have a significant effect on the overall circuit breaker functions.

¹Notes in text, tables, and figures of a standard are given for information only and do not contain requirements needed to implement this standard.

²Information on references can be found in Clause 2.