CIRCUIT BREAKER & Switchboard SERVICE
Keeping your power distribution running - Circuit Breaker / Switchboard Servicing
Almost 20% of power distribution failures are due to faulty and poorly maintained circuit breakers and switchboards. At RB Marine, we make it our business to know everything there is to know about electrical switchgear maintenance, including the testing and maintenance of circuit breaker and switchboards.
Dust and corrosion are major factors in circuit breaker failure. Therefore, regular inspections and analysis are recommended to prevent problems developing. When things do go wrong, our engineers are highly trained at repairing all types of circuit breaker including vacuum, air and SF6 gas circuit breakers.
Our services include:
Complete analysis of medium and low voltage circuit breakers
This includes a complete visual inspection, insulation test and full mechanical and electrical tests. Any broken or faulty parts will be replaced. Main contacts, covers and arc shields are checked and cleaned.
SF6 gas leak detection using highly sensitive leak detection equipment
Our engineers use state-of-the-art leak detection equipment with negative ion capture, to detect low or high-level SF6 leaks. Any leaks are immediately repaired.
SF6 gas regeneration by Enervac technologies
Using advanced Enervac SF6 gas recycling equipment, our engineers will restore your gas circuit breakers to full working order.
Contact resistance measurement
Our engineers carry out dynamic contact resistance measurement for low and medium voltage breakers. This saves time and money compared to static contact resistance measurement as it is less invasive.
Insulation resistance measurement
We can test insulation resistance for low and medium voltages to check that they are within the recommended manufacturer’s operating range. If outside of the acceptable range, the problem will be rectified on-site by our engineers.
High voltage DC impulse testing
Our engineers use impulse testing equipment to check that impulse stresses are within configured tolerances.
Vacuum chamber inspections
The vacuum interrupter chamber is thoroughly checked both visually and electrically using equipment to check the withstand voltage. If the vacuum has been reduced to below the specified tolerance, it will be replaced by our engineers.
Correct mechanism operation by computerized time detection.
Circuit breaker functioning is tested to ensure that the circuit breaker trips correctly. All phases of the mechanism are tested including the energy storage medium, the actuating circuit and all interlocking systems.
Types of Circuit Breaker:
Vacuum Circuit Breakers
Vacuum circuit breakers are rated up to a current of 3000 A. They interrupt the current by creating an arc inside a vacuum container, then extinguishing it.
Vacuum breakers are generally used for voltages up to 35,000 V, in other words the medium-voltage range.
In general, vacuum circuit breakers have a longer life span than air circuit breakers but require frequent inspection and maintenance to ensure correct operation.
Air Circuit Breakers
Air circuit breakers are rated up to a current of 10,000 A. It is usually possible to configure trip thresholds and delays on air circuit breakers.
Most models are electronically controlled, but some uses microprocessors via an integral trip unit.
In general, air circuit breakers are used for main power distribution and arranged in draw-out enclosures for ease of maintenance.
SF6 Circuit Breakers
A sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) circuit breaker uses contacts surrounded by SF6 gas to quench the arc.
They are most often used for transmission-level voltages and may be incorporated into compact gas-insulated switchgear. In cold climates, supplemental heating or de-rating of the circuit breakers may be required due to liquefaction of the SF6 gas.