WO2006128233A1 - An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers - Google Patents
An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006128233A1 WO2006128233A1 PCT/AU2006/000734 AU2006000734W WO2006128233A1 WO 2006128233 A1 WO2006128233 A1 WO 2006128233A1 AU 2006000734 W AU2006000734 W AU 2006000734W WO 2006128233 A1 WO2006128233 A1 WO 2006128233A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- test
- circuit breaker
- current
- trip
- tripped
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/327—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers
- G01R31/3277—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/26—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents
- H02H3/32—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors
- H02H3/33—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers
- H02H3/334—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers with means to produce an artificial unbalance for other protection or monitoring reasons or remote control
- H02H3/335—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers with means to produce an artificial unbalance for other protection or monitoring reasons or remote control the main function being self testing of the device
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers, and in particular, for testing Residual Current Devices (RCD's), otherwise known as Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB's) or "safety switches”.
- RCD Residual Current Devices
- RCCB Residual Current Circuit Breakers
- Residual current circuit breakers operate to disconnect their circuit when they detect that current leaking out of the circuit, such as current leaking to earth through a ground fault for example, exceeds safety limits. Such devices are intended to operate quickly so that when a person contacts a live wire, the circuit is isolated before electric shock can drive the heart into ventricular fibrillation, the most common cause of death in such circumstances. Most RCD's are designed to trip when a current of 30 mA (milliamps) over 300 ms (milliseconds) is detected.
- RCD's are important in saving people's lives, their integrity is required to be tested on a regular basis.
- RCD's have inbuilt testing circuits. These generally require that a user push and hold a button on the RCD which bleeds off 30 mA either over the period of time the button is pressed or until the circuit is tripped.
- RCD manufacturers typically require that this "push-button" test be performed monthly in the case of fixed equipment and in the case of portable equipment, each time the equipment is used.
- Australian Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Regulations recommend that the "push-button" test be performed every 6 months. In other jurisdictions around the world, recommendations and regulations may differ.
- an apparatus for testing a circuit breaker connected to a circuit having at least an active and an earth said apparatus including: a means to perform a first test and a second test on the circuit breaker, said first test being to determine whether the circuit breaker will trip when a first predetermined current is leaked from active to earth and said second test being to determine whether the circuit breaker will trip when a second predetermined current is leaked from active to earth, whereby said first and second tests are carried out in sequence.
- said apparatus includes a means to perform a third test, whereby said third test being to determine the actual tripping current required to trip said circuit breaker when the actual tripping current is leaked from active to earth.
- said apparatus includes a means to select said predetermined current.
- the apparatus is configured to perform a first test on a circuit breaker to determine whether it will trip prematurely, that is, when current leaking out of the circuit is at a level below a known safety threshold, and a second test to determine whether the circuit breaker will trip when required, that is, when current leaking out of the circuit is at a level equivalent to a known safety threshold.
- the predetermined safety threshold is 30 milliamps.
- the apparatus is adapted to be connected to active, neutral and earth of the circuit at a point downstream of the circuit breaker.
- said first test is carried out over a first predetermined period of time.
- said first predetermined level of current is 15 milliamps and said first predetermined period of time is 1 second.
- the apparatus includes a display means adapted to display information associated with said first test, second test, third test and said selected predetermined current.
- the time taken for the circuit breaker to trip is displayed on the display means.
- the said second test is automatically initiated.
- said second test is carried out over a second predetermined period of time.
- the second predetermined level of current is 30 milliamps and said second predetermined period of time is 1 second.
- the test passes and this indicates that the circuit breaker is functioning correctly and the time taken for the circuit breaker to trip is displayed on the display means.
- the test fails.
- the test fails and the time taken for the circuit breaker to trip is displayed on the display means.
- the apparatus is automatically deactivated.
- a method of testing a circuit breaker of the type adapted to be tripped when a threshold current leaks from an associated circuit having an active, a neutral and an earth comprising the following steps: (a) performing a first test wherein a first predetermined level of current is leaked from active to earth, said first predetermined level of current being less than the threshold current adapted to trip the circuit breaker;
- a method of testing a residual current circuit breaker of the type adapted to be tripped when it detects a current of approximately 30 milliamps leaking from active to earth in the circuit comprising the following steps: (a) performing a first test wherein a 15 milliamp test current is leaked from active to earth over 1 second;
- test current stops increasing when the circuit breaker is tripped and is retained for several seconds or until the circuit breaker is reset;
- test current retained is displayed on a display means.
- Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus for testing circuit breakers in accordance with the present invention, including a standard IEC lead on its front face adapted for use in multiple jurisdictions;
- Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus for testing circuit breakers in accordance with the present invention, including a male 3-pin plug on its front face adapted for use in Australia and New Zealand;
- Figure 3 illustrates a circuit diagram associated with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 4 illustrates a logic diagram associated with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus 10 used to perform various integrity tests on a circuit breaker device such as a Residual Current Device (RCD).
- a circuit breaker device such as a Residual Current Device (RCD).
- RCD Residual Current Device
- Many homes across Australia have an installed safety switch device which when tripped, isolates the electrical circuit across the house and prevents the person at risk from being electrocuted.
- An example in which this may occur is where a person contacts a live wire downstream of the safety switch.
- RCD's it is to be understood that the apparatus 10 of the present invention may be used to test other similar circuit breaker devices.
- the apparatus 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 and comprises a housing 12 in the shape of a rectangular box including on its upper face 14, a 3-digit digital display 16, three light-emitting diodes (LED's) 18, 20 and 22, a push-button 24, and a rocker switch 25.
- the three LED' s 18, 20 and 22 could be replaced by a LCD display means or another means of display.
- Shown in Figure 1 is the rocker switch 25 in position one of four, allowing for the trip and no trip RCD tests to be carried out.
- the selection means, shown in this embodiment as a rocker switch 25, could have a plurality of positions or include an alternate method of selection.
- a male IEC lead 28 comprising active 30, neutral 32 and earth 34 pins.
- the apparatus 10 is adapted to be connected to mains power through IEC lead 28. As those skilled in the art would be aware, IEC leads are useful in that they are recognised and used across multiple jurisdictions.
- the apparatus 10 may therefore be connected to a conventional wall socket (not shown) in a particular jurisdiction using a standard connecting cord (not shown) having one end adapted to engage the male IEC lead 28 and an opposed end adapted to engage the wall socket.
- the apparatus may be constructed for use in individual countries.
- the apparatus 34 shown in Figure 2 includes a male 3-pin plug 36 on its front face 26 which is common to Australia and New Zealand, allowing the apparatus 10 to be plugged directly into a wall socket (not shown) in those countries without the use of connecting cords.
- the components of apparatus 34 shown in Figure 2 that are the same or similar to the components of apparatus 10 in Figure 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the active 30, neutral 32 and earth 34 pins of both the IEC lead 28 and the 3-pin male plug 36 are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the apparatus 10 is adapted to be connected to mains power downstream of the RCD (not shown) under test.
- the apparatus 10 comprises two primary circuits, an internal charging circuit 38, and a testing circuit 40 which provides for both the 'no trip' (15 mA) and 'trip' (30 mA) tests to be carried out in sequence when the rocker switch 25 is in position one. Each test is described below.
- the internal charging circuit 38 is used to charge capacitor 42 across active 30 and neutral 32 wires to 5 V so that electronic components such as the digital display 16 and LED's 18, 20 and 22 may be powered.
- Some of the electrical componentry in Figure 3, such as photorelay 44, fuse 45, octocouplers 46 and 48, and bridge rectifiers 50 and 52 are not described here in any detail in that they are relatively standard components and their function should be well known to those skilled in the art.
- the internal charging circuit further includes a phase reversal switch 53 so that measurements involving both positive and negative voltage amplitudes may be performed.
- FIG. 4 shows the logic diagram associated with the apparatus 10 of the present invention where the relationship between electronic components such as LED's 18, 20 and 22, digital display 16 and pushbutton 24 is clearly illustrated.
- the logic circuit also includes links 55 so as to allow the circuit to be more easily modified to suit a particular application.
- the links 53 do not affect the operation of the circuit at all. Again, the particulars of the logic diagram of Figure 4 will not be described here in any detail.
- the push-button 24 is adapted to be pressed and held down for the duration of the test sequence which will now be described in detail.
- a first test sequence (the 'no trip' test) is initiated which involves bleeding a 15 mA current from active 30 to earth 34 over a period of 1 second, during which time the second LED 20 lights. If the RCD does trip within 1 second, the second LED 20 remains illuminated and the 3-digit display 16 will indicate the time it took for the RCD to trip. If the RCD does not trip, then after the 1 -second period, the second LED 20 switches off and the time is reset. If the RCD is functioning correctly, it should not trip during this first test sequence.
- the 15 mA 'no trip' test is typically undertaken as an industry expectation, and is not currently a legal requirement in Australia.
- the 'trip' test is initiated whereby a current of 30 mA is passed to earth and the third LED 22 is illuminated. If the RCD trips at any time within a 1 -second period, the time will be displayed on the digital display 16. If the time displayed is within 300 ms, then the RCD is functioning correctly and the test passes. If the trip time is greater than 300 ms but less than 1 second, the RCD has tripped but has taken too long and this indicates a failed test. If after 1 second, the RCD does not trip at all, a zero reading will be displayed and this also indicates a failed test.
- the apparatus 10 of the present invention provides a user with the ability to undertake two integrity tests on a circuit breaker device such as an RCD.
- a user is simply required to connect the apparatus 10 (by means described above) to mains power downstream of the RCD.
- a first 'no trip' test for testing whether the RCD trips prematurely is initiated, and if that passes, it is followed by a 'trip' test for testing whether the RCD will trip when it is required to do so.
- An advantage the apparatus 10 provides over existing test equipment of this sort is that during each test, the current is maintained constant regardless of voltage or temperature. This not only increases the accuracy of the apparatus 10, but also allows for the addition of extra test stages and the testing of circuit breakers at any desired test current (with a simple change of resistors). This is achieved because the apparatus 10 employs the use of constant current regulators as opposed to standard resistors. It can be seen in the tripping circuit 40 of Figure 3 that the tripping current across active 30 and earth 34 is regulated by the use of a field-effect transistor 54. Similarly, the non-trip circuit uses a voltage regulator 56 and a constant voltage diode 58 associated therewith.
- a constant voltage diode 58 is used in this instance because it is more accurate than a Zener diode. In using each of the above components, accuracy within ⁇ 2% is ensured.
- the circuit also provides that if the 'trip' test does not pass, the current will be turned off after two seconds so as to prevent overheating of the current regulator, this limiting the power required because a smaller heat sink may be used.
- the above trip or no trip tests are carried out whilst the rocker switch 25 is in position one, shown in Figure 4 as switch 60. It can be seen from Figure 4 that if the rocker switch (25 and 60) is in position two, three or four, the variable resistor 62 is activated. Also, some additional circuitry 64 is activated in order to display any information arising from the use of the variable resistor 62 on the apparatus's 10 LCD display 16.
- Rocker switch 25 position two allows for the actual tripping current to be measured and indicated on the digital display 16. Moving the switch to position two disconnects the timing circuitry of the apparatus 10 so that the RCD will only trip when a current of sufficient amplitude passes from active to earth. The test current is ramped up, by decreasing the resistance of the variable resistor 62 until the RCD is tripped. The actual tripping current is then held in the apparatus 10, for several seconds or until the RCD is reset, and displayed on the digital display 16.
- Rocker switch 25 position four enables the tripping current to be selected from a range of 0 to at least 100mA before being applied to the RCD. This is achieved by altering the resistance of the variable resistor 62, generally using a dial (not shown). Once the desired current is obtained the rocker switch 25 is to be moved to position three so that the RCD being tested is connected and the timing circuit is reinstated. This position allows the apparatusiO the advantage of testing an RCD with any current rating.
- the apparatus 10 may include a tri-colour LED (not shown) which simply designates a different colour to the different stages of operation.
- the digital display 16 may include such indicia.
- the first digit may be made to illuminate when the apparatus 10 is charged and ready for use, the second digit may illuminate when the first test sequence is initiated, and so on. It is ' envisaged that the LED's 18, 20 and 22 and the 3-digital display 16 will be incorporated into an LCD display means.
- the apparatus 10 of the present invention may well include the following additional features: • a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) instead of, or in addition to, the 3-digit digital display 16;
- LCD Liquid Crystal Display
- a data storage means so that information such as the date of a particular test, a location where a test was carried out, the test currents, the trip times, and other relevant information may be stored;
- a data output means such as an attached printer or computer port.
- the printer or attached computer could then be used to provide a printout of the stored information.
- the apparatus 10 is designed to fit in one hand, can easily be carried on a belt clip, involves single pushbutton operation with no complex scale or selector switches, is of robust construction, automatically performs the 'no trip' and 'trip' tests in sequence, and includes constant current regulators instead of simple resistors to give unprecedented accuracy over a wide range of voltages.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Breakers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP06741151A EP1886161A1 (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers |
NZ563881A NZ563881A (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers |
AU2006254720A AU2006254720B2 (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005902817A AU2005902817A0 (en) | 2005-06-01 | A method and apparatus for testing circuit breakers | |
AU2005902817 | 2005-06-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006128233A1 true WO2006128233A1 (en) | 2006-12-07 |
Family
ID=37481139
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2006/000734 WO2006128233A1 (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | An apparatus and method for testing circuit breakers |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1886161A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006254720B2 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ563881A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006128233A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104251973A (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2014-12-31 | 浙江正泰电器股份有限公司 | Circuit breaker residual current operating characteristic detection mechanism |
US9304168B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2016-04-05 | General Electric Company | Methods and apparatus for testing an electronic trip device |
US9368955B2 (en) | 2013-02-14 | 2016-06-14 | General Electric Company | System and method to derive power and trip a circuit breaker from an external device |
CN106093760A (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2016-11-09 | 北京市计量检测科学研究院 | Leakage switch tester detection method, Apparatus and system |
WO2018224849A1 (en) * | 2017-06-09 | 2018-12-13 | KOURVOULIS, Zacharias | Method and device regulating sensitivity of earth leakage circuit breaker |
CN111044896A (en) * | 2019-12-23 | 2020-04-21 | 云南恒协科技有限公司 | Strut type circuit breaker on-line monitoring system |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2653704B1 (en) * | 1976-11-26 | 1977-12-08 | Mueller & Weigert | Procedure for testing FI and FI protective circuits and arrangement for carrying out this procedure |
GB2118310A (en) * | 1982-04-08 | 1983-10-26 | Avo Limited | An instrument for testing circuit breakers |
-
2006
- 2006-06-01 NZ NZ563881A patent/NZ563881A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-06-01 AU AU2006254720A patent/AU2006254720B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2006-06-01 WO PCT/AU2006/000734 patent/WO2006128233A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2006-06-01 EP EP06741151A patent/EP1886161A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2653704B1 (en) * | 1976-11-26 | 1977-12-08 | Mueller & Weigert | Procedure for testing FI and FI protective circuits and arrangement for carrying out this procedure |
GB2118310A (en) * | 1982-04-08 | 1983-10-26 | Avo Limited | An instrument for testing circuit breakers |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
"Proven Performers", CLIPSAL ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES - TESTING & MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET, CLIPSAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, 5 February 2002 (2002-02-05), XP008137784, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.clipsal.com/trade_data/page/81/A0000106a.pdf> * |
DATABASE WPI Week 197750, Derwent World Patents Index; Class R18, AN 1977-K9497Y, XP003004812 * |
DATABASE WPI Week 199622, Derwent World Patents Index; Class S01, AN 1996-222431, XP003004813 * |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9304168B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2016-04-05 | General Electric Company | Methods and apparatus for testing an electronic trip device |
US9368955B2 (en) | 2013-02-14 | 2016-06-14 | General Electric Company | System and method to derive power and trip a circuit breaker from an external device |
CN104251973A (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2014-12-31 | 浙江正泰电器股份有限公司 | Circuit breaker residual current operating characteristic detection mechanism |
CN106093760A (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2016-11-09 | 北京市计量检测科学研究院 | Leakage switch tester detection method, Apparatus and system |
WO2018224849A1 (en) * | 2017-06-09 | 2018-12-13 | KOURVOULIS, Zacharias | Method and device regulating sensitivity of earth leakage circuit breaker |
CN111044896A (en) * | 2019-12-23 | 2020-04-21 | 云南恒协科技有限公司 | Strut type circuit breaker on-line monitoring system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2006254720B2 (en) | 2010-06-03 |
AU2006254720A1 (en) | 2006-12-07 |
EP1886161A1 (en) | 2008-02-13 |
NZ563881A (en) | 2010-07-30 |
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