Are you concerned about the reliability of your VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker during critical moments? Breakdowns that happen suddenly and unexpectedly can pose severe safety risks, lead to expensive downtime, and result in lost productivity. However, there is no need to worry: routine maintenance can help avert problems.
In this blog, we will show you how to perform effective maintenance on the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker, do-it-yourself troubleshooting, and professional troubleshooting options that will save you the stress and hassle of failures. So, stay connected!
1) What is a VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker
The VS1-12 Vcb Breaker is an electrical high-voltage device used for the protection of power systems. It is intended to interrupt a circuit in the event of a fault occurring, for example, short circuits or overloads. The term “vacuum” in the name refers to the vacuum-type breaker that interrupts the circuit.
Well, this component extinguishes the arc that forms during circuit interruption. Because the space is devoid of air, it is referred to as the vacuum; it far surpasses safety standards, ensuring fabric arc cancelling, which makes it a reliable choice.
The “12” in VS1-12 encompasses its use in systems with a voltage of 12kV line systems. This type of breaker is frequently found in indoor settings, such as in power stations, factories, and basically everywhere industrial. The VS1-12 is famed for extreme longevity, fast functional speeds, alongside its maintenance malfunctions.
Vast quantities of this circuitry can be located in switchgear cabinets, controlling the electric current within mid-voltage systems. It can be operated both manually and automatically, eliminating the need for further assistance. The mounting and removing of the breaker is incredibly easy, which aids a great deal in repairing and inspection.
2) Key Features of the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker
- Vacuum Interrupter: The VS1-12 employs a superb vacuum interrupter for extinguishing electric arcs during switching. Since the arc is extinguished within a vacuum, there is no danger of fire or gas generation.
- Handcart and Fixed Installation Types: This breaker can be installed either in a fixed position or as a handcart type. The handcart type is very convenient because it can be effortlessly pulled out for testing, inspection, or maintenance.
- Operated Manually or By Power: Both manual and powered operations are supported. It may be controlled manually through simple setups or electrically through an automatic control. This versatility opens up many different kinds of electrical systems for use.
- Frequently Opened and Closed Switching Capability: The breaker is designed for frequent use. If your system needs frequent opening and closing of circuits, this breaker can endure that without experiencing too much wear and tear.
- Lightweight and Compact Design: VS1-12 has a low weight and compact design, which facilitates mounting. It will also save space in your switchgear cabinet or control room.
- Strong Insulation System: Its good insulation system eliminates any possibility of electrical leakage, thus improving safety and ensuring stable performance over a long period.
- Spring Operated Mechanism: With the spring mechanism, the breaker springs into action in quick and smooth steps. The use of low manual force means it is simple to switch the device.
3) Why Routine Maintenance Is Essential
Carrying out routine maintenance on the VS1-12 VCB Circuit Breaker is essential to enhance the safety and reliability of your electrical system. In the absence of regular checks, minor issues can escalate into major problems. Yes! It will lead to unplanned failures, system downtime, or safety hazards.
In the long run, dust, moisture, and mechanical actions can alter the components of the breaker. If these tips are overlooked, the breaker might not function at the time when it is most needed. Routine maintenance aids in the identification and rectification of disruption gaps within the system on time.
Moreover, it helps the electrical vacuum breaker function aptly while also prolonging its lifespan. Regular servicing also helps in maintaining the vacuum interrupter, springs, and insulation. These components perform crucial functions and need to be in optimal working condition to avoid various faults during an outage.
4) Recommended Maintenance Schedule
In order to maintain the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker in a safe and operational condition, it is prudent to set up a well-defined maintenance activities framework. Along with periodic inspections and servicing of the adapter, these actions will greatly reduce unexpected malfunctions.
- Visual Inspection – Every 3 to 6 Months
Every three to six months, perform basic visual inspections. Check for any dust, moisture, rust and loose parts. Catching small issues during these preliminary checks can save you from bigger problems in the future.
- Mechanical Operation Test – Every 6 Months
Having at least two operations each year, check the breaker’s operation at least twice a year. Confirm that all movable components are in working condition and are not stiff due to prolonged inactivity.
- Contact Inspection – Once a Year
Inspect vacuum interrupter contacts at least once a year. If any contacts are worn out or damaged, they need to be replaced immediately in order to guarantee safe functioning.
- Insulation Resistance Test – Yearly
Conduct yearly insulation resistance tests. These measures help in identifying possible failures in insulation before they lead to short circuits or loss of power.
- Lubrication of Moving Parts – Yearly
Moveable components require lubrication on an annual basis. Friction and wear are minimised by this simple act, therefore prolonging the life of internal components.
- Full Functional Testing – Every 2 to 3 Years
After completing the other tests, carry out a full test every other year. This allows for optimal performance evaluation of the breaker.
- Professional Maintenance – Within a Range of Every 3 to 5 Years
For long-term care, draft a professional maintenance plan for 3 to 5 years. A skilled technician is likely to discover problems that are hidden and ensure that everything is functioning properly.
5) Maintenance Procedures Step-by-Step
These simple procedures will help put the equipment in tip-top shape.
Step 1) Power Down the System
At the very start, remember to shut off the power. This means that the system has to be completely de-energised. For your safety, that is the most important step.
Step 2) Remove the Breaker (if Handcart Type)
For handcart types, use the right tools to pull the breaker out of the cabinet. After that, place it in a stable position where you can work on it.
Step 3) Visual Inspection
Look for the presence of dust, dirt, rust, or any signs of overheating. Examine cables, terminals, and insulators carefully. For any caked-on grime, just wipe it with a dry cloth or brush.
Step 4) Check the Vacuum Interrupter
Check the vacuum interrupter so you don’t miss any cracks or signs of wear. If you have a vacuum integrity tester, you can do some testing on it. Also, ensure that the recommended gap range between the contacts is met.
Step 5) Operating Test
During inspection, open and close the breaker several times in a manual fashion. Listen carefully for smooth operation. If there is a sluggish feel, consider possible cleaning or lubrication of the moving parts.
Step 6) Insulation Resistance Measurements
Use a megger to check insulation resistance between phases or between any phase and ground. Store the recorded values for reference purposes in the future.
Step 7) Movement Part Lubrication
It is necessary to apply the recommended grease on joints, springs and contact arms. Be careful not to over-lubricate, as too much grease may lead to dust attraction.
Step 8) Disciplined Connection Tightening
Tightening of all bolts, terminals, and fasteners should be done where necessary. Always secure any loose parts to eliminate possible faults or overheating in future.
Step 9) Testing and Reinstallation
Assuming the breaker is removable, place it back in its position and reconnect. Perform a complete operational test and confirm that everything is working as intended in the system.
Following the provided steps when maintaining the system reduces the need to worry over safety, unplanned failures and the overall performance of the system infrastructure.
6) Common Maintenance Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
a) The Breaker Fails to Operate
If the VS1-12 does not operate due to a need for opening and closing, the problem could be the mechanical linkages associated. These can be gel stiff with dirt or old lubricant.
- Solution: Clean the linkages and apply lubricant to enable smooth movement. If the issue persists, look over the spring mechanism. If it is broken or too worn, kasœt springs may need to be added.
b) Low Insulation Resistance
Low insulation resistance is commonly associated with moisture or pollution within the insulation.
- Solution: Check the insulation for gaps, cracks, dirt, or water. If a crack is found on the insulation, it should be cleaned and dried completely. If the damage is too much, for good resistance, replacing the insulation is necessary.
c) Overwearing of Interrupter Contacts
With time, the vacuum interrupter contacts will become overused and worn, leading to pitting or erosion within the productivity. This causes operational inefficiency.
- Solution: Carrying out periodic checks on contacts to ensure there’s no wear is good practice. If they’re too damaged, changing them is best to enable operations and avert other problems.
d) Overheating
Overheating of the individual breaker is often associated with loose connections or overloaded circuits.
- Solution: Look through every connection and ensure they are all secured tightly. Also, ensure that no circuits are loaded beyond the capability of the breaker to avoid overheating. The system may overheat easily when overloaded.
e) Trip Failure
This problem can occur due to a lack of an electromagnetic coil control or a problem within the control circuit of a coil.
- Solution: Check the trip and the continuity of the coil: the mechanism of tripping. Change the coil if it does not work, or control the charging device; then it would be guaranteed that it would remold tripping when crippled at circuit faults.
7) Tools and Equipment Required
The VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker can be maintained with the help of basic tools and equipment, the absence of which can hinder safe operation of the device. The tools needed are:
i) Insulation Resistance Tester (Megger): This device is very important when it comes to measuring the insulation resistance of the breaker. It helps in establishing whether there are any gaps or defects within the insulation that risk electrical interferences or failures to the system.
ii) Torque Wrench: It is important to use a torque wrench when tightening screws and bolts in order to achieve the manufacturer’s suggested torque levels. With a torque wrench, one is able to neither over-tighten nor under-tighten, which can both cause issues.
iii) Multimeter: In an electric circuit, a multimeter is needed for measuring the voltage, current, and resistance. An electrical fault may be detected, as well as the correct operation of the circuit breaker tested with the help of this tool.
iv) Lubricants and Cleaning Supplies: All moving parts require the application of non-conductive lubricants. Sufficient lubrication of the mechanism will also help ensure smooth operation of the breaker, as well as extend its lifespan.
v) Hand Tools: Other basic hand tools include screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches, which are essential in making minor adjustments and dealing with the internal components of the breaker. These tools should always be insulated to prevent electric shocks during use.
vi) Vacuum Integrity Tester: With a vacuum integrity tester, you can check the state of the vacuum interrupter within the breaker, ensuring that it functions optimally. The performance of the breaker may be affected if the vacuum is lost. This equipment assists you in making sure that the interrupter is functioning properly.
vii) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As a matter of personal safety, ensure that you have the appropriate PPE attire, such as an insulated coverall, gloves, safety glasses, and boots. Electric systems pose an immense risk hence, personal safety should be a priority.
These tools and equipment are essential for performing maintenance tasks safely, ensuring the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker’s reliability.
8) Documentation and Record Keeping
Documentation and Record keeping are important to maintaining your VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker’s performance over an extended period of time. Precise documentation enables tracking of baselines, ongoing maintenance activities, and safety standards.
- Maintenance Logs
For every service, inspection, or repair, complete a maintenance log. Remember to also document the date and all necessary tasks that were completed: condition of the vacuum breaker, parts replaced, and the technician’s name. This record enables evaluation of the unit’s performance over time.
- Inspection Checklists
Always utilise an inspection checklist so that all maintenance work is completed. Operational checks like visual checks, lubrication tasks, and other manual checks are included in these maintenance plans. A checklist is a reliable record of each inspection done.
- Test Results
All results from the tests are recorded. This includes the “insulation resistance” and mechanical operation tests. All values and deviations from expected readings need to be documented, as it assists in identifying emerging problems.
- Parts and Replacements
Tracking replacement parts like vacuum interrupters, springs, and jopa insulation parts is useful. Ensuring a proper replacement is used requires recording the part numbers, dates of replacement, and the manufacturer of the parts.
Well-organised record allows users to address issues on time, ensure there is an accurate service history of the device, and improve the durability of the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker.
9) When to Seek Professional Support
Monitoring and maintaining the VS1-12 Vacuum Circuit Breaker on a routine basis improves its lifespan, but at times will require professional assistance. These instances are crucial in ensuring the vacuum circuit breaker is safe as well as its functionality.
- Complex Issues: Calling a professional should be done when complex issues like continuous electrical faults, a faulty trip mechanism, or damage to internal components and other parts are encountered. All problems of this nature require skilled personnel along with effective tools to address the issues.
- Calibration and Testing: More advanced procedures like vacuum integrity testing or control circuit calibrating require the services of a skilled technician for precision and safety.
- Subsequent to Significant Defects or Alterations: In the event of the circuit breaker experiencing a significant fault, surge in voltage, or mechanical failure, be sure to get external professional help. These scenarios can result in concealed consequences that are detrimental to the system.
- Absence of Knowledge: If you have not performed some maintenance processes or you do not have the necessary tools, it is recommended to reach out to a certified technician. That helps prevent mistakes and ensures proper maintenance of the circuit breaker that affects it.
Relying on a professional increases accuracy during operation and eliminates unnecessary expenses.
10) Conclusion
Well, a VS1-12 vacuum circuit breaker requires regular upkeep by the user to maintain it at peak reliability, performance, and safety. Following a scheduled maintenance routine, addressing issues promptly, properly managing the system, and seeking guidance when necessary will prevent unplanned downtimes. Adequately taking care of the system not only enhances the lifespan of the device but also adds to the safety of the electrical systems in place.
At Eberry, we are glad to provide the VS1-12 Indoor High Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breaker, intended to perform reliably in 12kV indoor power systems.
Our breaker comes in a fixed model as well as a handcart-type, both assuring safety, durability, and uncomplicated maintenance. That makes them ideal for today’s electrical distribution systems. Count on us to power your systems with confidence. You can contact us right now!
