Additional Circuit Breaker Features and Information

EvoPacT circuit breakers may be equipped with electronic devices that allow for continuous circuit breaker health monitoring features when combined with the Substation Monitoring Device (SMD) for Medium Voltage Switchgear provided on SureSeT switchgear. For installation and operation of the substation monitoring devices, refer to Schneider Electric document number SMD MV Enhanced User Guide, for further information.

The optional continuous circuit breaker health monitoring system may include sensors installed on the circuit breaker to monitor various conditions and provide alarms for certain conditions. It may include the following features:

• Circuit breaker thermal monitoring: using Easergy TH110 Sensors mounted on the circuit breaker primary high voltage runbacks, the temperature is monitored. The sensors are self-powered thermal sensors utilizing a ferromagnetic ribbon placed around the runback to self-power and wirelessly transmit temperature information via the Zigbee® Green Power protocol.

• Operating mechanism health monitoring: using position sensors located within the circuit breaker assembly, the operating time of the ARF200 operating mechanism in the circuit breaker is computed to monitor the condition of the circuit breaker ARF200 operating mechanism.

• Vacuum interrupter contact erosion gap monitoring (E-gap monitoring): using sensors mounted below the vacuum interrupters of the circuit breaker, the erosion gap of each phase is continuously monitored.

• Contact synchronism monitoring: using sensors mounted below the vacuum interrupters of the circuit breaker, the synchronism between the contacts of each phase of the circuit breaker is evaluated.

• Opening and closing release coil monitoring: using the self-monitoring function of the coils and various limit switches within the circuit breaker assembly, the health and the operating time of the release coils are monitored.

• Spring charge motor monitoring: the current and the charging time of the spring charging operations are monitored.

The sensors may be integrated into the SMD system. Refer to the Schneider Electric document, SMD MV Enhanced (SMD) User Guide for further details on monitoring information and alarms regarding the Continuous Circuit Breaker Health Monitoring System.

Within SureSeT switchgear, the circuit breaker digital monitoring devices are initially configured at the time of manufacturing. Once in use, if the circuit breaker is moved from an upper position to a lower position, or vice versa, both of these items will need to be updated on the circuit breaker being moved:

• the Modbus address of the BM100 (see BM100 Dial)

• the BM100 Modbus address label on the circuit breaker (see BM100 Label)

Use the dials on the left side of the BM100 device to change the Modbus address setting of the BM100. To access the dials, unplug all wires and cables connected to the device and remove the BM100 from its housing by loosening the two screws located on the top and bottom on the front of the device. Use a screwdriver to rotate the x1 dial to the appropriate number. For circuit breakers used in lower SureSeT switchgear circuit breaker compartments the x1 dial must be set to “1” and circuit breakers used in upper SureSeT switchgear circuit breaker compartments must be set to “2”. The x10 dial must be set to “1”. After the BM100 Modbus address is updated, reposition the BM100 device in its housing, fasten the BM100 mounting screws, and reconnect all the wires and cables. Refer to Schneider Electric document GEX2048200, Circuit Breaker Monitor and Sensors Installation Guide for more information.

BM100 Dial

Circuit breakers with digital monitoring, used in SureSeT switchgear, will have a label located on the left side of the plate covering the racking mechanism. This circuit breaker label must be manually updated when the circuit breaker is moved to a new compartment. The date the circuit breaker is moved must be written in the “Date” field on the label. After the dial setting on the BM100 is changed, mark the appropriate box on the label, next to the date, indicating what SureSeT switchgear compartment the circuit breaker is now configured for, i.e. when the x1 dial setting on the BM100 is moved from “1” (a lower compartment) to “2” (an upper compartment), the “Upper Breaker” checkbox should be marked.

BM100 Label

After completing these actions and validating the other requirements listed throughout this user guide, the circuit breaker may then be placed in the newly designated SureSeT switchgear circuit breaker compartment. Refer to the Schneider Electric document, SMD MV Enhanced (SMD) User Guide, for further information on moving a circuit breaker equipped with digital monitoring features.