COURSE DESCRIPTION

This training program is designed to provide the student with basic information about circuit breakers that are used in substations and switchyards. The course shows how arcs are extinguished in gas-blast and gas-puffer breakers, and covers four types of breaker operating mechanisms: solenoid, motor/spring, pneumatic, and hydraulic.

COURSE GOALS

• Describe the function and purpose of circuit breakers and how their tasks are accomplished.
• Describe the main features of six common types of breaker arc interrupting mechanisms.
• Describe the four common types of breaker operating mechanisms.
• Explain how the interrupting and operating mechanisms operate.

SUBJECTS AND OBJECTIVES

Gas-Blast and Gas-Puffer Circuit Breakers

• Describe the arc extinguishing features of a gas-blast circuit breaker.
• Explain how an arc is extinguished in a gas-blast circuit breaker.
• Describe the arc extinguishing features in a gas-puffer circuit breaker.
• Explain how an arc is extinguished in a gas-puffer circuit breaker.

Solenoid and Motor/Spring Operating Mechanisms

• Describe the main features of a solenoid operating mechanism.
• Explain how a solenoid operating mechanism opens and closes circuit breaker contacts.
• Describe the main features of a motor/spring operating mechanism.
• Explain how a motor/spring operating mechanism opens and closes circuit breaker contacts.

Pneumatic Hydraulic Operating Mechanisms

• Describe the main features of a pneumatic operating mechanism.
• Explain how a pneumatic operating mechanism opens and closes circuit breaker contacts.
• Describe the main features of a hydraulic operating mechanism.
• Explain how a hydraulic operating mechanism opens and closes circuit breaker contacts.