Thomas Edison used to dream about circuit breakers, sketching them into power infrastructure patent applications in “what if” and “if only” scenarios, but the only practical thing he had to work with then was a fuse. While circuit breakers had been invented well before Edison’s reign over electrical infrastructure, the ones he knew of weren’t very practical. In fact, circuit breakers didn’t evolve into their current, practical powerhouse design until well into the 20th Century—beyond Edison’s reach for that first bit of electric infrastructure.
Now that Edison’s dream has come true and the circuit breaker is a modern and necessary part of a robust protective infrastructure for power, however, there remains one overwhelming issue with them: Will they work when they’re supposed to?
The knowledge that your circuit breakers are ready for a trip—not packed, necessarily, but certainly prepared—is an invaluable element of any power protection scheme. Megger’s latest circuit breaker analyzer series, the TM1700, will help you test those circuit breakers, making sure that Edison’s favorite fantasy works like a dream.
Megger has more than 25 years of experience in the field of circuit breaker analysis—a fact the company is deeply proud of. In fact, Megger has a long history of working intimately with circuit breaker manufacturers, which gives them an edge: Megger understands the special requirements of the power industry field worker or the manufacturing complex operator and has created features designed for industry-specific conditions and unique industrial application scenarios.
With this specialized knowledge, Megger regularly introduces new technologies and test methods that become industry standards; the TM1700 is no different.
Overview of the TM1700
This series utilizes some of the ground-breaking technology from the top-of-the-line version TM1800 series of circuit breaker analyzers but puts that technology into a more affordable, more grassroots package. The TM1700’s robust design places powerful technology in the user’s hands, allowing him to achieve efficient and reliable circuit breaker testing in any environment. Additionally, galvanically-isolated inputs and outputs make it possible to perform all relevant measurements in a single test, eliminating the need for new set-up and re-connections. (These particular inputs time both wet and dry contacts independent of polarity and without the need for input configuration. If the contact isn’t galvanically-isolated, it can only be used on wet contacts having the same common.)
Applications for the TM1700 include first trip measurement, coil currents, control voltage and contact timing tests. Additional tests may include auxiliary contact timing, vibration, motor currents, dynamic resistance measurement and motion.
Within the 1700 series, there are four models from PC-remote-controlled to fully stand-alone. All models can be managed from a computer using the well-proven data management and analyzing software CABAWin. Additionally, the patented DualGround™ method makes the testing safe and time-saving by keeping the circuit breaker grounded on both sides throughout the test.
The timing measurement inputs are using a patented active interference suppression algorithm to ensure correct timing and accurate PIR (pre-insertion resistor) values even at high-capacitively-coupled interference currents. (We bet Edison never even dreamed of that one.)
The adaptive and easy-to-use software supports the user, who can perform the test by simply turning the test switch without the need for settings. The operator is only one click away from advanced help functions such as connection diagrams, and the 8” color touch screen (with on-screen keyboard) allows the user to efficiently operate this high-level user interface.
Details of the TM1700
The TM1700 fundamentally serves the purpose of replacing the TM1600, which is being discontinued. The TM1700 has all the functionality of the TM1600 and builds on its predecessor in many capacities. The operator of any TM1700 model may control the analyzer either locally or remotely. Additionally, the TM1700 comes with an optional patent-pending current source for static and dynamic resistance measurement (SRM/DRM). Many analyzers use only one current source, requiring operators to string long, heavy leads and climb up and down ladders or use basket lifts to make changes for each interrupter. None of that is necessary with the TM1700.
The TM1700 series possesses high-resolution analog channels with 16-bit A/D converters (well above the industry standard 12-bit), giving the TM1700 a leg-up on resolution, and 40 kHz sampling rate on all channels where the industry standard is 10 kHz.
The multi-functional breaker control unit on the TM1700 allows for independent control of pulse generation per phase and automatic coil resistance measurement; offers dedicated automatic control voltage measurement (as stated in IEC 62271-100) and individual external coil current measurement per phase using an optional clamp-on CT (perfect for close coil current measurement when there is a X/Y relay in the circuit). It analyzes independent coil current measurement per phase and measures auxiliary contact timing automatically during standard close-and-open operation recordings.
The advanced vibration analysis, using voice recognition algorithms, allows for a non-invasive and time-saving peek into the condition of your equipment.
The TM1700 also offers a special timing measurement method dedicated to circuit breakers with graphite nozzles (rather than the traditional tungsten arcing contacts). This is a rare and unique feature in the TM1700 arsenal.
Even Edison would be enthralled with all the advanced details available in the TM1700 circuit breaker analyzer series from Megger.
More on the 1700 here. Just click.
Megger Insights 