Breaker Maintenance: Volume 3, Molded-Case circuit breakers
Modeled-case circuit breakers (MCCBs) provide power and circuit protection in nuclear plant electrical distribution systems. Thus, their proper operation is essential to the safe and reliable operation of plant electrical distribution systems. This guide for both nuclear and non-nuclear power generating facilities will help improve the maintenance and reliability of MCCBs. The authors developed this guide to establish a working-level understanding of hardware performance trends, reliability, and failure modes from which maintenance practices could be specified. The first step in preparing this guide was an in-depth review of available operating experience and failure data, which was obtained from nuclear information sources such as EPRI's Nuclear Maintenance Applications Center. In addition, they evaluated some nonnuclear reliability data. Next, they investigated current industry practices, including a review of manufacturer's recommendations and numerous industry standards. Finally, they used the collective information to develop programmatic recommendations and, where appropriate, detailed inspection and test guidance. This guide offers many recommendations applicable to MCCB maintenance, such as an engineering description of MCCBs and their operation; an overview of reliability and failure data; programmatic recommendations, including inspection and test periodicity; detailed inspection and test guidance; and corrective maintenance recommendations. Supplementary information includes an overview of industry standards, a discussion of regulatory issues, and sample data sheets. An evaluation of operating experience indicates that a maintenance program need not be overly complicated to detect the predominant failure modes associated with MCCBs. Those implementating an MCCB maintenance and testing program, however, must recognize the inherent limitations associated with field-testing of these devices. 42 refs., 17 figs., 7 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Edan Engineering Corp., Portland, OR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5190611
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-NP-7410-Vol.3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A Balanced Approach to Molded Case Circuit Breaker Maintenance
Stationary battery maintenance guide
Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
MAINTENANCE
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
RELIABILITY
STANDARDS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220200* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories
426000 - Engineering- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits- (1990-)