An analysis of the performance of power circuit breakers using a non-invasive system

Some researches have shown that arcing produces impulsive radio-frequency radiation and through timing analysis of the received and recorded impulses, the switching times of circuit breakers can be measured and utilized in order to ensure the safe operation and reliability of these equipments. In this context, this paper presents a performance evaluation of power circuit breakers (CBs) using an antennas-based system along with signal processing techniques. The signals obtained from the arc created during the switching process are captured by the antennas and then processed aiming to characterize the operation process of the CB. Results of this analysis are shown for field measurements performed on CBs attached to shunt reactor of a substation in the southern Brazil.