An Improved Vibration Analysis Algorithm as a Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Mechanical Anomalies on Power Circuit Breakers

This paper deals with the successful application of vibration analysis for circuit-breaker (CB) diagnostic testing with the aim of detecting mechanical anomalies in CB drive mechanisms and other moving parts in the interrupting chamber. An improved dynamic time warping algorithm was developed. Several case studies of defective mechanical components of SF
₆
power CBs equipped with hydraulic or spring-loaded drive mechanisms are presented. It is foreseen that vibration analysis can be used as a diagnostic tool for all CBs whenever mechanical anomalies are suspected.