The Importance of Circuit Breaker Maintenance, Testing and Upgrades

The integrity of your power system can only be relied upon when regular maintenance is performed to the system. Although, this applies to all equipment regardless of frame size (amperage) or voltage class, it would be logical to state that larger, more powerful equipment can cause larger and more deadly problems. Therefore, it should be an integral part of every plants maintenance program. This starts with simple observations by technicians that are familiar with the equipment and how the gear looks, acts and even smells. Continuation with regular, documented tests according to manufacturers requirements, cannot be overstated.

Whether it is an air circuit breaker, vacuum breaker, switch, protective relay or auxiliary equipment that fails to trip or otherwise clear a fault, can harm or even fatalities, cause fires, damage equipment and increase arc flash hazards to workers or others nearby.

This maintenance includes testing of the insulation to verify its integrity, contact resistance and overcurrent protection of the device overall, as well as its individual components. Test reports will include the breaker type, manufacturer and model number, serial or SO number, insulation tests and overcurrent production tests.

NPE ensures that all of its technicians are up to date with testing requirements and procedures and follow guidelines by accredited organizations like PEARL (Professional Electrical Recyclers League), AVO as well as its own integral guidelines learned over time. All tests are documented and confirmed with our own internal test reports and photos which are provided to the customer with the shipment. Upgrades include updated overcurrent protection with specific modern trip systems and new and improved parts from NPE's aftermarket parts inventory.

All of this ensures that you get "The Right Equipment, at the Right price, Right now"! It also keeps you building production and systems running trouble free.