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Switchgear [5] includes the power switching components, e.g., the main disconnecting device, and breakers protecting the supply conductors and the branch circuits in the machine. Controlgear [ 6 ] includes all of the control system components downstream of the switchgear, out to the final point of control, but not including the machine actuators.
The utilization categories category for low-voltage switchgear defines the characteristic operating conditions for switchgear such as contactors, circuit-breakers, circuit-breaker-fuse units, contactor relays, etc. These devices are dimensioned for different electrical loads and for different operating conditions.
A switchgear may be a simple open-air isolator switch or it may be insulated by some other substance. An effective although more costly form of switchgear is the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), where the conductors and contacts are insulated by pressurized sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF 6). Other common types are oil or vacuum insulated switchgear.
An insulation resistance test (IR test) measures the electrical resistance of insulation by applying a voltage between two locations, and measuring the resultant current flow. Proper safety precautions must be taken when doing this test, such as exclusion zones, making sure no wires are exposed, and personal protective equipment is worn.
A high-resistance connection (HRC) is a hazard that results from loose or poor connections in traditional electrical accessories and switchgear which can cause heat to develop, capable of starting a fire. [1] Glowing connections occur when relatively high current exists in a relatively large resistance object. Heat comes from power dissipation ...
A minimum acceptable resistance value is usually specified (typically in the mega ohm (MΩ) range per circuit tested). Multiple circuits having a common return may be tested simultaneously, provided the minimum allowable resistance value is based on the number of circuits in parallel. Five basic isolation test configurations exist: [3]
Contact resistance values are typically small (in the microohm to milliohm range). Contact resistance can cause significant voltage drops and heating in circuits with high current. Because contact resistance adds to the intrinsic resistance of the conductors, it can cause significant measurement errors when exact resistance values are needed.
The National Association of Relay Manufacturers and its successor, the Relay and Switch Industry Association define 23 distinct forms of electrical contact found in relays and switches. [ 12 ] A normally closed ( NC ) contact pair is closed (in a conductive state) when it, or the device operating it, is in a deenergized state or relaxed state.