Measurements for noninvasive mechanical diagnostics of power circuit breakers

The authors have developed techniques for assessing the mechanical condition of deenergized power circuit breakers based on noninvasive acceleration measurements during trip and close operations. An important element of the research has been the selection and implementation of measurement techniques that are capable of providing vibration data that are repeatable and sufficiently rich in information content to be useful for diagnostic purposes. The most critical aspects of the measurement methods, transducer location and attachment, as well as circuit breaker vibrational response and signature repeatability are addressed in this paper.