O-0.

3s-CO-3min-CO for a Circuit breaker

The time between Open and close (0.3 sec) is the min. time after which CB can be closeed after the Open operation. This time is required for Arc Quenching medium such as oil, SF6 etc to regain its properties after tripping of the CB. Once the CB is close, it is designed to be tripped immediately without any time delay After an O-C-O operation, min 3 Mints time is required for CB operating mechanism (Hydraulic/Pneumatic/spring etc to get charged after which another CO operation of the CB can be accomplished.

This is the Rated Operating Sequence (Duty Cycle) of the circuit breaker. Which denotes the sequence of opening and closing operations which the circuit breaker can perform under specified conditions. The operating mechanism experinces sever stress during the auto-reclosure duty; however, the circuit breaker should be able to perform the operating sequence as follows: O-t-CO-T-CO where, O = opening operation t = time required for circuit breaker to be ready to receive closing order from autoreclosure relay (0.3 s to be used for rapid reclosure), (3 min not to be used for rapid reclosure). CO = close operation followed by open operations T = time required by the circuit breaker, insulating media for regeneration and operating mechanism (3 min) CO = close operation followed by open operations

PIR is pre-insertion-resistor. This is a resistor of about 200-400 ohms which gets temporarily closed before closing the circuit breaker. The sequence is (close order)->closing of PIR->10-12milliseconds>closing of main break->opening of PIR. When electrical circuit having capacitance or transformer which can have inrush current (When the capacitor is energized it can draw really high current as inrush current) Also transformers may have large inrush current. Transmission line (due to its capacitance) is another such circuit. For closing in such circuit first the PIR comes in circuit to limit the inrush current. When the main contacts close, the current through PIR becomes zero as the shunt path is bridged by main contact. One interesting thing to note- sometimes, PIR do not get open when the main contact close. In that case, when the breaker trips, current continue to flow through the PIR and the PIR may blast. so it is very important to check that the PIR open after closing of the main contact. This check is recommended for circuit breaker commissioning.

A pre-insertion resistor mechanism for a circuit interrupting device of the type which has a pair of normallyengaged contacts. One of the contacts is movable relative to the other contact in an arc-extinguishing environment to selectively separate the contacts to open a gap therebetween to effect circuit interruption. The contacts are continuously, electrically connected to respective, opposed circuit-connectable terminals on the device. The pre-insertion resistor mechanism includes a pre-insertion resistor electrically connected at one end to one of the terminals. The other end of the resistor carries a stationary electrode. A movable electrode assembly which is electrically connected to the other terminal is mechanically coupled to the movable contact so that upon movement thereof to open the gap, the movable electrode simultaneously separates from the stationary electrode. After a predetermined amount of the movement of the electrode has taken place, a latch assembly uncouples the movable electrode assembly from the movable contact permitting the movable electrode assembly to move back toward the stationary electrode. In this way, when the contacts are subsequently re-engaged, the movable electrode assembly leads the main movable contact so that the movable electrode assembly reengages the stationary electrode prior to the engagement of the contacts. Thus, the circuit is first made between the electrodes, whereat some arcing occurs, with the resistor in parallel with the gap between the main electrodes. When the contacts re-engage, they again carry most of the current through the interrupting device.