ABB VBF Series Guide

Outdoor Vacuum Circuit Breaker Type VBF
Instruction for Installation, Service and Maintenance

INDEX
Sr. No. Title Page No.
Product description
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety
Packing information, Goods marking and transport
Receipt & Storage prior to Installation
Safety provisions and assembly instructions
PART B Instructions for Installation, Operation & Maintenance
General
Breaker details
Function
Installation
Commissioning
Periodical checks
PART C Operating Mechanism working principle and Maintenance
Spring charged mechanism
Maintenance of operating mechanism
Failure Report
List Of Drawings
Drawings
Dismantling of operating coil setup
3
5
6
8
9
11
12
13
13
13
27
30
33
34
39
42
46
47
55
Check that the personnel operating the apparatus have this
instruction manual with them.
!!
!!We recommend that installation and commissioning should
be carried out by qualified and authorised personnel.
2

3
Product description
Pole assembly consists of three poles and a
common duct.
Each pole comprises of a vacuum bottle, current
transfer contacts and an insulating pull rod placed in
the porcelain housing.
Robust housing for protection against fire and
hazardous conditions.
Primary terminal connectors can be provided,
such as NEMA 4.
All three poles are mounted on a common duct.
Poles are interconnected with each other as well
as to the operating mechanism with a linkage
arrangement.
Simple design - minimises spare parts.
1. Top terminal
2. Arc chamber insulator
3. Vacuum interrupter
4. Bottom terminal
5. Insulating rod
6. Support insulator
7. Bottom crank housing
Description
Medium Voltage circuit-breaker type VBF, with operating mechanism type ESH.
1.1 Design of the circuit-breaker 1. Pole assembly
The circuit-breaker is made up of three separate poles.
These consist of three main parts.
1. Pole assembly
2. Cabinet with operating mechanism
3. Steel structure
Sectional view of pole part Rear view with back cover open

4
Product description
2. Cabinet with operating mechanism
2.1 Base Cabinet
The base cabinet is made of painted mild steel. The
cabinet houses a spring operated mechanism which
is mechanically linked to all three poles. The cabinet
also includes the followings:
Anti-condensation heater
Circuit breaker status indicator
Mechanical operation counter
Breaker control switches
Anti-pumping relay
AC / DC fuses
Auxiliary wiring
Terminal blocks
2.2 Operating mechanism
For high operational reliability and minimal maintenance,
a simple and robust spring operated mechanism is used.
Features
O-C-O operation without recharging
Closing spring is charged by motor in less than
15 secs.
Mechanical / electrical anti-pumping
Provision for manual charging
Suitable for high speed auto-reclosing
Manual closing and tripping arrangement
Mechanical ON - OFF and SPRING CHARGED
indication
Auxiliary switch: 13 NO + 13 NC
Additional tripping solenoid(optional)
Operating mechanism with electrical accessories
3. Structure
The breaker is supplied with galvanised steel strucutre, if ordered, which supports the breaker on the foundation
4. Standards
The circuit breakers comply with the requirements according to IEC and are restrike-free when breaking a
capacitive load.

5
1.0 Packing Information, Goods marking & Transport
1.1 Goods marking
1.2 Documents
1.3 Transport
1.4 Lifting
2.0 Receipt & storage prior to installation
2.1 General
2.2 Receipt & storage of breaker
3.0 Safety provisions and assembly instructions
3.1 Warning texts
3.2 Safety Precaution
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety

6
1.0 Packing Information, goods marking &
transport
1.1 Goods marking
The circuit-breaker is transported in seaworthy packing
in ‘OPEN’ position in two parts (in most of the cases).
The poles with duct is packed in one case and the
control cabinet is packed in the other.
The breaker structures (if part of the order) are packed
separately.
The CT structures (optional item) are packed
separately.
Each case is marked with case markings on two sides
with indelible black ink. The case markings include
information of case number, gross weight, etc.
In addition to the above, the cases are marked with
the following symbols. These should be observed
when choosing lifting equipment.
1.2 Documents
Following documents are packed with breaker:
Instruction manual
Test certificates
Drawings
Packing list
This way up Fragile, handle
with care
Keep dry Keep away
from heat
Legend on packing case
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety
Use no hook
No hand truck
here
Stacking
limitation
Do not roll
kg max

7
1.3 Transport
The circuit- breakers shall be transported in packed
condition only. Following precautions are to be
taken while transporting:
Ensure that packing cases are not placed on
wet surfaces / waterlogged areas.
Breakers should not be stacked one over the
other.
Lifted by a lifting device equipped with forks or
slings. If a crane is used, slings shall be used. The
units must not be rolled or dropped.
1.4 Lifting
Before lifting the case, observe the information on it
(such as symbol, weight, etc.). The cases shall be
Lifting the case
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety
Duct with pole
Cabinet Structure
Loose structure(optional)
1500
2110
260
1730
620
900
1340
Case marking

8
2.0 Receipt & Storage prior to installation
2.1 General
The breaker with complete packing should always
be stored indoor to protect from direct sunlight
& rain/snow.
Breakers can be stored upto 3 months from date
of shipment from the factory. For longer storage,
the packing needs to be removed and the breaker
be kept under controlled environmental conditions.
We define storage in controlled conditions as a
place with :
Leak proof roof
Solid, flat ground
Relative humidity less than 50%
Temperature 20°C (± 10° C)
2.2 Receipt & Storage of Breaker
Each delivery, on receipt, should be checked
for:
Shortages and discrepancies. (Check
against order and delivery documents).
Any transit damage and material losses.
Abnormality, if any, must be notified
immediately to: ABB, forwarding agents
and the insurance company.
The operating cabinet should be unpacked on arrival.
If it is not going to be stored in an approved storage
the heating elements must be connected
permanently to the electric supply to protect the
control equipment from corrosion or freezing damage.
The breaker with duct & poles should be stored in their
original transport units, where they are well protected
from damage. The breakers if stored outdoors, should
be well covered with tarpaulin. The tarpaulin should
not be placed directly on breaker.An air gap should
be left to prevent condensation.
The minimum allowed ambient temperature for the
Outdoor Vacuum Circuit Breaker is (-)30°C.
Structures may be stored outdoors.Spare parts should
be stored indoors in a recommended storage area
in their original packings.
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety

9
3.0 Safety provisions for circuit-breaker
The entire assembly instruction should be read carefully before starting the assembly work.
3.1 Warning texts
Warning texts are stated in 5 different degrees of urgency, which should be carefully observed.
These are described below:
DANGER indicates an immediate risk situation that can lead to death
or serious personal injury if not avoided.
Warning indicates a risk situation that can lead to death or serious
personal injury if not avoided.
Caution indicates a risk situation that can lead to small or moderate
damage
Note is used when there is danger that can lead to equipment
damage only
Important indicates an operation or a suggestion for handling
DANGER
!
!
!
Note
Warning
Caution
Important
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety

10
2) Work on ladders and platforms The work shall follow the directions
of the authority for occupational
safety and health. Avoid work in
severe weather conditions, which
entails a great deal of climbing for
short periods.
3) Work with low- voltage.
Both D.C. and A.C. Voltage
may be drawn to the operating
device.
4) Risk in operating mechanism
and link system
The spring operated device has
energy stored in the operating
spring, when it is in charged
condition. The device can be
activated by heavy vibrations or
unintentional, slight touch on
mechanical latch parts.
5) Work on pressurized porcelain
Insulators.
Normally, the work pressure is
up to 1.5 bar absolute. Damages
in the porcelain can cause risk of
the porcelain breaking.
Do not connect control supply and
heater voltage until all connection
work is completed.
Warning plate is placed on the
supporting frame.
No work must be carried out unless
the closing and opening springs are
discharged, the circuit-breaker is in
position OFF “0” and the supply to
the motor is disconnected.
The operating mechanism must not
be operated unless it is connected to
the circuit
Work close to the insulators of the
circuit breaker that entails risk of
porcelain damage must not be
carried out until the gas pressure has
been lowered to 1.0 bar absolute
pressure.
3.2 Safety Precaution
When working on high-voltage circuit breaker the below-mentioned risk must be taken
into consideration and corresponding safety measures taken.
RISK SAFETY MESAURES
1) Work next to high voltage Warning plate is placed inside the
door of the operating device.
Disconnect all electrical supply. Connect
earthing devices near the workplace.
If work must be carried out near
energized parts of the plant, it has to
follow local safety regulation of the
organization responsible for the circuit
breaker.
PART A Receipt, Storage & Safety