Cutler-Hammer VCP-W User manual

I.B. 792A190B
April 1999
Cutler-Hammer, Inc.
1000 Cherrington Parkway
Moon Twp., PA 15108
Effective April 1, 1999
Instructions for the Type VCP-W
Electrical Ground and Test Device (Simple)

I.B. 792A190B
April 1999
Type VCP-W
ELECTRICAL GROUND AND TEST DEVICE (Simple)
CONTENTS: PAGE NO.
Purpose 1
Description 1
Power Grounding Switch Operation 2
Interlocks and Safety Features 3
Operation 5
Safe Practices 5
Grounding 6
Cable Testing 7
Phasing Out 8
Figures
1. Side View – Lower Terminals 9
2. Side View – Upper Terminals 10
3. Front View 11
4. Control Scheme – Power Trip 12
5. Control Scheme – Manual Trip 13
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I.B. 792A190B
April 1999
TYPE VCP-W ELECTRICAL GROUND & TEST DEVICE (SIMPLE)
PURPOSE
The VCP-W Electrical Ground and Test Device is designed for insertion into a
Vac Clad-W switchgear compartment to provide a safe and convenient means to:
1. Ground the circuit for maintenance work
2. Apply potential for cable testing
3. Provide access to line circuits for “Phasing Out” tests.
CAUTION: Because of the unique application and vast variety of
system/user requirements, specific operating procedures must be
developed by the user.
DESCRIPTION:
Vac Clad-W switchgear is a two-high arrangement. In the lower compartment
the top terminals normally connect to the main bus and the bottom terminals
normally connect to the incoming line or feeders. In an upper compartment, the
opposite normally holds true., the top terminals connect to the incoming line or
feeders and the bottom terminals connect to the main bus. This must be verified
for each application. Because of this two-high arrangement, there are two styles
of the Electrical Ground and Test Device. In the lower compartment, the
Electrical Ground and Test Device would normally provide connections to the
bottom terminals, see Figure 1. In the upper compartment, the Electrical Ground
and Test Device would normally provide connections to the top terminals, see
Figure 2. Again, the bus arrangement must be verified for each application.
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I.B. 792A190B
April 1999
This device is longer than the standard VCP-W breaker. Therefore:
1. Electrical Ground and Test Device must be handled with extreme care while
loading it on or removing it from the extension rails.
2. The extension rails cannot be engaged or disengaged with the device in the
“Test” position – the device must be either removed or in the “Connected”
position.
3. The device cannot be stored in a Vac Clad-W breaker compartment. It can
only be stored in a storage compartment.
The stored energy closing mechanism for the power grounding switch is the
same as used in the Type VCP-W breakers. It is capable of applying the ground
against a “Live” circuit if operational errors have not cleared the circuit. However,
in such a case, the relaying at the source of power is expected to cause the
source interrupter to clear the as THIS DEVICE HAS NO INTERRUPTING
CAPABILITY.
POWER GROUNDING SWITCH OPERATION:
CLOSING
The power grounding switch is closed by a control switch at the end of a 50ft.
long cable (supplied with the device). The control switch is a spring-return type
to the neutral (unlabeled) position. Upon turning the control switch to “Close”
position (note that the control switch does not have to be held in the “Close”
position):
1. The closing springs start to charge
2. After the springs are fully charged, they automatically discharge to close the
switch contacts.
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April 1999
Once the ground switch is closed, it can be locked in the “Closed” position by
removing the cable from the receptacle on the device and locking the sliding
cover that permits access to the receptacle and manual “Push to Open” button.
OPENING
The grounding switch can be opened by manual operation of the “Push to Open”
button, located behind the sliding cover on the device front panel, Figure 3. If
electrical trip is provided at the control switch (not recommended), for safety
reasons the switch is prevented from opening in less than 20 seconds after
closing.
INTERLOCKS AND SAFETY FEATURES
The device is designed to provide as many interlocks and safety features as
practical for the personnel performing any of the operations described earlier.
The device cannot be levered into or out of the “Connected” position unless the
ground switch is open:
•Upon levering a device with a closed grounding switch into or out of the “Test”
position, the switch is tripped open by the floor tripper in the compartment.
•In the “Connected” position, the levering crank is prevented from being
engaged with the levering screw unless the grounding switch is tripped first.
•An indicator on the front panel shows the status of the ground switch contacts
– “Open” or “Closed”, Figure 3.
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•The grounding switch can be locked closed with a key interlock or padlock.
This is accomplished by locking the sliding cover on the device panel to
prevent access to the manual “Push to Open” button cable receptacle, Figure
3.
•The grounding switch cannot be manually closed. The spring charging socket
and manual close button are both covered by the device front panel, Figure 3.
•The grounding switch can be closed only electrically by a control switch at the
end of a 50ft. cable supplied with the device. Access to the manual close
button is blocked by the device front panel.
•The power to operate the grounding switch in this device is obtained through
the secondary disconnect in the breaker compartment.
•When electrical tripping is provided, (not recommend) the ground switch
cannot be opened electrically in less than 20 seconds after closing, Figure 4.
This feature permits the source interrupter to clear a fault if the grounding
switch is inadvertently closed on an energized circuit as THIS DEVICE HAS
NO INTERRUPTING CAPABILITY.
•The control switch cable is connected to the device with a twist lock
connector.
•The test ports are always available for voltage checking.
•The test port shutter can be padlocked in the “Closed” position.
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OPERATION
SAFE PRACTICES
Ground and test device is a safety-related device. It must be recognized
that IMPROPER USE CAN RESULT IN DEATH, SERIOUS PERSONAL
INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. That is why it is most important that
the user developed specific and safe operating procedures for its use.
The following general safe practices are recommended:
•THE DEVICE CANNOT BE STORED IN A VAC CLAD-W BREAKER
COMPARTMENT. IT CAN ONLY BE STORED IN A STORAGE
COMPARTMENT.
•Store the device in a clean, dry area free from dust, dirt, moisture, etc.
•Keep all insulating surfaces, which include primary support insulation
and insulation barriers, clean and dry.
•Check all primary circuit connectors to make certain that they are clean
and tight.
•Permit only authorized trained personnel to use this device.
•Take extreme care while using this device to avoid contacting “Live” or
“Hot” (energized) terminals.
•Always close the grounding switch electrically from the farthest
distance with the remote control switch.
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April 1999
•Do not remove the device front panel while using this device.
•Beofre inserting the device into the breaker compartment,
CORRECTLY IDENTIFY LINE AND BUS TERMINALS FOR THE
BREAKER COMPARTMENT and visually make certain that the
correct Electrical Ground and Test Device is being used. The device
should connect to the Line Terminals.
•Check the dielectric integrity at 27kV AC across terminals to ground
with grounding switch open.
Typical procedures for use of this device are as follows:
(A) For Grounding
1. With the device out of the breaker compartment, correctly identify
Line and Bus Terminals for the Breaker Compartment and visually
make certain that the connections will be made to the Line Terminals.
2. Life the device and load it on to the extension rails of the breaker
compartment with extreme care.
3. Push the device to the “Test” position as indicated by the crisp clicking
sound of the levering latch engaging the levering nut.
4. Using the breaker levering crank, lever the device to the “Connected”
position as indicated by the red flag appearing in front of and under the
levering crank.
5. Unlock and open the test ports and test for “dead” circuit using
correctly rated neon test stick or equivalent.
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April 1999
6. After the circuit is checked “dead” and made certain that it is
maintained “dead”, connect the remote switch cable and close the
grounding switch from the safest distance.
7. Padlock the ground switch closed by disconnecting the control switch
cable and sliding the cover to the left. It may also be locked by an
optional key lock K3, if provided, Figure 3).
(B) For Cable Testing
1. With the device out of the breaker compartment, correctly identify
Line and Bus Terminals for the Breaker Compartment and visually
make certain that the connections will be made to the Line Terminals.
2. Lift the device and load it on the extension rails of the switchgear
compartment with extreme care.
3. Push the device to the “Test” position as indicated by the crisp clicking
sound of the levering latch engaging the levering nut.
4. Using the breaker levering crank, lever the device to the “Connected”
position as indicated by the red flag appearing in front of and under the
levering crank.
5. Unlock and open the test ports and test for “dead” circuit using
correctly rated neon test stick or equivalent.
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April 1999
6. After the circuit is checked “dead” and made certain that it is
maintained “dead”, insert the insulated test probes into the Test ports.
With the grounding switch open, apply the test voltage to the cables via
the insulated test probes.
(C) For Phasing-Out
1. With the device out of the breaker compartment, correctly identify
Line and Bus Terminals for the Breaker Compartment and visually
make certain that the connections will be made to the Terminals.
2. Lift the device and load it onto the extension rails of the breaker
compartment with extreme care.
3. Push the device to the “Test” position as indicated by the crisp clicking
sound of the levering latch engaging the levering nut.
4. Using the breaker levering handle, lever the device to the “Connected”
position as indicated by the red flag appearing in front of and under the
levering crank.
5. Check the “Phasing Out” according to the specific customer’s
operating procedure.
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