Martek Chicken Switch K-15 User manual

A Portable Actuator for Remotely Operating
certain ITE K Breakers
Model K- 5
User’s Manual
User’s Manual
For Model K-15
.0 Arc-blast Hazards
2.0 Safety Information
2.1 Finger pinch points
2.2 Strong magnets
3.0 Battery Information
3.0 Battery Requirements
3.1 Battery Life
3.2 Battery Replacement
3.3 Connecting/ isconnecting Batteries
3.4 Static ischarge Potential
4.0 Operation
4.1 Connecting the control cable
4.2 Sequence of operation
4.3 Attaching and removing the actuator
4.4 Indicator lights
5.0 Care and Storage
5.1 Cleaning debris from magnets
5.2 Storage
6.0 Warranty
7.0 Specifications

.0 Arc-blast Hazards
The hazards associated with electrical arc-blasts are
well documented. Studies conducted by numerous
industries and professional organizations have
sought to quantify the intensity of arc-blast, the
risks to personnel, and various methodologies for
mitigating the risks.
Without doubt, increasing the distance between the
arc and a human is the single greatest favorable
factor in reducing injuries.
The Chicken Switch® is not a panacea but rather
one more tool available for protecting workers while
they are performing electrical switching.
Using a Chicken Switch® may not negate the need
for additional personal protective measures. The
user is ultimately responsible for evaluating each
situation to determine if additional protective
measures are needed.
Electrical switching may present
risk of serious injury or death.
This device should only be used
by qualified persons after
careful analysis of the hazards.
WARN
ING
2.0 Safety Information
ALWAYS connect the control cable to the
actuator BEFORE installing the Chicken
Switch®.
2. Finger pinch points
Keep fingers clear of the bottom of the actuator
when the actuator is near a ferrous surface.
2.2 Strong magnets
The holding magnets are very strong. Keep
magnetically-sensitive objects such as watches
or computer disks away from the bottom of the
actuator.
3.0 Battery Requirements
•Eight (8) AA alkaline cells are required.
Carefully observe polarity when installing
cells.
•Rechargeable batteries are not recommended.
3. Battery Life
•A set of fresh alkaline cells should give
hundreds of operations.
•The Chicken Switch® is designed as a
portable device. It is not designed to remain
with the control unit connected to the actuator
for extended periods of time. To do so will

deplete a fresh set of batteries in approximately
four to five days.
3.2 Battery Replacement
• ALWAYS disconnect the control cable before
replacing batteries to avoid possible static
damage of the electronics!
•Turn the control station upside down, remove
the endplate retaining knob. Remove the
endplate and slide the cover out as shown
above.
3.3 To connect/disconnect batteries:
3.4 CAUTION: Static Discharge Potential
•To avoid possible damage to electronic
components disconnect the control cable
before replacing batteries.
WARNING
To avoid possible damage
to electronic components
disconnect control cable
before replacing batteries.

4.0 Operation
ALWAYS connect the control cable to the actuator
BEFORE installing the Chicken Switch®.
4. Connecting the control cable:
1. Align the arrow on the cable end with the top of
the receptacle.
2. Push in and engage the threads on the coupling
nut and turn clockwise.
3. After one or two turns of the coupling nut, push
in on the cable end. Repeat this until the
connector is fully seated.
4. Use a similar technique of turn-stop-and-pull to
disengage the cable ends.
4.2 Sequence of Operation:
1. The breaker can be charged before or after
installing the K20 actuator.
2. Connect the control cable to the actuator and to
the hand-held controller.
3. Position the actuator on the breaker by
completing the steps on the following pages.
4. Ensure you are at a safe distance from the circuit
breaker that is to be operated.
5. Turn the Power Switch on top of the hand-held
controller to the ON position. The amber LE
should illuminate indicating the unit is ready.
6. When ready to operate the actuator, press and
HOL the ENABLE button while depressing either
then TRIP or CLOSE button for the desired
operation. Both buttons must be held depressed
until the actuator had fully depressed the button.
7. Release the ENABLE and TRIP or CLOSE buttons
and the actuator will retract.
4.3 Attaching and Removing the Actuator:
STEP #
– Before installing the actuator,
verify that the plungers are fully retracted
below the actuator frame surface. If
plungers are NOT fully retracted, O NOT
install the actuator. oing so could cause the
breaker to inadvertently trip or close.

STEP #
2
– Rotate the magnet levers
inward so that the magnets are retracted.
(shown by RE arrows)
STEP #
3
– Align the actuator on the top
of the breaker (shown by BLUE arrows)
STEP #
4
– While continuing to hold the
actuator frame against the top edge of the
breaker, flip the magnet levers (shown by
RE arrows) so the magnets engage the
switchgear door. NOTE: The actuator frame
must be against the top breaker edge or the
actuator plungers will not align properly with
the breaker TRIP and CLOSE buttons.

STEPS TO REMOVE THE ACTUATOR
To remove the actuator, perform the above
steps in the reverse order.
STEP #
5
– Actuator shown installed and
ready to use.
4.4
The indicator lights & controls:
NOTE: Red and Green indicator lights only work
when the ENABLE button is depressed.
GREEN: indicates the actuator is being
commanded to extend the ON actuator.
RED: indicates the actuator is being commanded
to extend the OFF actuator.
YELLOW: indicates the hand-held controller is
powered and is ready.
Rapidly blinking YELLOW indicates the battery
voltage with zero load has fallen to an
unacceptable level. Operation is inhibited until
batteries with an acceptable voltage level are
installed.
The ENABLE button:
The Enable button must be continuously depressed
in order to command the actuator.
Releasing the enable button has the same affect as
releasing either the ON or OFF buttons – both
actuators will move to the retracted position.
Note:
If either of the actuators are held in the extended
position for longer than approximately 2 seconds
the actuator will de-energize and will remain in
extended position. When the pushbutton or the
enable button is released, the actuator will retract.

Power Switch
Cable Connector
Fuse
5.0 Care and Storage
5. Cleaning the magnets
Over a period of time, the magnets may attract
ferrous debris. Exercise care to avoid setting the
actuator where the magnets might attract
debris. If this does occur, use a paper towel or
nylon bristle brush to clean the face of the
magnets. Keeping the magnet faces clean
ensures that maximum holding power is
maintained.
5.2 Storage
Remove all batteries from the control station if
the device will not be used for longer than 6
months.
Never store the batteries where the ambient
temperature might exceed 110º F.
Avoid getting the unit wet or storing it in a high
humidity location.

6.0 Warranty
MarTek Ltd. guarantees all products manufactured by
MarTek Ltd. only against defects in materials and/or
workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months
commencing on the date the product is received by the
customer. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING
THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
MarTek Ltd. will, at its option and its cost (excluding shipping
expenses), repair, replace or refund the purchase price of
any product manufactured by MarTek Ltd. which has a
defect in materials and/or workmanship. THIS IS
CUSTOMER’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF
WARRANTY. IN NO EVENT WILL MARTEK LTD’S
LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES (WHETHER ARISING FROM
BREACH OF CONTRACT OR WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE,
STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED THE
PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT CONCERNED
NOR WILL MARTEK LTD. BE LIABLE FOR PUNITIVE,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS)
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
MarTek Ltd. reserves the right to disallow warranty repairs if
the unit has been disassembled or misused, as determined
by MarTek Ltd. in good faith. Please contact us at (800)-
248-4958 for a return authorization.
MarTek Ltd.
4782 Chimney rive
Charleston, WV 25302
1-304-965-9220
1-800-248-4958
7.0
Specifications
MECHANICAL
Holding magnets: Two magnets, each rated @ 55.1 lbs
force, 12,600 Gauss.
Projected life: 20,000 operations
ELECTRICAL
Operating voltage: 12 volts DC
Fuse: 3 amp
Power supply: 8 AA alkaline disposable batteries. When
used properly, one set of batteries should
yield hundreds of operations.
Control Cable: 30 feet in length (9.1 meters), 5-conductor,
extra-flexible, PUR insulation
Controller: Requires two-hand operation. The
‘enable’ button must be depressed while
depressing the ON or OFF buttons.
A programmable micro-controller manages
control inputs, linear actuators, and
performs timing functions to protect the
actuator in a stalled condition. Intelligent
‘H-bridge’ motor drivers provide
start/stop/braking actuator functions

Chicken Switch is a Registered Trademark of MarTek Ltd.
US Patent 7,623,011
Copyright 2004-2016, MarTek Ltd. All rights reserved.
MarTek Ltd.
4782 Chimney Drive
Charleston, WV 25302
1-800-248-4958
www.chickenswitch.com
User Manual K-15 Version 1.1