Westinghouse VCP Series User manual

Instructions for
Type VCP Vacuum Circuit Breakers
READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY UNPACKING, ASSEMBLY,
OPERATION
OR MAINTENANCE OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Westinghouse Electrlc Corporation
Switchgear Division, East Pittsburgh, Pa. 15112
LB .32-25 4-1 B Effective June, 1985
Supersedes I.B. 32-254-lA dated December, 1983
•
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

CAUTION
The circuit breakers described in this
bookweredesignedandtested
to operate
within their nameplate ratings. Operation
outside of these ratings may cause the
equipment
to fail, resultinginbodilyinjury
and property damage.
l.B. 32-254-lB
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTlON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.0 RECOMMENDED SAFE PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.0 RECEIVING, HANDLING AND STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. l RECEIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 HANDLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3 STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.0 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1 INITIAL BREAKER AND COMPARTMENT
PREPARATION................. 9
4.2 MANUAL BREAKER OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 VACUUM INTERRUPTER INTEGRITY CHECK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.4 CONTACT WEAR GAP CHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 11
4.5 PRIMARY CIRCUIT RESISTANCE CHECK........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.6 ELECTRICAL OPERATION CHECK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . 11
4.7 BREAKER/COMPARTMENT INTERFACE C HE CK........................ 11
5.0 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1 INTERRUPTER ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1.1 Vacuum Interrupter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1.2 Contact Wear Gap Indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.2 MECllANISM GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2.1 Operation of Stored Energy Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2.2 Interlocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.2.l Breaker Compartment Code Plates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.2.2 Anti-Close Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.2.3 Floor Tripping and Spring Release Interlocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.2.4 Levering Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.2 .5 Interphase Barrier Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.3 Control Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2.4 Undervoltage Trip Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.2.6 Secondary Disconnect.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
5.2.7 Ground Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.8 MOC and TOC Switch Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5 .3 INTERPHASE BARRIER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . 22
5.4 LEVERING DEVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
l.B. 32-254-18
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont'd.)
Page
6.0 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.2
VACUUM INTERRUPTER INTEGRITY TEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.3 CONT ACT EROSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.4 INSULATION GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.5 INSULATION INTEGRITY CHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
6.6 PRIMARY CIRCUIT RESISTANCE CHECK............................. 26
6.7 MECHANISM CHECK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
6.8 LU B RICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.0 RENEWAL PARTS................. ................................. 27
7.1 RECOMMENDED PARTS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.2 ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
l.B. 32-254-lB
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

4
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this book is to provide instructions on
installation, operation and maintenance of Type VCP
Vacuum Circuit Breakers.
Type VCP Circuit Breakers are the horizontaJ draw-out
type interrupting elements
for use in VAC-CLAD ··
Switchgear Assemblies. Like ratings are interchangeable
with each
other. These breakers provide reliable control
and protection for medium voltage electrical equip-
men
land circuits.
Primary Disconnects
These breakers meet applicable ANSI. IEEEand NEMA
Standards.
They are available with continuous current
ratings
of 1200, 2000 and 3000 amps for the nominal
voltages
of 4.16, 7.2 and 13.8 kV Note that lhey are
maximum raled devices and should be applied only in
accordance with theu nameplate ratings. Follow Applica.
tion Data 32-264 for properapplication recommendations.
Satisfactory performance of these breakers is contin-
gent
upon proper application, correct installation and
adequate maintenance.
The following instructions will
provide information
for installation and maintenance
for satisfactory operation.
r-------Mechanism Housing
All possible contingenciet which may arise during installation, operation, or maintenance, and all details and variations of this
equipment do
not purport to be covered by these instructions. If further infom1atfon Is desired by purchaser regarding his partic11lar
installation, operation or maintenance of hisequipment, the local WestinghouseElectricCorporationrepresentativeshouldbecontacted.
l.B. 32-254-1B
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

SECTION 2 - RECOMMENDED SAFE PRACTICES
SAFE PRACTICES
Type VCP Br eakers ace equipped with high speed, high energy operating mechanisms. They are
designed with several built-in interlocks, and safety features to provide safe and proper operating
sequences. To ensure safety
of personnel associated with installation, operation and maintenance
of these breakers, the following recommendations should be considered:
• Only qualified personnel who are familiar with installation, operation and maintenance
of power
circuit breakers and the hazards involved should
be permitted to work on these breakers.
• DO NOT work on an energized breaker.
• DO NOT work on a breaker with the secondary test coupler engaged.
• DO NOT work on a closed breaker or a breaker with closing springs charged.
• Breakers are equipped with several safety interlocks,
DO NOT defeat them. This may result in
bodily injury
or equipment damage.
• DO NOT attempt to close the breaker by hand on a live circuit.
• Always remove the spring charging handle from the breaker after charging
the springs.
• DO NOT USE a circuit breaker by itself as the sole means of isolating a high voltage circuit. For
the safety
of personnel performing maintenance operations on the breaker or connected equip·
ment,
all components should be disconnected by means of a visible break, and securelygrounded.
5
1.B. 32-254-lB
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

6
SECTION 3 - RECEIVING, HANDLING AND STORAGE
3.1 RECEIVING
Each circmt breaker is carefully inspected and shipped in
a wooden crate protected by a corrugated carton. The
carton
is secured lo a wooden pallet by two nylon bands
and
several carton nails. Other accessories such as the
maintenance tool, levering crank, rail clamps, etc.
are
shipped separately with the switchgear assembly.
Pole Unit
Suppon -----'"""
Fig. I 1200 Amp VCP Breaker in Crate Carton
Removed
Use a nail puller to remove the nails. Shear off the
nylon bands
and lift up the carton. Check the contents
against the packing list and examine for any damage or
loss. File claims immediately with the carrier
if any
damage or loss is detected and notify the nearest Westing·
house sales office.
Until
the breaker is ready to be delivered to the switch·
gear site for installation, DO NOT remove the wooden
crate and pole unit support.
If the breaker is to be placed
in storage, maximum protection can be attained by keep·
ing it in its crate.
TOOLS
AND ACCESSORIES
The following tools and accessories used with VCP
Breakers are shipped with VAC-CLAD Switchgear one
per order.
• Maintenance Tool:
used to charge closing springs
manually
and hft the shutter in breaker compart-
1.B. 32-254-lB
1. Maintenance Toot
4. Transport Dolly
2. Levering Crank 5. Rall Clamps
3. Test Jumper
Fig. 2 VCP Breaker Tools and Accessories
ment. IL may also be used to facilil:lte replacement
of pole unit assembly.
• Lifting Yoke:
used to lift the breaker.
•
Levering Crank: u:.ed to crank the breakerbetween test
and connected position.
• Test Jumper:
used to operate the breaker electrically
as it rests on the extended rails outside the breaker
compartment or
on the transport dolly. This jumper
connects
the breaker secondary contacts to the com-
partment ~econdary contacts.
• Transport Dolly:
used lo move the breaker outside
its compartment.
One transport dolly with two rail
clamps
is provided per order.
•
Rail Clamps: used to clamp the breaker to the ex-
tendable
rails in the housing and to the transport
dolly.
The following accessories
are optional:
• Test Cabinet:
used to provide power to operate the
breaker outside its compartment.
• Portable Lifter:
used to lift the breaker from or to the
extended rails of the breaker compartment.
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

Breakers -Weights in Pounds(Approx.)
Current
Cunent
Type of
Rating
Type of Rating
Breaker Ampa Lbs Breaker Amps Lbs
1200
450 1200
450
50VCP250 2000 550
150VCP500
2000 550
3000
650
3000 650
1200 450
1200
450
50VCP350 2000 550
1SOVCP750
2000 550
3000 650
3000 650
1200
450
1200 450
7SVCP500 2000 550
lSOVCPlOOO 2000 550
3000 650
3000 650
3.2 HANDLING
The breaker is secured
lo the crate by a clamp on each
foot. When
it is ready for installation, remove Lhese
clamps. A lift yoke is provided with each order. Position
this lift yoke on the top
of the breaker so that side lugs
snap into breaker side holes and the
1-3 /4 -in ch diameter
hook hole
in the yoke is facing the pole units. It is recom-
mended that the portable lifter (optionally provided) be
used to lift
the breaker. The crate should be raised on
2 x 4 or 4 x 4 blocks to pennit the breaker lifting de-
Fig. 3
Breaker Lifting Yoke in Position
1
vice legs to run underneath the crate. If the portable
Lifter 1s not available, any lifter may be used provided
that
it is rated for at least 1000 lbs.
When moving
the breaker on flat level floors, place
it on the transport dolly (one provided
per order). Use
I.he hand-holds to align the breaker on the transport
dolly rails,
DO NOT USE primary disconnects. Use
the rail clamps to securely hold the breaker to the dolly
rails.
~ I
~--- ' ®
1. Llfting Yoke
2. Portable Lifter
3. Transport Dolly
4. VCP Breaker
Fig. 4 VCP BreakerBeingLowered on Transport Dolly
3.3 STORAGE
If the circuit breaker is to be placed in storage, maximum
protection
can be attained by keeping it in the original
wooden crate. Before placing
it in storage, checks should
be made
to make sure that the breaker is free from ship-
ping damage and in satisfactory operating condition.
The breaker is shipped with its contacts open and
closing springs discharged. The indicators on
the front
1.B. 32-254-lB
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

8
panel should confirm this. Insert the spring charging
handle
in the slot to the left of the "push-to.dose"
button. Charge the closing springs by pumping the han-
dle
up and down about 20 times until crisp metallic
"click"
is heard. This indicates that the closing spnngs
are charged and
is shown by the closing spring "charged"
(yellow) indicator. Remove the spring operating handle.
Operate the "push-to-close"
button. The breaker will
close
as shown by the breaker contacts "closed" (red)
indicator. Operate the "push-to-Open"
button. The
breaker will trip
as shown by the breaker contacts "open"
(green) indicator. After completing this initial check,
leave the closing springs "discharged" and breaker con-
tacts
"open".
Outdoor storage is not recommended. If unavoidable,
the
outdoor location must be well drained and a tem-
porary shelter from sun, rain, snow, corrosive fumes,
dust, etc. must be provided. Containers should be ar-
ranged to permit free circulation
of air on all sides, and
temporary heaters should be used to minimize condensa-
tion. Moisture can cause rusting
of metal parts and deteri-
oration
of high voltage insulation. A heat level of approx-
imately
400 watb for each 100 cubic feet of volume is
recommended with the heaters distributed uniformly
throughout the structure near the floor.
If the circuit
breakers are stacked for storage, the stacks should be
limited to two high.
Indoor storage should
be in a building with sufficient
heat and circulation to prevent condensation.
If the build-
ing
is not heated, the same general rule for heat as for
outdoorstorage should be applied.
When convenient, completely assembled circuit break-
ers may
be stored in their switchgear housings in the test
position.
If they are stored for any length of time, they
should
be periodically inspected to see that rusting has
not started and that they are in good mechanical con-
dHion.
l.B. 32-254-lB
fig. S VCP Breaker Escutcheon Plate
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com

9
SECTION 4- INSTALLATION
4.1 INITIAL BREAKER AND COMPARTMENT
PREPARATION
Before
attempting to place the breaker in service, it is
important to check its compatibility with the switch·
gear
compartment. Compare the breaker nameplate in-
formation with
the compartment drawings. Make certain
that the power rating of the breaker is as high or higher
than switchgear rating and the control voltages are com·
patible.
In order to assure that only breakers with ade-
quate ratings can
be inserted into the switchgear compart·
ment, a set of code plates are provided on the breaker and
in the
compartment -see Fig. 6. If the breaker rating is
not adequate, the mismatching code plates prevent the
breaker from being inserted into the test position and in
turn being levered.m.
Code plates
do not check breaker control compati·
bility.
The interphase barrier for type VCP breakers is part of
the switchgear compartment. A safety interlockis provided
that prevents the insertion
of the breaker into the test po-
sition unless the barrier is already in place.
The barrier is
shipped
in the breaker compartment and is held in place
with string
to protect it from damage during transporta-
tion. REMOVE THJS STRING.
Having confirmed the
breaker/compartment compati-
bility and presence
of the interphase barrier, connect
the male end of the test jumper to the secondary discon-
nect in the compartment. The female end will be con-
nected to the breaker secondary disconnect later. Pull
the rails all the way
out as indicated by dropping of the
front
end down a little and placing the rail in a stable
horizontal position.
1. Compartment Code Plates
6. Levering Device Clutch 11. MOC Switch Plungers
2. lnterphase Barrier 7. Levering Device Drive
Nut
3 Secondary Disconnects
8. Levering Device Drive Screw
4. Levering Release Latch
9. Floor Tripper end Trip Rail
5. Levering Socket
10. Floor Tripper and Spring Release Rail
Fig. 6 VA C·CLAD Switchgear Breaker Compartment
12. Key Interlock
13.
Ground Contact Bus
14, Shutter Operator
15, lnterphase Barrier Interlock
J.B. 32-254-lB
Courtesy of NationalSwitchgear.com