GE Industrial Solutions PowerVac PV-VL 13.8-1000-0 and -1 - Manual (Page 27)

GEH 6468A - Power/Vac VL Breaker Page 27
7. FEATURES
7.1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
This circuit breaker uses powerful springs for
energy storage. DO NOT WORK ON THE
INTERRUPTERS OR THE MECHANISM UNLESS
THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IS IN THE "OPEN"
POSITION AND BOTH THE CLOSING AND
OPENING SPRINGS ARE EITHER DISCHARGED
OR GAGGED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IS
REMOVED. These precautions are required to
prevent accidental operation. Anyone working on
the circuit breaker should be familiar with the
contents of this instruction book.
The circuit breaker has been shipped in the
CLOSED position. After removing packing
material, open the breaker by pushing in firmly on
the manual trip button (8, Fig. 16), while keeping
hands away from moving parts. Verify that the
operation counter advances one count.
Closing and opening springs are now in their
discharged positions. Check this by first pressing
the manual close button, then the manual trip
button. The indicator flags on the front of the
breaker should show "OPEN" and "DISCHGD". All
mechanical and electrical checks should be
completed before putting breakers in service.
7.2. INTERLOCKS
Each PowerVac
®
VL vacuum circuit breaker is
provided with the following interlocks:
7.2.1. RATING INTERFERENCE PLATE
This interlock permits only a breaker with a
matching continuous current, voltage and
interrupting rating to be inserted into a metal-clad
compartment of identical rating. The rating
interference plate must be adjusted to match the
current rating of the compartment. This adjustment
is done by positioning a pin on the lower left side of
the breaker truck to align with the proper cubicle
interference plate.
7.2.2. POSITIVE INTERLOCK SYSTEM
The positive interlock system prevents connecting
or disconnecting the breaker when the breaker
vacuum contacts are closed.
This interlock feature is accomplished by a roller
and lever located on the interlock shaft, on the
right side of the breaker (Fig. 16 & 17). When the
breaker is closed, this roller and lever are locked
in
their vertical positions, preventing the clutch
handle from being pulled forward and engaging the
elevating motor in the cubicle. The closed breaker
must be manually or electrically tripped open
before the clutch handle can connect the elevating
motor to the elevating mechanism, and allow the
breaker to be raised or lowered.
When the breaker is raised or lowered, the positive
interlock roller and lever are forced forward by the
positive interlock plate on the right side of the
frame and top plate. The interlock roller and lever
are held in this forward position during raising and
lowering operations, preventing the breaker from
being closed in any intermediate position between
the connect and the fully lowered position. An
attempt to close the breaker will cause the stored
energy springs to discharge without the breaker
contacts closing or moving. The breaker must be
fully connected (raised) and the clutch handle must
be released before the breaker can be closed.
Releasing the clutch handle allows the interlock
plate in the cell to move downward allowing the
interlock roller and lever to return to their normal
vertical positions. The breaker may then be
closed. When in the fully lowered position, the
breaker must be pulled forward 2-1/4” in the
cubicle and the test coupler installed to allow the
breaker to be closed electrically.
7.2.3. SPRING DISCHARGE SYSTEM
The spring discharge lever and pin, (Fig. 17) are
provided as a safety feature for operating
personnel, and to prevent closing the breaker in
the lowered position in the cell.
The spring discharge pin and lever operate in
conjunction with the spring discharge bracket
mounted in the front left side of the vertical frame
angle in the cubicle. The spring discharge pin rides
on the cam edge surfaces of the spring discharge
bracket, when the breaker is inserted into or
withdrawn horizontally from the cell.
If the breaker is outside the cell, and an operator
charges the stored energy mechanism, the spring
discharge bracket will lift the discharge pin and
discharge the stored energy springs, when the
breaker is pushed into the lowered position in the
cell. When the breaker is fully inserted into the
lowered position within the cell, the discharge pin is
held in an upward position by the spring discharge
bracket, and prevents the breaker from being
closed. Attempting to charge a breaker in this full
inward and lowered position will discharge
the