Can anyone tell me anything about these breakers?

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mbrooke

mbrooke

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Rack out 4160 volt switch gear breakers made by GE. Few questions:


1) What does the current interrupting? (oil, SF6, air, ect)

2) What is the approximate age of these breakers? The gear they came out of is at least 40 years old.

3) How much would it cost to rebuild and refurbish these breakers- assuming its doable or economical?

4) Do they make new or after market replacements that will fit the gear- or is it better to just purchase new gear altogether?


Any additional info about these welcome. ;)
 

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ATSman

ATSman

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They look like the older style GE Magneblast (air interrupted) built in the late '50's/ early 60's.
Then again they may be oil-filled. Need a closer view. Can you take pic of nameplate?
ZOG .........are you out there ?!?!
 
mbrooke

mbrooke

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Let me say thanks to everyone and that I owe all of you a favor now :)


@ATSman: 50s or 60s would not surprise me- this gear is very old. I will do more research on these- and will see if I can get more pics.
 
gadfly56

gadfly56

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mbrooke said:
Let me say thanks to everyone and that I owe all of you a favor now :)


@ATSman: 50s or 60s would not surprise me- this gear is very old. I will do more research on these- and will see if I can get more pics.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Thanks a lot. <<grumble, grumble, "punk kid", grumble grumble>>
 
ATSman

ATSman

ATSman
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If they are Magne Blast then this may be a retrofit solution:

http://apps.geindustrial.com/publibrary/checkout/DET-095?TNR=Application and Technical|DET-095|PDF

Back in those days switchgear was built to last forever :p

The wind tunnels at NASA here in Sunnyvale have Westinghouse switchgear and MV breakers that are still in service since about the same era as your stuff. (I did the original startup on the big 80' X 100' tunnel in the 70's) It just has to be continuously maintained.

Are they having problems with them operating??
On second thought, if the breakers are in good condition (contacts, operating mechanism) it might pay to have a NETA certified testing company come in and perform PM and testing to evaluate them. They may just need to be renovated.
 
mbrooke

mbrooke

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ATSman said:
If they are Magne Blast then this may be a retrofit solution:

http://apps.geindustrial.com/publibrary/checkout/DET-095?TNR=Application and Technical|DET-095|PDF

Back in those days switchgear was built to last forever :p

The wind tunnels at NASA here in Sunnyvale have Westinghouse switchgear and MV breakers that are still in service since about the same era as your stuff. (I did the original startup on the big 80' X 100' tunnel in the 70's) It just has to be continuously maintained.
Click to expand...

Thats comforting to know. I think this might really be a keep or replace debate.

Are they having problems with them operating??
On second thought, if the breakers are in good condition (contacts, operating mechanism) it might pay to have a NETA certified testing company come in and perform PM and testing to evaluate them. They may just need to be renovated.
Click to expand...


One is having problems with the C phase opening and closing correctly- if you look at the far right one of the metal shafts are broken.
 
gadfly56

gadfly56

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Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
mbrooke said:
Thats comforting to know. I think this might really be a keep or replace debate.




One is having problems with the C phase opening and closing correctly- if you look at the far right one of the metal shafts are broken.
Click to expand...

Gear this large is likely to be serviced/repaired at well below replacement cost.
 
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