5-2.3 "T" Cutout Loading Spring Indicator; 5-2.4 Contact Wipe And Stroke; Stored Energy Mechanism; 5-3.1 Operation Of Stored Energy Mechanism - Eaton Cutler-Hammer VCP-WR 18 Series Instructions For The Use, Operation And Maintenance

I.B. 8295A61H03
Figure 5-5 Typical Cutler-Hammer Vacuum Interrupter
Shown Attached to Non-Sliding Current Transfer
System

5-2.3 "T" CUTOUT LOADING SPRING INDICATOR

The "T" cutout loading spring indicator is an additional
method provided to indicate conditions within the inter-
rupter, as well as the overall system condition. The visi-
ble "T" indicator is used to indicate whether the loading
springs are maintaining the proper contact pressure to
keep the contacts closed. Severe contact erosion would
result in an unacceptable indication from the "T" indica-
tor (Figures 7-4 and 7-5).

5-2.4 CONTACT WIPE AND STROKE

Contact wipe is the indication of (1) the force holding the
vacuum interrupter contacts closed and (2) the energy
available to hammer the contacts open with sufficient
speed for interruption.
Stroke is the gap between fixed and moving contacts of
a vacuum interrupter with the breaker open.
The circuit breaker mechanism provides a fixed amount
of motion to the operating rods. The first portion of the
motion is used to close the contacts (i.e. stroke) and the
remainder is used to further compress the preloaded
wipe spring. This additional compression is called wipe.
Effective 7/97
Wipe and Stroke are thus related to each other. As the
stroke increases due to the erosion of contacts, the wipe
decreases. A great deal of effort has been spent in the
design of all Cutler-Hammer vacuum breakers, in order
to eliminate the need for field adjustments of wipe or
stroke.
!
THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR IN SERVICE
ADJUSTMENTS OF CONTACT WIPE AND STROKE.
ALL SUCH ADJUSTMENTS ARE FACTORY SET
AND SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN THE FIELD.

5-3 STORED ENERGY MECHANISM

!
KEEP HANDS AND FINGERS AWAY FROM THE
BREAKER'S INTERNAL PARTS WHILE THE BREAK-
ER CONTACTS ARE CLOSED OR THE CLOSING
SPRINGS ARE CHARGED. THE BREAKER CON-
TACTS MAY OPEN OR THE CLOSING SPRINGS DIS-
CHARGE CAUSING A CRUSHING INJURY. DIS-
CHARGE THE SPRINGS AND OPEN THE BREAK-
ERS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY BREAKER MAIN-
TENANCE, INSPECTION OR REPAIR.
The spring stored energy operating mechanism is
arranged vertically in front of all VCP-WR breakers. It
includes all the elements for storing the energy, closing
and tripping of the breaker, as well as manual and elec-
trical controls. The manual controls are all front accessi-
ble. Motion to close and open the interrupter contacts is
provided through operating rods connecting the mecha-
nism pole shaft to the bell cranks of the interrupter
assemblies.
5-3.1 OPERATION OF STORED ENERGY
MECHANISM
The mechanism stores the closing energy by charging
the closing springs. The mechanism may rest in any one
of the four positions shown in Figure 5-6 and as follows:
a. Breaker open, closing springs discharged
b. Breaker open, closing springs charged
c. Breaker closed, closing springs discharged
d. Breaker closed, closing springs charged
CAUTION
WARNING
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