After replacing the electrical wiring in the room, it is important to correctly and reliably install metering devices and all the necessary machines for the smooth and correct operation of the connected equipment. After installation, all electrical devices must be checked for operability - loaded.
Briefly about circuit breakers
Circuit breakers or circuit breakers are electrical mechanisms, the main task of which, in the event of abnormal or emergency situations, is to de-energize the problem line or the entire room. It monitors the voltage in an electrical circuit in real time.
Circuit breakers are widely used due to their reasonable price, reliability and ease of use, installation and maintenance. A large number of modifications allows the device to be installed in electrical installations of high and low power. Also, switches are equipped with manual and remote control.
Loading methods
When carrying out loading, all the main characteristics of the device change - the protection response time in the event of emergency situations, the rated current and the protection operation current. Checking the circuit breakers must be carried out by qualified personnel, after which a mark is left in the certificate with permission for further operation.
The certificate must indicate the safety and voltage group at which employees can inspect electrical equipment. The paper is signed by the chief power engineer of the enterprise.
Equipment for testing circuit breakers for breaking capacity
To check the difavtomat for operability, you first need to assemble a simple circuit, which includes the following equipment:
- current transformer - TT;
- connecting wires;
- ammeter acting as a shunt;
- control key - KU;
- laboratory autotransformer for monitoring load changes - LATR or load transformer - NT.
Checking the difavtomat requires partial dismantling of the device, and after checking the re-installation.
How to test a circuit breaker for operation
When checking the thermal release on the circuit breaker, three times the load current and the maximum response time are set. As a rule, this time interval ranges from 5 seconds to 0.5 minutes.
The results of the tests carried out must be recorded in a special protocol. In the normative document, the values of the response time of the electrical device and the induced amperage must be displayed. A sample of filling out the document is freely available on the Internet.
The need for an operational check
In the regulatory documents there are no clear instructions on the timing and frequency of inspections performed, therefore the frequency depends entirely on the person who is responsible for the complete technical safety of the living space.
Electricians, relying on their experience, recommend from time to time to check the electrical equipment for suitability. This is due to the fact that each device wears out over time and may work incorrectly or not at all perform the tasks assigned to it.
When setting a certain frequency, it is better to follow the recommendations of the device manufacturer. As a rule, European equipment does not need to be checked too often. If the circuit breaker was made in China or at one of the domestic factories, it is better to carry out checks as often as possible. In any case, the owner has the right to choose.
When developing verification algorithms, a regulatory document is used - GOST 50345-2010: Automatic switches for household use for overcurrent protection.
Test results
The device must be disposed of and replaced with a new circuit breaker in the following cases:
- the equipment works, but after the expiration of the permissible period of time;
- no tripping occurs at the operating current;
- at the non-operating current, the trip is fixed.
Strict adherence to the test regulations excludes the likelihood of further use of faulty equipment. Defective circuit breakers are calculated with high precision.
Test timing
How often checks should be carried out is written in the accompanying regulatory documents, but the recommended frequency is once every three years, subject to all operating rules. In case of incorrect operation or regular emergency operations, the frequency should be changed, an unscheduled check is carried out. This recommendation applies to all household circuit breakers.
Often, due to a short circuit, breakdown of other working elements of the electrical circuit, for example, a ventilation system, is observed. This leads to great financial waste. To prevent such situations and save money in the long term, it is recommended to regularly test the circuit breakers and, if a problem is identified, to replace them with new ones. To ensure that the circuit breakers perform their protective function, it is necessary to set a certain frequency on the display with which the suitability tests will be carried out.
