Medium Voltage Switchgear Recondtioning Standard 2310, Revision 5 Introduction

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Introduction to Standard Number 2310, Revision 5
Inspection, Reconditioning and Testing of
Medium Voltage Switchgear

I. Introduction
Switchgear is a broad term that covers electrical distribution systems made up of metal clad or metal enclosed cabinets containing switches or circuit breakers. The switches might be fused or non-fused. They might be air break or vacuum break. While manual break devices are the most common, medium voltage switchgear well could be electrical closed and or opened. Circuit breakers may be air break, oil break or vacuum breaker, even SF6. These will always be electrically closed and opened. Where the breakers or switches are electrically closed, opened or both, there will be a requirement for control power source and control power wiring. The source might be a remote separate source of low voltage brought in from outside the switchgear or it might be provided by transforming line power down to the necessary control voltages. This standard covers the cabinets, bussing, relaying and control circuits only.

Individual standards in this section include:

2310 Medium Voltage Switchgear

II. Components
Parts and assemblies to be reconditioned under Section 2300 Medium Voltage Switchgear include but are not limited to:

Cabinet or structure
Doors
Door Closures
Interlocks
Bus
Bus splices
Bus Insulation and standoff insulators
Bus Supports
Section Bus Barriers
Control circuit components
Control and instrument transformer drawer, tray or trunion
Control Relays
Protective Relays
Meters and instruments
Surge Arrestors

III. Testing and Inspection
PEARL Section 2300 Medium Voltage Switchgear standards begins with the definition of the term "Reconditioning" as "the process of returning electrical equipment to safe and reliable operating condition based upon the design of the original manufacturer at the time of manufacturing." This is followed by reference tables used to calculate test results and tolerances and the necessary test equipment required by the medium voltage switchgear standards. The medium voltage switchgear standards continue with a "Recondition Evaluation," which is a detailed inspection of all parts of the medium voltage switchgear, including but not limited to the components listed above.

PEARL Section 2300 Medium Voltage Switchgear reconditioning standards require the use of other standards covering major subassemblies that can also be reapplied as independent components. These may include:

Section 1200 Low Voltage Circuit Breakers
Section 1400 Low Voltage Transformers
Section 1700 Protection Relays
Section 1800 Low Voltage Contactors and Relays
Section 2100 Medium Voltage Disconnect Switches
Section 2200 Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers & Starters
Section 3100 Low Voltage & Medium Voltage Fuses

Section I for PEARL Section 2300 Medium Voltage Switchgear, begins with reference table identification and identification of the test equipment necessary to complete the standard, including one or more:

1. Insulation Resistance Test Set (Megohmeter) 1000 Vdc minimum

One of the following pieces of test equipment is required to perform the overpotential testing requirements of this reconditioning standard if it is required by the customer:

AC Overpotential Test Set
DC Overpotential Test Set
Digital or analog multimeter

Section II Recondition Evaluation-Inspection and Testing identifies each component and assembly part that must be inspected to determine the components viability and scope of reconditioning required to bring the component back to original operating condition. Results and notes from the pre-reconditioning inspection and test are recorded in the PEARL Reconditioning Evaluation and Test forms that accompany each respective standard.

IV. Reconditioning
Section III Reconditioning Procedures describes how to recondition each component and assembly, beginning with the disassembly of the motor control unit down to its major subassemblies. Reconditioning for medium voltage switchgear includes:

Disassembly
Cleaning
Degreasing
Deburring
Plating
Painting
Lubricating
Adjusting

Assembly of the reconditioned components and subassemblies is followed by final inspection and testing. As with all testing, inspection, and reconditioning operations, final inspection and test results are recorded onto the Evaluation and Test forms included with the standard. If a PEARL certified technician follows the reconditioning standard, the medium voltage switchgear assembly is eligible for a Blue PEARL Reconditioned Quality Seal.

Links to the full reconditioning standard 2300 for Medium Voltage Switchgear:

Link to the full Standard Number 2310
Medium Voltage Switchgear

Link to view and/or download PEARL's 137 reconditioning standards for electrical equipment.

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