Breaker Test Set

[Paulusgnome]

Hi All,

I am the engineer in charge of quality control at a company which distributes circuit breakers, motor overloads, contactors etc.

We have a need for an AC current source for testing and would like to roll our own if possible.

What I am seeking here are suggestions on a suitable transformer for the job. I can get something made, but my employer's frugality will mean that if something can be salvaged from a junkyard instead then this would be better.

What say you fine gentlemen?

 

[Paulusgnome]

Whoops - I meant to say that the goal is to produce ~1KA @ ~6VAC.
PTW

 

[busbar]

 
For ANSI regions, consider starting with a C400 1200+:5 current transformer fed from a 1256- or 1296- series Powerstat. Typical manufacturer information is

http://www.geindustrial.com/products/specs/685.pdf

and

http://www.superiorelectric.com/PDF/POWERSTAT-c.pdf

which includes some useful loading curves.

Short-time characteristics of current transformers are best described in IEEE standard C57.13, although not presented in a ‘reverse power’ frame of mind. Secondary-winding materials may be [1 or more ±4/0AWG] aviation ground-power, welding or diesel-locomotive cable.

It all becomes an interesting study in impedance matching, X/R minimization and temperature-rise juggling, not unlike Ed Sullivan’s plate spinner—especially as the time element is increased (or made very short.)