2001 Maintenance Testing Specification as per NETA

Test Values
1. Compare bolted connection resistace to values of similar connections. TABLE(s) 10.12
2. Bolt-Torque level shall be in accordance with table 10.12 unless otherwise specified by Bolt Torque
manufacturer.
3. Microohm or millivolt drop values shall not exceed the high levels of the normal range as
indicated in the manufacturer's published data. If manufacture's data is not available, Grade SAE 1&2 SAE 5 SAE 7 SAE 8
investigate any values which deviate from adjacent poles or similar switches by more than
25 percent of the lowest value. Minimum
4. Circuit breaker insulation resistance shall be in accordance with table 10.1. Torque (PSI)
64K 105K 133K 150K
5. Control wiring insulation resistance shall be a minimum of two megaohms.
6. Trip characteristics of breakers shall fall within the manufacturer's published time-current Bolt Diameter
in inches Torque (Foot Pounds)
characteristics tolerance band, including adjustment factors.
7. For molded-case circuit breakers all trip times shall fall within table 10.7. Circuit breakers
1/4 4.0 5.6 8.0 8.4
exceeding specified trip time at 300 percent of pickup shall be toggled defective.
8. For molded-case circuit breakers instantaneous pickup value shall be within values shown in 5/16 7.2 11.2 15.2 17.6
table 10.8. 3/8 12.0 20.0 27.2 29.6
7/16 19.2 32.0 44.0 48.0
1/2 29.6 48.0 68.0 73.6
TABLE 10.1 9/16 42.4 70.4 96.0 105.6
Insulation Resistance Tests 5/8 59.2 96.0 133.6 144.0
on 3/4 96.0 160.0 224.0 236.8
7/8 152.0 241.6 352.0 378.4
Electrical Apparatus and Systems 1 225.6 372.8 528.0 571.2

Recommended Minimum Bolt Torque for Bus Connections

Aluminum Alloy Fastners Bolt Torques for Bus
Maximum Rating of Minimum Test Voltage, Silicon Bronze Fastners *1
Insulation Resistance in *2 Torque (Foot Pounds) Connections Stainless Steel
Equipment in Volts dc in Volts Torque (Foot Pounds) Fastners *3 Torque (foot Pounds)
Megaohms
250 500 25 Bolt
Bolt Diameter Bolt Diameter
600 1,000 100 Diameter Nonlubricated Lubricated Lubricated Uncoated
in inches in inches
5,000 2,500 1,000 in inches
8,000 2,500 2,000 5/16 15 10 5/16 8.0 5/16 14
3/8 20 14 3/8 11.2 3/8 25
15,000 2,500 5,000 1/2 40 25 1/2 20.0 1/2 45
25,000 5,000 20,000 5/8 55 40 5/8 32.0 5/8 60
35,000 15,000 100,000 3/4 70 60 3/4 48.0 3/4 90
45,000 15,000 100,000
* 1 Bronze alloy bolts shall have a *2 Aluminum alloy bolts shall *3 Bolts, cap screws, nuts, flat
69,000 15,000 100,000 minimum tensile strength of 7,000 have a minimum tensile washers, locknuts: 18-8 alloy.
pounds per square inch strength of 55,000 PSI Beville washers: 302 alloy
In the absence of consensus standards dealing with insulation-resistance tests,
the NETA Technical Committee suggests the above representative values.

See Table 10.14 for temperature correction factors. TABLE 10.14

Insulation Resistance Conversion
Actual test results are dependant on the length of the conductors being tested, Factors For Conversion of Test
the temperature of the insulating material, and the humidity of the surrounding Temeperature to 20C
environment at the time of the test. In addition, insulation resistance tests are
performed to establish a trending pattern and a deviation from the baseline Temperature Multiplier Multiplier
information obtained during maintenance testing enabling the evaluation of the
Apparatus Containing Apparatus Containing
insulation for confined use. C F
Immersed Oil Insulation Immersed Oil Insulation
0 32 0.25 0.40
TABLE 10.2 5 41 0.36 0.45
10 50 0.50 0.50
Switchgear Low-Frequency Withstand Test Voltages 15 59 0.75 0.75
20 68 1.00 1.00
Type of Switchgear Rated Maximum Voltage Maximum Test Voltage kV 25 77 1.40 1.30
(kv) (ms) ac dc 30 86 1.98 1.60
LV 35 95 2.80 2.05
(low-Voltage Power 40 104 3.95 2.50
.254/.508/.635 1.6 2.3 45 113 5.60 3.25
Circuit Breaker
Switchear) 50 122 7.85 4.00
55 131 11.20 5.20
MC 4.76 14.0 20.0
MetalClad Switchgear
60 140 15.85 6.40
8.25 27.0 37.0 65 149 22.40 8.70
15.0 27.0 37.0 70 158 31.75 10.00
38.0 60.0 + 75 167 44.70 13.00
SC 15.5 37.0 + 80 176 63.50 16.00
(Station -Type Cubicle 38.0 60.0 +
Switchgear) 72.5 120.0 +
MEI 4.76 14.0 20.0 TABLE 10.7
(Metal-Enclosed Molded-Case Circuit Breakers TABLE 10.8
8.25 19.0 27.0
Interrupter Switchgear) Values for Inverse Time Trip Test Instantaneous Trip Setting Tolerances
15.0 27.0 37.0
(At 300% of Rated Continuous Current for Field Testing of Marked Adjustable
15.5 37.0 52.0
of Circuit Trip Circuit Breakers
25.8 45.0 +
38.0 60.0 +

Range of Rated Maximum Trip Time for Each Ampere Tolerance of High and
Continuous Current Maximum Frame Rating *1 Rating Low Settings
Derived form ANSI/IEEE C37.20.1 - 1993, Paragraph 5.5, standard for Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage
Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear, C37.20.2 - 1993, Paragraph 5.5, Standard for Metal-Clad and Amperes <= 250V 251-600V High Low
Station-Type Cubicle Switchgear and C37.20.3 - 1993, Paragraph 5.5, Standard for Metal Enclosed 0-30 50 70 <250 +40% +40%
Interrupter Switchgear, and includes 0.75 mulitplier with fraction rounded down. 31-50 80 100 -25% -30%
51-100 140 160 +25% +30%
>250
The column headed "DC" is given as a reference only for those using dc tests to verify the integrity of 101-150 200 225 -25% -30%
connected cable installations without disconnecting the cables from the switchgear. It represents 151-225 230 275
values believed to be appropriate and approximately equivalent to the corresponding power frequency 226-400 300 350
For circuit breakers with nonadjustable
withstand test values specified for the voltage rating of switchgear. The presence of this column in no 401-600 450
601-800 500 instantaneous trips, tolerences apply to
way implies any requirements for a dc withstand test on ac equipment or that a dc withstand test the manufacturer's published trip range,
801-1000 600
represents an acceptable alternative to the low-frequency withstand tests specified in this
1001-1200 700 i.e. +40% on the high side, -30% on the
specification, either for design tests, production tests, conformance tests, or field tests. When making
dc tests, the voltage should be raised to the test value in descrete steps and held for a period of one
1201-1600 775 low side.
1601-2000 800
minute. 2001-2500 850 Reproduction of Table 5-4 from NEMA publication
2501-5000 900 AB4 - 199
Because of the variable voltage distribution encountered when making dc withstand tests, the
manufacturer should be contacted for reccomendations before applying dc withstand tests to the
switchgear. Voltage transformers above 34.5kV should be disconnected when testing with dc. Refer *1 for integrally-fused circuit breakers, trip times may be substantially
to ANSI/IEEE c57-13-1987 (R1987) IEEE Standard Requirements for Instrument Transformers [10], longer if tested with the fuses replaced by solid links (shorting bars).
Section 8 and, in particular 8.8.2, (the last paragraph)which reads "Periodic kenotron tests should not
be applied to transformers of higher than 34.5 kV voltage rating."

+ Consult Manufacturer