Using used electrical equipment?

[Bruce A. King]

Joe, I was not asking anything about testing GFCI or AFCI type breakers, those are simple if you leave out the overcurrent test.

Where have you posted a link or info about OVERCURRENT testing for circuit breakers?

[Richard L. Bennett]

Joe

An eletrician could not test a breaker if his life was on the line. So be it a new or an old breaker they are all the same for ever with no restrictions.

Cleaning up an old panel and making it like new can be done by anyone. Yes I have drilled out rivits - cleaned contacts and reinstalled breakers (big ones)

Remember that small breakers are not all tested by mfg when new.

Untill government restrictions say no -- anything goes as long as someone says "new" when it is old

BTW -- Most fuses, switches, breakers etc work fine when being under water and dried out

rlb

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by bking

Electrical equipment (excluding wire) is basically cheap, toss it out.

Joe, do you have a web link or picture/info on the equipment electricians use to techinially test the overcurrent performance of circuit breakers?

Or is this even done?

I see many electricians that think flipping a breaker to off and back to on is a "check". Where did the training and licensing fail us here?

My copy of the following publication will not allow printing or copying, it is available from www.NEMA.org and answers your first question here!

For field testing of molded case circuit breakers refer to NEMA Publication AB 4, Guidelines for Inspection and Preventive Maintenance of Molded Case Circuit Breakers Used in Commercial and Industrial Applications. If more detailed information is required, consult the manufacturer

Handling water damaged electrical equipment.

PS: ANY ALTERATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT THAT WAS LISTED BY A QUALIFIED TESTING LABORATORY WILL VOID THAT LISTING!


NEMA Standards Publication AB 4 sets forth, for use by qualified personnel, a number of basic procedures that may be used for the inspection and preventive maintenance of molded case circuit breakers used in industrial and commercial applications rated up to and including 1000 V 50/60 Hz AC or AC/DC. Note: consult the manufacturer for dc-only or 400 Hz circuit breakers.

The methods outlined may be used to verify specific characteristics of a molded case circuit breaker which was originally built and tested in compliance with the requirements of NEMA Standards Publication AB 1. These methods are intended for field application and are, therefore, non-destructive in nature. Accordingly, these methods cannot be used to verify all performance capabilities of a molded case circuit breaker since verification of some capabilities requires tests of a destructive nature.

Many tests, including those of a destructive nature, as defined in AB 1, are performed on representative samples of circuit breakers by the manufacturer, as part of a routine program of factory inspection.

The AB 4 Standards Publication is not intended, nor is it adequate, to verify proper electrical performance of a molded case circuit breaker which has been disassembled, modified, rebuilt, refurbished, or handled in any manner not intended or authorized by the original circuit breaker manufacturer. Such breakers should be removed from service.

For purposes of these guidelines, a qualified person is one who is familiar with the installation, construction, and operation of the equipment and the hazards involved. In addition, the person is trained:

—and authorized to test, energize, clear, ground, tag, and lockout circuits and equipment in accordance with established safety practices.

—in the proper care and use of protective equipment such as rubber gloves, hard hat, safety glasses or face shields, and flash resistant clothing, in accordance with established safety practices.

—in first aid.

Thank you for attending the Expo, here is the link to the pictures.

http://www.joetedesco.org/cgi-bin/photoalbum/view_album/99423

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Using used electrical...4/24/08 8:10 PM

lol....Lets all guess who gave me this one.......Fine..Have it your way fella's

[Speedy Petey]

Another coward, huh? Or was it actually signed?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Speedy....the A-Hole never signs HIS negative comments.....but I know who it is because I called and got it from.....well lets just say I know who it is....the dork.