GE CB Watch 3 | HV Circuit Breaker Monitoring Solution
Utility Asset Managers all know how critical their transformers are and understand the risk, cost and consequences of failure. They are now focusing on high voltage circuit breakers, which can be just as critical if they fail to operate and isolate the transformer when a fault is detected by the protection relay. With circuit breaker fleets worldwide averaging >30 years of age and operating budgets shrinking yearly, many Asset Managers are exploring ways to move from time-based to condition-based maintenance on their circuit breakers while also providing increased availability and reliability.
Capitalizing on 20 years of domain expertise and field experience, the CB Watch 3 is a compact, modular,online monitoring solution, suitable for most high voltage circuit breakers. Thanks to its modular nature,the monitoring functionalities can be selected to match the varied needs, from the simplest configuration(gas monitoring only for example) to the most complete one for critical breakers.
The CB Watch 3 records information using non-invasive sensors and monitors key diagnosticparameters, some during each breaker operation and other continuously. It looks for significant changesin performance and evaluates the breaker by providing an easy 1 to 5 risk assessment of the variousmonitored functions.
It highlights the timely need for mechanical maintenance or arcing contact replacement, reducing theneed for costly outages and fixed interval inspections. It enables instead to employ a more cost effectiveand less reactive "as needed" maintenance approach.
With worldwide scrutiny on SF6 gas usage, increased environmental reporting requirements and evenpossible penalties, precise early detection of small gas leaks is essential. The latest generation of EMCresistant digital gas sensors is used to provide leak rate detection down to 0.1% per year and to forecastrefilling needs prior to reaching threshold levels and affecting operation.
Key Benefits
• Modern modular solution that fills diverse fleet monitoring needs with the same platform
• Can be factory fitted on new GE breakers or retrofitted to most types and brands
• Delivers reduced and optimized operating maintenance costs
• Enables condition-based asset replacement strategy
• Helps reduce costly SF6 gas releases to the environment
• Seamless communication with control or asset management tools and through web server HMI
Applications
The CB Watch 3 is suitable for most HV circuit breakers: live tank or deadtank, with ganged or independent pole operation. But it is also increasinglyused on GCB (Generator Circuit Breakers), on HYpact and on the circuitbreaker compartments of GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear).
The configuration chosen can be mounted inside the control cabinet(especially when factory fitted) or next to it in it's own separate enclosure.