Vanguard CT-3500 User Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

for the

TM

Model CT-3500

Circuit-Breaker Timer

Part Number VIC-35000

Vanguard Instruments Company

1710 Grevillea Court
Ontario, California 91761

TEL: [phone] September 2001
FAX: [phone] Rev. 0

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

I

SAFETY SUMMARY

The following safety precautions must be
observed during all phases of test set-up, test
hookups, testing, and test-lead disconnects.

Do Not Service or Test Alone

Do not perform test procedures or service
unless another person is also present who is
capable of rendering aid and resuscitation.

Avoid Contact with High Voltage

Because electrical utility station environments
contain high voltages and currents, there is
always the possibility of personal contact with
an unexpected lethal voltage generated by
magnetic induction and electrostatic leakage
from nearby live circuitry. When test units
are connected to deenergized ("dead") power
lines, regardless of how short they are, always
discharge the lines before attaching any test
lead. Because of the possibly deadly
consequences of physical contact with such
high-voltage lines, engineers and technicians
must always treat electrical equipment and
hookups as though a lethal condition will
eventually occur. Therefore, no matter how
unlikely it may seem, never assume anything
about the safety of any test setup.

Ensure the safety of all personnel by
checking first-hand to eliminate every
possible hazard!

Do Not Modify Test Equipment

Because of the added risk of introducing
additional or unknown hazards, do not install
substitute parts or perform any unauthorized
modification to the equipment. To ensure that
designed safety features are maintained, it is
recommended that all equipment repairs be
performed at Vanguard Instruments Co. or by
an authorized repair-service. Unauthorized
equipment modifications can create unknown
safety hazards and will void the warranty.

Follow Exact Operating Procedures

Any deviation from operating procedures
described in this manual may create one or
more safety hazards, damage the unit, or
cause test errors; Vanguard Instruments Co.
assumes no liability for unsafe or improper
use of this equipment or for any collateral
damage to other equipment resulting from
such misuse.

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

II

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................1

1.2 Applicability.........................................................................................................................1

1.3 Supersedure Notice..............................................................................................................1

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................1

2.1 Functional Description.........................................................................................................1

2.2 Furnished Accessories..........................................................................................................1

3.0 CT-3500 SPECIFICATION ....................................................................................................2

3.1 CONTROLS and INDICATORS ........................................................................................3

3.2 CT-3500 LCD Contrast Control..........................................................................................4

3.3 CT-3500 Printer Control......................................................................................................4

3.4 RS-232C Computer-Interface port.......................................................................................4

4.0 PRETEST SETUP ...................................................................................................................5

4.1 Operating Voltage................................................................................................................5

4.2 CT-3500 Printer Paper.........................................................................................................5

4.3 Test Cable Connections .......................................................................................................5

4.3.1 Contact Cable Connection...............................................................................................5

4.3.2 Trigger Cable Connection................................................................................................5

5.0 Operating Procedures...............................................................................................................8

5.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................8

5.2 Precautions...........................................................................................................................8

5.3 Preliminary Procedure..........................................................................................................8

5.4 Identification Setup Procedure.............................................................................................8

5.5 Run Test Procedure............................................................................................................10

5.6 Review Shot Procedure......................................................................................................13

5.7 Restore Shot Procedure......................................................................................................14

5.8 Print Test-Record Directory...............................................................................................15

5.9 Computer Interface Procedure...........................................................................................16

5.10 Set Date and Time..........................................................................................................16

5.11 Set 50/60 Hz Procedure..................................................................................................16

5.12 Cable Test Procedure.....................................................................................................17

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

III

Table of Figures

Figure 1.0 CT-3500 Controls and Indicators.................................................................................3

Figure 2.0 CT-3500 Timing Hook-Up Diagram...........................................................................6

Figure 3.0 Trigger Circuit Hook-Up Diagram...............................................................................6

Figure 4.0 Step-by-Step Operating Procedures Flow Diagram.....................................................7

Figure 5.0 A typical CT-3500 OPEN Test print out ...................................................................11

Figure 6.0 A typical CT-3500 CLOSE-OPEN Test print out .....................................................12

Figure 7.0 Typical CT-3500 Shot Directory ...............................................................................15

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.2 Applicability

This manual applies to Model CT-3500™,
manufactured by Vanguard Instruments Co.,
part number CT-35000. This operator’s
manual is intended for personnel who
operate and test utility circuit breakers
(hereafter, breaker).

1.3 Supersedure Notice

This Operator’s manual is the basic issue for
the Model CT-3500 and does not
supersede any previously published manual.

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The CT-3500 Digital Breaker Timer
(henceforth, for brevity, called CT-3500) is
a microprocessor-controlled timer designed
to test electrical-utility circuit breakers.
(The CT-3500 can also time contact
operations of any switching device—e.g.,
switching relays, remotely controlled
contactors, etc.) It contains 3 independent
timers for the simultaneous timing of each
set of contacts in three-phase breakers.
The CT-3500 fully analyzes the timing of
breaker contact operation: OPEN, CLOSE,
OPEN-CLOSE, and CLOSE-OPEN.
It’s field-portable, very rugged, and is easily
operated by first-time users with little
training.
It features a 16-key pushbutton pad for
entering breaker test ID and control
function. A 4-line by 20-character back
lighted LCD displays control menus, and
measured test results.
Test results can be printed on a built-in 2.5
inch-wide thermal printer.
Operation requires little more than
connecting the cables of the CT-3500 to
utility breaker contacts, selecting the desired
test options and enabling the test results to
be stored in a non-volatile memory.
Operations do not require any conversion
calculation, written note, or detailed list of
steps to remember (thus, greatly reducing
any chance of error by the operator).

The CT-3500 stores up to 128 timing (test
shot) records in FLASH EEPROM memory.
Stored timing-measurements and related
data can be displayed and printed in the field
or stored for later review, analysis, or
printing.
A RS-232C serial interface port also
provides for computer interface and
diagnostic test.

2.1 Functional Description

CT-3500’s operation (a timing shot) is
started by an input trigger (e.g., a breaker’s
initiating control voltage), which starts all 3
timers at the same instant. Each timer
independently stops after detecting each
contact transition.
Besides measuring contact time each timer
will also measure contact bounce time.
The timing results display in both
milliseconds and cycles. The cycle display is
selectable between 50Hz or 60Hz.
The CT-3500 can be interfaced (via an RS­232C interface port) with a IBM-compatible
PC. A software package supplied with the
CT-3500 allows the user to retrieve the test
data stored in the CT-3500 Flash EEPROM.

2.2 Furnished Accessories

The CT-3500 is supplied with the following
accessories:

1. One 15-ft. Trigger Cable.

2. One 15 ft Contact Cable.

3. One 30 ft Extension Cable.

4. One Grounding Cable.

5. One Power Cord.

6. One Cable Carrying Bag.

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

2

3.0 CT-3500 SPECIFICATION (Refer to the specification list in Table 1.)

Table 1. CT-3500 Specifications and Leading Particulars

MODEL CT-3500
TYPE Special-purpose utility test equipment;

Digital Circuit-Breaker Timer

SIZE 15-inches Wide by 7-inches High by 13-inches Deep
WEIGHT Less than 15 pounds

INPUT POWER 90-120 or 220-240 volts ac (Selectable), 50/60Hz
DRY CONTACT INPUTS 3 channels (continuity detectors)

TRIGGER INPUT Open/Close: 24 to 300 V, dc/peak ac
OPERATIONS Open, Close, Open-Close, and Close-Open strokes
RESOLUTION ±1/10 millisecond
ACCURACY 0.1% of reading ±0.1ms
DISPLAY LCD, back lighted, 4-line-by 20-character; alpha-numeric
CONTROLS Keypad, 10 alpha-numeric and 6 function pushbuttons
COMPUTER

INTERFACE RS-232C
PRINTER Built-in thermal printer (prints on 2.5-inch-wide strip)
ENVIRONMENT Operating: 0ºC to 55ºC; Storage: -40ºC to 65ºC
SHIPPING CASE Optional (Hard case with foam liner)
WARRANTY One Year parts & labor ; post-warranty service available

NOTE:
THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE VALID AT NOMINAL OPERATING VOLTAGE AND AT A TEMPERATURE OF 25 °C (77°F)
THE CT-3500 SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE UPGRADED AND CHANGED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

3

3.1 CONTROLS and INDICATORS

The control-panel is shown in figure 1.
Leader lines point to each item in the figure
with an index number cross-referenced to a
functional description in Table 2.

Users should become familiar with these
items before trying to use the CT-3500.
Misuse of the CT-3500 can create serious
hazards and cause loss of data, and
equipment damage.

Figure 1.0 CT-3500 Controls and Indicators

Model CT-3500 Operating Procedures

4

Table 2. Functional Description of Controls and Indicators

Fig. 1

Index #

1 TRIGGER

2

3 none Display, 4-line by 20-character LCD, backlit;
4 120/240 Vac, 1A, 50-60 Hz Input power plug and ON/OFF rocker switch

5

6 none Built-in thermal printer; prints test result data

7 none Keypad; ten alpha/numeric and 6 function keys

8

ADJACENT PANEL

MARKING

(300V MAX)

RS-232C

GROUND

CONTACT

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

Connector, 5-pin, male; trigger input starts CT­3500 three timers; leads are connected to
breaker-Trip and Close coils. Trigger voltage
ranges from 24 to 300 volts dc or peak ac.

Serial interface-port connector (9-pin, DB type)
lets CT-3500 be controlled by an IBM type PC.

PIN SIGNAL

2 Tx

3 Rx
5 Signal Ground

displays menus, prompts, and test-result data.

Threaded grounding stud; 5/16-18 with wing
nut; Safety Ground; Must be connected to
station ground before hookup and testing.

on 2.5-inch-wide thermal paper.

(momentary-contact pushbuttons); functions
are: ENTER, START, CLEAR, STOP, Up (∧ )
and down (∨ )--paper control pushbuttons; used
for test menu selections, and data entries.
Contact cable connector, 16-pin male. Contact

cable contains 3 contact leads (phase A, B, or
C) and one common lead.

3.2 CT-3500 LCD Contrast Control

To Darken the LCD display, press and hold
the “Paper ∧ Contrast” switch for two
seconds; to lighten the LCD display, press
and hold the “Paper ∨ Contrast” switch for
two seconds.

3.3 CT-3500 Printer Control

To advance printer paper, press “Paper ∧
Contrast” switch once. Paper will advance
from printer. Press “Paper ∨ Contrast”
switch once, paper will advance backward
from printer.

3.4 RS-232C Computer-Interface port

An IBM PC software package is supplied
with each CT-3500 allows the user to
retrieve test records stored in the CT-3500
memory.