Abstract: A flexible magnetic coil for determining ion migration rates inside a vacuum device can include a plurality of insulated copper wires held together as a bundle. A positive pole can be connected to a first end of the bundle for receiving a positive DC voltage. A negative pole can be connected to a second end of the bundle for completing a circuit with the positive pole. A DC voltage ranging from ten volts to four thousand volts from a power supply can be connected to the positive pole, the negative pole, or combinations thereof. The bundle can be a loop and can form a circuit when the DC voltage is applied to the loop. The bundle can create a flexible electromagnetic field of at least one Gauss around the vacuum device using a calculation of a number of turns of insulated copper wire multiplied by applied DC current.

Abstract: A remote racking tool can have a drive assembly, remote control assembly, and radio remote pendant station. The remote racking can enable operators to install or remove circuit breakers in switchgear or equipment rooms while outside of an arc flash zone.

Abstract: A closed and open contact method to predict a usable life of vacuum interrupters in the field can include using computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to position a calculated amp or calculated pressure on an ionic or current versus pressure calibration curve for the installed vacuum interrupter and identify trend data from a library of trend data corresponding to the installed vacuum interrupter and to the calculated pressure or calculated amp of the installed vacuum interrupter; thereby determining the anticipated life expectancy.

Abstract: A closed and open contact method to predict a usable life of vacuum interrupters in the field can include using computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to position a calculated amp or calculated pressure on an ionic or current versus pressure calibration curve for the installed vacuum interrupter and identify trend data from a library of trend data corresponding to the installed vacuum interrupter and to the calculated pressure or calculated amp of the installed vacuum interrupter; thereby determining the anticipated life expectancy.

Abstract: An electromagnetic testing assembly to predict a usable life of an installed vacuum interrupter in the field, which can include an electromagnetic testing device connected to a flexible magnetic field coil to generate a potential in a vacuum interrupter in an installation, magnetically monitor ion flow across one or more gaps in the vacuum interrupter, and apply trend data, tube chart information, and an algorithm to predict the usable life.

Abstract: A portable test and control system for selectively testing and operating an electrically operated switch with at least one phase, the electrically operated switch designed to protect electrical circuit. The portable test and control system is adapted for simultaneously performing verification that the electrically operated switch is operating according to stored switch specifications and control of operation of the electrically operated switch by providing power directly to the electrically operated switch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic testing assembly to predict a usable life of an installed vacuum interrupter in the field, which can include an electromagnetic testing device connected to a flexible magnetic field coil to generate a potential in a vacuum interrupter in an installation, magnetically monitor ion flow across one or more gaps in the vacuum interrupter, and apply trend data, tube chart information, and an algorithm to predict the usable life.

Abstract: A closed and open contact method to predict a usable life of vacuum interrupters in the field can include using computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to position a calculated amp or calculated pressure on an ionic or current versus pressure calibration curve for the installed vacuum interrupter and identify trend data from a library of trend data corresponding to the installed vacuum interrupter and to the calculated pressure or calculated amp of the installed vacuum interrupter; thereby determining the anticipated life expectancy.

Abstract: An electrical device removal tool, such as for circuit breakers, that is lightweight, portable, and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled insertion and removal of electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling device for engagement with the electrical equipment housing.

Abstract: A robot for operating isolation switches while allowing an operator to remain outside of an arc flash zone can include a motor, bidirectional rotatable shaft, gear box, and magnet housings with magnets for engaging with metal. A first arm can be connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft and can have a gripper. A second arm can connect to the bidirectional rotatable shaft, and can have a threadable member for depressing an interlock on the isolation switches. Stops can prevent the first arm from over-rotating. A magnetically securable controller portion can be in communication with a motor portion and remote switch operator. A remote control device can operate the remote switch operator to control and power the controller portion to operate the motor outside of the arc flash zone.

Abstract: A remote racking tool can have a drive assembly, remote control assembly, and radio remote pendant station. The remote racking can enable operators to install or remove circuit breakers in switchgear or equipment rooms while outside of an arc flash zone.

Abstract: An exemplary analyzer, such as a circuit breaker analyzer, method, and system are provided for use in determining the mechanical condition of a device, such as a circuit breaker, appliance, machine, equipment, or other mechanical system. In one embodiment the analyzer is implemented using a smartphone or other smart device to couple to the device being analyzed to measure mechanical vibrations generated at a surface of the device during an operational event using a force detector, such as an accelerometer, and then comparing such measured values to a known, good signature of mechanical vibrations for the same type of operational event for same type of equipment.

Abstract: An electrical device removal tool for electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, is disclosed herein. The tool can be lightweight, portable, and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled insertion and removal of the electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling device engaged with the electrical equipment housing.

Abstract: A portable motorized charge, trip, close device for manually charging, closing, or tripping circuit breakers or electrical equipment surrounded by a metal surface is described herein. The portable motorized charge, trip, close device can be operated by an operator, while the operator is outside an arc flash hazard boundary. The device can include a frame, handles, at least two magnetic housings connected to the frame, a gear box with a charging rod collar, a rotatable shaft, a charging rod moveable mount, a charging rod connected to two rotatable hinges, an adjustable closeable motor mount bracket, a gear box key way, a shaft housing, a motor, a motor control, a linear actuator engaging the rotatable hinges, a solenoid, a pressure release pin and spring, and a limit switch.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic coil for determining ion migration rates inside a vacuum device can include a plurality of insulated copper wires held together as a bundle. A positive pole can be connected to a first end of the bundle for receiving a positive DC voltage. A negative pole can be connected to a second end of the bundle for completing a circuit with the positive pole. A DC voltage ranging from ten volts to four thousand volts from a power supply can be connected to the positive pole, the negative pole, or combinations thereof. The bundle can be a loop and can form a circuit when the DC voltage is applied to the loop. The bundle can create a flexible electromagnetic field of at least one Gauss around the vacuum device using a calculation of a number of turns of insulated copper wire multiplied by applied DC current.

Abstract: A portable motorized racking tool for installing, removing, and testing electrical equipment is disclosed herein. The portable motorized racking tool can be used to operate upon electrical equipment from a remote location outside of an arc flash zone. Also disclosed is a method of use of the portable motorized racking tool.

Abstract: A controller for remotely controlling an installer/remover of electrical equipment with a body connected to a lid, two L-shaped opposing face plates in the body, a battery beneath a first face plate along with a timer circuit board and a plurality of relays. The controller can include a circuit breaker, a power on/off switch for energizing the timer circuit board, a plug for providing current, a plug with transmission means to provide power and control signals to the installer/remover of electrical equipment, a remove momentary push button, and an install/momentary push button. The controller can also include a current controller.

Abstract: A lightweight portable electrical equipment racking tool and a method for racking, wherein the racking tool is adapted to raise or lower a gear assembly while operating the gear assembly to remove or install electrical equipment from a safe distance. The lightweight portable electrical equipment racking tool can include a cart, load bearing wheels, small wheels, a fixed mast segment, a moveable locking bracket, a moving slide segment, a flanged moveable locking bracket, a clutch assembly plate, a clutch bracket, a gear assembly, a drive assembly motor, a motor control, a controller, a clutch, a drive coupling, a power supply, and a support gusset.

Abstract: A charge, close, trip device with a solenoid on a frame or a motor. The frame can include supports, beams, and handles. The motor can be mounted on a mount with a bracket that can be attached to the frame. A solenoid can be mounted on a bracket that can be mounted to the frame. The solenoid can have a plunger for engaging buttons on equipment. A gear assembly can be in a gear box attached to the motor mount bracket. The gear assembly can have a collar that can connect to a shaft. The shaft can include a key in a shaft key way. The gear box can include a gear box key way and a shaft housing for engaging the shaft. The motor can be connected to the gear box. Magnet housings can be connected to the frame with extendable magnets disposed inside.

Abstract: A modular charge, close, trip device with a charge portion having a charging arm operated by a motor is described herein. A close trip portion can include at least one solenoid that can be mounted on a bracket that can be mounted to a charging arm. The solenoid can have a plunger for engaging buttons on equipment enabling the closing or tripping of switch gear. Magnets can be used to affix the charge portion and the close trip portion to metal surrounding equipment to be charged, closed, or tripped. The modular components can each be operated independently by a remote switch operator, enabling the operator to maintain a position outside an arc flash hazard zone.