Abstract: A drill motor racking apparatus for remote operation of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The drill motor racking apparatus comprises: a racking adapter, wherein the racking adapter is adapted to be engaged by and secured in a racking mechanism of a circuit breaker; a gearbox having an input and an output; a flexible shaft cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the racking adapter is connected to the first end of the flexible shaft cable and wherein the gearbox is incorporated between the flexible shaft cable and the racking adapter to provide a torque multiplication required to rack the circuit breaker; and a drill adapter adapted to be engaged by and secured in a drill, wherein the drill adapter is attached to the second end of the flexible shaft cable. A method of using the drill motor racking apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: For replacing position detecting switches in a breaker, a mechanical breaker switch is moved to permit removal of first and second position detecting switches, the first indicating whether the mechanical breaker switch is in a first position by transitioning between first and second states when disposed at or greater than a first threshold angle, the second indicating whether the mechanical breaker switch is in the second position by transitioning between first and second states when disposed at or less than a second threshold angle. The position detecting switches are removed and replaced with replacement position detecting switches. The first replacement switch is adjusted to transition between the first and second states at when disposed at or greater than the first threshold angle, and the second replacement switch is adjusted to transition between the first and second states at when disposed at or less than the second threshold angle.

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: Disclosed herein is a system for detecting a partial discharge from electrical equipment. The system includes a vest dimensioned for wear by a user. An antenna is associated with the vest, and a receiver is coupled to the antenna and associated with the vest. At least one indicator device is associated with the best. Circuitry is associated with the vest and coupled to the receiver. The circuitry is configured to monitor ambient radiofrequency energy in real time, and determine that the partial discharge has occurred as a function of the ambient radiofrequency energy. The circuitry actuates the at least one indicator device as a function of the determination that the partial discharge has occurred, and transmits the determination that the partial charge has occurred to a control station via the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reconditioning a vacuum interrupter that comprises determining whether the vacuum interrupter is suitable for reconditioning. Where the vacuum interrupter is suitable for reconditioning, the method comprises reducing pressure inside vacuum interrupter using magnetron pumping, and/or forming at least one hole in an endcap of a vacuum envelope of the vacuum interrupter, cleaning components of the vacuum interrupter inside the vacuum envelope by introducing at least one cleaning solution into the interior of the vacuum envelope through the at least one hole in the endcap, removing the cleaning solution from the interior of the vacuum envelope, installing a plug in the at least one hole, wherein the plug has getter material on a surface thereof facing the interior of the vacuum envelope, and vacuum sealing the plug to the at least one hole such that a vacuum is re-established in the interior of the vacuum envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drive unit for driving a tool mated with a tool receptacle in a device. The drive unit includes a tool carrying apparatus configured to carry the tool, and a proximity sensor cooperating with at least a portion of the tool carrying apparatus so as to detect movement of the tool carrying apparatus along a longitudinal axis thereof. A motor apparatus is configured to rotate the tool carrying apparatus. Control circuitry is configured to operate the motor in an engagement mode to rotate at least a portion of the tool carrying apparatus until the tool is rotationally aligned with the tool receptacle so as to permit insertion thereinto, based on the proximity sensor not detecting movement of the tool carrying apparatus a threshold distance along the longitudinal axis toward the tool receptacle.

Abstract: For replacing position detecting switches in a breaker, a mechanical breaker switch is moved to permit removal of first and second position detecting switches, the first indicating whether the mechanical breaker switch is in a first position by transitioning between first and second states when disposed at or greater than a first threshold angle, the second indicating whether the mechanical breaker switch is in the second position by transitioning between first and second states when disposed at or less than a second threshold angle. The position detecting switches are removed and replaced with replacement position detecting switches. The first replacement switch is adjusted to transition between the first and second states at when disposed at or greater than the first threshold angle, and the second replacement switch is adjusted to transition between the first and second states at when disposed at or less than the second threshold angle.

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: Disclosed herein is a method of reconditioning a vacuum interrupter that comprises determining whether the vacuum interrupter is suitable for reconditioning. Where the vacuum interrupter is suitable for reconditioning, the method comprises optionally reducing pressure inside vacuum interrupter using magnetron pumping, and/or forming at least one hole in an endcap of a vacuum envelope of the vacuum interrupter, cleaning components of the vacuum interrupter inside the vacuum envelope by introducing at least one cleaning solution into the interior of the vacuum envelope through the at least one hole in the endcap, removing the cleaning solution from the interior of the vacuum envelope, installing a plug in the at least one hole, wherein the plug has getter material on a surface thereof facing the interior of the vacuum envelope, and vacuum sealing the plug to the at least one hole such that a vacuum is re-established in the interior of the vacuum envelope.

Abstract: A method is presented for remote installation or removal of circuit breakers using a remote racking tool outside the arc flash zone of the circuit breakers. The remote racking tool has a drive assembly, remote control assembly, and radio remote pendant station. The remote racking enables operators to install or remove circuit breakers in switchgear or equipment rooms safely away from the 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: Disclosed herein is a drive unit for driving a tool mated with a tool receptacle in a device. The drive unit includes a tool carrying apparatus configured to carry the tool, and a proximity sensor cooperating with at least a portion of the tool carrying apparatus so as to detect movement of the tool carrying apparatus along a longitudinal axis thereof. A motor apparatus is configured to rotate the tool carrying apparatus. Control circuitry is configured to operate the motor in an engagement mode to rotate at least a portion of the tool carrying apparatus until the tool is rotationally aligned with the tool receptacle so as to permit insertion thereinto, based on the proximity sensor not detecting movement of the tool carrying apparatus a threshold distance along the longitudinal axis toward the tool receptacle.

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 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: Disclosed herein is a system for detecting a partial discharge from electrical equipment. The system includes a vest dimensioned for wear by a user. An antenna is associated with the vest, and a receiver is coupled to the antenna and associated with the vest. At least one indicator device is associated with the best. Circuitry is associated with the vest and coupled to the receiver. The circuitry is configured to monitor ambient radiofrequency energy in real time, and determine that the partial discharge has occurred as a function of the ambient radiofrequency energy. The circuitry actuates the at least one indicator device as a function of the determination that the partial discharge has occurred, and transmits the determination that the partial charge has occurred to a control station via the wireless transmitter.

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 racking tool for the installation and removal of electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed is a method of using the portable racking tool. The portable racking tool can be lightweight and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled installation and removal of electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling for engagement with the electrical equipment.

Abstract: A method is presented for remote installation or removal of circuit breakers using a remote racking tool outside the arc flash zone of the circuit breakers. The remote racking tool has a drive assembly, remote control assembly, and radio remote pendant station. The remote racking enables operators to install or remove circuit breakers in switchgear or equipment rooms safely away from the arc flash zone.