In an electric power system, switchgear is the combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses or circuit breakers used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. Switchgears are used both to de-energize equipment to allow work to be done and to clear faults downstream.
During measurements in switchgear testing, the contacts will be opened (O), closed (C) and depending on the test type opened(O) again, this is called OC or OCO measurement.
The contacts movement is typically controlled by using electrical signals.
These signals initiate the movement of contacts in the mechanical switch for the circuit to be opened or to be closed.
For medium and low voltage switchgear measurements there is often no signal available for registering the exact position of the contacts, therefore the time between the open or close action and the measured moment of contact touch or separation will be determined in a no-load test first.
These variables then later can be used for the full load (short-circuit) tests.
To enable harmonized testing in both R&D as certification processes, required analysis routines are fixed in STL routines.