Switch Characteristic Tester (also known as High Voltage Switch Mechanical Characteristic Tester) is a "physical examination instrument" used in power systems to detect the mechanical performance of high-voltage circuit breakers
(switches).
It is mainly used to measure various mechanical parameters of high-voltage switches during opening and closing operations, such as time, speed, travel, bounce, etc., to evaluate the operational reliability of the switch. This is crucial for ensuring that the power grid can quickly cut off current during faults and prevent accident expansion.
⚙️ Core Working Principle
The switch characteristic tester uses high-precision sensors and a high-speed data acquisition system to capture the physical changes at the moment of switch operation in real time and convert them into digital signals for analysis.
Signal Acquisition:
Displacement/Speed Sensor: Installed on the moving contact or transmission shaft of the switch, it records the movement trajectory (travel) and speed of the contact in real time.
Contact Signal Line: Connects the moving and stationary contacts of the switch to detect when the contacts are closed or opened (change in the conductive loop).
Coil Control Line: Monitors the voltage and current waveforms of the opening/closing coil.
Data Processing: The microprocessor (CPU/DSP) inside the instrument uses preset algorithms to calculate key indicators such as opening/closing speed, bounce time, and synchronization based on the collected displacement, time, and current signals.
Result Output: Displays data tables and waveform graphs (such as travel-time curves and coil current curves) on the screen, and can output reports via a printer.
