1075 Old Airport Road • Bristol, VA 24201 Phone (276) 669-4084 • FAX (276) 645-8206 • www.federalpacic.com • ISO9001:2015
SECTION IB-2B-800A
SUPPLEMENT TO INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
TYPE PSE DEAD-FRONT PAD-MOUNTED SWITCHGEAR
JUNE 2021
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This supplement is to be used in conjunction with Instruction Bulletin
IB-2B-800, “Inspection and Maintenance Recommendations for Dead-Front
Pad-Mounted Switchgear, Type PSE”. All Caution, Warning, Danger, and other
Notes in that document apply to this supplementary document.
Air insulated switchgear, be it Live-Front (PSI) or Dead-Front (PSE), is not
designed to be submersible. Once water touches, or comes in proximity
to, energized parts or interrupting components, there is a substantially
increased probability of immediate electrical failure or delayed electrical
or mechanical failure of the switchgear. This supplement addresses the
corrective actions to address exposure to a submerged condition.
When conditions warrant, barriers and insulators can be cleaned with a
non-alcohol and non-solvent based cleaner that does not leave a residue
when dry. Any residue must be removed. Any barrier showing swelling or
warping should be replaced.
When cleaning components, NEVER use any industrial strength cleaners.
NEVER apply lubricants to the probe contact or the tulip contact, which
aretheinterruptingcontacts.NEVER use any solvent-based or ammable
products on any components in the pad-mounted switchgear. Solvents
and ammable products can attack non-metallic components of the
equipment and reduce electrical and mechanical properties.
Before Opening the Switchgear
Thefollowinginspectionandmaintenanceproceduresmustbeperformed
with the current-carrying parts completely de-energized and isolated from
voltage. Any attempt to perform the inspection and maintenance with
the current-carrying parts energized may result in electrical arc ash that
can cause equipment damage, personal injury or death.
Initial Inspection after Flooding Event
1. If water has reached the oor-plate in the medium voltage compartment
of a PSE dead-front pad-mounted switchgear unit (the top of the base
spacer or bottom of the switchgear, if there is no base spacer), then action
must be taken to preserve and restore the switchgear.
The switchgear must be completely de-energized from all sources before
anyattemptis madeto enterswitchgear.Follownormal system operating
practices to de-energize the unit, test for voltage and ground the unit
before any work is performed.
2. If the switchgear has been submerged above the level of the switch
interrupters or the fuse-mounting interrupters, the user may want to
consider replacement, since it will be difcult to fully clean the interiors
of the interrupters, reassemble,and realign them by other than factory
personnel.
Standard Cleaning and Maintenance
3. Perform the Inspection and Maintenance functions recommended
in Federal Pacic Instruction Bulletin IB-2B-800, including cleaning
materials, lubrication, as well as the recommendations and procedures
contained in this supplement.
Barriers, viewing windows and insulators can be cleaned with a non-
alcohol and non-solvent based cleaner that does not leave any residue
when dry. Residue must be removed.
Flooded Switchgear - Additional Steps
4. PSE Dead-Front Switchgear which has been ooded and is deemed
suitable for restoration to service will require the additional inspection,
cleaning, and maintenance.
Current carrying parts must be completely de-energized from all sources
before any maintenance is performed on these parts. Follow normal
system operating practices to de-energize, test for voltage and ground
these parts before any work is performed. Any attempt to perform the
inspection and maintenance with the current-carrying parts energized
may result in electrical arc ash that can cause equipment damage,
personal injury or death.
a. Remove the roof. There are six sets of clamps and bolts (three on each
side) in the termination compartments.
b. Remove the internal barriers.Take care not to damage barriers during
removal or reinstallation.
When removing barriers, care must be taken to keep the barrier clean
and dry.Contamination on barrier can lead to tracking and arcing.Clean
off any contamination with a non-alcoholic and non-solvent based
cleaner that does not leave any residue.
c. Remove and clean or discard (and replace with new) the screened vent
screens at the bottom of the medium-voltage compartment.
d. Rinse the interior of the switchgear with low pressure clean water and
ush out any debris or water-soluble surface contaminants.
e. Clean the bus, the interrupters,the support insulators, and the barrier
boards.
f. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
g. Dry with compressed air or other similar approved means.
h. After cleaning and drying,inspect all insulators and bushings to make
certain there is no surface damage,including any imbedded perma-
nent discolorations or cracks.
• All damaged, discolored,or cracked insulators must be replaced.
i. After cleaning anddrying,inspect all barriers,make certain thatthere is
no surfacedamage,including any imbeddedpermanent discoloration
or warping.
• All discolored barriers must be replaced.
• Warped barriers must be inspected to make certain that correct
“Electrical Clearances” are met, as specied in Table 1, and replace
if necessary.
NOTICE
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
DANGER
