If you want to use an oil circuit breaker (also called an oil power circuit breaker), you must have enough information about its types and applications. If you are using high voltage oil circuit breakers, you must maintain those properly, as oil can be flammable.

If you want to be an electrical technician, you must understand the installation procedure for oil insulation circuit breakers. Additionally, you must be aware of the safety precautions that you must follow while changing the circuit breaker oil. If you wish to be an oil circuit breaker manufacturer, you will need to have information about oil circuit breaker design and manufacturing processes.

To acquire information about oil circuit breaker (OCB) products, you can:

1. Search for training programs that provide information about various circuit breakers, including oil circuit breakers
2. Read through magazines and journals about the electrical power distribution industry
3. Join associations to enrich your knowledge about circuit breakers
4. Consult an expert if you want to use a special type of oil circuit breaker, such as a minimum oil circuit breaker or a heavy voltage circuit breaker

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend training programs that provide information about oil circuit breakers

If you want to use an oil circuit breaker, you will need to train your employees about its operation and maintenance. In addition, if you want to pursue a career as an electrical technician, you will need to attend certificate courses at reputable training institutions.

I recommend: Los Angeles Trade-Technical College offers apprentice education programs that provide information on oil circuit breakers. The Electricity Forum offers an onsite training program called ‘Substation Maintenance Training Course’ that covers circuit breaker maintenance as a part of its curriculum. Northwest Territories Education, Culture and Employment also provides apprenticeship training programs, including a program called ‘Powerline Electrician Program’.

Join associations to improve your knowledge about OCB products

To keep track of technological updates in OCB products, you can join associations for companies that manufacture electrical products. These associations also provide other useful features, such as a technical library or a discussion forum for industry professionals.

I recommend: You can join IEEE, an association of electrical and electronics engineers that provides education programs, magazines and technical standards. You can also register as a member at NEMA, another association for the electrical manufacturing industry.

Read through periodicals that provide information about OCB products

You can subscribe to magazines and journals dedicated to the electrical power distribution industry. These magazines provide information about various aspects of the OCB products market, such as new products, their applications and maintenance procedures.

I recommend: You can subscribe to Electricity-Today, a magazine that provides information about new products in the electrical industry. NETA World is a quarterly publication for professionals in the electrical testing and maintenance industry. Transmission & Distribution World is another magazine for professionals in the electric power industry.

Oil circuit breakers are circuit breakers that stop the flow of electricity by means of oil. When there is an excessive electrical overload or a voltage failure, a triggering mechanism in the oil circuit breaker pulls the electrical contacts apart and immerses the contacts in oil, thus preventing any more current from flowing. This process allows oil power circuit breakers to be fast-acting and easily reset.

Early on in electrical system development, most high voltage circuit breakers were oil circuit breakers. New technology has moved the residential market away from oil circuit breakers, but the industrial market continues to use them in many applications. Oil insulation circuit breakers offer industrial operations several advantages such as:

1. Oil circuit breakers have fewer operating mechanisms than other types of circuit breakers resulting in less maintenance and fewer repairs.

2. The electrical contacts in OCBs seal, protecting against dirt and the elements.

3. Oil's superior cooling properties make it an excellent medium to use in circuit breakers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase high voltage oil circuit breakers

Companies that operate power stations or high voltage machinery require oil power circuit breakers with voltage ratings higher than 600 volts. High voltage oil circuit breakers are available is several styles.

I recommend: ABB offers many types of high and medium voltage oil insulated circuit breakers including the advanced minimum oil circuit breaker. Industrial Control Systems offers an industrial oil circuit breaker.

Consider a used oil circuit breaker to cut costs

When price is an issue, consider buying a used oil circuit breaker. Several companies specialize in used and rebuilt oil fuse circuit breakers and fully guarantee their products.

I recommend: Belyea has a large online listing of recycled oil circuit breakers. Tucson Transformer and Apparatus offers reconditioned substation oil circuit breakers for use in electrical power distribution substations.

Maintain your existing oil circuit breaker

Routine testing to evaluate the condition of a circuit breaker, oil power circuit breaker or oil insulation circuit breaker is key. In addition, oil circuit breakers can lose performance from wear, poor contact surfaces, misalignment and improper timing of contact movement. Maintenance kits are available online that can help you keep your oil circuit breaker in good running condition.

I recommend: High Voltage Supply (HVS) is a leading manufacturer of replacement parts for oil circuit breaker components and offers maintenance kits for oil circuit breakers. Midwest offers maintenance kits designed to update oil circuit breaker protection functions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The majority of accidents involving electrical personnel occur when any type of circuit breaker, including an oil circuit breaker, is inadvertently left closed or accidentally closes.