Technology Literature

How to correctly measure the contact resistance of a switchgear?

The principle of measuring the contact resistance of switches
Contact resistance is defined as the ratio of the voltage across the contacts to the current flowing through a pair of closed contacts. It obeys Ohm's law. There is an interface between Metal 1 and Metal 2. The current I from the current source flows through this interface and can be read from an ammeter. The voltage drop across the interface can then be read as U from a voltmeter. The contact resistance value Rx can then be calculated.

Rx=U/I

Since the contact resistance varies with the environment and the passage of current, the measurement conditions should be close to the usage conditions. Accurate measurement must use four-terminal measurement technology and thermal EMF elimination technology. This indirect measurement method can be used to measure contact resistance or loop resistance. It requires three test points, three steps, and three formulas. This method has been proven correct and can also be used to calibrate loop resistance standards.

Typical Methods of Contact Resistance Testing
Four-wire (Kelvin) DC voltage drop is a typical method for contact resistance testing with microohm meters, which ensures a more accurate measurement by eliminating both its own contact resistance and the resistance of the test leads.

Contact resistance testing uses two current connections for injection and two potential leads for voltage drop measurement; the voltage cable must be as close as possible to the connection to be tested and always within the circuit formed by the connected current leads.

Based on the measurement of the voltage drop, a microprocessor-controlled micro-ohmmeter calculates the contact resistance while eliminating errors that can arise from the effect of thermal EMF in the connection (a thermal EMF is a small thermocouple voltage created when two dissimilar metals are connected together) they will be added to the measured total voltage drop, and if they are not subtracted from the measurement by different methods (polarity inversion and averaging, direct measurement of thermal EMF amplitude, etc.), errors will be introduced into the contact resistance test.

If a low resistance reading is obtained when testing the circuit breaker contact resistance with a low current, it is recommended to retest the contacts at a higher current. Why would we benefit from using higher current? A higher current will be able to overcome connection problems and oxidation on the terminals, under these conditions a lower current may produce erroneous (higher) readings.

It is important to maintain consistent measurement conditions in contact resistance testing to be able to compare with previous and future results for trend analysis. Therefore, when taking periodic measurements, the contact resistance test must be performed in the same location, with the same test leads (always use the manufacturer's calibration cable) and under the same conditions to be able to know when to connect, connect, solder or The device will become insecure.

The test items are required for 110kV/220kV substation acceptance and maintenance testing(with corresponding tester types):

Test Object	Testing Item	Tester Type
Cable	Cable AC Hipot Testing	JYCX	Details
Cable	Cable Insulation Resistance Testing	JYM KYORITSU	Details
Transformer	Insulation Resistance of Winding	JYM KYORITSU	Details
	DC Leakage Testing in 1min	JYDHV	Details
	Winding Resistance Testing	JYR50S	Details
	Winding Deformation Testing	JYP	Details
	Turns Ratio Testing	JYT-A	Details
	AC Hipot Testing	JYCX	Details
	Short Circuit Impedance Testing	JYW6300	Details
	Dan Delta Testing	JYC	Details
	Oil Breakdown Voltage (BDV)Testing	JY6611	Details
	Oil Tan Delta Testing	GTD-61A	Details
Switchgear	Circuit Breaker/Disconnector Resistance	JYL-200B	Details
Relay	Relay Performance	JY7003G	Details
On-load	On-load Switchgear Testing	JYK-I	Details
On-load	Tap Changer Dynamic Testing	JYK-I	Details
Instrument Transformer	Current Transformer (CT)Testing	JYH-C	Details
Instrument Transformer	Potential Transformer (PT)Testing	JYH-C	Details
Surge Arrestor	Zinc Oxide Characteristics Testing	JY6800	Details
Surge Arrestor	1mA DC Reference Voltage	JYDHV	Details
Capacitor	Capacitor Current	JY6700	Details
Capacitor	Capacitor Inductance	JY6700	Details
Ground Grid	Grounding Down Lead Earth	JYD	Details

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DC winding resistance tester with 500 times tests on a single charge -JYR9310

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