PI-1600 Gen2 Portable Circuit Breaker Tester

Overview

The PI-1600 Gen2 Circuit Breaker Tester incorporates modular design and flexibility to provide unequaled capability in a portable package. The PI-1600 Gen2 test set is two testers in one, incorporating the PI-800 Gen2 and PI-AUX. The PI-800 section can be used alone to generate continuous current of 400 or 800 amps at 4.2 kVA, with peak output to over 10x. When configured for the PI-1600 Gen2, the PI-AUX output unit is connected in series or parallel to the PI-800 Gen2. The PI-AUX boosts total power to 9.8KVA, and allows testing of draw-out breakers and MCB’s to 1600 Amps. The unit comes in two switch-selectable input voltage options: Option A at 120 – 240 VAC, and Option B at 208 – 277 VAC.

The units are housed in rugged interlocking suitcase-size enclosures. Each piece weighs no more than 125 pounds, allowing one-person hand truck mobility. Basic operation is very simple, and the proven MAC-21 control instrumentation provides optimal output control and measurement. The MAC-21 instrumentation is supplied in a separate rugged portable case, interlocks on top of the PI-800 Gen 2, and connects to a cable in the rear of the test set.

The PI-1600 Gen2 consists of a strong stainless steel frame, housed in a rugged plastic enclosure with removable sealed front and back lids. Comfortable recessed side handles provide ease of handling and mobility. All controls, indicators, and input connections are on the front panel. The versatile 50 amp input plugs may be connected to heavy duty portable cords for 120 VAC, 208 VAC, 240, or 277 VAC, depending on the model selected. Individual leads may also be used to connect to bus work.

The output connections are on the rear, along with an auxiliary Output ON indicator, configuration switch, and output fan vents, which can help cool cables and breakers. The bus stabs have pressed-in 3/8″-16 stainless steel threaded inserts, which eliminates the need for nuts, and the configuration bars are slotted for quick and easy changing for various breaker sizes.

The sixteen silver plated output bus connectors allow configuration for continuous outputs of 1600 amperes at 4.2 VAC, and 800 amperes at 8.4 VAC, for testing molded case breakers with cables. With the 1/2 inch stab bus assembly connected for 1600 amperes at 4.2 VAC, which can be used for testing of air draw-out breakers. Output stabs are designed with pressed-in 3/8″-16 stainless steel threaded inserts, which eliminates the need for nuts, and the configuration bars are slotted for quick and easy changing for various breaker sizes.

Applications

This test set will test low-voltage, molded-case and metal-clad, direct acting AC circuit breakers from various manufactures. The test set can also be used on high-current applications like ratio transformers and heat runs.

Using SCR’s, the PI-1600 Gen2 eliminates closing time errors. Initiation at the zero crossover point eliminates DC offset in the current waveform and results in accurate, repeatable test results even with short-duration currents for high speed solid state or electro-mechanical trip devices.

Highlighted Features

Serial port: This standard serial port may be connected to a printer, computer, or other device to print or store time and current values of test results in ASCII format. It is set for 9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. This interface enables you to download data into various computer software programs

Initiating Control: The advance initiate circuitry provides both pulse preset modes for cycles or seconds for output duration. The pulse mode automatically pulses the output to any preset programmed duration. This provides additional testing capabilities for electromechanical and solid state trip devices. A short preset pulse duration also allows for instantaneous tripping without preheating the breaker under test. A long preset time can used for heat runs on cables or other devices up to maximum 9999 seconds.

Zero DC Offset: Use of digitally controlled SCR’s instead of a contactor to initiate the output of the test set eliminates closing time error and thereby ensures precise initiation at the zero crossover point of the output current waveform every time. Initiation at the zero crossover point ensures symmetrical output current by eliminating DC offset in the current waveform. Therefore accurate, repeatable test results are assured even with currents of very short duration, as when conducting tests of instantaneous or short delay trips