Trayer Trouble shooting

[linemanfrog]

We use switches manufactured by Trayer Corporation that are submersible for installation in our manholes. These switches come in varying configurations that vary from 1 to 4 switches and a combination of 200 and 600 amp ratings. We terminate our 1000 KCMIL cable with bolted "T" housings (600 amp deadbreak elbows). When we have either a cable or switch failure we have no way to test effectively. We must unbolt the T housings for each run of cable to test using phasing sticks w/ hipot or a VON unit. It is a slow and tedious method. Does anyone have a "field expidient" method of testing these kind of switches? We have tried to use the phasing sticks on the cable without seperating the cable from the switches but have found this does not work. Evidently the DC voltage the hipot adapter puts on the cable bleeds thru the switches and give an inaccurate reading. If any of you have any methods that have proven reliable please share. I am looking for a way to test this type of switch to see if the switch has failed and a way to test the UG cable without disconnecting it from said switches.

Thanks for any ideas, suggestions, or methods.

[thrasher]

My info may be out-of-date as so far we don't use any 600 amp deadbreaks here yet. However at my former job we did. We never figured a good way to test when they were straight made up with the standard end cap. However the engineers figured out that instead of running the normal bolt thru the compression at the end of the cable into the body of the switch we could put in a longer threaded stud that screwed into the switch and that we could screw a 200amp loadbreak bushing onto the opposite end. Then we just put a protective cap on like normal. Must carefully size the length of the stud so everything tightens down correctly. When there is trouble pop the cap off with your stick and you have a solidly connected 200amp loadbreak bushing to test or ground by. Hope this helps.

[linemanfrog]

Thrasher you seem to be talking about an older version of the same method we use for terminating with deadbreak bolted elbows. I definately appreciate the input though. We use alot of Cooper and Elastimold products and they manufacture the items needed to accomplish the same points as you mentioned. If any of the rest of you have any ideas and or suggestions on how to test (hipot, proof, or other method) that can be used to test for burnout cables as mentioned in the original thread and/or test the type of switch mentioned in the field please fill the rest of us in.

I know my little old utility cannot be the only one that uses the type of switches and construction. But I do hope someone has newer/better/more reliable methods.

Thanks