Case Study:
Refurbished Circuit Breaker
Refurbished Westinghouse DHP Breaker for Local Nuclear Power Station
Objective
- Refurbish Westinghouse DHP breakers locally, using a more efficient procedure than the standard method that requires packing, shipping, and additional time to complete the project.
Solutions
- The Quad Plus Senior Technician developed a new procedure to complete the refurbishment process at our local Breaker Lab, a procedure that did not previously exist in this market.
Results and Benefits
- We rebuilt circuit breakers and restored them to meet all operational benchmarks.
- The customer was spared the time and expense of special packing and long-haul carriers to transport the breakers to an out-of-state refurbishment facility.
- No out-of-state travel was necessary for the customer to complete inspections and witness testing.
- Faster turnaround time for the entire project as the Quad Plus team completed all aspects of the refurbishment, from pickup to delivery.
- The faster turnaround time correlated to lower costs for Quad Plus, and we were able to pass on the savings to the customer as well.
- Environmentally friendly procedure with fewer packaging materials and fewer miles of transportation.
Background
Local nuclear power stations had aging MV circuit breakers, including Westinghouse DHP 5kV and 15kV breakers that needed refurbishment. The process typically involves removing the breaker, packing it using specialized materials, utilizing long-haul carriers to transport the breakers to a service facility, and then reversing the process to return them to the customer. This customer requested a local refurbishment process to save on time and costs.
Quad Plus Solution
The Quad Plus Senior Technician has extensive experience rebuilding medium-voltage breakers. The refurbishment process, sometimes called major reconditioning, involves completely tearing down the breaker, rebuilding it, and replacing worn items such as springs and coils.
In response to the customer’s request, he developed a specialized procedure to refurbish the Westinghouse DHP 5kV and 15kV breakers, a procedure that did not previously exist in this market. The Quad Plus crew could then pick up the breakers on our own trucks, transport them to our local Breaker Lab to complete the procedure, and return them to the customer’s site. This rebuilding method restored the Westinghouse DHP breakers and produced high-performing rebuilt circuit breakers at a lower cost.
Because our team was responsible for the entire process, we were able to save a substantial amount for the customer, especially on packing and transportation. It also allowed us to increase the volume of breakers refurbished compared to the traditional process to complete the job more quickly and at a lower cost to both us and the customer.
Specialized Solutions for Circuit Breaker Repair
You need expert industrial circuit breaker repair services and always have an eye on the timeline and your budget. The Quad Plus senior technicians have decades of experience in a variety of circumstances.
This knowledge and understanding of existing procedures allows us to devise new methods that save our customers time and money while still delivering the results you’ve come to rely on us for. Let us know what you need, and we’ll find a way.
Importance of Refurbished MV Circuit Breakers for Industrial Systems
Regular refurbishment of circuit breakers maintains operational reliability and safety at nuclear facilities. It ensures that critical power distribution systems function correctly and can help extend the life of high-value equipment. Regular servicing of industrial circuit breakers can also prevent costly downtime by finding and solving problems before they cause an unexpected shutdown.
Benefits of Using Rebuilt Circuit Breakers in Industrial Systems
Rebuilt circuit breakers offer cost-effective performance without sacrificing reliability. By restoring aging equipment to like-new condition, facilities can extend asset life, reduce capital expenditures, and avoid unplanned outages.
When combined with local service providers, rebuilding MV circuit breakers reduces project timelines and transportation risks. On-site or regional refurbishment simplifies scheduling for inspections and testing while still meeting industry-specific performance and safety standards.
How Westinghouse DHP Breaker Rebuilding Improves Performance
Rebuilding Westinghouse DHP 5kV and 15kV circuit breakers restores critical components like coils, contacts, and springs. This directly improves electrical and mechanical performance. This process helps ensure consistent switching accuracy, reduced failure risk, and reliable operation in demanding environments like nuclear power stations.
These breakers are ideal candidates for refurbishment due to their durable construction and long service life. When rebuilt by experienced technicians, they can perform at or near original specifications while avoiding the cost and lead time of full replacement. Similar improvements can also be achieved with medium-voltage units from ABB, Siemens, GE, and Eaton.
Ensuring Safety and Reliability with Refurbished Circuit Breakers
Refurbished circuit breakers support safe, reliable operation when rebuilt to original specifications using tested procedures and OEM-quality parts. To ensure this level of performance, choose a provider with technical expertise in your specific breaker models. You’ll also want a provider with the ability to perform full mechanical and electrical reconditioning. Working with a local team can also improve turnaround time and simplify coordination for inspections and testing.
Need an MV Circuit Breaker Retrofit?
If you’re managing aging switchgear or outdated systems, our MV circuit breaker retrofit services can help you improve reliability, extend equipment life, and meet today’s safety standards. We deliver engineered solutions for high-demand environments, including nuclear and industrial facilities. Let our experienced team support your next critical power upgrade with precision and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
A refurbished MV circuit breaker goes through a complete teardown, inspection, and rebuild of the breaker. Wear components are also replaced to restore the breaker to full performance.
The exact answer will depend on the type of breaker, the extent of the circuit breaker maintenance needed, and how quickly parts can be sourced. Typically, breakers can be serviced in a few hours to a few days. In some cases, a few weeks may be necessary.
Commonly refurbished types include Westinghouse DHP5kV and 15kV breakers, and similar medium-voltage models from ABB, GE, Siemens, and Eaton. Air circuit breakers, particularly in medium-voltage systems, are also candidates for refurbishment depending on application needs. These units are commonly rebuilt due to their durable design, proven performance, and availability of replacement parts.
A properly refurbished MV circuit breaker can last 10 to 20 years or more, depending on the operating environment, maintenance schedule, and quality of the rebuild.
Refurbished circuit breakers that undergo full mechanical and electrical reconditioning perform comparably to new breakers in most industrial operations. When rebuilt by experienced technicians using OEM-quality parts, they meet original performance specs and safety standards at a lower cost.
