Electrical endurance tests for HV circuit-breakers: EDF experience

Technical relevance of endurance requirements on circuit-breakers has already been largely discussed. This paper presents the rationale behind electric endurance testing, EDF experience, the main criteria for an equivalent law, and shows that electric endurance is a valuable optional test in order to qualify a maintenance program. In a second part, it tackles the issue of the costs and shows that endurance requirements can be considered as an investment. Electrical endurance tests have also a strong economical interest for utilities in order to define their maintenance program.