USGT-600 Manual
USGT-600 Manual
USGT-600 Manual
Operation Manual
C-00835 USGT-600 Rev. 2.2 (3-5-15)
Phone (828)323-8914
Fax (828)323-8410
Email sales@utilitysolutionsinc.com
Web www.utilitysolutionsinc.com
101 33 Street Drive SE · Hickory, NC 28602
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USGT-600 ACCESSORY ADAPTERS
Utility Solutions offers the following optional adapters
for use with the USGT-600 Grounds Tester:
15 Kv ELBOW
USGT-600-15KVELBOW
27 Kv ELBOW 27 Kv BUSHING SUBSTATION CLAMP ADAPTOR
USGT-600-27KVELBOW USGT-600-27KVBUSHING 15 Kv BUSHING
USGT-600-15KVBUSHING
NOTE: All adapters are CNC machined out of solid brass stock.
Phone (828)323-8914
Fax (828)323-8410 U TILITY
Email
Web
sales@utilitysolutionsinc.com
www.utilitysolutionsinc.com
SOLUTIONS
101 33rd Street Drive SE · Hickory, NC 28602 Lineman driven. Field proven.™
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USGT High Current Test Source
Specifications
Electrical
Input Voltage 120V AC
Nominal
Meters
Ammeter .5% accuracy
Voltmeter .5% Accuracy
Safety Features
Thermal Overload Protection
AC Input Circuit Breaker
Dimensions
Weight 44 lbs
Dimensions 20 x 15 x 8
Optional Accessories
Elbow Adapter
Straight Stud Parking Stand Adapter
Direct Source Cables
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USGT-600
High Current Test Source with REACHTM
The USGT-600 is a safe, new and unique high AC current source product for
testing personal protective grounds, molded case circuit breakers, and
mechanical jumpers. Using the patent pending REACHTM technology, the current
carrying cable impedance to the device under test can be effectively eliminated
allowing testing of substation ground mats, low impedance ground points and
other products or places where the driving cable impedances need to be
eliminated from the actual measurement. The USGT-600 provides a high current
output combined with a low output voltage for maximum operator safety. The unit
is also thermally protected from overload and provides a visual indication if
overload does occur. In most instances, simply reducing the output current to
zero and allowing the unit to cool and return to normal mode as indicated by the
overload light is all that is required.
Safety First
Grounding jumper assemblies can be damaged by rough handling, long term
use, weathering, UV exposure, and corrosion and/or oxidation. This deterioration
may be physical and/or electrical in nature and the working condition of
grounding jumper assemblies can only be determined by a combination of both
visual inspection and electrical testing.
Finally, the high current test source is capable of producing currents that
will quickly heat high resistance points or defective areas of cable, clamps,
and ferrules. These will become hot and could cause burns. The equipment
operator should wear proper hand protection when testing any assembly or
product.
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A fault carrying ASTM grade chart for conductors and clamps is included for
convenience [See Chart 1]. Individual components of any protective ground
assembly should have the same or greater grade rating and should be verified
during inspection. The assembly grade rating is the rating of the lowest grade
component in the assembly (the weakest link). For instance, if the cable is rated
to grade 5 and the clamp is rated to grade 2, then the complete grounding
assembly can at best be rated to only grade 2.
The cable should also be inspected at the interface point to any ferrule, clamp, or
stress point for broken strands of cable. Broken stranding in cable can give an
ohmic resistance reading that “passes” a micro-ohm resistance check, but will
not withstand the required fault current or current carrying ampacity.
The most accurate and “true” test is to pass a nominal test current for the wire
size thru the cable and check that no cable, ferrule, or clamp heating occurs.
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High Current Test Source Operation
1. Make sure the test unit is turned off and the current output control is rotated
fully counterclockwise (the min position).
2. Install the test connectors in the threaded isothermal terminal blocks on the
front or side panel. Use the supplied tightening tool to fully tighten the test
connectors (slide the tool through the hole in the shaft).
3. Place the voltage switch into the “normal” position.
4. Plug the female end power cord into the male 3 pin euro style power
connector on the front panel.
5. Plug the power cord plug into a standard wall 110V AC outlet rated at least
10 amps.
6. Determine the proper test current then connect the jumper, source cables or
ground assembly to the test connectors. Refer to Appendix E for Cable
Schematic. If testing a jumper or ground jumper assembly, measure to the
nearest 1/2 foot prior to attaching to test connectors.
7. Turn the power switch to the “ON” position and observe that the panel
meters indicate zero.
8. Slowly rotate the output current control clockwise and observe the ammeter
for the proper test current setting for the class/grade or wire size (Appendix
B).
9. Record the voltage reading on the voltmeter.
10. Rotate the output current control fully counterclockwise to the “MIN” position
before shutting the device off. Follow the test procedure instructions for
determining the Pass or Fail condition of the jumpers or ground assemblies.
Please refer to Appendix C for the nominal voltage drop levels for AWG cable
size, test current, and clamp data. The charts are referenced by the cable sizes
and range from #2 thru 350 Kcmil sizes.
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Additionally, breaker contact and any low impedance point can be measured
using the auxiliary leads. This method allows the actual voltage drop of the
component to be measured while eliminating the voltage drop of the current
supply cables giving a “true” voltage drop reading.
The resistance of the ground mat may be found by the following formula:
Voltage Drop V, (in volts) = Current I, (in amps) * Resistance R, (in ohms) or,
R=V/I
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For example, take the voltage drop reading and divide by the current reading on
the ammeter to determine the ground mat resistance.
This resistance value will allow determination of the ground mat effectiveness.
One tip is to set the output current at a number easy to use in calculations i.e.,
100A, 200A, or 500A. The actual Amp setting will depend on the average AWG
of the mat conductor. Refer to your company standards and practices for allowed
resistance values.
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Appendix A:
Inspection and Testing of Grounding Jumper Assemblies
If any of these conditions are found, the grounding jumper assembly shall be
rejected or repaired in accordance with the company corrective maintenance
and/or repair section listed below. If the assembly passes the visual check,
proceed to the electrical test section.
Reassembly
Reassemble grounding jumper assembly. All physical connections should be
checked for tightness with torque values as specified by the manufacturer.
Recommended torque values for the clamps are:
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Identify Cable Gauge and Grounding Jumper Length
Positively identify cable gauge and measure grounding jumper to the nearest
foot. For lengths not shown in the table, round the measured length up to the
nearest length shown in the table.
The pass/fail criterion is based on the total impedance value of the assembly,
which is typically higher than the established impedance values for new
assemblies. This increase in impedance is due the expected normal deterioration
of the assembly caused by aging, contamination and oxidation - particularly in
the contact areas of the cable ferrules and clamps.
Locating the high resistance area(s) is facilitated by the heating of these areas
due to circulation of rated continuous current through the cable under test. If
there are no apparent hot spots on the clamp or ferrule, the high resistance may
be further localized by using the patent pending REACHTM technology. Individual
components may thus be tested according to the method outlined.
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In Service Care
Grounding jumper assemblies that have been tested on a scheduled basis and
returned to the field still require inspection and maintenance in the field. A visual
inspection prior to each use of all current carrying portions of clamps should be
made. If necessary, wire brush any oxidation built up on these surfaces. This
includes the ferrule to clamp connection and current carrying portion of the clamp
jaw. If a clamp with serrated jaw inserts is used, the insert should be removed
and wire brushed on both sides and reinstalled.
Remember that in a de-energized maintenance work procedure the grounding
jumper assembly is the only personal protective equipment available to the
electrical workers and that the safety of each worker is totally dependent on the
condition of the protective equipment used.
The high current test source will confirm the current carrying capability of the
insulated bypass jumper by virtue of circulating rated continuous current (up to
hundreds of amps) through the cable. Simply follow the directions for testing
grounding jumper assemblies and note the volt drop on the pass/fail chart of the
test set.
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Appendix B:
Wire Gauge Assembly Voltage Drop Tables
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix B: continued
Wire Gauge Assembly Voltage Drop Tables
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH ™technology).
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Appendix B: continued
Wire Gauge Assembly Voltage Drop Tables
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix B: continued
Wire Gauge Assembly Voltage Drop Tables
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C:
#2 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C (continued)
1/0 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C (continued)
2/0 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C (continued)
4/0 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C (continued)
250 kcmil or double 2/0 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix C (continued)
350 kcmil or double 4/0 Cable Component Voltage Drop
Note: Appendix B deals with the acceptable voltage drops across the entire
grounding device while Appendix C deals with the voltage drops across the
grounding devices individual components (utilizing the REACH™ technology).
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Appendix D:
Sample Record Keeping Chart
A Type Code of S denotes a single ground jumper assembly, while a Type Code
of C will denote a cluster assembly. Note that the number and lengths of the
individual ‘arms’ in the cluster assembly can also be easily tracked.
Cable assemblies found to be bad or not repairable may also be identified and
“scrapped” in the system.
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Chart 1 - Grounding Cable Ratings
A. Withstand and ultimate short circuit properties are based on performance with surges
not exceeding a 20% asymmetry factor. Consult ASTM F855-03 standard for additional
information and complete specifications.
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