What are the steps for manually charging the energy storage mechanism of a VS1-12 vacuum circuit breaker?

The VS1-12 vacuum circuit breaker is an indoor high-voltage switchgear with a rated voltage of 12kV, suitable for 12kV, 50Hz three-phase power systems, and used as a protective and control device. It is widely used in the control and protection of electrical equipment in industrial and mining enterprises, power plants, and substations, and is particularly suitable for applications requiring frequent operation or multiple interruptions of short-circuit currents. The VS1-12 vacuum circuit breaker can be used with switchgear such as KYN28 (GZS1), XGN, and GG-1A types, and is available in various mounting configurations, including withdrawable and fixed types.

Manual energy storage operation of VS1-12 (common models such as VS1-12/1250-31.5, etc.) indoor high-voltage vacuum circuit breakers is a fundamental skill that operating and maintenance personnel must master. The core purpose is to store energy in the spring operating mechanism when the operating power supply is lost, so that the circuit breaker can be closed.

 

Please note: Safety must be ensured before performing any operation!

Confirm that the circuit breaker is in a safe state: The circuit breaker should be in the open position and not energized. Ideally, this should be done in the test position or with the electrical circuit isolated.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as insulating gloves.

Follow the on-site operating procedures and safety regulations of your substation or distribution room.

The following are the detailed steps for manual energy storage operation:

 

Manual Energy Storage Operation Steps

Step 1: Confirm the Status

Observe the energy storage status indicator on the circuit breaker panel (usually a pointer or window within a circular opening, marked with "Energized" or "Not Energized," or displayed through spring extension/retraction).

Confirm that the circuit breaker is in the "Not Energized" state.

Also, confirm that the closing/opening indicator shows the "Open" state. Manual energy storage is strictly prohibited while the circuit breaker is in the closed state.

Step 2: Locate the Manual Energy Storage Interface

On the front panel of the VS1 circuit breaker, locate the manual energy storage operation hole. It is usually located on the right side of the panel and is a standard square or hexagonal socket for inserting the energy storage handle, marked with "Manual Energy Storage" or "Manual Charging."

Step 3: Insert the Energy Storage Handle

Take out the dedicated manual energy storage handle (usually included with the device).

Insert the square or hexagonal head of the handle completely into the operation hole, ensuring it is properly engaged. Some models may require gently pulling outwards or pressing a latch before insertion.

Step 4: Perform Manual Energy Storage Operation

Stand firmly and hold on securely, then vigorously rock the handle up and down repeatedly.

During the rocking motion, you will feel less resistance in the initial stage, but the resistance will increase significantly as the spring is gradually tightened.

Continue rocking until you hear a crisp "click" sound, at which point the resistance in your hand will instantly disappear or become very light. This indicates that the energy storage spring has been pulled to the predetermined position and reliably locked by the closing latch, completing the energy storage process.

Step 5: Confirm Energy Storage Completion and Remove the Handle

Immediately stop rocking and observe the energy storage status indicator again; it should now show the "Energy Stored" status.

The energy storage indicator light (if powered) on some models will also illuminate.

Smoothly remove the manual handle and return it to its designated storage location.

 

Key Precautions and Warnings

Strictly prohibit energy storage while the circuit breaker is closed:When the circuit breaker is in the closed position, its operating mechanism and energy storage spring are interlocked. Manually storing energy at this time may damage the mechanism components, leading to equipment damage or personal injury.

Do not stop or reverse the rotation midway:During the rotation process, especially when feeling significant resistance, do not suddenly release the handle or rotate in the opposite direction. This may cause the spring energy to be unexpectedly released, causing the handle to rotate rapidly and potentially injure the operator. The operation should be performed smoothly and continuously.

Stop immediately upon reaching the end position:After hearing a clear "click" sound and feeling a sudden decrease in resistance, absolutely do not continue to rotate with force! Over-storing energy will damage the mechanism.

Check if energy storage is complete:If you rotate many times without hearing the end position sound and do not feel a significant change in resistance, the mechanism may be jammed or malfunctioning. Stop the operation and report it for repair.

Electric operation is preferred:When operating power is available, electric energy storage should be prioritized (via buttons on the control panel or remote commands). Manual energy storage should only be used as a backup or during commissioning and maintenance.

Safety isolation:For maintenance work, even after manual energy storage, a dedicated locking device (such as a closing interlock bolt) should be used to lock the mechanism in the open and de-energized state to prevent accidental operation.

 

After the operation

Once manual energy storage is complete, the circuit breaker is ready for one closing operation. At this point:

You can press the manual closing button (located on the panel, usually red or marked with the word "Close") to perform a local mechanical closing operation.

Alternatively, after restoring the control power, you can perform a remote electrical closing operation.

 

Contact Us

 

In critical moments of the power system, reliability depends not only on the precision of automation but also on confident manual control. Shaanxi Huadian's VS1 series vacuum circuit breaker deeply integrates cutting-edge vacuum switching technology with human-centered safety design. Even under extreme conditions such as a complete power outage, its reliable and efficient manual energy storage mechanism ensures that you always maintain control over the switching operations. The VS1's dual-status mechanical indicator window (open/closed, energy stored/not stored) provides clear visibility, fundamentally preventing misoperation. The internal mechanism utilizes special processes and high-quality materials to ensure smooth and jam-free manual energy storage, stopping precisely when fully charged, eliminating the risk of overcharging, and refining industrial reliability to an intuitive level of operation.Learn more about ,please contact us at:

Email:pannie@hdswitchgear.com.

Whatsapp/Wechat:+8618789455087