Machine diagnostics using the concepts of resolution ratio and automatic timing

Noninvasive diagnostics have been developed and applied to determine the condition of circuit breakers. Vibration data are obtained from transducers placed at appropriate locations on a unit. Analysis of the vibration signatures leads to the characterization of a circuit breaker via a single index, the resolution ratio (RR). The analysis of the vibration signatures also includes the automatic timing (AT) of events occurring during operations of a unit. Both RR and AT are being integrated into a multifactor decision making process that will evaluate diagnostic inputs from several sources.