• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to analyze the damage pattern when overcurrent is applied to a thermal magnetic type molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) using a Primary Current Injection Test System (PCITS). When an overcurrent of 150 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 seconds with the trip bar of an MCCB being damaged, it was found that the surface of the temperature control device (bimetallic strip) positioned at the right was significantly carbonized. When an overcurrent of 300 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 s under the same conditions, the entire temperature control device was deteriorated, becoming flattened and in close contact with the MCCB. When an overcurrent of 450 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 s, the coil of the temperature control device was melted and disconnected. In addition, it was observed that the contacts, the enclosure and upper cover were deformed and there was a trace of carbonization on them. When approximately 3 s had elapsed after an overcurrent of 600 A was applied, white smoke occurred inside the MCCB and a flame was radiated out, after which the overcurrent supply stopped with "phutt" (whomp) sound. It was observed that when the same type of MCCB is damaged by a general flame, the surfaces of its handle, terminal, arc divider (extinguisher) and temperature control device were carbonized uniformly. In addition, it was found that the trip bar of the operating mechanism was melted down and the metal operation pin was moved while being tripped.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2016

This study analyzed the structural and electrical characteristics of an iron fittings type Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) damaged by the Primary Current Injection Test System (PCITS). CSST consists of cladding, tube, nuts, clamp ring, flare cap, socket, and ball valve. For an evaluation of the dielectric withstand voltage, the area between the live part and non-live part of the CCST shall withstand a voltage of 220 V AC for one minute. For an evaluation of the insulation performance by 500 V DC, it is required that the insulation exceed more than $1M{\Omega}$ before the temperature rise test, $0.3M{\Omega}$ after the test. Although the average resistance of the product was $11.5m{\Omega}$, that of the product damaged at a current of 130 A by the PCITS was $11.50m{\Omega}$. Furthermore, parts of the cladding were melted and black smoke appeared when a current of 130 A applied for 10 s. After 60 s, most parts were heated and turned red. At 120 s, the parts that turned red had widened. Although it did not form a normal distribution because the P value was 0.019 with a confidential interval of 95%, it revealed outstanding characteristics with an AD (Anderson-Darling) value of 0.896 and a standard deviation of 0.5573.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

This study is to analyze the characteristics of the yellow insulation ring type of the CSST used for tubing when it is artificially deteriorated and damaged by burning. The CSST for tubing consists of a tube, protective coating, nut, yellow insulation ring, packing, and socket. In addition, it is thought that a yellow insulation ring and rubber packing were used to connect the tube and socket in order to improve the airtightness and insulation performance. The result of the verification of the data acquired from the tests in the 95% confidence interval shows that the Anderson-Darling (AD) and P value were analyzed to be 0.945 and 0.015, respectively. This confirms that the test data of the CSST for tubing is reliable. The analysis of the arithmetic mean of the insulation resistance of a CSST showed that the CSST damaged by burning by a torch, and the one damaged by electrical burning, was $16.7k{\Omega}$ (the greatest relatively) and $208{\Omega}$ (the lowest), respectively, while it was $1.72k{\Omega}$ in the case of a normal product. Therefore, the analysis result of the insulation resistance of the CSST collected from the scene of a fire can be utilized to examine the cause of damage by burning. In addition, it was found that when the maximum current of 97 A was applied to the CSST for about 5 s using a Primary Current Injection Test System (PCITS) the protective film and insulation ring of the CSST has no difference from that of a normal product. However, a part of the metal tube was melted.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to examine the structure and heat generation mechanism of low voltage switches used to turn on or off the power supply to an indoor lighting system and investigate how the fixtures and movable contacts of the switches are damaged depending on the types of energy sources in order to secure the judgment base for expected PL disputes. Based on the Korean Standard (KS) testing method for incombustibility, this study applied a general flame to the switch. In addition, current was supplied to the switch using the PCITS (Primary Current Injection Test System). The ambient temperature and humidity were maintained at $22{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ and 40~60% respectively while performing the test. It is thought that the switch generated heat due to a defective connection of the wire and clip, insulation deterioration and defective contact of the movable contact, etc. The surface of the switch damaged by the general flame was uniformly carbonized. When the flame source was removed, the fire on the switch was extinguished naturally. From the result obtained by disassembling the switch carbonized by the general flame, it could be seen that fixtures and movable contacts remained in comparatively good shape but the enclosure, clip support, movable contact, indicating lamp, etc. showed carbonization and discoloration. In the case of the switch damaged by overcurrent, the clip connecting the wires, clip support, etc. showed almost no trace of damage, but the fixtures, movable contact, indicating lamp, etc. were severely carbonized. That is, the sections with high contact resistance were intensively damaged and showed a damage pattern indicating that carbonization progressed from the inside to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to judge the initial energy source by analyzing the characteristics of the carbonization pattern and the metal fixtures of damaged switches.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.462-466
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a wire connector fabricated for the effective installation of a lighting fixture including its contact resistance, insulation resistance, withstanding voltage characteristics, etc., and to provide the basis for the analysis and judgment of PL(Product Liability) dispute by presenting a damage pattern due to a general flame and overcurrent. This study applied the Korean Standard (KS) for the incombustibility test of the connector using a general flame and performed an overcurrent characteristics test of the connector using PCITS (Primary Current Injection Test System). The contact resistance of the housing connector was measured using a high resistance meter and the insulation resistance was measured using a multimeter. In addition, a supply voltage of AC 1,500V for testing the withstanding voltage characteristics was applied to both ends of the connector. Measurement was performed on 5 specimens and the measured values were used as a basis for judgment. Since the connector is fabricated in the form of a housing, it can be connected and separated easily and has a structure that allows no foreign material to enter. In addition, since it has a structure that allows wires to be connected only when their polarity is identical, any misconnection that may occur during installation can be prevented. When the incombustibility test was performed by applying a general flame to the connector, it showed outstanding incombustibility characteristics and the blade and blade holder connected to the housing remained firmly secured even after the insulation sheath (PVC) was completely destroyed by fire. In addition, the mechanism of the damaged connecting wire showed a comparatively uniform carbonization pattern and it was found that some residual melted insulation material was attached to both ends. In the accelerated life test (ALT) to which approximately 500% of the rated current was applied, the connector damage proceeded in the order of white smoke generation, wire separation, spark occurrence and carbonization. That is, it could be seen that the connector damaged by overcurrent lost its own metallic color with traces of discoloration and carbonization. The contact resistance of the connector at a normal state was 2.164mV/A on average. The contact resistance measured after the high temperature test was 3.258mV/A. In addition, the insulation resistance after the temperature test was completed was greater than $10G\Omega$ and the withstanding voltage test result showed that no insulation breakdown occurred to all specimens showing stable withstanding voltage and insulation resistance characteristics.