1970's OIL FILLED MAIN SERVICE BRAKER

[nanuuk]

I have a main service breaker ( oil filled ) manufactured by Federal Pacific for our High Voltage switch gear 12 kv. There is no oil level or atleast we can't see any oil in any of the 3 sight glasses. I'm not familiar with these old breakers all I know is no oil level on or in anything is not good! Does anyone have any info or suggestions on this matter. I don't think the oil level should really fluctuate at all in these types of service breakers and I don't want this to be left alone very long. I don't have a model number that I can share with you which is what everyone is looking for.

[chemi-cool]

Its about 30 years old and you want to fix it????/
Why not replace it with a more modern and safe switch?

[Brian_UK]

Here's some history of those breakers, it seems that they are 'old hat' now-a-days and oil maintenance is critical.

http://library.abb.com/global/scot/scot271.nsf/veritydisplay/737de0b7f522f9b2c125728b00474780/$File/75-78 1M720_ENG72dpi.pdf

[cold.man]

as chemi-cool said can't you just replace it
i myself have never seen one but with it being a breaker i would presume it would be straight forward to replace for a modern switch.
if this system has this sort of breaker how old is the rest of the electrical circuit has any of the remaining circuit been replaced for more modern switch gear.

[NH3LVR]

Is it possible that these breakers could contain toxic PCBs?

[Magoo]

the oil acts as an arc arrester, no oil, do not open switch, you could be splattered everywhere. If high voltage get local power supplier to service/preferably replace it.

[goshen]

Hi
as said preveiously do not operate this breaker with out oil.
i would change this breaker as soon as possible,
getting oil for this bugger is a pain in the a.......
good luck

[Magoo]

12000 volt switches can only be operated by certified technicians, do not touch it.

[SeanB]

The oil is a specialist transformer/switchgear oil, basically a very pure mineral oil with absolutely no additives, and a very low water content. You need a high voltage certified electrician to service it, and at present you will need at least a full flash suit to even operate it. Best is to call the right people to safely service it, as they need to isolate it, switch it off and find the leak that caused it to lose oil in the first place. As a unit dating from the 1970's it could even be a SF6 filled unit, and if the gas has leaked out it it will explode on switching.