This presentation will include discussion of the history and evolution of high voltage circuit breakers and circuit breaker standards, from the late 1800's to the present time. Fundamentals of short circuit current interruption will be described as well as the switching of other currents that a circuit breaker may be required to do, notably load currents for capacitor banks or charging currents of unloaded transmission lines and cables. Present IEEE/ANSI standards requirements of circuit breaker capability, preferred ratings, testing and application plus other guides and recommendations will be covered. Major testing facilities, short circuit and dielectric, will be shown. IEEE Power & Energy Society and other related standards organizations will be described. Future standardization activities of these groups will be listed.

Speaker's Bio:

George N. Lester (IEEE Life Fellow) was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech in 1950. He was with the Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. from 1950 to 1973 primarily in the Power Circuit Breaker Division Plant in Boston, MA. As General Engineer, he worked in application, design and all types of testing of air magnetic, oil, air blast and SF6 breakers. In 1973 he joined Chas. T. Main, Inc. Engineers in Boston, MA. In the Power Systems Division he worked on a number of HV and EHV power transmission and substation projects for clients in the U.S. and overseas conducting switching transient and equipment application and evaluation studies. In 1985 he joined Boston Edison as a Principal Engineer in the Substation Design Division. He worked in a number of substation upgrade projects, conducting switching transient and equipment application studies, specification development and evaluation of test results. In February 1996 he was retired from Boston Edison.

Beginning in 1960, he represented these respective companies in national standards committees of ANSI, IEEE and NEMA that were developing and refining standards for high voltage circuit breakers and switching devices. He has served as a member and Chairman of a number of working groups of the IEEE Switchgear Committee. He served as Chairman of the High Voltage Circuit Breaker Subcommittee, and in 1983 and 1984 as Chairman of the PES Switchgear Committee. In the IEEE Boston PES Chapter he worked with the Education Committee and has served as Chapter Treasurer and as Chairman of the Fellow and Awards Committee. In 1994 he received the Laurence F. Cleveland award (for service) from the Boston PES Chapter.

The meeting will be held at Olin College in Needham, MA. The presentation will start at 6:30PM. A brief Boston Chapter PES Meeting will precede the presentation. For further information please call Bryan Gwyn on 781 907 3229 or email him at bryangwyn@ieee.org. Directions to Olin College: Take Route 95/128 to exit 19B (Highland Avenue, Needham). Follow Highland Avenue for 1.5 miles to a three-way intersection with Chapel and May Streets; bear slight right onto Chapel Street (to the right of the gas station). Take a right at the first light onto Great Plain Avenue/Rte 135. Proceed on Great Plain Avenue for 1.5 miles and the Olin College campus will be on the right. Enter the campus at "Olin Way" and follow the road around to the left to parking lot A, which provides access to all campus buildings. The meeting is being held at the Auditorium at Milas Hall.