Circuit Breaker Reference

Data record tests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenance

Verified 2026-10-29 Confidence: High

Vacuum Interrupter MAC Test is specified for medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers in maintenance testing at clause 7.6.3.B.8 of ANSI/NETA MTS-2023. The clause lists the magnetron atmospheric condition test on each vacuum interrupter as an optional test.

Value: medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers

ProvenanceANSI/NETA MTS-2023 supports data record tests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenance, which is cited on the entry Vacuum Interrupter MAC Test.SOURCEANSI/NETA MTS-2023ANSI/NETA MTS-2023Licensed standard, clause 7.6.3.B.8DATA RECORDtests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenancetests.vacuum-interrupter..Verified 2026-10-29ENTRYVacuum Interrupter MAC TestVacuum Interrupter MAC T..No revisions
Provenance. Where this record comes from and where it is used: the cited source, the record itself and the entry that cites it.
Provenance: the chain from source to entry.
StepItemDetail
SourceANSI/NETA MTS-2023Licensed standard, clause 7.6.3.B.8
Data recordtests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenanceVerified 2026-10-29
EntryVacuum Interrupter MAC TestNo revisions
Subject
Vacuum Interrupter MAC Test (Test methods)
Kind
Equipment fact
Source
ANSI/NETA MTS-2023, clause 7.6.3.B.8, Maintenance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems, NETA. Publisher page for ANSI/NETA MTS-2023Publisher information page
Also stated in
  • FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2.3, page 48 (May 2024).
    Read the reference passage

    6.3.2.3 Magnetron Atmospheric Condition (MAC) Assessment

    "The MAC (Figure 6-3) is a fairly new test which will measure the internal pressure of the vacuum interrupter. This test is performed by producing a high potential across an open contact while surrounded by a magnetic field. The results of this test appears to be an accurate method for determining the condition of the pressure within the vacuum interrupter."

    FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2.3, page 48, May 2024. Agency copy of FIST 3-16

    The current standard governs; this passage is a public-domain description of the practice dated May 2024.

  • FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2.3, page 48 (May 2024).
    Read the reference passage

    6.3.2.3 Magnetron Atmospheric Condition (MAC) Assessment

    "A normal hi-pot test across an open contact will provide a pass/fail for the condition of the vacuum interrupter. A pass/fail may not always provide enough information to accurately assess the condition of the vacuum interrupter while the MAC will give more details into its condition."

    FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2.3, page 48, May 2024. Agency copy of FIST 3-16

    The current standard governs; this passage is a public-domain description of the practice dated May 2024.

  • FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2, page 46 (May 2024).
    Read the reference passage

    6.3.2 Insulation and Vacuum-integrity Test

    "There are two tests that will give a vacuum-integrity test. A hi-pot test and a Magnetron Atmosphere Condition (MAC) Assessment. The MAC test will give an actual pressure within the vacuum bottle."

    FIST 3-16, section 6.3.2, page 46, May 2024. Agency copy of FIST 3-16

    The current standard governs; this passage is a public-domain description of the practice dated May 2024.

History

Every recorded change to this data record, oldest first.
DateChange
2026-10-29created

Cite this page

Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.

"Data record tests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenance." Circuit Breaker Reference. 2026-10-29. https://www.circuitbreakerreference.com/data/tests.vacuum-interrupter-mac-test.equipment.breaker-vacuum.maintenance/.