L, M, N Series of Combination
Glove and Sleeve Testers

Automatic Testing of lineman's gloves, sleeves or line jumpers
Up to 50,000V AC(L), 100,000V DC(M) or both(N)
Allows Testing to ASTM D120 and F496 Standards

The L, M and N Series is The VON Corporation's fully automated sleeve and glove tester. Units allow testing of Gloves, Sleeves, or Line Jumpers. All standard rubber goods can be tested, even class IV. All machine adjustments are controlled electronically, requiring the operator to merely load gloves in the special clothespins and lower the test electrode into the glove. Automated water fillers will fill the glove in less than 30 seconds. Tests are timed and an audible alarm sounds failures or test complete, with bright flashing colored lights signaling which position failed or test complete. The -W option allows use of the VON Hammock method on all positions. An extra wide and long tank allows testing of the sholder portion of sleeves and allows 11" spacing between sleeves.

The LSY, MSY, NSY series will automatically and simultaneously test one to twelve lineman's gloves or sleeves. It will also test one jumper. The center to center spacing is 9 inches to accommodate 40 K.V. gloves.

GLOVE TESTING: The machine is capable of testing gloves 10.5 inches through 18 inches long in accordance with the latest ASTM D120 and F496 standards. Clothespin type holders are provided which do not pinch the gloves or sleeves.

SLEEVE TESTING: The machine is capable of testing all standard sleeves in accordance with the latest ASTM D1051 and F496 standards. Sleeves can be tested by the VON hammock method using the clothespins provided and the two 2" diameter spacers used to eliminate sharp bends in the sleeves. With -D models this method allows testing of only half as many sleeves as gloves. With new -W models this method allows a full load of sleeves. As many sleeves as gloves can also be tested by the straight method using one of the freon replacement fluids in the bottom of the tank.

LINE JUMPER TESTING: Line jumpers may be tested in the test tank in place of gloves or sleeves.

VOLTAGE: The input voltage is 120/240 volt 60 hertz A.C. single phase. The LSY series has 0-50,000 volts A.C. test voltage provided by a 12kva continuous duty transformer. The MSY series has 0-100,000 volt D.C. supply. The NSY series contains both supplies and a manual transfer switch for changing between the high voltage supplies. The test voltage is measured by means of a resistive divider connected directly across the high voltage circuit. Meter ranges of 0-20,000 and 0-50,000 volts A.C. and/or 0-50,000 and 0-100,000 volts D.C. are provided. The test voltage is raised and lowered with a motor driven variable autotransformer at a rate of approximately 1 kilovolt A.C. or 3 kilovolt D.C. a second.

CURRENT: The current of each glove/sleeve being tested is continuously monitored with its own current meter with scale 0-35 milliamps A.C. or 0-250 microamps D.C.

HIGH VOLTAGE TEST TANK: The tank is constructed of 12 gauge stainless steel. The outer lip and all edges are smooth and rounded to a .75 inch radius to eliminate corona from the tank at voltages to 50,000 volts A.C. and 100,000 volts D.C. A one inch drain valve is provided in the bottom of the tank to drain water. A second drain valve is provided 11 inches from the bottom of the tank to permit the water level to be adjusted manually for testing sleeves by the straight method.

When gloves are lowered into the testing position, the excess water is held in an overflow basin on the rear of the tank by physically raising its discharge hose. This provides a maintenance free shut-off which eliminates high voltage arcs caused by water dripping from the tank to ground during the test. At the end of the test, the discharge hose is lowered and the excess water allowed to drain into a catch basin with a one inch bulkhead fitting in the bottom. A submersible pump is available so that excess water is discharged through a 5/8" hose eliminating the necessity of providing a water drain directly under the machine.

VENTILATION: Approximately 9 cfm of air flow is directed with 1" tubes from a manifold into each glove/sleeve to remove the ozone generated inside it while testing. The exhaust manifold at the rear of the machine pulls air across the surface of the water and the blanket bottom support from screened air inlets to remove ozone generated on the outside of each glove/sleeve. One inlet is the length of and even with the top of the high voltage tank. The second inlet is the length of and even with the bottom blanket support. One four speed 1600 CFM fan exhausts air out of the manifold.

ENCLOSURE: Eyebolts are provided in the four top corners. An interlocked access door is provided to the testing area at the end opposite the power supply and control area so the operator can go inside the machine for cleaning and maintenance. Fluorescent lamps are provided inside the unit and are wired so they can be operated when the unit is turned off. An interlocked front access door is provided in the power supply and control area.

WATER FILL: Each glove is filled through a .375" tube to permit simultaneously filling each glove within 30 seconds. The water level in each glove is determined by a capacitance detector that does not depend of the conductivity of the water. All components of the water fill and detection system are readily accessible without having to remove any portion of the air manifold.

CONTROLS: Controls are provided to perform the following from the front control panel.

a. Set the test voltage.
b. Set the maximum acceptable glove or sleeve leakage current with a single adjustment. When the current of any glove exceeds the setpoint, its amber overcurrent pilot light will flash. It will continue to flash until the "START" button is pushed.
c. Set the cuff-water-level distance from one to seven inches with a single control when changing from one voltage class glove to another.
d. Permit a water differential adjustment of +.2" to -1.5" to accommodate the stretching of the gloves while they are being filled.
e. Set the high voltage delay between zero and 300 seconds.
f. Controls listed under a-e are continuously variable.
g. Reset all flashing indicators and start the test. (The test duration can be set between 5 seconds and 20 minutes on the rear of the control panel.)
h. Turn off the audible indicator and stop the test at any time before it is completed.
i. Bypass water fill at all positions when sleeve testing.
j. Turn exhaust fans off, on continuously, or on just during the high voltage cycle.
k. Bypass automatic high voltage cycle to permit manually raising the voltage with a push button, manually timing of the test, and manually lowering the voltage with a push button.
l. Turn off all power to unit except for 24 volt interlock circuit and duplex outlet for submersible pump. Nuisance tripping of the power source circuit when turning the unit on is eliminated by an input surge limiter on the variable autotransformer.

INDICATORS: All pilot light indicators operate in a fail safe mode by being lighted at all times. The lights flash when indicating. A red "HIGH VOLTAGE FAILURE" light and an amber "OVERCURRENT" light are provided just below the current meter at each glove/sleeve position. A red "HIGH VOLTAGE FAILURE" light is provided just below the current meter at each blanket and line hose position. A red "HIGH VOLTAGE FAILURE" light, an amber "HIGH VOLTAGE THIS POSITION" light, an amber "VARIABLE NOT DOWN" light and a green "TEST COMPLETE" light are provided on the control panel.

OPERATION: The operating cycle begins after the items to be tested are mounted in the machine. Up to four gloves or sleeves can be loaded along with blankets or line hose. The operator closes the loading door for gloves/ sleeves and the loading door for blankets/line hose/hoods and pushes the "START" button. The machine can be fully loaded with material or just one item can be tested. Gloves will be simultaneously and automatically filled with water to the level set on the front control panel. The water filling can be bypassed at any position without a glove or on all positions when testing sleeves. The gloves/sleeves will be lowered into the high voltage tank. After an adjustable delay, the high voltage cycle begins.

The high voltage cycle consists of raising the test voltage to the set value, automatic timing of the test duration, automatic flashing lights for overcurrent or failed gloves/sleeves, audible indication of failed gloves, and the lowering of the test voltage. At the end of the cycle, the gloves/sleeves are returned to the load position. At the end of all tests without a high voltage failure, a green "TEST COMPLETE" light flashes and a pulsating audible signal sounds. When the operator opens a loading door the test tank, blanket electrodes and line hose electrodes are grounded.

HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH FOR ACCESSORIES: Optional switches are available for connecting to slave accessories for testing switch sticks, basket liners, etc. The automatic switch can connect within 9 seconds to any of five accessory positions. With the manual switch, the operator opens the front access door of the power supply and control cabinet to connect to any of three accessory positions. Options are available for slaves with and without independent high voltage controls and metering.

Note: Units listed are representative. Supply options, and Switch options available on all sizes of units. I.e. M061A3 is a six glove, DC Supply unit with Manual HV Switch w/ independent metering and controls on slaves.

The VON Corporation, P.O. Box 110096, 1038 Lomb Avenue SW Birmingham, AL 35211 (205)788-2437