Method for non-destructive analysis of electrical power system equipment

A method for evaluating switching and breaker equipment for mechanical defects and improper operation comprising the steps of:

• selecting microphone means and sound recording means and assembling said microphone means and said sound recording means for recording sound to recording media;
• placing said microphone means in operative proximity to a first electrical distribution system breaker or switching device, said first electrical distribution system breaker or switching device being known to be in proper operating condition;
• actuating said microphone means and said sound recording means to generate a first sound recording of said first electrical distribution system breaker or switching device in operation;
• selecting data processing software and computer means and therewith generating a first graphical depiction of numerical values of measurable parameters of said first sound recording when read by said computer means and said data processing software;
• placing said microphone means in operative proximity to a second electrical distribution system breaker or switching device;
• actuating said microphone means and said sound recording means to generate a second sound recording of said second electrical distribution system breaker or switching device in operation;
• using said data processing software and said computer means, generating a second graphical depiction of said numerical values of measurable parameters of said second sound recording when read by said computer means and said data processing software;
• and
• comparing said first graphical depiction with said second graphical depiction and identifying perceptible variations in depicted parameters there between as indications of variations in mechanical operations of said second electrical distribution system breaker or switching device when compared with said first electrical distribution system breaker or switching device.