The Four Racking Positions
A drawout circuit breaker passes through four distinct positions as it is racked in or out of its compartment. This four-position sequence is confirmed by a Tech Quiz (#80) published in the Summer 2007 edition of NETA World magazine, which asks technicians to list the positions a circuit breaker goes through when being racked out and gives the answer as four:
- Connected — the breaker is in the operating position. Both the primary (power) contacts and the secondary (control) contacts are made, and the compartment door may be closed.
- Test — the primary power contacts are not made, but the secondary control contacts are made. Any breaker test that does not involve power can be performed in this position, and the door may be closed.
- Disconnected — neither the primary nor the secondary contacts are made. The door may still be closed.
- Fully Withdrawn — the breaker is completely out of its compartment and ready for removal from the inner housing. The door must be open in this position.
Three Indications vs. Four Positions
Some references state there are "three main indications associated with draw-out breakers that every qualified person must know," which causes confusion with the four-position racking sequence. The distinction is one of definition: connected, test, and disconnected are the three breaker positions relevant to operation and testing, while withdrawn is sometimes argued not to be a manufactured breaker position at all — it can imply the breaker has been removed from the cell entirely. When answering exam or quiz questions about racking sequence, count all four states; when a question asks about operational breaker positions or indications, the expected answer may be three. Read the question carefully, because the items are closely related and the withdrawn state is the one most commonly missed.
Position Status Reference
| Position | Primary (Power) Contacts | Secondary (Control) Contacts | Compartment Door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connected | Made | Made | May be closed |
| Test | Not made | Made | May be closed |
| Disconnected | Not made | Not made | May be closed |
| Fully Withdrawn | Not made | Not made | Must be open |
The practical verification points: in the test position you can exercise control and protective functions without energizing the power circuit, and the withdrawn position is the only state that requires the door open because the breaker is clear of its compartment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many positions does a drawout circuit breaker have?
Four racking positions: connected, test, disconnected, and fully withdrawn. Some references describe only three main breaker indications (connected, test, disconnected), treating withdrawn as removal from the cell rather than a true position.
What can you do with a breaker in the test position?
In the test position the primary power contacts are open but the secondary control contacts are made, so any breaker test that does not involve power — such as control and trip-function checks — can be performed with the compartment door closed.
What is the difference between disconnected and withdrawn on a drawout breaker?
In the disconnected position neither primary nor secondary contacts are made but the breaker remains in its compartment with the door allowed closed. In the fully withdrawn position the breaker is completely out of its compartment, ready for removal from the inner housing, and the door must be open.
