Testing and commissioning
We provide professional testing and commissioning services to ensure electrical networks operate safely and efficiently. Our team verifies system functionality, compliance, and readiness for real-world conditions, covering everything from equipment testing to final commissioning. This ensures reliable, high-quality performance for each network we build.
High Voltage AC and DC Pressure Testing
High-voltage AC and DC pressure testing is essential to assess the insulation strength and voltage tolerance of electrical systems. This testing ensures that power systems operate safely under extreme conditions, preventing insulation breakdowns that could result in system failures or hazards.
- Voltage Stress Testing: Applying high AC or DC voltage to check insulation integrity and ensure the system can withstand operational voltage stress without failure.
- Leakage Current Detection: Measuring leakage currents during pressure testing to identify potential weaknesses or faults in insulation.
- Compliance with Standards: Ensuring testing complies with industry standards such as IEEE and IEC to guarantee system reliability and safety.
- Pre-Commissioning Check: Conducting pressure tests before the system is energized to ensure all components meet required safety and performance standards.
- System Protection Validation: Verifying the system’s ability to handle high-voltage conditions without triggering unnecessary tripping or shutdowns.
- Detailed Reporting: Providing comprehensive reports with test results, fault analysis, and recommendations for rectification if needed.
Primary Injection
Primary injection testing is crucial for verifying the operational effectiveness of protection relays and circuit breakers under full-load conditions. This test helps confirm the ability of the protection system to detect faults and disconnect faulty sections of the system.
- Protection Relay Calibration: Verifying that protection relays trip at the correct settings under full-load conditions to protect the system.
- Breaker Tripping Performance: Testing circuit breakers to ensure they trip correctly when protection relays detect faults.
- System Coordination: Ensuring proper coordination between protection relays, breakers, and the overall protection system for optimal fault isolation.
- Load Flow Verification: Verifying that the power system operates smoothly during fault conditions by testing breakers' response to fault current.
- Test Equipment Accuracy: Using specialized test equipment to simulate real-world fault conditions and check the breaker’s response.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Providing a detailed analysis of test data and recommendations for any required adjustments to protection settings.
Secondary Injection
Secondary injection testing is used to simulate fault conditions and check the behavior of relays without applying high current directly to the system. This test verifies that relays are functioning properly and provide correct protection settings.
- Relay Function Testing: Testing relay response to simulated fault conditions to ensure the protection system responds promptly.
- Testing without High Current: Verifying relays with lower currents or voltage signals to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the actual system.
- Adjusting Relay Settings: Ensuring protection relays are calibrated correctly and perform as expected for the system's protection.
- Multi-Relay Testing: Simultaneously testing multiple relays to ensure the proper coordination of protective functions.
- Simulation of Fault Scenarios: Simulating both short-circuit and overload faults to verify that relays trip appropriately under various fault conditions.
- Detailed Test Reports: Generating detailed reports to provide insight into relay performance, including any required adjustments or upgrades.
G99 Protection Testing
G99 protection testing ensures that renewable energy systems, such as wind or solar farms, comply with grid codes, such as the G99 standard in the UK. This test verifies that the system disconnects safely in the event of faults or disturbances in the grid.
- Grid Compliance Verification: Ensuring that the renewable energy system meets grid code requirements for safe operation and disconnection during faults.
- Fault Detection & Tripping: Verifying that the system disconnects within specified time frames if grid disturbances or faults occur.
- Voltage and Frequency Settings: Ensuring the system can handle changes in voltage and frequency, as outlined in the G99 grid code.
- Reconnection Procedures: Testing the system’s ability to safely reconnect after a fault is cleared, following established procedures.
- Testing Protective Devices: Verifying that protection devices, such as relays, are correctly configured to ensure safe grid integration.
- Compliance Documentation: Providing full reports with test results and documentation required for grid code compliance.
Full Range of Transformer Protection Testing
Transformer protection testing ensures the integrity of transformers and their associated protection mechanisms. This test ensures that transformers operate safely and efficiently, even under fault conditions, and helps prevent costly damage or failure.
- Relay and Breaker Coordination: Testing the transformer protection system to ensure that relays and circuit breakers respond correctly to faults.
- Overcurrent and Differential Protection: Verifying the proper operation of overcurrent and differential protection to safeguard transformers from short circuits.
- Turn-to-Turn Fault Testing: Conducting tests to detect internal faults, such as turn-to-turn faults, that could compromise transformer performance.
- Oil Temperature and Pressure Monitoring: Checking temperature and pressure sensors to ensure that the transformer is operating within safe limits.
- Protection Settings Review: Verifying that the transformer’s protection settings are correctly calibrated to the transformer’s specifications.
- Maintenance Recommendations: Offering suggestions for regular maintenance and necessary adjustments to transformer protection to ensure long-term reliability.
Switchgear Function and Control Testing
Switchgear function and control testing ensures that all switches, breakers, and associated control equipment operate as intended during normal and fault conditions. Proper testing helps prevent operational failures and enhances system safety.
- Switchgear Performance Verification: Ensuring that all switchgear components, such as circuit breakers and fuses, operate correctly under normal and fault conditions.
- Control Circuit Testing: Verifying the correct operation of control circuits, including interlocks and alarms, to ensure proper functioning during faults.
- Mechanical and Electrical Testing: Conducting both mechanical and electrical tests to confirm that switchgear operates effectively and reliably.
- Safety Interlock Testing: Ensuring safety interlocks are in place and function properly to protect personnel and equipment during operation and maintenance.
- Functional Testing of Protection Systems: Verifying that protection systems integrated with the switchgear can detect and isolate faults efficiently.
- Detailed Documentation: Providing comprehensive reports on the switchgear testing process, with any necessary corrections or upgrades identified.
SCADA Interface Testing
SCADA interface testing ensures the proper communication between SCADA systems and field equipment such as transformers, breakers, and switches. This test confirms that real-time data is transmitted accurately and that operators can control the system remotely as required.
- Communication Protocol Verification: Ensuring that the SCADA system is using the correct communication protocols to interface with field devices.
- Data Accuracy Testing: Verifying that real-time data, such as voltage, current, and fault status, is accurately displayed in the SCADA system.
- Remote Control Functionality: Testing the ability to control field equipment remotely via SCADA, including opening/closing breakers and adjusting settings.
- Alarm and Notification Testing: Ensuring that alarms and notifications are correctly triggered for fault conditions or operational issues.
- System Integration Verification: Verifying that the SCADA system integrates seamlessly with other control systems, ensuring overall system coordination.
- Comprehensive Reports: Providing detailed reports on SCADA interface performance, with recommendations for improvements and optimizations.