APD provide a complete range of on-site field testing and commissioning services for power infrastructure. APD also offer tailored field engineering solutions and other niche services. For example, network audits, performance studies, troubleshooting and investigative support services.
The commissioning team comprises of electrical engineers and technicians with protection systems experience, proficient in conducting power system studies and the preparation of settings for Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) for voltages up to 500kV. APD own a full suite of testing equipment covering the various tests commonly performed in an electrical environment.
Additionally, our engineers are very familiar with the design, operation and settings requirements for recognised device manufacturers, including GE, ALSTOM (formerly AREVA), SIEMENS, SEL, ABB, Schneider and RMS. This multi-relay skillset and design capability delivers project savings through the deployment of a single team.
To ensure our field engineers meet the project milestones, they are backed by our extensive pool of design and consulting engineers fully equipped with a comprehensive suite of engineering application and drafting software.
APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers have extensive experience in the setting and the testing of legacy analogue devices and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) and their respective sensing devices used for protection and control systems in substations for all voltages up to and including 500kV and including but not limited to devices manufactured by; GE, Alstom (AREVA & Schneider), ABB, Siemens (Reyrolle), SEL. Etc. Protection relays will be tested at the proposed setting points or any other points required by the client to confirm correct functionality of the relay. A completed test sheet will be provided for each relay tested including an independent review on the equipment suitability for the function it was installed to do.
APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers can provide immediate resolution of any protection programming or setting issues and any integration issues as they are also expert in power system and protection systems design.
APD have extensive capability in automation and control systems, and their supporting communications and security infrastructure with expertise in SCADA systems. We can provide SCADA/Protection testing and commissioning as an integrated service including DNP3, IEC 61850, IEC 60870, CANBUS & Modbus.
APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers undertake comprehensive testing and commissioning tests on each item of primary plant. The results from these tests are compared to the manufacturer’s data sheets, the relevant standard and if required the client requirements with any non-conformance reported. The table below illustrates the routine site tests carried by APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers, however, non-routine tests and be tailored to satisfy the clients special needs.
| PRIMARY DEVICE | TEST REGIME |
|---|---|
| Generator | Stator DC resistance, stator zero, positive and negative sequence impedance., Rotor AC and DC impedance, dissipation factor, insulation resistance, polarisation index, Partial discharge measurement. |
| Power Transformer | Winding ratio, Vector group, DC resistance, Impedance %, tap change continuity/ratio, Insulation resistance, dissipation factor (Tanδ), calibration of thermal sensors, frequency response analysis, oil test and analysis, dirana testing. |
| Current Transformer | CT ratio and phase error, CT magnetising curve, CT secondary DC resistance Test, CT secondary impedance test, CT primary and secondary Insulation resistance test, polarity & continuity test. |
| Voltage Transformer | VT ratio, VT secondary/primary Insulation resistance tests, polarity & continuity tests, HiPot test. |
| Earthing System | Step and touch voltages, system earthing resistance, system integrity. |
| Circuit Breaker | Contact resistance for all joints, Insulation resistance, HiPot testing, Trip close timing tests, dynamic resistance measurements. |
| Busbar | Partial discharge test, conductivity, insulation resistance. |
| Disconnector Switch | Contact resistance for all joints, insulation resistance |
| Surge Arrestor | Insulation resistance test, variable frequency dissipation factor measurement, discharge counter check. |
| Power Line Testing | Positive and zero sequence impedance measurements, ground fault current compensation factor, mutual coupling of parallel lines, coupling impedances between power lines, and signal cables and pipelines. |
| Cables | VLF testing, Partial discharge, insulation resistance, conductivity test. |
APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers undertake comprehensive integration functionality tests to prove that all equipment functions as an integrated unit.
Primary equipment is injected and current/voltage is measured at the relay to ensure that relays are all connected to the correct CTs and VTs with the correct polarity.
Integrated functionality is checked for all devices including; Relay trip contacts, Equipment Interlocks, Logic sequences, Alarm and mimic functions, Transformer cooling system operation, AVR and paralleling systems, Voltage and current systems continuity, CBF busbar protection trips, Voltage selection schemes functionality, Site ancillary services functionality checks etc.
APD Testing and Commissioning Engineers have design expertise and are supported by a design team enabling any design or construction non-conformances to be analysed at site and solutions offered.
TESTING EQUIPMENT:
SOFTWARE:
Provision of distribution design, lighting design, detailed earthing assessments and subsurface location services for the retrospective undergrounding of Western Power overhead lines in the Town of Claremont. Part of the WA State Undergrounding Power Project (SUPP).
Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management (EPCM)
132kV & 66kV Substation Testing & Commissioning (Primary, Secondary & SCADA).
APD Engineering was hired to perform the control system integration of the MAC TLO Working Platform Sliding Gate.
APD Engineering were contracted by PLP to engineer and design three new 1.5MVA and one 1MVA 11/0.433kV kiosk substations, powerline modifications and power and fibre optic cable reticulation for the Rio Tinto Wickham Accommodation Expansion.
Provision of electrical engineering design and field services for large scale commercial development.
Protection relay testing and commissioning as well as training support.
APD Engineering was hired to perform design & implementation of the Power Load Management Control System & Network Upgrade.
APD was hired to perform detailed design and commissioning for the replacement of 66 kV Oil Circuit Breakers (OCB’s) at 5 different substations around Newman.
APD Engineering performed detailed HV substation SCADA design of the RTU panels for each substation, RTU & HMI development, testing & site commissioning.
APD Engineering was engaged by BHP Iron Ore to provide HV Testing, Commissioning, Engineering Support & Design Revisions for their Jimblebar Mine Expansion.
Complete design, procurement, testing and construction management for the replacement of an existing 6.6kV Switchboard. Existing switchboard was split into separate boards with a total of 25 panels. All works were carried out within a brownfield powerstation environment with limits on outages and construction schedules.
Site Inspection, Earthing Design & Drawings, EPR Hazard Assessment on 3rd Party Assets, Current Injection Testing.
The Roy Hill Ultrafine Iron Recovery Facility required the repurposing of a 33kV switchboard, originally from the thier Port, integrated into their Mine’s PMS.
APD was hired to perform detailed design and development in integrating two new potable water tanks and associated equipment into the plant Process Control System (PCS) at Yandi Mine.
Visual inspection and testing of the lightning protection, earthing and bonding systems for the Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project came about due to multiple instrument and electric motor failures, attributed to insufficient earthing of the instruments.
Earthing Design & EPR Assessment and Step & Touch Measurement.
33kV Junction Capacitor circuit breaker, CT and controller replacement.
Review of the Agricultural Pivot Control System, implementation of the recommended simplification design and construction.
APD was hired to perform detailed design and development in integrating the conveyor emergency stop system into the plant Process Control System (PCS) at BHP Mine Area C.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM).
Powerline Design, Power System Studies & cable/conductor selection, Protection Grading, Earthing Design & Site Testing.
APD Engineering was requested by Energy Made Clean to complete a HV submission to satisfy the Western Australian electrical requirements for the Northam solar farm.
Concept design, detailed design for installation of 10MVAR of reactive support for Mining Area C.
APD was hired to perform detailed design and Process Control System (PCS) integration for a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) replacement of two vent fan soft starters at Wheelara and OB18.
Site commissioning of the new plant’s process control systems, enabling automation of the new equipment & ensuring ramp-up for operations.
Power System Studies, Protection Grading Analysis, Earthing System Design & Site Testing.
66kV Mt Whaleback Substation Plant Replacement.
APD were engaged by UGL to perform the testing and commissioning of the HV protection relays on the Tomago town water supply plant.
Secondary scope to facilitate reconfiguration of 66kV transmission lines connecting to the Alinta Power Station on the BHP network, including Line protection relay upgrades.
Soil Testing, Earthing Design, Conductor Sizing, Step & Touch Assessment, Earth Injection Testing.
Soil testing, detailed EPR/LFI study, earthing design and injection testing.
APD Engineering delivered & integrated the control systems for the new lubrication racks for the HME service bays, LV Workshop & the Bulk Re-Fueling Facility
Provide network and power station capacity upgrades to remote aboriginal communities.
