TESTING AND COMMISSIONING

TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OVERVIEW

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.

PROTECTION SYSTEMS TESTING AND COMMISSIONING

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.

Testing Bench

PRIMARY EQUIPMENT TESTING AND COMMISSIONING

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.

SYSTEM INTEGRATION FUNCTION TESTING

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.

TEST EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

TESTING EQUIPMENT:

HIOKI 3198 Power Analyser
Hioki 8860-50 Memory HiCorder
CPC100 Omicron Primary injection Kit
CMC356 Omicron Secondary Injection Kit
CP TD Omicron leakage reactance, insulation conditions and dissipation factor tester
CP CU Omicron Over Head Line Parameter and Earthing system analyser
CP CB Omicron 2KA Current injector
CIBANO 500 Omicron Test System for medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers
Thermal Imaging Camera
HVA 60 – Cable VLF tester
PD 30 Partial discharge analyser
Mitton LCI 2058 current injection test set
Megger DLRO10 micro-ohm meter
Megger DET2/2 soil resistivity tester