Laboratory
High Voltage equipment Testing Laboratory (LAW)
The laboratory has 60 years of experience in type and design testing of power, medium and high voltage AC equipment.
about us
Basic laboratory equipment:
- Three-phase short-circuit generator: rated power 100 MVA, short-circuit power 2500 MVA, rated voltage 10/12kV, frequency 50 Hz;
- Three-phase short-circuit generator: rated power 25 MVA, short-circuit power 500 MVA (3 s), rated voltage 10/12 kV, frequency 50 Hz;
- Three-phase power grid: 6 kV; 50 Hz, 110/6kV power transformer, 10 MVA;
- Single-phase short-circuit transformers: rated power 3 × 33.3 MVA, short-circuit power 3 × 750 MVA (2 s), primary voltage 10 kV, secondary voltages 15/30/60/110kV;
- High-current single-phase transformers with rated continuous power 3 × 10 MVA, symmetrical short-circuit power 41 MVA, primary voltage 10 kV, secondary voltage 250/500/1000 V, maximum short-circuit current 3s 120 kA, surge current 410 kA;
- High-voltage test generator with truncation system capable of generating 1.2/50 μs surges with 1200 kV amplitude and 8/20 μs switching shocks with 900 kV amplitude, maximum generator energy 120 kJ;
- 50 Hz test transformers with voltages: 300 kV, 120 kV, 80 kV, 30 kV;
- RL RC systems for the control of power supply parameters, TRV, and modelling (simulation) of load systems.
The laboratories have various types of instruments, devices, measuring and recording equipment for low and high voltage: shunts, voltage dividers, current and voltage transformers, analogue and digital instruments, RLC bridges, oscilloscopes, specialised transient and surge recorders, multi-channel temperature recorders, optoelectronic measurement data transmission systems
The range of products tested:
- AC switchgear in metallic enclosures for rated voltages above 1 kV up to 52 kV and in insulating enclosures for rated voltages above 1 kV up to 38 kV
- gas-insulated switchgear with metallic enclosures for rated voltages above 52 kV
- HV gas-insulated transmission lines with a rated voltage of 52 kV and above
- HV to LV transformer stations
- measuring cabinets
- HV cables
- AC circuit breakers
- AC disconnectors and earth switches
- fused disconnector switch units
- HV fuses
- fuse links for the protection of motor circuits
- AC contactors
- insulators of various types
- transformers and chokes
- current transformers
- voltage transformers
- combination transformers
- busbars
- surge arresters and surge protective devices
- high and low voltage AC capacitors
- oil-immersed and dry-type transformers
- insulating and metallic enclosures
- terminal boxes
insulation fittings
- HV jumpers
- insulating rods for voltages from 1 kV to 750 kV
- tongs and grippers for voltages above 1 kV
- isolation platforms
- voltage indicators
- hand-held tools for working at up to 1,000 VAC and 1,500 VDC
- sleeves made of insulating material for live work
- portable earthing devices
- phase comparators
- electro-insulating rubber walking mats
- electrically insulating gloves for live work
- Wellington boots and electrician’s boots
Tests performed
The High Voltage Switchgear Testing Laboratory performs tests, measurements and verification of the functional characteristics and properties of high voltage AC switchgear and switching gear products, as well as verification of the compliance of these products with the requirements of the relevant standards in the field of type testing and special tests, environmental tests and IP, IK protection rating, to the full extent.
The LAW laboratory performs the following tests on daily basis:
- insulation testing with DC, AC and surge voltages in dry and rain conditions
- testing dielectric properties
- check of temperature increase
- checking the making capacity of the equipment with regard to rated, switching, critical and short-circuit and overload current
- short-time strength and n-second current tests
- dynamic strength test with peak current
- testing the effectiveness and short-circuit strength of protective circuits
- testing the internal arc resistance
- testing the time-current characteristics
- testing the operation of triggers and relays
- testing of fuses with lower and upper test current
- environmental tests at various exposures
- testing protection rating provided by enclosures (up to IP68)
- mechanical impact test (up to IK10)
- check of mechanical durability
- check of air and surface insulation gaps
- geometric measurements
- corrosion resistance in salt spray atmosphere
Testing capabilities LAW - AB 074
Alternating current (AC)
Short-circuit current (3 phase) rms
max 120 kA
Short-circuit current (1 phase) rms
max 210 kA
Short-circuit current peak
max 400 kA
Arc protection test
max 63 kA 0.5s. 50 kA 1 s
Switching tests
max 1 = 50 k A – 7.2 kV
40 kA -12 kV
31.5 kA – 17.5 kV
16 kA – 24 kV
8 k A – 36 kV
Temperature rise
max 12 kA
Direct current (DC)
Short-circuit current
max 40 kA
Switching tests
max 80 kA dla 1 kV
max 50 kA dla 4 kV
Temperature rise
max 10 kA
Voltage tests
Mains frequency voltage
max 300 kV. 50 Hz
Lightning surge voltage 1.2/50
max 1200 kV. 120 kJ
Switching surge voltage 8/20
max 900 kV, 120 kJ
Climate chamber tests (próby A, B, Cab, Db)
Temperature range
-70oC – 180 oC
Humidity range
10% – 95% RH
IP tests
up to lP68
IK tests
Do lK1O
Laboratory
Contact
Testing Centre Director, Area Leader
mgr inż. Andrzej Kober