High Voltage

Technology &
Testing

The Power of Trust. The Future of Energy.

 High Voltage
Technology &
Testing
Manufacturers and utility users of
high-voltage electrical equipment
face a number of challenges. New
products must be tested to ensure
their conformance with design
specifications and national and
international standards. In-service
equipment must be periodically
assessed to determine its condition,
prevent unscheduled outages, and
enhance safety.
Adding to these challenges,
high-voltage technologies are
continually evolving, the tools
necessary for testing are specialized,
and the testing, failure analysis, and
research require high-level
experience and expertise.
02
HIGH VOLTAGE TESTING
Qualification testing, condition assessment, and forensic analysis
Powertech’s High Voltage Laboratory The High Voltage Laboratory
helps manufacturers and utilities offers a full range of qualification
address these requirements. As and certification tests, as well as
the largest test lab on the west custom testing solutions. Condition
coast of North America, the lab is assessment tests may be performed
capable of conducting distribution- to in the field or in the lab to evaluate the
transmission-level high-voltage tests equipment condition.
on all types of equipment, including
The lab also has a long history
transformers, insulators, switchgear,
of conducting forensic analysis
bushings, cables and accessories,
investigations to identify the cause of
instrument transformers, and
failures and providing expert witness
transmission line hardware.
services.
Powertech is a trusted name with a
In addition, Powertech has the
worldwide reputation in high-voltage
experience and capabilities to
testing. The lab’s independent, third-
conduct research involving advanced
party status and experienced and
test techniques, new high-voltage
knowledgeable technical staff of more
equipment, and novel diagnostic tools
than 30 years enhance the credibility of
and methods.
manufacturers’ test reports.
CONTENTS
04 Testing Capabilities

05 High Voltage Services

06 Cable Services

07 Multidisciplinary Testing

03
 High Voltage
Technology &
Testing
TESTING CAPABILITIES

Over view of High Voltage (HV) Lab

MAIN TEST EQUIPMENT

Powertech’s High Voltage Laboratory
is the largest test lab on the west
coast of North America. The lab is
capable of providing high-voltage
tests at voltages up to 1600 kV AC, 3
MV impulse, and 1 MV DC.
• AC test equipment – 1600 kV
resonant test set, 5.0 A, for testing
in the lab or in the field.
• High-voltage VFRTS (Variable
Frequency Resonance Test Set) –
90 kV, 34 A-portable.
• DC voltage test equipment – DC
test set rated 1000 kV, 10 mA for
testing in the lab or in the field.
• Insulation tracking wheels (dip and
spray wheels) and fog chambers –
1,000 hours.

Facilities comprise an indoor lab,
clean fog pollution test chamber, salt
fog pollution test chamber, two-acre
outdoor test area, and a 500-kV 180 m
Inverted Delta transmission line.
• Impulse voltage test equipment –
3.2 MV, 225 kJ impulse generator.
• 3 Phase Generator – 60 Hz, 5 MVA
and 300 Hz, 1 MVA.
• Partial discharge test equipment
– for field testing of cables and
high-voltage equipment.

The indoor labs include a high-voltage HIGH VOLTAGE TESTING CAPABILITIES

lab and a medium-voltage lab, which
are furnished with state-of-the-art TEST TYPE NOMINAL RATING
equipment for measurements such as
partial discharge, RIV, tan delta, and High Voltage AC 1600 kV

electrical properties of materials. High Voltage DC 1000 kV

Impulse Testing 3200 kV

3 Phase AC feeder 12 kV

04 3 Phase Generator 60 Hz, 5 MVA 300 Hz, 1 MVA


Field testing
Powertech’s High Voltage Laboratory
provides qualification testing,
condition assessment, forensic
analysis, expert witness, and
research on all types of high-voltage
equipment.
Test equipment includes
transformers, instrument
transformers, insulators (porcelain,
glass, and composite), bushings,
capacitors, switchgear, surge
arrestors, cables and accessories,
SF6 insulated equipment, generators,
transmission line hardware, insulated
aerial lift devices, and transformer
rectifier units (TRUs).
HIGH VOLTAGE SERVICES
High Voltage Lab testing
SERVICES INCLUDE:
Qualification Testing Condition Assessment
Qualification and certification tests Condition assessments can be
are conducted in accordance with performed in the field and lab.
all relevant industry standards such
Expert Witness
as AEIC, ANSI, ASTM, CSA, IEC,
The technical staff have conducted
ICEA, IEEE, UL, and utility-specific
failure analysis investigations for
standards. Custom tests can also be
legal proceedings and provided expert
tailored to the client’s requirements.
witness services.
Forensic Analysis
Research
The High Voltage Laboratory has
Powertech is a principal investigator
the technical expertise to carry out
for large research organizations such
detailed failure investigations on
as EPRI, CEATI, and the research
power equipment.
sections of large utilities.
TEST CATEGORIES
• Dry and wet AC and DC voltage • Partial discharge and visual corona
withstand and flashover
• Tracking and erosion wheel and
• Lightning impulse voltage fog chamber
withstand and flashover
• Salt fog and clean fog pollution
• Switching impulse dry and wet
• Dielectric testing - capacitance and
voltage withstand and flashover
tan delta
• Radio influence voltage (RIV)
• Induced testing 05
 High Voltage
Technology &
Testing
CABLE SERVICES

High voltage cable testing in the HV lab High voltage cable testing in the MV (medium voltage) Lab

SERVICES INCLUDE:

The Cable Technology section Condition Assessment delta measurements, AC withstand/

focuses on standard testing and Powertech conducts condition breakdown, hot and cold impulse/
specialized evaluation of all types assessment tests in the field on in- switching tests, and a variety of
service cables and accessories and material and chemical tests.
of transmission, distribution, and
in the lab on cables and accessories
submarine cables and accessories. Qualification Analysis
removed from service to prevent
Qualification tests can be performed
Transmission-class cables include unscheduled outages and determine
on new designs of cables, splices, and
oil/paper insulated (pipe type or self- replacement priority. On-line tests
terminations in accordance with all
contained fluid-filled [SCFF]), cross- include visual inspections, partial
relevant industry standards.
linked polyethylene (XLPE), and discharge tests, infrared imaging,
Failure Analysis
and metallurgical tests. Among off-
ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). Cable Technology has extensive
line tests are AC withstand tests,
Distribution-class cables are XLPE, expertise in failure analysis
tan delta, and partial discharge
EPR, and paper-insulated, lead- investigations to determine the root
measurements. Laboratory tests
covered (PILC). Accessories consist cause of equipment failure.
include partial discharge tests, tan
of separable insulated connectors,
terminations, and splices. TEST CATEGORIES

• AC withstand and breakdown • Termination and splice

• Partial discharge measurements • Separable insulated connector

(conventional and
• Accelerated aging
non-conventional)
• Cable and accessory aging
• Capacitance and tan delta/
• Impulse (cold and hot)
dissipation factor

06
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TESTING
Advantages of cross-disciplinary analysis
HIGH VOLTAGE
Powertech’s electrical testing labs
High Voltage AC 1600 kV
have facilities for high-voltage, high- High Voltage DC 1000 kV
3 Phase Generator 60 Hz, 5 MVA 300 Hz, 1 MVA
power, and high-current testing, as
Impulse Testing 3200 kV
well as in-house access to labs to 3 Phase AC feeder 12 kV
assist with mechanical, chemical, and
materials testing. These labs offer
unique capabilities and expertise for
cross-disciplinary analysis and provide
HIGH CURRENT HIGH POWER
advantages for customers. 1 PHASE 3 PHASE
1 PHASE 3 PHASE
60 Hz Continuous 10 kA 2.5 kA
Max. Voltage 44.8 kV rms l-g 38.8 kV rms l-l
One advantage arises in projects that 60 Hz Short-Circuit 20 kA 10 kA
Max. Current 100 kA rms 80 kA rms
DC Continuous 10 kA
require across-the-board testing.
DC Short-Circuit 20 kA
Insulation condition assessment, for
example, may require expertise in
electrical, mechanical, chemical, and
materials engineering. Powertech
can conduct investigations into all
of transportation and setup between testing in the High Voltage Laboratory
aspects of equipment.
tests. This is a typical scenario when and power arc tests in the High Power
Customers may also realize time and testing large, expensive equipment Laboratory. A combined voltage-
cost efficiencies by having equipment such as switchgear cabinets. current instrument transformer may
undergo several different electrical undergo voltage accuracy, lightning
The electrical labs also specialize in impulse withstand, temperature rise,
tests at Powertech labs.
integrated test programs in areas such and partial-discharge-AC withstand
The collocation of Powertech as transmission and distribution cables, testing in the High Voltage Laboratory,
laboratories also means that different stator winding insulation, and metering current accuracy testing in the High
tests can be performed efficiently in and protection devices. For example, Current Laboratory, and fault current
sequence while mitigating the risks insulators may undergo dielectric testing in the High Power Laboratory.

SELECTED CLIENTS

07
 High Voltage
Technology & THE POWERTECH ADVANTAGE
Testing
Powertech Labs Inc. is one of the largest testing and research
laboratories in North America, situated in beautiful British Columbia,
Canada. Our 11-acre facility offers 15 different testing labs for a
one-stop-shop approach to managing utility generation,
transmission and distribution power systems.

Powertech is home to a broad range (ISO 14001) management standards. Many

of scientists, engineers, and technical of our scientists and engineers chair or
specialists, with capabilities in electrical participate in various standards committees
testing, cable condition assessment, within their fields of expertise. Additionally
mechanical and materials engineering, we have the capabilities to derive and develop
software technologies, power system studies, non-standard testing methods and setups
chemical analysis, gas systems engineering, required to test product prototypes and
and smart utility services. These skilled perform forensic analysis.
researchers have decades of collective and
Outside of the utilities industry, Powertech
real-world experience and often work in
provides routine testing capabilities, product
cross-departmental teams to investigate,
development, research and consulting
diagnose and solve complex problems.
services to support an array of industrial-
As an independent, third-party testing facility, type operations, electrical equipment
we adhere to the highest laboratory (ISO manufacturers and automotive original
17025), quality (ISO 9001) and environmental equipment manufacturers.

12388 - 88th Avenue 604.590.7500

Surrey, British Columbia info@powertechlabs.com
The Power of Trust. The Future of Energy. Canada V3W 7R7 powertechlabs.com
81027-0010