Gas Insulated Switchgear

Tests

Tests
The SF6-Switchgears manufactured by GE Grid Solutions are designed according to IEC recommendations.
The tests are subdivided into four categories:
1 Type tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6) .................................................................................................... 1
2 Routine tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7) ............................................................................................... 2
3 Test after erection on site (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101) ................................................................ 3
4 High Voltage tests after erection on site (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.2) ...................................... 5

1 Type tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6)

All type tests according to IEC 62271-203, table 105, has been passed. Here below the most im-
portant only are listed.

1.1 Tests to verify the insulation level of the equipment including partial discharge tests and die-
lectric tests on auxiliary circuits (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.2)
• Verification of the dielectric strength with power frequency and surge voltage between phase and
earth and across the open position of switching devices.
• Partial discharge test.
• Testing of the secondary circuits with power frequency voltage.

1.2 Temperature-rise test of the equipment and measurement of the resistance of the main circuit
(IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.4 / 6.5)
Verification that the permissible temperature rise at rated current is not exceeded. Before and after the
temperature-rise test the resistance of the main circuit is evaluated.

1.3 Tests to prove the ability of the main and earthing circuits to carry the rated peak and the rated
short-time withstand current (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.6)
Verification that the main and earthing circuits are able to carry the rated peak and the rated short-time
withstand current.

1.4 Tests to verify the making and breaking capacity of the included switching devices
(IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.101)
The switching devices forming part of the main circuit shall be tested to verify their rated making and
breaking capacities.

1.5 Mechanical operation tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.102.1)

Switching devices of gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear shall be submitted to mechanical en-
durance tests to verify the guaranteed number of operations.

1.6 Pressure tests for enclosures (IEC 62271-203, Clause 6.103)

Verification of the safety factor for all enclosures which cannot be calculated to prove their strength.

47.002.611en/9
1/4
Gas Insulated Switchgear
Tests

2 Routine tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7)

The routine tests are to be performed so as to detect faults in material and construction before ship-
ping. These tests shall be made with each transport unit to ensure that the product is in accordance
with the equipment on which the type test has been carried out.

2.1 Pressure tests of enclosures (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.101)

• Pressure tests will be made on all enclosures after manufacturing. The standard test pressure shall
be k times the design pressure, where the factor k is:
• 1.3 for welded enclosures
• 2.0 for casted enclosures

2.2 Pressure tests on partitions (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.104)

Every gas barrier will be tested during 1 minute with the double of the design pressure.

2.3 Gas tightness tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.4) –* FAT

After manufacturing and after assembling of the enclosures, a leakage test will be performed. Addi-
tionally after assembling the leakage ratio to the adjacent compartment will be determined.

2.4 Mechanical operation tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.102) –* FAT

The following tests will be performed without voltage on the main circuit:

Circuit breakers:
• Mechanical operations at minimum, maximum and rated auxiliary voltage
• Measuring the operating times

Disconnectors and earthing switches:

• Disconnectors and earthing switches are subject to mechanical functional tests.
• Mechanical operations at minimum, maximum and rated auxiliary voltage will be carried out on a
test dummy before being fitted to the devices.

2.5 Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.3) –* FAT
The resistance an all apparatus of the main circuits is evaluated by measuring the voltage drop on 100
A DC.

2.6 Dielectric tests on auxiliary and control circuits (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.2) –* FAT
There will be a power frequency voltage test performed on all auxiliary and control circuits at:
• 2.0 kV / 50 Hz / 1 min. on wiring (motors excluded)
• On request only on motors: 1.2 kV / 50 Hz / 1 min (IEC60034-1)

2.7 Test on auxiliary electrical devices (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.103)

The following tests and measurements will be performed:

Switchgear:
• General wiring, operation of the gas supervision

On operating mechanisms of circuit breakers:

• Correct function of coils (relays) and motors at minimum, nominal and maximum admissible operat-
ing voltage
• Operating current of the motor at 85 %, 100 % and 110 % of the rated voltage
• Spring charging time at 85 %,100 % and 110 % of the rated voltage or at specified values
• Resistance test of coils and heaters

47.002.611en/9
2/4
Gas Insulated Switchgear
Tests

• Measurement of the heating power if applicable

On disconnectors and earthing switches:

• Running time at 85 %, 100 % and 110 % of the rated voltage
• Operating current of the motor at rated voltage
• Checking the resistance of the heaters if applicable

2.8 Power frequency voltage tests on the main circuit (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.1.101) –* FAT
All shipping units containing insulating parts (cones, insulating supports, moving rods, etc.) will be
tested with the specified test voltage for at least 1 minute at the minimum functional gas density.

2.9 Partial discharge measurement (IEC 62271-203, Clause 7.1.102) –* FAT

A partial discharge measurement will be carried out at the same time as the power frequency voltage
test is completed. The limit for partial discharge shall not exceed the specified voltage. This is not ap-
plicable for external corona on SF6/air bushings.

2.10 Current transformers (IEC 61869-1 / IEC 61869-2) –* FAT

The following routine tests will be performed:
• Verification of the terminal markings and the rating plate (IEC 61569-1, Clause 7.3.6)
• Power frequency test between the secondary windings and to earth with 3 kV / 50 Hz / 1 min. (IEC
61869-1, Clause 7.3.3 and 7.3.4, 5.3.4, 5.3.5)
• Inter-turn overvoltage test (IEC 61869-2, Clause 7.3.204)
• Determination of errors according to the requirements of the appropriate accuracy class
(IEC 61869-1, Clause 7.3.5 and IEC 61869-2, Clause 5.6)

2.11 Voltage transformers (IEC 61869-3, Clause 7.3) –* FAT

The following routine tests will be performed by the voltage transformer manufacturer:
• Power frequency voltage withstand tests on primary terminals (Clause 7.3.1)
• Partial discharge measurement (Clause 7.3.2)
• Test for accuracy (Clause 7.3.5)

2.12 Surge Arresters (IEC 60099-4, Clause 9.1) –* FAT

The following routine tests will be performed by the surge arrester manufacturer:
• Measurement of reference voltage (sub-clause 9.1a)
• Residual voltage measurement (sub-clause 9.1b)
• Internal partial discharge test (sub-clause 9.1c)
• Leakage check (sub-clause 9.1d)

2.13 Local Control Cubicles –* FAT

The following routine tests will be performed:
• Order
• Switchgear cubicle
• Wiring
• Voltage supplies
• Dielectric tests
• Primary functions

• –* FAT: Factory Acceptance Tests. During the FAT some of the FRT will be repeated (witnessed)
in the presence of the customer/inspector at GE Grid GIS factory or at the sub-supplier.

47.002.611en/9
3/4
Gas Insulated Switchgear
Tests

3 Test after erection on site (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101)

After erection and before putting into service, the gas insulated switchgear shall be tested to check the
correct operation and the dielectric strength of the equipment.
In the case that the switchgear is erected by the customer under the supervision of the GIS Manufac-
turer the needed test equipment has to be made available by the customer or it can be rented from the
GIS Manufacturer.
The following tests are included in the price of erection or supervision of erection.

3.1 Dielectric tests on auxiliary circuits (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.3) –* SAT
To find out possible damages on auxiliary circuits a 2kV power frequency test will be performed after
the erection.
Voltage test on site will be applied on all control cables supplied loose and w/o plugs. All other control
cables supplied with plugs, with test certificates from the manufacturer, will not be subjected to an ad-
ditional voltage test on site.

3.2 Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.4) –* SAT
To control the quality of the connected assemblies at site, the resistance of the main circuit will be
evaluated by measuring the voltage drop on 100 A DC, normally from bay to bay.

3.3 Gas leakage tests (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.5) –* SAT

All sealing locations of the enclosures fitted together at site will be checked with a gas leakage detec-
tor.

3.4 Checks and verifications (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.6) –* SAT

The following inspections and tests will be carried out:

a) Switchgear
• Conformity of the assembly with the GIS manufacturer’s drawings and instructions
• Tightness of all bolts including the terminals on the apparatus
• Gas density meter’s operating points and gas pressure
• Proper function of the mechanical interlocking system (if applicable)

b) Control cubicle (local control)

• Conformity of the wiring with the diagrams
• Correct functioning of all apparatus, operating mechanisms, auxiliary contacts and the local control
• Correct functioning of the alarm announcements trough to the customer’s terminals in the local
control cubicles
• Control of the auxiliary voltage input (AC and DC)
• Control of the cables to be delivered by GIS manufacturer according to the respective list of cables
issued by GIS manufacturer
• Proper function of the electrical interlocking system
• Proper function of the heating and lighting
• Tightness of all bolts on the terminals and on the apparatus in the control cubicles

3.5 Measurement of moisture (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.7) –* SAT

The moisture content of the insulating gas will be determined for each gas compartment. The maxi-
mum limit permitted by the manufacturer shall not be exceed.

05.01.2016 47.002.611en/9
© Grid Solutions, a GE and Alstom joint venture 4/4
Gas Insulated Switchgear
Tests

4 High Voltage tests after erection on site (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.2)
The following high voltage tests are only included in the price of the erection or supervision of erection
if explicitly mentioned in the offer.

4.1 Dielectric tests on main circuits (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.2) –* SAT
• The dielectric strength of the completely erected switchgear will be tested according to IEC 62271-
203, clause 10.2.101.2.4, table 7 in order to locate hidden defects such as wrong fastening, dam-
ages during handling, transportation, storage and erection or the presence of foreign particles etc..

4.2 Partial discharge measurement (IEC 62271-203, Clause 10.2.101.2.3 Procedure B) –* SAT
• In addition to the HV-testing we execute at the same time a partial discharge measuring for 245kV
and above switchgear.

• –* SAT: Site Acceptance Tests. During the SAT, the test will be witnessed in the presence of the
customer on site.

47.002.611en/9
5/4