How switch gear tests performed?

FOURTH PARTNER ENERGY PVT. LTD

Fourth Partner House, Plot No: N46, House No: 4-9-10, HMT Nagar, Hyderabad – 500 076. India
T: +91-40-64631123| E-mail: info@fourthpartner.co | Website: www.fourthpartner.co
CIN No: U40108AP2010PTC070806

Following tests are performed:

Visual inspection and Mechanical inspection

● Inspect switchgear and all components for physical damage / defects.

● Check nameplate.

● Inspect enclosures for proper alignment, foundation fixing, and grounding

and vermin entry.

● Inspect all covers, panels’ section and doors for painting and fixing.

● Examine all the transport locks are detached.

● Examine for effortless and correct movement of rails and guides, racking
systems, shutter, rollers.

● Check proper alignment of the primary and secondary contacts.

● Check operation of all mechanical interlocks.

● Check tightness of all bolted connections.

● Check for correct phasing connection of bus bar.

● Perform mechanical check and visual inspection for breaker / Contractor as

per section.

● Perform mechanical check and visual inspection for instrument

transformers (CT’s) as per section.

● Perform mechanical check and visual inspection on all disconnect /

grounding switches as per section.

QA department

Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Brahmaiah.M Souri Raju. R Mr.
 How switch gear tests performed?
Insulation Resistance Test
The insulation resistance test is a DC evaluation test of the insulation and gives
a reliable indication of the presence of moisture, contamination or breakdown in
the insulation. This test also establishes a benchmark for future comparative
tests.

It includes panel enclosure, busbar, CT and circuit breaker. The following

precautions should be taken care, before starting the testing.

● A visual inspection to ensure the surface dust and moisture removal/ clear
from the component under test.

● Make sure the section is isolated from other joined system, which may feed to
other sections or circuits which aren’t under test.

● On testing, voltage shall be applied between one phase and other phases
connected with ground, testing shall be repeated for other phases as
mentioned above.

● Test voltage limits mentioned in table below:

Rated voltage  Test Voltage 

100-1000V AC/DC  1000V DC 

>1000 to <5000V AC  2500V DC 

> 5000V AC  5000V DC 

QA department

Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Brahmaiah.M Souri Raju. R Mr.
 How switch gear tests performed?

Contact Resistance Test

Contacts are to be checked periodically, else resistance develops due to
frequent arcing, which decreases the contacts current carrying capability. This can
identify the quality mating of the contact surfaces and pivot points. Contact resistance
should be maintained as low as possible to reduce localized heating and power losses.

● Is to confirm the busbar joints are connected properly and tight.

● The test shall be done with CBs inserted and closed.

● Calculate the contact dc resistance among panels by applying 100A DC. This
will evolve busbar joint, CB contact resistance, CB cluster resistance, and CT
primary resistance (if applicable).

● The obtained results should be similar for all phases for each set of
measurement.

● Length of the measured track, rating of the busbar, CB and CT and

temperature or other influencing factors to be considered

High Voltage Test

● To determine the equipment is in proper condition to put in service, as it was
designed and to predict the healthy status or if deterioration is underway
which can shorten.

● To conduct the test all connections to the earth circuit should be removed.

● Furthermore, electronic equipment for control/ signal/ electronic instrument or

DC control equipment which are included in the control circuit, shall be
disconnected or removed during the test.

QA department

Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Brahmaiah.M Souri Raju. R Mr.
 How switch gear tests performed?

Acceptance Applicable/Not
A General checks Type of check criteria Applicable
1 Visual inspection Physical Witness  
Measuremen
2 Dimensional check t Witness  
3 BOM check Verification Witness  
Measuremen
4 Paint thickness check t Witness  
5 verification of type test certificates Verification Witness  
verification of brought items test
6 certificates Verification Witness  
7 Bus bar calculation sheet Verification Witness  
8 Wiring check (Ferrules & connections) Verification Witness  
9 Recommended protection relay settings Verification Witness  
B Routine tests      
Insulation resistance test (Before HV test & Measuremen
1 after HV test) t Witness  
Measuremen
2 HV test t Witness  
Measuremen
3 Polarity test for CT's & PT's t Witness  
Measuremen
4 Primary injection test & Ration test t    
Breaker operational tests (Electrical &
5 Mechanical) Physical Witness  
6 Functional tests Physical Witness  
Numerical relay configuration & Functional
7 check Physical Witness  
8 Sequential tests Physical Witness  

Benefits of Switchgear Testing

● Reduce your business risks by meeting regulatory requirements and
standards.

● Increase quality and safety of your products and processes.

● Save time and costs.

● Shorten your time-to-market and increase market access by partnering with

an expert in regulatory requirements and standards.

QA department

Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Brahmaiah.M Souri Raju. R Mr.
 How switch gear tests performed?

QA department

Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Brahmaiah.M Souri Raju. R Mr.