DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
 

  PROJECT:  
 
Reviewed by:   
Signed:   
 
Date:   
Rev.No.  
 
A – No Comments   
  B – Comments as noted   
C – Not to be used 
 

 
 

VFI TESTING AND COMMISSIONING 
METHODOLOGY 
 

   

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
I. REFERENCE CODES AND STANDARD

 International Electro technical Commission

 American National Standards Institute

 Philippine Electrical Code

 International Electrical Testing Association

II. OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this document is to present and describe the step by step
testing and commissioning procedure of Vacuum Fault Interrupter (VFI) in
safe manner and approved acceptable local, international, manufacturer’s
standard and serves the intended functions to satisfactory level.

III. PRE COMMISSIONING AND FUNCTIONAL CHECKLIST

All installation and testing works must cover the general procedures for the
testing and commissioning of Vacuum fault Interrupter (VFI). The testing
will consist of two associated phases; the investigation (test analysis) and
the visual inspection (perceptual analysis). Electrical field tests will be
limited to those hereinafter specified for the VFI. Visual examination shall
be prior to, during, and after the energization of the electrical installations.
Visual inspection includes:

 Inspect anchorage, alignment, grounding, and check cubicle door

and door lock.

 Inspect and service operating mechanism and /or hydraulic or

pneumatic system in accordance with manufacturer’s published
data.

 Test alarms, pressure switches, and limit switches for pneumatic

and/or hydraulic pressure in accordance with manufacturer’s
published data

 Looking for material that does not meet requirements.

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
 Inspect all bolted electrical connections for high resistance using
one of the following methods:

 Use of a low-Resistance ohmmeter

 Verify tightness of accessible bolted electrical connections by
calibrated torque-wrench method in accordance with
manufacturer’s Published data.

 Looking for unusual condition such us overheating, vibration, etc.

IV. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS / MATERIALS

 Prior to inspection Engineers must inspect the area to avoid

unnecessary delay of inspection.

 Project Manager & Staff must attend the inspection.

 Prior to inspection Engineers must prepare documents, brochure

and shop drawings if necessary for easy checking and prepare
test data.

 Prior to inspection Engineers must submit a list of remaining

works with target completion date.

 Inspection will be visual, functional and actual running test with

complete testing instruments.

 Engineers must prepare necessary tools for inspection.

 After inspection prepare punch list report with target completion

date.

 Client will confirm all completed punch list and/or prepare pictorial
report especially for the concealed items for necessary approval.

 Approved submittals of VFI

 Construction Inspection & Test Records

 Factory Test Records

 Schematic Wiring Diagram

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
 As-Built Drawings

 Test Instruments Calibration Certificates

V. TESTING AND COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY

1. Before connecting cable leads to the VFI terminals, internal bus bars
and connections shall undergo a short-time “megger” test. Megger
tests should be made preferably during dry, temperate weather after
cleaning insulation materials with dry cloth. The switchgear must be
dried before going into service if the insulation resistance to ground
fails below the following minimum values

1.1. Minimum insulation resistance for internal bus bars:

 For voltages above 15 KV ---- 50 MΩ (cut out open )

1.2. Minimum insulation resistance for each branch feeder

(without cables):
 For voltages above 15 KV ---- 200 MΩ
 For control circuit ---------------- 1 MΩ

2. Prior to energizing the VFI, all checks, inspections and tests indicated
below shall be carried out:

2.1. Inspect for damage and missing parts.

2.2. Inspect loose bolts and nuts.

2.3. Inspect insulators.

2.4. Check insertion of XLPE

2.5. Check ground connection

3. Test instrument to be use are insulation resistance and hi pot tester

 Calibration certificate attachment

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
4. Check, Test, Operate VFI as per manufacturer’s instructions.

 To operate the VFI manual ON and OFF just push the cut
out forward and pull backward

5. Test Protective Relays on minimum, maximum, and recommended

setting and set the relays(if CT is installed on VFI)

 To perform protection relay testing by using a secondary

current injector tester. First to test is the overload ampere
setting of the unit. Ideal tripping curve use for this
parameter is the standard inverse time curve with one
second trip time delay. Protection relay is set to 120%
times the overload ampere setting. Operate the current
injector to value of 120% upon reaching the desired value
the relay must trip “OFF” the breaker, trip is indicated at
the injector unit and also at the protection relay screen.
Procedure of the testing is to test each phase (Phase A,
Phase B, & Phase C) percentage of overload testing is
120%. The same procedure to be done for each percent
rating
 Second testing to be done is the earth fault parameter.
Start the testing by using 30% values of the overload
ampere setting, then set the tripping curve to DEFINITE
with one second time delay to trip the breaker
 Attach test form

6. Test all meters and relays by secondary injection.

 Current injection test could be conducted by using a

secondary current injection tester. Procedure for the
testing is to inject a maximum 5 amperes current to each
meter and relay by manually operate the current injection
tester and raise the ampere level from 1 ampere to 5
ampere capacity. Meters to be tested must deflect to its
maximum level upon reaching the 5 amperes capacity.
Each current transformer must be isolated from the circuit
while testing is ongoing.

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
 Test instrument to be uses is a secondary type current
injection tester.
 Attached is a calibration certificate.
 Standard procedure is to inject 5 amperes capacity rating
to pattern the secondary side of the current transformer.
 Test form for attachment.

7. Test breaker operation from all open, close, and trip devices.

8. Test insulation resistance of internal control wiring.

 To test for the control circuit insulation resistance is by

using insulation resistance tester commonly known IR
test. Prior to actual testing, meters and relays must be
isolated
 Test instrument to be used is a megger tester with a
maximum range of 5000V
 Attached calibration certificate
 Test form for attachment

9. High Potential ( hi-pot ) Test

 Hi-potential testing could be conducted by using a

HYPOTRONICS BRAND TESTER.
be switch to “ON” position and start the testing of each
pole with the hi-pot set to 5KV capacity and testing to be
done on a one minute time frame. Continue the process
up to 60KV capacity. Test result of the set high voltage
capacity must be included to form a graph. Figure on the
graph will indicate good or bad result.
 Test instrument to use is a DC Hi-Potential Tester.
 Attached calibration certificate
 No standard value is required
 Attached hi-pot test form
.

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
10. Test contact resistance of VFI.

 To test the VFI, test prod is pointed to line and load side
terminal of each pole, micro ohms reading of each pole
must not exceed the recommended values of the
manufacturer.
 Test instrument to be used is a Low Resistance Tester
(MEGGER brand)
 Attached calibration certificate.
 Attached test form.
 Attached recommended values for reference.

VI. SUMMARY

NO.  SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY  BY  VISUAL AID  

01  With respect to ground execute insulation resistance tests on  FOREMAN AND   
control wiring entirely, with the use of Megger/Chauvin  ELECTRICIAN    
Arnoux with valid calibration certificate                                          
Test Value:                                                                                             
a)  The Contact Resistance will be compare with adjacent 
poles and similar breaker. Deviation of more than 50% shall 
investigate the cause of low reading                                                
b). Insulation Resistance shall not be less than 50 mega‐ohm 

02  Perform a contact/pole‐resistance test.  Using   FOREMAN AND   

Megger/Chauvin Arnoux with valid calibration certificate            ELECTRICIAN    
Test Value:                                                                                             
a)  The Contact Resistance will be compare with adjacent 
poles and similar breaker. Deviation of more than 50% shall 
investigate the cause of low reading                                                
b). Insulation Resistance shall not be less than 50 mega‐ohm 

03  Check/Test for Torque Tighten using Tightening torque  FOREMAN AND   

meter. minimum 4‐7 Ft‐Lb                                                                   ELECTRICIAN    
1. Bussbar                                                                                              
2. Terminals                                                                                           
3. Cubicle's Hinge and door 

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 

CONTINUATION
NO.  SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY  BY  VISUAL AID  
04  Hi pot Tester set to 5KV capacity and testing to be done on a  FOREMAN AND 
one minute time frame. Continue the process up to 60KV  ELECTRICIAN    
capacity.  

05  Check/Test the proper phase sequence prior to termination;  FOREMAN AND 

Verify the existing Phase Sequence rotation using  ELECTRICIAN    
Kyoritsu/Fluke with valid calibration certificate 

06  Pre Energization, Testing and Commissioning requirements  FOREMAN AND 

have been approved and Pass all the testing procedures.  ELECTRICIAN    
Energized the VFI and Conduct Thermal Scanning, 
Temperature difference on Line feeder as per NETA base 
analysis 

07  Check and test grounding resistance with the use of  FOREMAN AND 

Kyoritsu/megger with valid Calibration certificate. Grounding  ELECTRICIAN    
resistance must be equal or less than 5 ohms.  

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    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
VII. VISUAL

PAD MOUNTED VFI

Page 9 of 9 

 
    DOC. NO.  REV. 
ALTERNATIVEPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.  TSD.MET.01  00 
VFI TESTING AND  EFFECTIVITY: 
COMMISSIONING METHODOLOGY   
 
 
VFI WITH OPTIONAL COMPONENTS

END

Prepared by: Noted by: Approved by:

APSI Noel Alcantara Maritess R. Pangilinan

Engineering Department Technical Service Manager VP-Operations
rba21

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