On-load tests you MUST perform during the switchgear commissioning process

Introduction to On-load tests

On-load tests constitute the final activity in the commissioning process of low voltage or
medium voltage switchgear. They are carried out immediately after the newly installed
equipment is energized from the power system, and they are the definitive tests in verifying
that the equipment has been correctly installed, and is satisfactory for commercial
operation.

On-load tests you MUST perform during the substation commissioning process (photo
credit: elektrum-ng.ru)
Table of Contents:
1. Preparation prior to energization
2. Energization
3. Soak test
4. Energizing a radial circuit
5. Phasing via phasing sticks
6. Phasing via voltage transformers (VTs)
7. Phasing of transformer supplies
8. Absence of 3-phase voltage transformer (VT)
9. Voltage-reference point
10. Synchronising and paralleling supplies
11. Metering
12. Ratio and polarity of protection current transformers
13. Voltage-transformer supplies
14. Protection equipment
15. Auxiliary supplies
16. Load current
17. Auto-switching and automatic-voltage-control tests
18. Maintenance

1. Preparation prior to energization

Before energizing new equipment, the commissioning panel should prepare a switching
procedure that takes full account of all safety, operational and technical requirements. The
switching procedure should specify pre-energization checks and precautions, as follows:

Check #1 – All off-load-test documentation should be formally completed. Formal

acknowledgement of this should be through the completion of stage 1 of the Acceptance
Certificate or a similar type of document.
Check #2 – A final check should be made to ensure that all CT test links are in the service
position.
Check #3 – Check that all alarms are reset.
Check #4 – All safety documentation should be cancelled, all earth connections removed
and all equipment left in the open or de-energized position. The latter point should be
checked both visually and at all local and remote indication boards.
Check #5 – When entering service, all protection systems should be normal and in service.
Auto-switching and automatic-voltage-control equipment should be switched out of
service. Consideration should be given to the transformer tap position (usually left on
nominal tap).
Check #6 – The identity and location of all personnel participating in the on-load tests
should be clearly stated.
Figure 1 – Commissioning medium voltage switchgear
Figure 1 – Commissioning substation and MV switchgear
2. Energization
At the time of energizing a new circuit, neither the new circuit breaker nor its
associated protection systems are fully proven. It is therefore usual to
energize the new circuit from an already proven circuit.
This is often accomplished by using a bus-coupler or bus-section circuit
breaker which is equipped with fast-operating non-unit protection (e.g. an
instantaneous overcurrent and earth-fault relay), which should be set as
sensitively as possible.
The switching sequence should consist of
On-load tests you MUST perform during the switchgear commissioning process | EEP
(electrical-engineering-portal.com)

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