11kV switchgear commissioning 3

[guntherb]

Hi

I am a junior engineer and need some urgent assistance.

I oredered some indoor switchgear from a switchgear manufacturer.INC FDR B/S.(NOT OIL)

I need to give indication witch test I need to see at the FAT and at the SAT.

I am aware of the following test that need to be happening,but is there anu additional test that I must request routine tests?

Insulation resistance
High voltage testing
Manual operation
low resistanceductor measurement of all busbar joints
primary injection of each panel
closing, tripping and sequence testing of control circuits

 

[rockman7892]

Have them test any protection relays that may be associated with this gear. This usually involves a doble test set which mimics current and voltage into the relay to ensure that it operates at its propper settings.

 

[oldfieldguy]

guntherb-

Having been in the business of commissioning switchgear myself for a bunch of years, please let me talk you into engaging a third party who does that sort of work, and have them work with you to develop a scope of work for your installation and then perform the work for you.

Over the years I have made a lot of money and consoled a lot of clients who trusted the manufacturer to test and install their equipment, only to find out years later that the manufacturer overlooked some critical test.

We had one client who chose the "these people built it so they know best how to install it" route. The manufacturer's field team neglected to connect a critical DC power wire, a fault did not clear, switchgear failed and the resulting fireball melted the concrete foundation of the equipment room. It's horror story, but it does happen.



old field guy

 

[Zogzog]

I second OFG's suggestion, I have seen the same types of issues doing 3rd party acceptance testing AFTER the OEM did thier "Acceptance tests".

Look for a CERTIFIED 3rd party testing agency that follows NETA specs. You can find one near you at

http://www.netaworld.org

You can also download the Acceptance Testing Specs (ATS) at that site that lists all the tests that should be performed.

 

[slavag]

100% agree with Old Field Guy and Zogzog.
Best Regards.
Slava

 

[guntherb]

thanks guys for all the help
I actually looked for something like this.
a bit of my own research.

 

[guntherb]

sorry
take 2

 

[oldfieldguy]

guntherb-

That's a pretty good document. Keep in mind, though, that much of the testing required for a good commissioning effort is going to be specialty equipment that requires trained personnel to operate and interpret results.

In the US, this usually means a specialty contractor as Zog and I and Slava have said.

old field guy

 

[guntherb]

I understand. Experience comes with age.
Again thank you

 

[ScottyUK]

Age comes soon enough, don't worry!


----------------------------------

If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[Zogzog]

That document is actually copied from part of the NETA 2001 (Current version is 2007) Maintenance Testing Spec (MTS) (Different than Acceptance Testing Spec, ATS)

Parts have also been left out, so it is incomplete, outdated, and for existing equipment. (Not to mention produced in violation of copyright laws)

 

[guntherb]

Thank you ZogZog

I would actually take a moment to correct you.

the 2nd portion from this site

http://www.dymaxservice.com/case_studies.html

the first portion from

http://www.red-bag.com/jcms/index.php/about-red-bag

and


BN-SP-ES06 Inspection Procedure for Metal-Enclosed Medium/High Voltage Switchgear

There is a portion on the legal side for you as well

 

[guntherb]

I dont want to get myself in any trouble can anyone please confirm zogzog statements.

Again thank you for the advise zog zog

much appreciated.

Regards.

I dont understand why good standards is not freely available to the public to ensure safety and good practice for all.

 

[Zogzog]

Thousands and thousands of hours of work go into developing these standards, research is done, Standards Review Councils vote, etc. They arent free to develop, so they charge for the standards just like IEEE. In fact the 200& NETA testing standard IS an ANSI document.

Dymax should know better. I fyou look at the header of the document you posted you see MTS-2001? Thats NETA MTS 2001 version, dont worry, you didnt do anything wrong.

Where are you located?, perhaps I (Or OFG) can recommend a good testing group for you to call.

 

[alehman]

Another vote for 3rd party testing if there's any way to work it in the budget. It will likely pay for itself many times over.

 

[dpmac]

The cost of good third party testing on any given project is nothing compared to replacing a section of gear over the weekend after it fails, a couple of days of down time due to a bull$hit control issue, injury to a house electrician, etc, etc. The time spent on the meetings alone to simply discuss the above events will always far exceeds the cost of a good testing company. It just makes so much sense to do it right the first time.