HV/EHV Testing & Commissioning — Transformers, Switchgear, Cables, Protection

Assets must be proven safe and fit for service before energisation. Incomplete testing or poor records delay energisation and can hide defects that fail in service.

• Power-frequency, resonant and VLF withstand testing
• Partial discharge measurement and diagnostics
• Transformer SFRA, tan delta, ratio and winding resistance
• Protection secondary injection and scheme testing
• Cable sheath and insulation testing
• Diagnostic condition assessment

• Equipment data and factory test reports
• Commissioning plan and test sheets
• Protection settings
• Site access and outage windows

• Signed test sheets and results
• Test reports with pass/fail against criteria
• Calibration certificates for instruments used
• Commissioning dossier

• OEM test-set software for automated test plans

1. Stage 1

   Planning

   Agree test plan and acceptance criteria.

2. Stage 2

   Pre-commissioning

   Mechanical and insulation checks.

3. Stage 3

   Testing

   Primary and secondary tests.

4. Stage 4

   Review

   Results checked against criteria.

5. Stage 5

   Handover

   Dossier issued.

1. 1.Test engineer performs tests
2. 2.Senior engineer reviews results
3. 3.Client witnesses hold points

• DNSP connection and design standards (e.g. Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential, Energex/Ergon, Powercor, SA Power Networks)
• TNSP requirements (e.g. Transgrid, Powerlink, AusNet, ElectraNet, TasNetworks)
• AEMO / National Electricity Rules Chapter 5 connection obligations
• Network operator access, switching and permit-to-work rules

• Inspection and Test Plan
• Calibrated instruments with traceable certificates
• Hold and witness points
• Non-conformance reporting

• Safety in Design (SiD) workshops and hazard register
• HV access, isolation and permit-to-work compliance
• Safe Work Method Statements for high-risk construction work
• Exclusion zones, step/touch potential and induced voltage controls
• Test-area barriers and discharge procedures

• Relay configuration files under version control
• Laptop and test-set hygiene before connection to protection networks

• Rental test equipment shared across projects
• Early defect detection extends asset life

• Design decisions recorded against asset life-cycle cost (ISO 55001)
• Asset data and as-built records handed over in client asset-register format
• Maintainability and spares strategy considered at design stage
• Baseline test data recorded for future trend comparison

• OEMs
• Protection designers
• Network operators
• Installation contractors

Indicative only — actual programme depends on scope, approvals and outage windows.