The recently completed Newton-Evans study of the Global Market for Protective Relays shows that out of 97 electric utilities surveyed around the world, 20% claim they currently require outside assistance for cyber security audits of their relay systems, and an additional 42% claim they will need third party assistance by 2022.
Category: testing
One-Third of Electric Utilities Surveyed Indicate Over Half of Relays Have Been In Service for >15 Years
Roughly one-third of electric power T&D utility officials indicated in a survey that more than half of protective relays on their systems have been in service for more than 15 years. This is not such a long lifespan for EM relays, which can last 50 years or more, but for programmable, microprocessor relays the average lifespan is usually more in the ballpark of 20-25 years.
Newton-Evans Research Company has published findings from 97 surveyed electric power utility officials, relay manufacturers, suppliers and consultants. Here are a few observations on aging relays and testing intervals for microprocessor relays:
Continue reading One-Third of Electric Utilities Surveyed Indicate Over Half of Relays Have Been In Service for >15 Years
Combined market for testing of T&D equipment was $437 million in 2017
There are a number of equipment reliability, performance and safety tests conducted before T&D equipment is ready for commercial deployment. The list of potential tests that are conducted either by “outside services” firms or by the equipment manufacturer is extensive.
Some of the more common equipment specific tests include: internal arcing faults, short-circuit withstand, load switching, loop switching, capacitive switching, harmonics, temperature rise, impendence testing, partial discharge, dielectric, overload testing and others.
Only a relative handful of test labs are equipped to conduct high power testing for clients. The ability to conduct short circuit testing is largely dependent upon having high power test capabilities. In North America., there are only seven companies that presently operate high power laboratories. Two are commercial labs (DNV GL KEMA Powertest and PowerTech) and five are maintained by equipment manufacturers including Eaton, Littelfuse, Mersen, S&C and Schneider Electric. These manufacturer labs also provide lab testing services to outside manufacturers.
Continue reading Combined market for testing of T&D equipment was $437 million in 2017
Study of Commercial Lab Testing of Medium and High Voltage Equipment
Newton-Evans Research Company is currently conducting a study of the market for laboratory testing of medium and high voltage electric power T&D equipment. The purpose of this study is to find out how electricity producers, T&D companies, industrial facilities and transit and rail companies handle testing of equipment such as: power transformers, load tap changers, switchgear, load interruptors, outdoor circuit breakers, fused cutouts, relays, capacitors, load break switches, reclosers and instrument transformers.
Some of the tests for these pieces of equipment that are routinely performed in a laboratory situation include: arc flash, internal arcing fault, load and capacitive switching, short circuit interruption and withstand, overload, interrupting current tests, switching tests and cable/line charging. These laboratory-based tests are sometimes performed in-house by electric utility staff, but more often an outside consultant, equipment manufacturer, university or commercial test lab is hired to perform these tests.
In an effort to better serve electric power utilities, generating companies and industrial facilities, test labs want to know: “If you had the opportunity to troubleshoot a technical problem “off the grid” using an independent lab, what are some of the problems or issues you would test in that situation?”
If you or someone you know is involved in equipment testing or maintenance planning and would like to take our survey and receive a report of findings from this study, and a stipend, send inquiries to info@newton-evans.com or call 800-222-2856. A link to our survey, hosted by Surveymonkey.com, is available here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ElecPwrEquipTestingSurvey2016
Asset Management of T&D Equipment and Integration of Renewables Needs Advanced Field Testing Methodology
Guest Article contributed by Paul Leufkens
We read with much interest “T&D Testing Topics” about the role and importance of lab and field testing to the electrical power industry. When Chuck published this recently as part of reviewing 2015 activities he described many different test activities by various organizations with very diverse purposes. From there now we want to look ahead to the testing areas in which we expect significant change and rapid development in 2016.
Utilities need remaining life assessment methods and better targeted maintenance programs based on testing experience. Considering integration of renewables, local testing of an integrated system has to be addressed. Another challenge is how to transform Big Data provided by new Smart Grid applications to good use and better Asset Management.
Manufacturer’s intentions with testing
First, let’s clarify that the “testing” examined in this context is budgeted testing on equipment for Transmission and Distribution (T&D) grids, rather than the routine tests that are part of a regular manufacturing process. There are many reasons to undertake and invest into these programs: safety, reliability, liability, performance, compliance to standards and regulations, life expectancy of assets, functionality and more.
Traditionally manufacturers of switchgear, transformers, cables etc. need certification. Type-test certificates show compliance with IEEE ANSI or other internationally recognized standards. This is desirable for market introductions and subsequently may be required for larger international tendered projects. Certificates can cover risk and liability, although that’s considered more outside than inside the US.
Vendors can have many intentions with testing. First there is the verification of new designs and functioning of prototypes at the end stage of product development. When there is a significant change in standards, type tests must be renewed, as was the case recently when requirements for Internal Arc resistance became stricter. Safety testing is fundamental and, together with its traditional UL listing, has become essential for commerce: the demand chain ceases to function without it.
Modern development of newer technologies faces banks or other investors who want independent evaluation and proof of reliable and expected performance for instance of solar PV modules or BESS. It is remarkable that sometimes a manufacturer pushes more severe requirements for a test program than the standard demands, but it happens. We saw that for instance a few years ago with such a seemingly end-of-development product as glass chain insulators: in this instance a manufacturer created a competitive edge by distinguishing itself from the competition. Continue reading Asset Management of T&D Equipment and Integration of Renewables Needs Advanced Field Testing Methodology
summary reviews and highlights from completed studies
