Testing Procedures
Feyen Zylstra provides customized preventive maintenance programs to keep your electrical systems running smoothly. We have a variety of testing procedures at our disposal to collect data and perform diagnostics as necessary.
Power quality metering
Power quality metering is a technique that, when applied by a trained Feyen Zylstra electrician, collects information about:
- electrical consumption
- power quality data
- total energy use
- trending
- harmonics
- transients
This data is collected over a set period of time. The comparison relative to time is where the true diagnostic value comes into play. It gives more information than a single instantaneous measurement from a hand meter.
The process:
- Power quality metering can be set up to monitor for durations ranging from two hours to one week.
- Our trained technicians interpret the data and make recommendations.
- Additional consulting is available from our in-house support staff.
The benefits:
- Feyen Zylstra's power quality metering equipment will give you the information you need to properly manage your electrical system.
- You can maximize the efficiency and life of your electrical distribution equipment.
- Avoid the cost of downtime and lost production caused by poor power quality.
Hi-pot testing procedures
High-potential testing (hi-pot testing) is a technique of loading high D/C voltage onto a cable to determine any faults in the cable insulation.
Hi-pot testing is usually compared with previous readings taken on the same equipment for indication of deterioration in the insulation system. The test can also be applied to new cable, prior to initial energizing, to avoid any surprises at start-up and to establish baseline conditions.
There are several factors that will contribute to insulation resistance, including temperature, moisture content, and surface contaminants.
The process:
- A trained Feyen Zylstra electrician isolates the cable to be tested and attaches the test equipment.
- The results are recorded at one-minute intervals.
- The data is summarized and graphed in a report and presented to the customer along with recommendations.
The benefits:
- Relatively quick and easy to set up, and non-destructive to cable and equipment.
- Finding faults allows you to prevent problems before they occur. This preventive maintenance will help prevent unplanned shut downs.
- Tests are done to prove the condition at the time of beginning use and during guarantee period.
- Leakage of current from faulty insulation increases operation costs and increases wear on equipment. The hi-pot test can detect this condition.
Infrared thermography is the science of using a special camera to "see" the invisible infrared radiation that is emitted from all objects. In infrared testing, the radiation is converted to specific temperature information and a color digital image. The camera is used to find problem areas in electrical systems, such as weak or dirty connections, an overloaded circuit, or improperly installed equipment.
Feyen Zylstra has an upgraded FLIR ThermaCAM P65 infrared camera that employs the latest technology for the highest quality infrared thermal imagery and more accurate diagnosis.
The benefits:
- the information that you need to plan maintenance management
- prevent unplanned power outages by seeing invisible problems before they cause a shut down
- more efficient maintenance, because you address only those items that really need it
- no interference with normal operations; no need to shut down systems or equipment
- records a great deal of information quickly; a scan of a piece of equipment is recorded in a few seconds
- establish a baseline for system conditions and recording year-to-year trends
- can be used to analyze any temperature-dependent process such as plastic injection molding and building insulation systems
Megger Testing
- equipment used to locate shorts and faults
- insulation testing for motors and electrical systems
Transformer oil testing
- includes dissolved gas-in-oil analysis (DGA)
- analyzes the type and quantity of gases dissolved in the oil
- tests for certain quantities and combinations of gases found in the oil, which can indicate insulation overheating or overloading, liquid overheating, partial discharge (corona), or arcing in the transformer
Screen tests
- involves a variety of physical, electrical and chemical tests for transformer oil
- can identify problems with transformer oil such as aging, poor insulating quality, and the presence of contaminating agents or polar compounds
- establishes baseline for electrical equipment and year-to-year trends
- reports explained in detail by our technicians
Switchgear cleaning and inspection
- removal of dirt, which increases the resistance and lowers performance
- physical inspection for improper condition or function
- identifies of potential problems before they affect productivity
- exercises electrical switches to ensure optimum performance
