Short-circuit testing services

Performing AC & DC investigation and type tests

The high power source, powered by the electrical distribution network.

SuperGrid Institute’s short-circuit testing laboratory provides a unique set of capabilities to perform DC and AC tests.

Powered by a 3 000 MVA short-circuit generator, it combines high voltage, high current (up to 80 kA) and adjustable frequency (10Hz-60Hz) to cope with a wide range of investigation and type test programs.

Test platforms are operated by CERDA, accredited according to IEC/ISO 17025 by COFRAC and member of ESEF ASEFA (France) and STL (international).

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Short-circuit testing services include:

Definition of test protocols & test set-ups
Test execution
Test reports
Test result analysis & expertise

Field of application:

MVAC, MVDC, HVAC, HVDC

Tested equipment include:

Circuit breakers
Load-break switches
Fuses
Reactors

Arresters
Fault current limiters
Cable system & accessories

Technical brochure

The “High Power Test Laboratory” (27x27x27m), where the equipment under test is placed.

Short-circuit test platform – 25m (L) x 25m (W) x 25m (H).

High-voltage DC tests on a resistive fault current limiter

Using its short-circuit plateform, SuperGrid Institute has validated its resistive superconducting fault current limiter (RSFCL) technology combined with a mechanical DC circuit breaker in major tests at 50kV. 20kV, 30kV, 40kV… crescendo, the voltage was raised to 50 kV DC and with 1.8 MJ injected! The RSFCL managed to limit the current to 5.5 kA, while the prospective current was 43 kAp. The DC circuit-breaker then cut off the fault current.

The graph shows the results of the test: in purple, the prospective current, in green, the limited current, in blue the current breaking with the DC circuit breaker, and in orange the voltage upstream of the limiter.

control-room-short-circuit-generator-supergrid-institute

Breaking and making test capabilities

DC tests – Up to 40 kA / 200 kV
AC synthetic test
- 3-phase – Up to 80 kArms | 1-phase – Up to 140 kArms
AC direct test – Up to 63 kArms

Other tests upon request.

Compliance with standards (non-exhaustive list):

IEC standards – High-Voltage switchgear & controlgear

IEC 60137: Insulated bushings for alternating voltages above 1000 V
IEC 62271-1: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 1: Common specifications for alternating current switchgear and controlgear
IEC 62271-100 Ed 2.2 & Ed.3.0: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 100: Alternating-current circuit-breakers
IEC 62271-101: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 101: Synthetic testing
IEC 62271-102: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 102: Alternating current disconnectors and earthing switches
IEC 62271-110: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 110: Inductive load switching
IEC 62271-203: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 203: AC gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated voltages above 52 kV
IEC 62271-205: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 205: Compact switchgear assemblies for rated voltages above 52 kV
IEC 62271-313 : High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 313: Direct current circuit-breakers
IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013: High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 37-013: Alternating current generator circuit-breakers

IEEE standards – High-Voltage switchgear

IEEE C37.100: IEEE Standard of Common Requirements for High Voltage Power Switchgear Rated Above 1000 V
IEEE C37.100.1: IEEE Standard of Common Requirements for High Voltage Power Switchgear Rated Above 1000 V
IEEE C37.04: IEEE Standard for Ratings and Requirements for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers with Rated Maximum Voltage Above 1000 V
IEEE C37.06: IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis–Preferred Ratings and Related Required Capabilities for Voltages Above 1000 V
IEEE C37.09: IEEE Standard Test Procedures for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers with Rated Maximum Voltage Above 1000 V
IEEE C37.122: IEEE Standard for High-Voltage Gas-Insulated Substations Rated Above 52 kV

How the High power source generator of SuperGrid Institute works

The supercapacitor bank is used to maintain current stability during high-current short-circuit tests.

A supercapacitor bank

The excitation system of our high-power source is equipped with a supercapacitor bank to maintain the current stable during high-current short-circuit tests.

Comprised of several hundred grid-tested modules and storing a total of 170MJ of energy, the installation is currently the largest supercapacitor bank in Europe.

Contact our expert

Christophe Creusot, Test laboratory manager

HVDC cable testing expertise at Jicable HVDC'25

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