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Network/Substation Testing

The equipment that makes up a substation infrastructure all has different life expectancies. Design weaknesses, utilization and the environment are factors that can affect the life of your infrastructure. Performing periodic tests throughout the service life of your infrastructure will keep you up to date on the state of your equipment, and help you to re-define the service-life expectations.

Doble can provide the expertise and experience needed to review your substation assets and perform infrastructure testing. We will identify the risks for on-going use of your equipment before they become a serious problem

The Doble Approach

• Conduct a site survey to confirm asset registers
  
• Perform visual inspections, Infra red & UHF surveys to identify malfunctions and score the rate of deterioration
  
• Identify generic asset life assessments for key equipment (transformers, breakers etc)
  
• Provide records for availability, work done, costs
  
• A complete evaluation of residual life and overall asset value.

The Benefits of Substation Testing

• Identify aging accelerators relating to the site and the application/ utilization of individual key items of plant.
  
• Identify evidence of any abnormalities in the equipment technical condition likely to lead to a shorter life.
  
• Undertake a systematic aging evaluation comparing each key unit to normal life expectancy currently ascribed for the company stock for the group.

Doble performs the following types of Network and Substation Tests

Earthing

Safety legislation requires that the connections and earth mats or rods throughout the station are adequate to contain the rise in potential under fault conditions. The assessment can be performed by doing a site survey, or can include an equipment-by-equipment check that all of the connections to the earth mat are sound.

Infrared surveys to detect overheating
An Infrared and VHF survey can indicate a number of problems around the substation. It's important to catch these problems early, as many of them exist for several months before precipitating a system fault.

UHF scanning for excessive corona discharge
Most discharging events emit radiated interference over a broad range of frequency. However, the actual range is specific to the type. Frequency scanning will indicate the presence, abnormalities from the signal strength, and the type from a frequency determination.

SF6 leak detection with GasVue
Environmental legislation exists in many countries and the incentive is to identify leaking joints. This is best achieved using a laser camera developed in USA by EPRI.