Acceptance
Testing is the process of testing electrical systems to insure proper
installation and operational characteristic according to project and
manufactures’ specifications, to insure proper operation of electrical
equipment, and to greatly reduce problems that may arise during the initial
start up; especially in the first twelve months of service.
Equipment that is typically tested during the Acceptance Testing
portion of the project are the Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Switchgears
and Switchboards, Panelboards, Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Transformers,
Automatic Transfer Switches, Grounding Grid, Molded Case and Air Breakers,
and Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Cables to name a few.
The proper installation of these items plays a vital part in the
performance of your electrical system.
If there is a weak link in the over all electrical system due to
improper installation or equipment design specification flaw, it can cause
major problems in production output or be the cause of an electrical fire.
Performing Acceptance Testing also provides data that can be used as
a benchmark for future Preventative Maintenance Testing of the same
electrical system being acceptance tested.
This gathered data from the Acceptance Testing and the Preventative
Maintenance can be used for trending to determine if the equipment has
developed any signs of deterioration while being in service since the last
time it was tested.
Power
Products & Solutions is a third party, independent, NETA certified testing
company that specializes in Acceptance Testing and Preventative Maintenance
of electrical systems. Performing
both Acceptance Testing and Preventative Maintenance on your electrical
system are significant in assuring that your electrical system is running at
peak performance. So what are the
benefits of performing these services and what is involved in each process?
Let’s look at Acceptance Testing first.
Preventative Maintenance on electrical systems is performed, in most part,
the same as the Acceptance Testing but now the testing of the electrical
equipment is geared to assuring that the electrical system continues to
operate and perform per manufactures’ specifications.
During Preventative Maintenance there is
cleaning of the equipment, a visual inspection of the equipment, and
electrical testing to assure that the equipment is functioning properly.
Usually the same equipment tested during the
Acceptance Testing is tested during Preventative Maintenance testing.
But the testing procedures are slightly
different.
And since there are differences in the testing
procedures, NETA developed the “Maintenance Testing Specifications”, MTS, to
use as a guideline to testing electrical systems already in service.
So if your electrical system is new or has already been placed into service and you are looking for assurance that it is operating at peak performance and per manufactures’ specifications, give us a call and we will be glad to submit a proposal for performing Acceptance Testing or Preventative Maintenance Testing of your electrical system.