Introduction

In any electrical power system, from industrial facilities to large-scale utility grids, the rigorous Electrical Equipment Testing and Commissioning phases are absolutely critical for ensuring safety, reliability, and optimal performance. After installation, and before energization, each piece of electrical equipment—be it a transformer, circuit breaker, relay, or cable—must undergo a series of precise tests to verify its integrity, confirm it meets design specifications, and ensure it operates correctly in conjunction with other system components. Commissioning then meticulously integrates these individual elements into a fully functional and safe operational system. Without a robust and systematic approach to Electrical Equipment Testing and Commissioning, facilities face significant risks of premature failures, costly downtime, safety hazards for personnel, and potential damage to interconnected assets, undermining the overall stability and efficiency of the power infrastructure. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Electrical Equipment Testing and Commissioning.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, testing technicians, commissioning engineers, maintenance personnel, and project managers with the theoretical understanding and hands-on practical skills necessary to effectively perform Electrical Equipment Testing and Commissioning. Participants will gain a deep understanding of international testing standards, explore various diagnostic and functional test procedures for critical equipment, learn about the safe operation and interpretation of advanced testing equipment, and acquire skills in documenting results and troubleshooting common issues encountered during the commissioning phase. The course will delve into topics such as insulation testing, circuit breaker timing, relay protection scheme verification, cable fault location, power quality measurements, and the crucial sequence of commissioning activities from pre-commissioning to energization. By mastering the principles and practical application of Electrical Equipment Testing and Commissioning, participants will be prepared to ensure the highest levels of safety, operational readiness, and long-term reliability for new installations and modernized electrical systems across diverse industries.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Testing Technicians
• Commissioning Engineers
• Electrical Engineers (Design, Project, Maintenance)
• Maintenance Supervisors and Managers
• Project Managers for Electrical Installations
• Quality Control and Assurance Personnel
• Field Service Engineers
• Utility Technicians
• Industrial Electricians
• Electrical Inspectors

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental importance and scope of electrical equipment testing.
• Learn about the various stages and activities involved in commissioning electrical systems.
• Acquire skills in selecting and applying appropriate test methods for different equipment types.
• Comprehend techniques for safely operating specialized testing equipment.
• Explore strategies for interpreting test results and identifying potential issues.
• Understand the importance of adhering to international testing standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE, NETA).
• Gain insights into common causes of equipment failure and how testing can prevent them.
• Develop a practical understanding of documentation and reporting for testing and commissioning.

Course Content

Module 1: Fundamentals of Electrical Testing and Commissioning

• Importance of testing and commissioning in the project lifecycle.
• Definitions: pre-commissioning, commissioning, energization, acceptance.
• Safety procedures during testing: LOTO, arc flash awareness, PPE.
• Overview of relevant industry standards (IEC, IEEE, NETA, ANSI).
• Types of tests: factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), routine, diagnostic.

Module 2: Testing of Power Transformers

• Insulation resistance (Megger) test.
• Transformer turns ratio (TTR) test.
• Winding resistance measurement.
• Power factor/dissipation factor (Tan Delta) testing of insulation.
• Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) principles and on-site sampling.

Module 3: Testing of Circuit Breakers

• Contact resistance measurement.
• Timing tests for opening and closing operations.
• Minimum pickup and trip tests for protection relays.
• Insulation resistance and power factor testing of bushings.
• SF6 gas quality checks for gas insulated breakers.

Module 4: Testing of Protective Relays and Schemes

• Understanding relay settings and coordination.
• Overcurrent, differential, distance, and ground fault relay testing.
• Current Transformer (CT) and Potential Transformer (PT) ratio and polarity checks.
• Secondary injection testing for relay functionality.
• End-to-end testing of protection schemes.

Module 5: Testing of Cables and Cable Systems

• Insulation resistance testing (Megger).
• VLF (Very Low Frequency) testing for medium voltage cables.
• Sheath integrity testing.
• Cable fault location techniques (TDR, arc reflection).
• Partial discharge (PD) testing for cable insulation health.

Module 6: Testing of Switchgear and Motor Control Centers (MCCs)

• Visual inspections and torque checks.
• Insulation resistance and dielectric strength tests.
• Contact resistance measurement of busbars and breakers.
• Functional testing of interlocks and control circuits.
• Protective device testing within switchgear and MCCs.

Module 7: Site Commissioning Procedures and Documentation

• Pre-commissioning checks and punch lists.
• Sequence of commissioning activities for a substation or industrial plant.
• Developing test plans and procedures.
• Data recording, test report generation, and documentation.
• Handover procedures to operations and maintenance teams.

Module 8: Advanced Diagnostic Testing and Troubleshooting

• Thermography for hotspot detection.
• Power quality analysis (harmonics, sags, swells).
• Surge arrester testing.
• Troubleshooting common electrical equipment failures through testing.
• Introduction to online monitoring techniques for predictive maintenance.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.