Applus+ Successfully Conducted Electrical Testing in One of the Largest Power Plants in the UAE

Our team of experts ensured the integrity and functionality of the main and auxiliary transformers which are responsible for transforming electrical power from the turbines into the grid. In addition to the transformers themselves, our team verified the partial discharge of cables and our specialised lab analysed the transformer oil samples.

In order to provide a complete service for power plant operators and owners, Applus+ Velosi continuously develops its capabilities for offering a wide variety of services in all disciplines – mechanical, electrical and civil. We provide power boiler assessments and investigate failure root cause of Gas Turbines. In addition, we also meet and exceed the demand of our clients by having a reliable electrical infrastructure.

During this project, Applus+ Velosi in the UAE was able to successfully conduct the following tests:

• Assessment of 400kV Step-up transformers
• Assessment of auxiliary transformers
• Assessment of 400kV XLPE cables incl. partial discharge testing
• Testing of transformer oil
• Testing of transformer OLTC

The client requested for Applus+ Velosi to establish the remaining life of the components and certify their safety and functionality. Our team of local experts alongside experienced electrical engineers from Spain completed the task on time and to the full satisfaction of the client.

Applus+ has capabilities to perform testing of other low, mid and high voltage equipment, such as:

• Transformers: overall insulation; bushing insulation; turns ratio (at 10kV); excitation; winding resistance; FRA; leakage reactance; FDS; and dynamic resistance
• Motors/generators: resistance, polarisation index, current absorption/reabsorption; power factor and capacity; online and offline partial discharges
• Circuit breakers: passive contact resistance; switch operation times; lengthwise and crosswise synchronism; travel graphics; coil consumption; power reset time; SF6 pressure; and vacuum insulation
• GIS: partial discharge detection
• Cables: location of faults in cover or insulation; withstand voltage testing (surge); power factor and capacitance in MV cables; partial discharge detection in MV cables; cover tests; screen continuity and resistance; and layout of underground lines
• Thermographic testing: inspection of electrical installations from low voltage to 400kV
• Insulating oil analysis (transformers): physicochemical (Oil condition); DGA (gases resulting from internal faults); furanic compounds (remaining-life assessment); and other analysis (PCBs, corrosive sulphur, etc.)
• Electrical protection systems: review of project engineering; verification of instrument transformers; checking of VAC and VCC power supplies; checking of control and signalling circuits; verification of electrical protection and related circuits; automated and remote-control dispatch testing; and predictive maintenance
• Rotating-equipment vibration analysis: study of global vibration value trends for detecting mechanical failures and/or failures in any rotary unit and assessing their severity; and analysis of vibrations in the frequency domain for diagnosis of the anomaly and its origin
• Others: assessment of the condition of HV equipment: surge arresters, capacitors, CTs and PT, earthing systems and other components.