HV and MV testing equipment: the key to electrical safety in industry

High-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) electrical installations constitute the lifeblood of modern industry. Their reliability, and consequently safety, largely depend on regular and precise tests. Specialized HV and MV testing equipment is essential for verifying the dielectric strength of insulation, ensuring long-term and trouble-free operation of systems. This is particularly important in the context of safety standards and industrial regulations.

The role of testing equipment in maintenance operations

The application of appropriate testing equipment is a key element of diagnostics. It allows for precisely determining whether a tested component, such as a transformer, switchgear, insulator, or cable, is capable of withstanding nominal and impulse electrical loads. Properly conducted tests eliminate the risk of unexpected failures, which could lead to costly downtimes and life-threatening situations. Among the devices used for this purpose, advanced testing generators are primarily distinguished.

Testing generators and system test voltage

Testing generators are the heart of every measuring station. These are devices capable of producing high voltage with a specified waveform (DC, AC, impulse) necessary for testing the system test voltage. Depending on the normative requirements and the type of element being tested, various types of tests are applied. For example, testing cables and switchgear often requires the application of DC voltage, which is realized by DC test voltage, while transformer tests may require AC voltage.

Cable test sets: diagnostics of underground infrastructure

A specific category of devices is cable test sets. They are dedicated to the diagnostics and localization of faults in cable networks, both during installation and during operation. They use advanced measurement methods (e.g., measurement of the dielectric loss tangent, HV DC) to assess the condition of the insulation. Mobility and high precision make these sets indispensable tools in the work of maintenance services and companies building energy infrastructure.

Components for explosive atmospheres (EX) and test safety

In the chemical, petrochemical, gas, and mining industries, where explosive atmospheres (EX) occur, the use of specially certified testing equipment is necessary. This requires not only high tightness and resistance to external conditions (as is the case with standard HV/MV equipment), but above all, compliance with rigorous ATEX standards. This equipment must be designed in such a way as to eliminate all potential sources of ignition, such as sparks, overheating, or electrostatic discharges, even during extreme high-voltage tests.