LaboratoryHigh Voltage Laboratory

University of Canterbury,
New Zealand.

Description

The University of Canterbury High Voltage Laboratory is a specialist facility for the testing, measurement and research of high-voltage electrical equipment, insulation systems and power engineering components. The laboratory supports applied research, teaching, standards-based testing, failure investigation and industry consulting across a wide range of high-voltage and power-system applications. The laboratory includes major high-voltage test infrastructure for AC withstand testing, impulse voltage testing, partial discharge measurement, dielectric diagnostics, transformer and substation equipment assessment, and controlled power-frequency testing. Test capabilities include power-frequency AC testing up to 400 kV, impulse voltage testing up to 1400 kV, partial discharge measurement and analysis, transformer diagnostic testing, tan delta / power factor testing, and specialist measurements for high-voltage insulation systems. The facility is used to investigate the performance, condition and failure mechanisms of electrical insulation and high-voltage apparatus. Typical test objects include transformers, bushings, insulators, cables, switchgear, instrument transformers, surge arresters, rotating machine insulation, dielectric materials and prototype high-voltage components. The laboratory supports collaborative work with industry, researchers and students, including equipment condition assessment, product testing, forensic failure investigation, insulation ageing studies, high-voltage measurement development, and the evaluation of emerging technologies for power systems and electrification.

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Capabilities

  • Power-frequency AC high-voltage testing up to 400 kV
  • High-voltage impulse testing up to 1400 kV
  • Lightning impulse, switching impulse and chopped-wave testing
  • Partial discharge measurement and phase-resolved PD analysis
  • Tan delta / power factor and capacitance testing of insulation systems
  • Transformer diagnostic testing, including turns ratio, winding resistance, excitation current and impedance measurements
  • Testing of bushings, insulators, cables, switchgear, instrument transformers and surge arresters
  • AC withstand and dielectric performance testing
  • Insulation coordination and overvoltage studies
  • Investigation of insulation ageing, degradation and breakdown mechanisms
  • Failure investigation and forensic assessment of high-voltage equipment
  • Development and validation of high-voltage measurement systems
  • Controlled AC supply and frequency-conversion support for specialist testing
  • Teaching and training in high-voltage engineering
  • Industry consulting and collaborative research projects

Contacts

DEPARTMENT

  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

BUILDING

  • Engineering - Electrical and Computer

AVAILABILITY

  • Available for internal & external use

Location

University of Canterbury,
New Zealand.