Artificial Pollution Test Laboratory

The artificial Pollution test Laboratory has dimensions of 12m x 12mx12m. An array of nozzles confirming to IEC specifications combined with a salt water pumping and air compressor provide the required salt fog. The power supply to the chamber is from one of the outdoor 600 kV, 2000 kVA Cascade Transformers setup. Equipment available are :

• 600 kV, 3A  AC source
• 50 kV, 1A   AC source
• 15 kV, 1A   AC source
• 33 kV, 2A   AC source

With these equipment/facilities, the Pollution Laboratory can carry out artificial pollution tests on insulators and insulator assemblies for systems up to and including 400 kV as per IEC 60507 and aging studies (1000 hours) on composite insulators as per IEC 61109, IEC 61462 IEC 62231, IEC 62217 and IEC 61952.

Thermo-Mechanical Test Chamber (Horizontal)

The thermo-mechanical chamber is used for carrying out thermal mechanical tests on ceramic and composite insulators as per IEC 62217 and IEC 60383. The temperature control range is from -40ºC to + 60ºC. The tensile strength is ranging from 10 to 500KN (2 Channels).  This chamber is used to carry out the tests on composite long rod insulators and porcelain insulator strings.

This Laboratory can undertake the following NABL accredited type tests as per National & International Standards:

• Pollution test on insulators by salt fog method up to 400 kV AC.
• Salt fog tests on cable terminations.
• Tracking and erosion tests on polymeric insulators as per IEC 61109-1000 hours.
• Hydrophobicity recovery test on polymeric insulators.
• Weather ageing test (salt fog) for surge arresters up to 50kV as per IEC-60099-4/2004 and contamination test as per IEEE C.62 for surge arresters up to and including 400kV.
• Water Diffusion Test on FRP core materials.
• Dye Penetration Test on FRP core materials.
• Brittle Fracture Test on FRP core materials.