Solutions for Primary Injection Test – EuroSMC

In contrast with the secondary injection test, the primary injection test is performed through injection into the primary side of any of the main primary devices such as circuit breakers, transformers and electrical switchgear in general. The primary injection test is generally associated with high current and voltage injection, and covers not only the testing of the individual devices, but also the correct operation checking of the whole protection system, the entire circuit formed by the breaker, current transformer primary and secondary windings, relays, trip circuits, and all associated wiring.

The primary injection test of the complete circuit is often the last test performed in the commissioning and maintenance process, or after any modification, as a functional test of the whole system; the primary injection test is carried out after the secondary injection test, to ensure that problems are limited to the primary assets and associated wiring involved, since the rest of the secondary equipment in the protection scheme has been already checked.

The utilities and service companies traditionally have found limitations when selecting primary injection test equipment, up to the point of not wanting or not being able to perform this kind of tests, avoiding them in any case, when they are essential.  The traditional primary injection test sets had many problems which have been solved in the Raptor System, drastically improving the existing way in the market to perform any primary injection test.

The RAPTOR solution, a new way to perform a primary injection test

The Raptor is a smart primary injection test set designed as the final solution for the main primary injection test applications required in the commissioning and maintenance of substations, marking the difference with respect to previous existing equipment.

This new generation of primary injection test system makes primary testing easier, faster and more convenient. Besides its modern high-tech design, the following are some key features that make this test set so attractive:

• Mobility: First of all, the Raptor is light and small. A primary injection test set with medium output power weights around 150 kg; the Raptor has reduced this to 35 kg in a set able to inject up to 9500 A or 15,000 A depending on the configuration, being smaller than its predecessors, and making it much easier and convenient to transport and handle. It is the EuroSMC solution to the old application problem in any primary injection test, where test equipment had a big size and weight to be able to achieve the required high currents, making transport an expensive and complicated process. An additional advantage to the easy transport is that the primary injection test set is placed much closer to the device tested, reducing the length of cables and the power required.

• Adaptability: testing engineers also need flexibility. With the Raptor System, the user is not limited to the power initially selected. In case of more power required, Raptor slaves units can be added, or what is also very important, be left behind when not needed. The current output range is adjusted at all times according to the application, taking advantage of the modularity, versatility and control functions in the Master unit, with a unique capacity to adjust the voltage and current required through the number of cables turns used.

• Power: for a convenient primary injection test, current amplifiers with a constant output are highly desirable, and in comparison with the classical equipment, the Raptor technology provides automatic and fast regulation of the magnitude injected, being stable regardless of the load change by heating; primary injection test sets also need high short time injection range. The significant reduction in power losses in intermediate connections, thanks to the new current generation technology and the loop-through concept, enables the Raptor system the highest level of injection capability in terms of power and duty cycle.

• Ease of use: power also requires control; the difference between a primary injection test set that is a pleasure to use, and one that is not, is the user interface; the Raptor system provides the user with ease of use so far known in this type of equipment. The Raptor HH, the  light handheld control unit , allows the user to fully monitor and control all the test process, including the storage of results and connection with an external PC for posterior analysis and reporting; the control unit includes on-screen assistance for configuration and testing, and a powerful and smart interface with TFT color touch screen. The Raptor HH is connected to the Master through a 5-meter cable that allows the user to stay at a convenient location while the primary injection test set is working much closer to the load.
• High-Tech: the Raptor feature high-power processors to take care of future requirements and its functionality can be readily enhanced to meet new market demands by means of firmware upgrades through internet; its modular design also allows the user to upgrade the system at modest cost as their test requirements change in the future, acquiring Raptor Slaves at any time.
• Multifunction: The Raptor avoids the need of having several types of primary injection test sets; it includes a powerful measurement section, pre-defined test templates and automatic functions for testing current, voltage and power transformers, switchgear, relays, breakers, reclosers, contact resistance, ground grid, step & touch, etc. Some typical applications for the primary injection test of current transformers are the checking of the CT ratio, burden, polarity, phase angle error, magnetization curve, and withstand voltage testing.

For more information, please check the related EuroSMC products or contact us.