TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, October 16, 2007 — Kinectrics has commissioned an expanded Voltage and Thermal Endurance Laboratory, with new capabilities for high-voltage testing of turbo generator rotor and stator bars up to 7 meters in length. The expansion adds to the capabilities of the lab, which for some 20 years has conducted voltage endurance and thermal cycling tests of hydro generator bars.

Upgrading of the lab includes a $140K investment in a new transformer that is variable to 40 kV @ 750 mA, a new control panel, and new heater banks. With the expansion, the lab becomes one of only three independent labs in North America capable of offering Quality Approval (QA) testing of high-voltage insulation systems for turbo generators.

The Voltage and Thermal Endurance lab is capable of testing new coils—mainly Class F resin rich (stage B resin) and vacuum pressure impregnated (VPI) coils—and older Class B bitumen mica coils.

QA testing of high-voltage insulation systems is conducted for end-users such as utilities, to confirm the system integrity of newly manufactured insulation systems. The tests indicate whether the insulation has been designed and manufactured to meet international standards to ensure longevity and prevent premature in-service failure.

Manufacturers typically supply two to five coils or bars for testing. Utilities may request that sample bars be supplied for every set of bars or coils manufactured. During the tests the coils are heated. High voltage is then applied and continued until the equipment fails.

Voltage endurance tests are conducted according to IEEE Std.1043, which simulates accelerated aging to determine the life expectancy of the insulation.   While these voltage tests are the critical tests of insulation integrity, Kinectrics lab also offers thermal endurance testing capabilities. These tests, performed in accordance with IEEE Std. 1310, study the effect of heating on the insulation and its potential for de-bonding.

Following voltage and endurance tests—especially in the case of failed samples—the coils and bars may also undergo dissection to evaluate the build / bond strength between insulation layers and, to aid in establishing insulation quality, voltage stress, and failure mode.

In addition to QA testing, the Kinectrics Voltage and Thermal Endurance Lab is also used to conduct assessments of the remaining life of insulation and the potential need for replacement. In these cases, voltage endurance and thermal cycling tests are undertaken in conjunction with other diagnostic tests such as over-voltage withstand, Partial Discharge, and dissipation factor, to provide owners with information on which to base an effective strategy for long-term operation of the insulation.

For more information contact Andy Brown, 416.207.6000 x5403, andrew.brown@kinectrics.com.