HBM has supplied three transient recorders from the Genesis High Speed range to the KEMA High Voltage Laboratory at DNV GL in Arnhem. The new data acquisition systems replace the LDS Nicolet equipment that KEMA Laboratories acquired between 1995 and 2000 and used until recently. The main reason for changing over to new measuring equipment was the application of the IEC 60060-2 (2010) standard, which provides guidelines for performing high-voltage tests and the requirements concerning measuring technology.
In the High Voltage Laboratory we have focused on testing and certificating HV components, power equipment and metering, protection and control equipment for the generation and distribution of electricity. Testing and certifying the safety and control of high-voltage installations and systems is becoming increasingly important, because the electricity infrastructure is getting more and more complex and vulnerable. Power failures have significant consequences, ranging from considerable economic damage to life-threatening situations as a result of the failure of critical systems.
"We have built up a considerable reputation in the field. Our KEMA Type Test certificates are internationally recognised.”
John Mooren, test engineer at KEMA Laboratories in Arnhem.
“It was decided in 2009 to replace the existing equipment. This was not just because of the move to the new laboratory in 2009, but was mainly as a result of the changes to the IEC 60060 standard, which came into effect in 2010”. As HVL we have a seat on the IEC standards committee, because you want to keep up to date and to test and certify in accordance with the most modern standards. The IEC 60060 standard describes uniform conditions for high-voltage tests. It specifies precise definitions and guidelines for generating the voltage required for the tests and describes the requirements for performing the tests with the permitted measurement tolerances, as well as the requirements applicable to the measuring systems.''John Mooren, test engineer at KEMA Laboratories in Arnhem. A proposed investment for acquiring new measurement equipment was approved in 2010, after which tenders were invited from five leading manufacturers. After selecting from the tenders, three manufacturers were invited to give demonstrations in the laboratory in 2011. The eventual choice on the basis of the best price-to-performance ratio was for HBM. By choosing HBM, DNV GL effectively stayed with the same equipment, because HBM had taken over the activities of LDS Nicolet and brought the renewed equipment to the market in 2009 under the name of Genesis High Speed. This modular product line is intended for super-fast data acquisition and transient recording. The data acquisition equipment is used in endurance tests, ballistic tests, short circuit and lighting impulse voltage tests, among others.