Electrical testing typically involves more complex test setups and often requires specialized test equipment that only the commissioning team would have, or even a specialized team thats brought in as a member of the commissioning team to perform electrical pre-commissioning. 4.6 QC Inspector shall be responsible for surveillance and inspection of the work and ensures that the work is performed and properly documented using applicable forms. Download Free Template A commissioning checklist is used to ensure the safety and functionality of new or modified systems in a facility. Having that most current as-built configuration in the drawings, in the as-built, then operations can work with that for years to come. Were going through the drawings, identifying the equipment to test, the level of testing to take place, and putting together all the paperwork and the checklists so that we have those in hand. Commissioning Plan. Anything thats encountered that doesnt meet contract requirements is either a Type-A, Type-B, or a Type-C deficiency. 5000V/2500V motor operated meggers. Its a good thing to have your mechanical individual there as well because hes going to potentially notice something that the electrical team members may not. Once we mobilize to the site to start pre-commissioning, we know exactly what we need to do, and we can start executing per the checklists. And on the 70th hour, theres a major equipment failure at least by stepping it through our various loads, we did our best to mitigate that risk. The generator should be located relatively close to the emergency-related equipment. Lets set our pre-commissioning up for success by reviewing the required off-site activities first. (These editions of the associated codes and standards are referenced throughout this article unless otherwise noted). It depends on how large the project is, and how you want to structure the project. Upstream cb and cable, and transformer and downstream cb? What is not clear to me is the electrical system boundary, its hierarchy, and its priority. The loop check is essentially having the PLC send a signal to the instrument to ensure that it responds and that were getting the right status signal back to the PLC, confirming the loop signal path between our communication cubicles and our instruments in the field. 7.1.6 Review the AC/DC control schematic of the disconnect switch assembly. 7.2.4 Inspect indicators for mechanical damage. Youre going to get down to maybe one of the AC bays, one of the ring bus connected breakers that form that 230 kv ring bus, and then you can even drive down deeper to get right to the equipment level where you identify that particular breaker number three. You want to set up some sort of determination process. Prior to on-site pre-commissioning, there are some key off-site activities to take place to ensure that our electrical pre-commissioning goes smoothly. The engineering team Ive seen in every case has done that particular study to determine the arc flash hazards that exist within that particular cubicle based on that. Commissioning Record. Anything that we can check at a lower level to confirm that all of our protection systems are in place. 9.8 Only those people directly involved in testing shall be within the barricaded area. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. Commissioning of medium voltage switchgear products Certified technicians perform commissioning of switchgear, protection and control systems as part of our equipment supply, which includes: Cold commissioning to verify protection and control operation. Some first checks to be done during electrical pre-commissioning are to confirm that equipment is grounded and bonded correctly to station ground. The basic manpower under him shall consist but not limited to the following: 6.1 Tools and equipment should be in good condition for use in the construction area. What would have been tested in the factory is then tested again on-site, and the results are compared between the two. This is often confirmed through measurement but could be visual as well. Another often misunderstood reference in the code related to load bank testing is where the load bank connection can occur. Its an understanding of the owners needs and requirements and an understanding of how the plant is going to be operated for decades to come after it goes into service. Thanks, everyone for your great participation! There will be a whole series of interlocks to be verified on some systems, with every sinlge interlock to be verified to ensure that theyre functioning correctly in the field before applying main circuit power. Electrical Commissioning is totally different from electrical erection. This gives an initial indication that power feeds are correct, and confirms that when we turn on the power and leave it on, its not going to cause any damage. The engineer will make that final determination and say, No, this Type-B really should be a Type-A, guys. These are elaborate test setups to apply a significant short to the transformer. He shall discuss to the workers the characteristics of related materials and status of work area giving reminders as an additional point to injury and incident free environmen. Some of your auxiliary systems, your fiber optic communication systems, communication systems, any protection systems, electrical systems, building systems, the balance of plant systems, and just the lighting within the data center, those youre going to need first based on what some of the next activities are going to take. This includes the inspection of insulation materials, signs of overheating or electrical sparks, enclosure and door fastener functionality. Loop checks verify the electrical circuit from the automation panel to each end device and confirm that the device can successfully communicate with the PLC cubicle and that alarms function correctly, you can find more information on loop checks here Pre-commissioning of Electrical Systems. In very large systems, such as many kilometers or miles of transmission line, we may need to drive the line and confirm that at various points of phase rotation, by the end of the line, the phases are correct for the line, and its connected to the proper bus work within the station. Once you get further down into the details on a particular system in that overall high-level sequence, youre going to see that you need to have mechanical completion complete on this particular piece of equipment. by Paul Turner | May 9, 2022 | CSU In this article, we're going to cover the steps required for electrical pre-commissioning. The need for testing and commissioning electrical equipment and systems varies by project, client, system, and building codes. I can definitely see the similarity in getting some of these large facilities set up and running like a large semiconductor plant is definitely going to have significant elements of pre-commissioning and commissioning to get that plant up and running. The commissioning agent will seek to eliminate such gaps of coordination in the project specification so that the roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood, specifically between trades and other vendors. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. Absolutely, yes because as we go through pre-commissioning and commissioning will get to startup placing these systems in service. The redline drawings are going to indicate anything that was potentially changed in the field. When you break it down into details. 7.4.1 Verify that the branch breakers in the panel are properly sized for the loads that they feed. 7.1.12 Perform the test before touch. Search Products And Discover New Innovations In Your Industry. If the protection systems at either end of the transmission line dont react correctly, then we can potentially damage the HVDC converter systems. Were going to identify what are the isolations that need to take place in order to maintain that boundary across all of those signals, all of those voltage levels from one area of the plant to the other that are identified and passed to our lockout authority. What are they going to do? All of these coordinated settings need to be applied to the various equipment so that equipment is tripping off at the right levels based on other equipment within the system. What is the best pre-commissioning systematization philosophy, equipment-wise or to follow energization sequence? This could be a paint scratch or a hole in the drywall or something cosmetic. From a commissioning team perspective, we would never propose that but when there are other in-service assets in the plant we need to be planning and managing our activities knowing what else is going on in the plant so that all simultaneous operations are taking place without disruption. What is your experience? Integration of both the hardware and the software in the factory needs to be tested before the equipment is shipped to the site. Alongside the expansion of the solar photovoltaic industry, there has been growing concern over the safety and quality of some PV system installations - and particularly in relation to worries that incorrectly installed PV systems can create a fire hazard or in certain cases . The code does not explicitly require the AHJ to be present at this time of testing, but according to NFPA 110, chapter 7.13.3, The authority having jurisdiction shall be given advance notification of the time at which the acceptance test is to be performed so that the authority can witness the test. This is part of the coordination effort that commissioning agents should not lead, but at a minimum should alert the contractor to perform. Getting that fundamental understanding of how the commissioning process works and what are the steps in it is critical before you actually get to the site and do the commissioning. It can sometimes take a year or more to plan out the sequence of commissioning and ensure that its going to go smoothly. No commissioning works shall be carried out without adequate lighting available. We need our fiber ring going off-site so that we can control and communicate with other systems. This process to confirm construction completion is called Mechanical Completion. This process of categorizing each deficiency as theyre identified ensures nothing is missed and that issues are addressed and closed. 9.4 Hazardous area and its precautionary measure requirements shall be properly discussed to the working crew following all safety requirements. Derek DeJesus is the national commissioning manager and electrical commissioning leader for KJWW Engineering Consultants. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Many electrical systems have a DC battery backup. Commissioning of one system may be taking place while other systems are still undergoing construction or pre-commissioning. The contract may be silent on that and say, do an endurance run test. Guidelines for Electrical Testing and Commissioning Commissioning of HV Panel -Operational and Functional Checkup 12. Getting the motor up and running is probably an electrical commissioning team member function given that its the first point in time where were interfacing power to the motor, getting it energized, operating in the right direction so that would be an electrical team function. This test confirms that the dielectrics are meeting technical requirements. So, we need to ensure that proper integration of the hardware and the software is completed in the factory before equipment ships to site. So, prior to applying that DC fault to the line, weve verified anything and everything that we possibly can at the station level to confirm that all our protection systems are going to operate correctly to mitigate that risk of potentially destructive testing. The short answer is essentially the commissioning team is going to determine the startup sequence for the plant. That could be where you need to talk to your construction team and make a deal to work around some of those issues that are encountered. 2.1 This method statement will cover the testing & pre-commissioning of Control, Distribution and Misc. But once our transformer arrives on site, these parameters will be measured again to confirm that nothing was dislodged during transport. Now, testing in the factory isnt a replacement for testing on-site. In this article, were going to cover the steps required for electrical pre-commissioning. Such persons shall be capable of working safely and shall be knowledgeable on the precautionary techniques, personnel protective equipment, shielding and insulating materials and tools. Yes, thats correct. We definitely want to confirm another potentially destructive test. This allows an owner to define activities and deliverables, such as design reviews, submittal reviews, prefunctional checklists, and functional performance test documents. You want to call in the right experts, and make sure theyre there willing and able to participate and can provide their expertise to help diagnose or identify any issues with the equipment. If commissioning is disorganized, and commissioning is requesting to start up two systems on the same day, well I would say thats the commissioning teams fault for not planning that out appropriately. How do you do that? How do we categorize and or the starting point needed in commissioning a data center specifically for the communications and electrical system? Then, construction is presenting the right deliverables to commissioning in the right order that lines up with the sequence. 7.1.9 Pre-commissioning works are to be supervised by the equipment manufacturer specialists. What does the sequence of managing redline markup drawings? Installation matches the design documentation. What about the PTW work permit prior to electrical commissioning activities? 7.1.17 Panel installation drawings and circuit modification red marked drawings shall be attached in the Pre-commissioning documents. Instruction for Obtaining a Waiver of a MandatorySaudi Aramco Engineering Requirements, Saudi Aramco Project Quality Requirements, Safety, Health and Environmental Requirements, LV Panelboard-Industrial Panelboard (<400A) Material Receiving, LV Panelboard Non-Industrial PanelboardMaterial Receiving, LV Panelboard Industrial Explosion-Proof Panelboard (<400A) Material Receiving, LV Panelboard Non-Hazardous AC/DC Panel board Installation and Pre-Commissioning, LV Panel board Explosion-Proof AC/DC Panelboard Installation and Pre-Commissioning, Low Voltage Power and Control Cable, Continuity and Megger Insulation Resistance Testing, Low Voltage Power and Control Cable, Termination Torque Testing, LV Panel board Pre-Energized and FunctionalTesting, Pre-commissioning form Testing Guidelines. 7.2.5 Tighten all accessible electrical connections to the manufacturers torque specifications, if provided. Installation is not complete so we want to identify that as a Type-A. If such information is not available, re-tighten in accordance SA-P-000. Home Power Power Plant Electricity Generation Generator Renewable Energy Substation Electrical Substation Electrical Transformer Switchgear Safety & Protection Electrical Safety Fuse Transmission & Distribution Commissioning is the bridge from the design phase through construction and into occupancy. That would be something thats determined by the engineering team. I encourage you to take that operation knowledge that you have and apply that to commissioning. Ive seen this caught last minute where phases were incorrectly rolled, and we want to avoid that situation because that can certainly cause a lot of damage. There are several that exist on the market some of which have recently been developed. Of course, youre not going to be able to test your data servers and your cubicle racks if you havent got your fiber up and running. Its always a fun day when we do open circuit tests and short circuit tests. The same thing with a short circuit test or an open circuit test, the engineering team would have designed the particular equipment to accommodate or react or behave dynamically to these certain types of events. A test is required to verify the continuity of each conductor including the circuit protective conductor (cpc) of every ring final circuit. Beyond physical testing to verify the equipment is built satisfactorily, an operational test that confirms how all of the individual components work together is one of the most important functional tests that can be performed. Its great to see everybodys engagement and super interest in pre-commissioning and commissioning. Commissioning for electrical systems. That knowledge baseline is critical to have. Unfortunately, your project manager is costing the project lots of money by not having the commissioning team involved earlier, then thats not setting the commissioning team up for success on really complex projects. A P&ID is a piping and instrumentation drawing. I trust you found this information helpful. Some of those pre-commissioning activities are actually identified in a construction ITP for those groups to complete mechanical completion, then define the point where the construction team is completing their scope of work.