Electrotechnical Laboratories

SINTEF Energy Research owns and operates laboratories for high voltage, high power and climatic testing in cooperation with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The facilities also include laboratories for studies of electrotechnical and mechanical material properties and heating equipment.

SINTEF Energy Research is engaged in research, development work, routine-, type- and field tests for manufacturers, suppliers and users of electrical equipment.

Tests with voltages up to 800 kV AC, 800 kV DC and 2000 kV lightning impulse can be run in our high voltage laboratories. These laboratories are also equipped for making rain, snow, ice, pollution, condensation, salt fog and measuring leakage currents, partial discharges, loss factors etc.

High current and short circuit tests are performed with voltages from 115 V to 697 V and currents with 150 kApeak and 100 kArms can be obtained. The maximum current at 6 kVrms is 2800 A.

Outdoor long-term tests are carried out at the Lista Testing Station which is located at the coast. Here materials and components are exposed to UV-radiation, salt pollution and surface discharges. The ageing of 24 kV cable terminations and insulators is accelerated by increasing the line-to-earth voltage to 22 kV. Conductor joints and branch joints are subjected to cyclic current loading.

Type testing of 115 kV cable accessories according to IEEE Standards 404 and 48 includes wet testing. The cable joint is wrapped in a water-tight envelope and subjected to high voltage and thermal cycling.