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Electrical Research and Testing
Laboratory Nuremberg
Testing and research at the cutting edge of technology
Answers for energy.
The latest methods,
outstanding expertise
The ERT Laboratory Nuremberg offers comprehensive testing and analysis
facilities for energy-related material testing, research, and development.
From general fundamental research using high-voltage
tests with various voltage types to dielectric examinations
and tests using test setups specially designed for use in
electrical components, the Electrical Research and Testing
(ERT) Laboratory Nuremberg is capable of conducting a
wide range of tests and analyses. In addition to precise
replication, modeling, and testing of even the most com­
plex setups, the specific material properties of insulation
components can also be examined.
Materials technology also plays an important role in the
ERT Laboratory. Specially developed devices for oil treat­
ment, drying, and impregnation plus other versatile pro­
cess materials make it possible to consider quality criteria
such as purity, cleanliness, or dryness of the insulants.
This ensures that the study results are meaningful and
precise.
Various test systems are used for electrical investigations,
including a number of independent AC voltage test
systems with a maximum test voltage of 400 kV, an
auto­matically pole-reversible DC voltage test system with
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up to 400 kV, and a surge generator with a charging
voltage of 1,200 kV for lightning and switching impulse
voltages. In two separate test halls, highly sensitive
measurements can be carried out at an extremely low
noise level of <1 pC.
The services offered by the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg,
however, go far beyond pure electrical testing. Its collabo­
ration with the chemical and physical materials testing
laboratory headed by Dr. Atanasova-Höhlein, which is
located in the same building, opens up a wealth of possi­
bilities for diagnostics and analysis. The materials testing
laboratory fully focuses on the laboratory diagnosis of
oil-filled electrical equipment. The materials that are elec­
trically tested in the ERT Laboratory can then be examined
right down to the tiniest detail. The close cooperation
between the two laboratories creates synergies that ensure
rapid, reliable, and high-quality study results.
Testing tailored to customer requirements: special contract measurements
From test planning to documentation, the outstanding technical equipment
and individual design possibilities make the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg the
first choice for meeting special requirements.
Extensive equipment and the highly qualified staff of
the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg make it possible to fulfill
special customer requests and requirements which go far
beyond the services available in the usual standard
investigations.
Every step can be individually agreed upon and designed
with the customer – including trial planning and prepara­
tion of the specification, planning and production of the
test pieces, test design, as well as conducting the test
series with subsequent evaluation and documentation.
In addition, the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg offers testing
of electrical components within the framework of its
performance class, such as dielectric type and routine
testing of capacitors or bushings.
The services provided by the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg
are rounded out by a wide range of standard electrical
tests for the characterization of insulation materials
in accordance with the established regulations and
standards.
The latest CAD and 3-D software is available for the plan­
ning phase. This allows test assemblies to be designed
using state-of-the-art technology and then simulated with
the corresponding electrical and magnetic calculation
tools in order to find the ideal test design every time.
Range of possible contract measurements
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Electrical testing of solid insulants for partial
discharge and puncture behavior
Investigation of alternative liquid
insulants and green technologies
Determination of the parameters of electrical
solid insulants
Development and testing of innovative
insulation designs
Investigation and research into the dielectric
properties of liquid insulants
Examination and testing of electrical
components, type and routine tests
Perfect, from preparation
to documentation
Reliable test results ensured by high quality – from test planning
to evaluation
Process technology and sample preparation
Standard material investigations
In investigations of insulation materials, the production
and preparation of the samples and test items and com­
pliance with the process parameters before and during the
measurement are of enormous significance. Usable quali­
tative results can only be achieved if all the parameters
are observed exactly. This is why the ERT Laboratory
Nuremberg places such great importance on precision.
In the characterization of insulation materials, there are
various processes for determining the relevant parame­
ters, depending on the material and area of use. These
include determination of the electric puncture strength of
insulating materials of all types – in the case of AC voltage
according to IEC 60243-1 and with DC voltage according
to IEC 60243-2.
All wood and metal treatment processes are carried out
in the ERT Laboratory’s own workshop, which is well
equipped with everything from lathes to belt grinders
and disk sanders.
Another important criterion is the partial discharge behav­
ior of solid insulants. This is investigated in the ERT Labo­
ratory Nuremberg using a specially developed, standard­
ized testing method. The partial discharge behavior of the
test pieces provides information about the quality and
processing of the material.
For preparation work that includes drying and impregnat­
ing, vacuum drying cabinets and specially developed
impregnating cabinets are available. These are used to
precisely regulate and monitor required process parame­
ters such as temperature and pressure.
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Sample preparation
To characterize the insulation properties with direct
voltage loading, measurements of the specific resistance
according to IEC 60093 or the measurement of polariza­
tion and depolarization currents (PDC measurement using
a step-response measurement) can be carried out. In addi­
tion, dielectric properties such as the loss factor tan δ, the
Equipment for oil preparation
capacities, and the relative dielectric constant of solid
and liquid insulants can be determined according to
IEC 60247. Determining the electric puncture voltage of
liquid insulants according to IEC 60156 and determining
the water content of solid and liquid insulants according
to IEC 60814 enable all the important parameters to be
recorded before, during, and after the measurements.
Research and development projects
The ERT Laboratory Nuremberg provides the best possible
conditions for electrotechnical research and development.
The excellent equipment in the laboratories and work­
shops makes it easy to carry out customer-specific exami­
nations. The experts at the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg are
also happy to provide assistance in the development of
concepts, and they can be helpful in planning the tests or
carrying them out on behalf of the customer. When the
tests are actually conducted, it is possible to react flexibly
and unbureaucratically to technical idiosyncrasies, for
example with modifications to the test design or test
pieces. Moreover, it is also possible to react spontaneously
Air-conditioned measuring and test cell
to effects during the course of the test series. What is
important is the scientific character of the investigations.
Because the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg has enough room
to maneuver, it can offer a wide range of options to spe­
cifically pursue any phenomena that might arise.
All work stages can be swapped on short notice and
through direct communication. It goes without saying
that the client can be present at every test and investiga­
tion and make resulting modifications to the test item.
To ensure full reporting, all process stages and measure­
ment results are documented and reported with absolute
precision.
Sample inside the test container
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Cutting-edge testing technology
for precise, reliable results
Technical data for the test areas and material equipment of the
ERT Laboratory Nuremberg
High-voltage laboratory
400 kV AC test system with 200 kVA (50 Hz)
150 kV AC test system (50 Hz)
Impulse generator with 1,200 kV charging voltage for
lightning (1.2/50 μs) and switching impulse voltages
(250/2,500 μs)
Multiple chopping gap for chopped impulse voltages,
e.g. for measurements according to IEC 60076-3
400 kV DC test system, automatically pole-reversible
(for measurements according to IEC 61378-2)
Screened high-voltage laboratory, background noise
level < 1 pC
Crane capability 1 t
Air cushion system up to 7.5 t
Air-conditioned test cell
Screened measuring cell, background noise level ≤ 1 pC
High-voltage module (AC 100 kV/DC 140 kV/LI 140 kV)
Precision high-voltage system device, 60 kV
(electrically pole-reversible)
Fully air-conditioned measuring cell, temperature range
–40 °C to +180 °C, ambient humidity 10% to 98% rH
Measuring cell to determine dielectric parameters of
solid and liquid insulation materials (tan δ, capacity,
dielectric constant)
Process technology
Oil preparation unit (300–700 l/h), which can also be
used for other liquids
Vacuum drying cabinets
Special vacuum impregnation chambers
Determination of the water content of liquid and solid
insulation materials (Karl Fischer titrator)
Determination of oil puncture voltage according
to IEC 60156
Workplace for hazardous materials
Workshop for test piece preparation and modification
of test designs
PDC measurement system for conductivity investiga­
tions of individual materials or components
Mobile 150 kV AC test system
Workshop equipment
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A long tradition of research and development
In the 1920s, the transformer plant systematically expands
its research and development capacities, adding the most
modern equipment. The development of transformer tech­
nology makes great progress. Oil transformers are moni­
tored for the first time with a Buchholz relay, an electrical
safety device. In 1923, the first five-limb cores are produced
for high-capacity 3-phase AC current transformers. 1927
sees the start of the manufacture of transformers with step
switches for uninterruptible voltage adjustment under load.
After the war, the research facilities are built up again and
systematically expanded. The investigations made possible
as a result lay the foundations for the steady growth of the
Nuremberg transformer plant.
The new ERT Laboratory Nuremberg
The laboratory building for the newly established ERT
Laboratory Nuremberg is completed in December 2011.
After the installation and commissioning of the electrical
components, the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg starts work
in July 2012. The new facilities set a new quality standard
in the testing of insulants. One of the special features of
the ERT Laboratory Nuremberg is its close cooperation
with the chemical and physical test laboratory housed in
the same building, which creates unique synergies for
development projects and quality testing.
A comprehensive test portfolio
The ERT Laboratory has a testing hall and an airconditioned measurement cell. Both can be operated in
parallel or independently of each other. This facilitates
flexible workflows and operating sequences and enables
unconventional studies to be carried out. In addition to
the standard test voltages such as AC, DC, and impulse
voltages, polarity reversal tests (DC) can also be carried
out and chopped impulse voltages can be generated. In
parallel, partial discharge analyses can be conducted and
dielectric measurements (e.g. loss factor and capacity
measurements) can be carried out in defined climatic
conditions.
New opportunities in diagnosis and analysis
Factors such as humidity and temperature play a crucial
role in the electrical characterization of insulants. In the
ERT Laboratory Nuremberg, both the characteristic para­
meters of the test pieces and the ambient and process
parameters can be precisely monitored with the latest
measuring and testing equipment. This means that the
empirical investigations can be statistically analyzed so
that the right conclusions can be drawn for the object
under investigation.
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Published by and copyright © 2014:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
Transformers
Katzwanger Strasse 150
90461 Nuremberg, Germany
For more information, please contact
our Customer Support Center.
Phone: +49 180 524 70 00
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E-mail:support.energy@siemens.com
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Subject to change without prior notice.
The information in this document contains
general descriptions of the technical options
available, which may not apply in all cases.
The required technical options should therefore
be specified in the contract.