High Voltage Laboratory
Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering,
King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Vision and Mission
The mission of this laboratory is to provide research, development,
testing, consultations and manpower training services to enhance
national competence in key technological areas and to contribute
to the development of national and regional industrial base. The lab
aims to develop local expertise and know how in order to achive self
sufficiency in all high voltage related technical fields so as to
function as a leader in the area of high voltage testing and related
technologies in the GCC region.
1. Introduction:
High Voltage Laboratory, King Saud University is part of Electrical Engineering
Department, College of Engineering. This (KSU) lab is very well equipped and
staffed with expert professionals. It is being used for undergraduate and graduate
teaching, research as well as commercial testing of high voltage equipments
manufactured by local and overseas vendors. The lab has potential and capabilities
to perform a broad range of tests and investigations. This document provides a
brief introduction to the lab and outlines the capabilities, range of expertise and
activities.
2. Laboratory Building:
High Voltage Lab was originally designed for teaching up to graduate level and
some research work. However, future growth and needs of local industry were
also kept in the design criteria. The main test hall is 18 m wide and 18 m long and
15 m high. A further 9 m x 18 m uncovered area adjacent to the lab is available
for future extension.
The test hall is screened against electromagnetic interference in the form of
Faraday’s cage by using a galvanized which is connected to horizontal copper
plates embedded in the floor and vertical earth electrodes, with overall ground
resistance of less than 0.2 ohm. Measurements are made through screened control
cables. The attenuation of the EMI signals is around ~ 40 dBm.
3. Equipment in the Laboratory:
Since its erection, the High Voltage Lab is continuously being supplied with the
updated testing and measurement equipment. In the last decade, a lot of new and
modern test and diagnostic equipments have been added to the lab. The main
testing equipment presently available in the laboratory includes.
i. Impulse Generator, ± 1000 kV, 40 kJ
ii. Digital Impulse Measuring System
Haefely
Hipotronics
iii. AC testing Transformers
a)
b)
c)
d)
Single Phase, 300 kV, 300 kVA
Single Phase, 200 kV, 20 kVA
Single Phase, 100 kV, 100 kVA
3 Phase, 50 kV, 20 kVA
iv. Digital Partial Discharge Detection &
Measurement System
Phenix
Haefely
Hipotronics
Haefely
Hipotronics
v. 200 kV, Schering Bridge for Tan delta and
capacitance measurements
Tettex
vi. High Current Sources of
a) 3000 Amps., 45 kVA
b) 1500 Amps., 30 kVA
Hipotronics
Phenix
vii. DC Power Supplies of 0-50 kV and 0 ~ 100 kV
Haefely/ Hipotronics
viii. Artificial Rain Generation Equipment
Haefely
ix. Precision bridge for Tan delta and
capacitance measurements at 2 kV for oil,
insulating liquids and thin film
insulation testing
Tettex
x. De-ionized water terminations of 120 kV and
300 kV and oil terminations of upto 75 kV
Picolo, Phenix &
Hipotronics
xi. Precision cable cutting machine for slicing
Lorey
xii. Digital Sterio Microscope with color
monitor and video printer
Leica & Sony
xiii. 90 kV automatic oil testers
Foster
xiv. Precision Resistance Bridge for μΩ range
Tenslay, UK
xv. 0.01 Hz to 0.1 Hz VLF test setup with
Capacitance and Tanδ
HV Diagnostics
xvi. On Line PD Measuring System
HVPD, UK
xvii. Earth Resistance and Resistivity Testers
4.
Commercial
Equipment:
Testing
Romnia
of
High
Voltage
The following type of tests can be performed in the lab.
1. High voltage impulse testing (routine, type, sample, etc) for all types of high
voltage equipment.
2. High voltage AC testing of different high voltage equipment for up to 300 kV.
3. Partial Discharge testing of different equipments for up to 100 kV.
4. Dissipation factor and capacitance measurements for different equipments.
5. Complete electrical type testing of medium and low voltage polymeric cables
and accessories.
6. Breakdown investigations of polymeric cables for up to 300 kV voltage level.
For different equipments, the tests that can be performed are as follows:
Power/Voltage/Current/Distribution Transformers
High voltage impulse and AC tests at 60 Hz as per customer requirements. The
tests could be type test, routine test, etc. for medium and high voltage equipment.
Medium voltage transformers up to 15 MVA are being regularly type tested in the
lab.
Switchgear and GIS/AIS
High voltage impulse and AC tests on GIS/ AIS units or its components, PD tests,
dissipation factor and capacitance measurements, etc. are performed routinely.
Power Cables and Accessories
Complete range of electrical type testing as per IEC/ AEIC/ IEEE standards for
medium and low voltage cables. Most of the non electrical type tests can also be
carried out. Tests following other specifications on these equipments as well as
long term accelerated aging tests as per AEIC can also be performed.
Lightning Arresters
Lightning and switching impulse high voltage tests on these units, AC tests as
well as PD tests on these units can be performed as per IEC specifications.
Overhead Line Insulators/Bushings etc./Fuses
Dry and wet flashover voltage tests on such components, PD tests, dissipation
factor tests, and puncture tests for medium voltage components, are routinely done
for clients.
Insulating Liquids
Dielectric tests including impulse & power frequency breakdown, dissipation
factor, tan delta measurements, partial discharge and conduction current
measurements, moisture content and other physic-chemical characteristic factors
to determine the oil quality evaluation can be performed.
EMI measurements
EMI measurements on power over head lines or equipment can be performed.
5. Typical Clients and Past Experience:
During the last 30 years more than 500 tests of various types have been performed
on a wide range of high voltage apparatus for hundreds of customers. For each test
performed, an official certified test report is issued. An example of some of our
clients includes.
Apparatus
Distribution and Power
Transformers
Manufacturer /Supplies
Saudi Transformer Co.,
Waha Electric Supplies Company,
United Transformers Electric Company,
Alojaimi Electrical Industries,
Arabian Transformers Company
Cables and Accessories
Riyadh Cables Company,
Saudi Cables Company,
Jeddah Cables Company,
Al Fanar Electric Company,
Bahra Cables Company,
Middle East Specialized Cables Company,
El-Swedey Cables Company,
Gulf Cables Company(Kuwait),
Taihan Cables Company (Korea),
Gold Star Cables Company (Korea) and
Zachry Global Services, USA.
Metal Clad Switchgear
ABB, ESP, Schneider Electric, RFPB,
WESCOSA, Al Fanar, TIEPCO,
Al-Ojami, MOTS and several other.
Indoor/Outdoor
Insulators, Bushings, Fuses and
Surge Arrestors
Produced by different manufacturers and
tests performed for different clients.
These equipments were supplied to various electricity utilities including SEC,
ARAMCO and several other end users in the Kingdom. In addition, the tested
equipment was supplied to electricity authorities in UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman,
Yemen, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Syria, Kenya, Algeria and others countries.
The tests are performed as required by client as per relevant IEC, ANSI, SASO,
BS, etc. standards. In addition the lab routinely provides other services such as
educational training courses, consultations, investigative applied research and
studies etc.
6. Lab Manpower:
For testing, studies, research and consultations in high voltage area several
specialists are required. At present services of the following personnel are
devoted with the High Voltage Lab.
a) Six senior faculty with Ph.D degrees from Canada, USA, UK and
Japan who specialize in the field of High Voltage Engineering and
have extensive testing experience.
b) Two engineers who have experience in high voltage equipment testing
c) Several technicians
d) Secretarial and clerical support personnel
In addition, there exist several faculty and staff members and engineers who
specialize in electrical power systems, machines, electronics, communications,
control systems and computer area. These specialists can be consulted whenever
needed. The main team of professionals associated with High Voltage Lab
include:









Professor Dr. Abdulrehman A. Al-Arainy
Professor Dr. Abdulaziz A. Al-Sulaiman
Professor Dr. Nazar Hussain Malik
Assistant Professor Dr. M. Iqbal Qureshi
Associate Professor Dr. Yasin Khan
Assistant Professor Dr. Essam A. Al-Ammar
Engineer Nissar Rasool Wani
Engineer Mohammad Usman
Technician Mohammad Hamaidi
7. Range of Services Provided by Lab:
The High Voltage Lab interacts with industry and provides a variety of services
to different clients. These services include.
 Performing testing on a variety of high voltage equipment.
 Offering specialized courses for training and development of human resource.
 Performing applied research and investigative studies required for industry,
governmental departments, electric utilities and equipment manufacturers/
users etc.
 Performing advanced research on technical topics of current national interest.
 Witnessing type tests as third party experts.
 Providing expert opinion and arbitration as third party in case of disagreement
between the supplier and the user.
 Investigations of causes of failure for different types of high voltage
equipments.
 Working as a multi disciplinary research group to address the design and
assessment of special products for national /regional users.
8. Contact Information:
For any information, please contact.
Prof. Abdulrehman A. Al-Arainy
Manager
High Voltage Laboratory,
Electrical Engineering Department,
College of Engineering,
King Saud University, Riyadh,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Phone Office: 01-4676764
Fax: 01-4676140
Email: aarainy@ksu.edu.sa
or
Prof. Nazar Hussain Malik
Phone Office: 01-4676783
Fax: 01-4676140
Email: nmalik@ksu.edu.sa
or
Engr. Nissar Rasool Wani
Phone Office: 01-4676169/ 4676142
Fax: 01-4676140
Email: nrasool@ksu.edu.sa