::Electrical Research and Development Association::

ORGANIZATION

Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA) is a not-for-profit professional Research Association of the Indian Electrical Industry and Utilities. ERDA was established with the financial support of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India and the State Government of Gujarat.

MISSION

To achieve excellence by virtue of competence through R&D, testing, calibration, training and information dissemination. To improve quality and reduce cost of equipment, materials and services for electrical industries, utilities and users of electricity.


120 kA Short – Circuit Transformer	Electrical Endurance Test for 1kA, 415V	Six Position Automated Test Bench for Energy Meters for 200 A	Goniophotometer with Lumbase Software

Accreditations & Recognitions

ERDA is Accredited / Recognized as under:

International Accreditations/Recognitions

	Intertek Testing & Certification Ltd., UK (ASTA Certification, UK)
	Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Abu Dhabi
	Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia
	UL India Private Ltd. (UL, USA Certification)
	Certification after Recognition of Agent's Testing (CARAT), TÜV-PS Germany
	Canadian Standard Association

National Accreditations/Recognitions

	National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Govt. of India
	Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Govt. of India
	Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Govt. of India
	Dept. of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
	Ministry of New and Renewal Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India
	Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Govt. of India
	Central Boiler Board, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India
	Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India
	Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institute (DGFASLI), Govt. of India
	Petroleum Conservation Research Association, Govt. of India
	Petroleum Explosive & Safety Organizations (PESO), Govt. of India
	Integrated Headquarters (Ministry of Defense, Navy) for EMI/EMC testing of Naval Equipment
	Commissioner of Electricity, Gujarat
	Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra
	Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA)
	Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA)
	Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA)
	Energy Management Centre, Dept. of Power, Kerala
	Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission, Gandhinagar
	Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bhopal

l) Major Certification Testing & Calibration Services at a Glance

1) Short Circuit Station

Three “On-line Short Circuit test stations” having capability for testing 120 kA, 575 V switchgear products.

Major Test facilities

Major Products Tested

1.1) Distribution Transformers

-	Thermal & Dynamic ability to withstand short circuit tests upto 33 kV, 4000 kVA distribution transformers
-	Thermal & Dynamic ability to withstand short circuit tests upto 11 kV, 1600 kVA distribution transformers
-	Thermal & Dynamic ability to withstand short circuit tests upto 22 kV, 1000 kVA distribution transformer

-	LV ACBs & MCCBs
-	LV Switches, Disconnectors, SFUs
-	Contactors and Motor Starters
-	Low Voltage Fuses (HRC)
-	Low Voltage Switchgear & Control gear Assemblies
-	Electric Power Connectors
-	Distribution Transformers
-	Current Transformers

1.2) Current Transformers:

- Short time withstand current test upto 400 kV class, 50 kA for 3 Sec or 120 kA for 1 sec.

1.3) Switchgear & Control gear Products:

-	120 kA, 570 V Short circuit making & breaking capacity.
-	120 kA for 1 sec. or 70 kA for 3 sec. short time withstand current test
-	120 kA, 570 V breaking capacity for HRC fuse links.
-	Performance of integrally fused circuit breakers.
-	All other pre and post tests as per National and International Standards.

2) HV Testing : Impulse Generators 1600 kV, 80 kJ: 1200 kVp, 60 kJ; 800 kVp, 40 kJ

-	HV Lightning Impulse test
-	HV Switching Impulse test
-	HV Dry / Wet Power frequency test
-	Capacitance and Tan delta measurement
-	Partial discharge measurement
-	Insulation Resistance / Polarization index
-	Losses and Temperature rise tests
-	RIV, Corona measurement
-	HVCalibration, CT/PT Calibration Measurement of Earthing system

-	Power & Distribution Transformers,
-	Instrument Transformers
-	Insulators, Bushings, Isolators
-	HV Switchboards, Breakers
-	Transmission Line Hardware
-	HT Cables, Joints, Accessories
-	LT/HT Capacitors
-	Lightning Arresters

3) Switchgear

-	Temperature-rise test facilities up to 20kA
-	Time-current characteristics up to 40kA
-	Electrical endurance test up to 2.5kA at 690V
-	Mechanical endurance test for HT Circuit Breaker up to 145kV
-	24kV Impulse Generator
-	Feeder Load Unit

-	IP 40 Tonnes ( IP 5X & 6X ) test
	Low voltage switchgear and control gear Circuit breakers
-	Electrical accessories – Circuit breakers for over current protection for household and similar installations
-	Low voltage switchgear and control gear switches, disconnectors, switch disconnectors and fuse combination units

4) Motors & Pumps

-	Automated Pump Testing Facility up to 150 HP, 8” Size, 50 Hz & 60 Hz
-	Automated Motor Testing Facility up to 150 HP, 50 Hz & 60 Hz
-	Automated Engine Testing Facility up to 150 HP
-	Automated Alternator Testing Facility up to 20 kVA rating

-	Submersible Pumps
-	Pumpsets
-	Motors
-	IC Engines
-	Alternators

5) Cables & Wires

-	Accelerated ageing, Ultraviolet weathering
-	Thermal stability tests, Digital High Resistivity
-	Partial Discharge, High current source (Induction type)
-	Tubular ageing ovens, Digital micro ohm meter
-	Impulse test facilities upto 1200 kVp
-	Universal Schering Bridge, Faraday Cage
-	AC – DC high voltage testing equipment
-	Universal testing machine

-	Cables & Wires
-	Conductors
-	Hand Gloves

6) Appliances

-	Input & Current, Temperature rise
-	Endurance test
-	Mechanical strength test
-	Resistance heat & fire
-	Energy consumption test
-	Ceiling Fans, Washing Machines

-	Electric Water Heaters
-	Electric Irons
-	Primary & Secondary Batteries
-	Switches & Socket-outlet,
-	Thermostats
-	Refrigerators
-	Microwave Ovens

Refrigerator Testing Laboratory

7) Mechanical

-	Vibration Measurement and Analysis
-	Noise / Sound Measurement
-	Shock Pulse Measurement (SPM)
-	Ferrography Analysis
-	Tensile, Bend, & Torsion tests
-	Damper Testing
-	Salt Spray Facility

-	Thermo mechanical test facility
-	Conductors
-	Insulators
-	T&D Hardware
-	Electronic Instruments
-	Engineering Products

8) Liquid Dielectrics

-	Dissolved Gas Analysis
-	DP measurement
-	Gassing tendency of insulating oil
-	Compatibility of solid insulating materials with oil
-	Dielectric Properties
-	Viscosity
-	Breakdown Voltage
-	Transformer Oil (new and in services)
-	Lube Oil

Gas Chromatography

9) Solid Dielectrics & Polymers

-	Special tests like UV Ageing and Artificial Pollution.
-	Furan Analysis
-	Characterization of Polymeric Materials
-	Metallurgical Analysis
-	Degree of Polymerization of Paper
-	Tensile Properties
-	Arc Resistance
-	Permeability
-	Break Down Voltage (BDV)
-	Dielectric Properties (tan δ)

-	Papers
-	Press phan papers
-	Press boards
-	Laminates
-	Cable jointing compounds
-	Adhesive tapes
-	Varnishes
-	Putties
-	Rubber mats

10) Energy Meters

-	All type tests as per IS, IEC, calibration at site and lab upto 0.02 class
-	On-site checking and analysis of burnt / faulty meters

-	AC Induction Watt-hour Meters, Class 0.5, 1&2
-	AC Static Watt-hour Meters Class 1&2
-	AC Static CT operated Electrical Energy Meters (Trivector meters)

11) EMI/EMC : 10 m3 Anechoic Chamber

-	Radio Interference / Disturbance Measurement
-	Electrical Fast Transient/Burst immunity test
-	Electrostatic Discharge immunity test

-	Energy Meters
-	Electronic Products
-	Defense equipment

12) Soft Magnetic Materials

-	Total Core loss
-	B-H Curve
-	Polarization
-	Magnetization
-	Stacking factor
-	Insulation Resistance
-	Ductility

-	CRGO Laminations
-	CRNO Laminations
-	Toroids
-	Stampings
-	Sheets

ll) Calibration Services – Approved by NABL

1. Electrical

2. Thermal

3. Mechanical

-	Precision Multi Meter
-	Power Meter
-	Micro Meter
-	Relay test kits

-	Temperature Simulation (Indicator/controller/scanner, etc.)
-	Temperature Measurement (Sensors, bath, etc.)

-	Digital Vernier Caliper / Vernier Caliper
-	Digital Micrometer / Micrometer
-	Plunger Dial Gauge
-	Verification of uniaxial testing machines, Dynamometer etc. at site

lll) Field Technical Services

ERDA provides a wide range of field technical services at site. These services include the following:

1) Electrical Diagnostics for Generators / Transformers

-	ELCID (Electromagnetic Core Imperfection Test Detection) – for motor, & generator core failure detection
-	Partial Discharge (PD) Measurement Test (on line / off line) – for PD in HV equipment, & machines, HT Cables & Laminations, HV Switchyard equipment
-	Current Signature Analysis – for AC/DC motors & alternators to detect a variety of faults
-	Sweep Frequency Response Analysis (SFRA) – For mechanical integrity of transformers
-	Dielectric Response Analysis – Time & frequency domain implementation of polarization / depolarization for faults in insulation system of electrical machines
-	Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA) – For detection of faults in motors
-	Acoustic Emissions – For fault identification in bearings, gears, motors, fans, pumps, alternators, & variable speed drives, etc.
-	C & tan delta measurements
-	Insulation resistance (IR) & polarization index (PI)
-	Transformer Oil Tests
-	Dissolved Gas Analysis

2) Mechanical Diagnostics & Residual Life Assessment

The mechanical RLA & NDT group conducts tests on thermal, gas, nuclear, & hydro power plants as well as on equipment of chemical & process industry. Equipment covered includes heat exchangers, boilers, piping, turbines, gear boxes, reciprocating machinery, compressors, pump, motors, shafting, etc.

The major mechanical tests for condition monitoring & residual life assessment of equipment and machinery in power & process plants are as below:

-	Visual Inspection (VI)
-	Dimensional Measurement (DIM)
-	Dye Penetrant Testing (DPT)
-	Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)
-	Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (UT-F)
-	Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UT-T)
-	Ultrasonic Hydrogen Embitterment (UT-H)
-	Radiography (RT)
-	Eddy Current Testing (ECT)

-	In-Situ Metallography (RPL)
-	Hardness Measurement (HT)
-	Remote Visual Inspection by Fibroscopy,
-	Boroscopy and Videoscopy(RVI-F)/(RVI-B)/(RVI-VS)
-	In-situ Chemical Analysis (CA)
-	Natural Frequency Test for Turbine Blades (NFT)
-	Noise & Sound Analysis (NSA)*
-	Thermography

Tests conducted on operational plant equipment only
Note: ERDA is recognized by Central Boiler Board as “Well known Remnant Life Assessment Organization Under Indian Boiler Act 1950

3) Energy Management & Audits

-	Power Plants
-	Process Plants (chemical, steel, petrochemicals, engineering sectors)
-	Municipal Corporations
-	Hospitals, Diaries, Commercial Buildings

4) Power Systems & Network Studies

Power system operations have already become complex due to many factors. Expansion and interconnection of individual systems to improve reliability has added to this complexity. The operation of a network economically without jeopardizing security is the focus of operating engineers. Availability of a large number of computer packages can assist power engineers in handling the complexities of power systems.

ERDA has capabilities for solving Power System problems by utilizing Sophisticated Computer Softwares in the areas of Load Flow, Short Circuit, Relay Coordination, Transient Stability, Dynamic Stability, Voltage Instability, Power Evacuation Studies, Islanding Strategy, Failure analysis Study, Harmonic Content Analysis etc. ERDA has MI-POWER and in-house developed POWERTRACK softwares for this purpose. ERDA is engaged by many utilities for carrying out independent quality checks.

ERDA regularly deputes large teams of skilled engineers to various sites to carry out third party inspection, supervision and monitoring as per REC norms. ERDA also conducts field studies which include consumer indexing, asset codification using GPS instruments, design of HVDS systems, preparation of BOM/BOQ for feeders, etc.

5) Third Party Inspection (TPI)

With a strong technical base and potential, ERDA has created a specialized group of talented, qualified and experienced engineers to cater to the industry demand of providing third party inspection services. Our strong fundamentals and organizational support is creating significant value addition to the quality of our services in TPI.

IV) Research & Development – Technology Centre

Areas of Research:

1. Advanced Materials (TM1)

2. Renewable Energy (TM2)

3. Diagnostics (TM3)

4. Power Systems (TM4)

5. Product Development (TM5)

ERDA has developed more than fifty technologies. Few of them are follows as:

1) Technologies Developed

Smart Materials (TM1)

-	Fire Retardant Coating
-	RTV Silicone Coating
-	Electro less Nickel coating
-	Polymeric Coating for under water system
-	Water Soluble Insulating Coating

-	New Polymeric Material for wiring accessories
-	Martensitic low alloy steel hammer ring
-	Bird Deterrent Compound

Testing & Measuring Instruments/Products (TM5)

-	Low Voltage Impulse Generator
-	Short Time Over Current test setup for Energy meter

-	Voltage dips & Interruption test setup
-	Glow Wire Test Apparatus

Electrical Equipment / Products (TM5)

-	On line Fault Sensor
-	Energy Efficient Submersible Pump set
-	Frequency Trend Meter
-	DC MCBs for 5 kA, 130 V DC fault level
-	Fault Current Limiter for LT Switchgear & Appliances
-	Thermosyphon for Power Transformers

-	Electronic ballast for HPSV/TFL Lamps
-	Active Power Filter
-	Online Condition monitoring tool for Induction motors (MCSA)
-	Pump Turbine for Standalone Power Generation
-	LEDs based rechargeable lamp


sensor	Submersible pumpset	Frequency Trend Meter

DC MCB	Fault Current Limiter	Thermosyphon for Power Transformers

Short Time Over Current test set up	New Polymeric Material for Wiring Accessories	Low Voltage Impulse Generator

Electronic Ballast	Active Power Filter	Online Condition Monitoring Tool for Induction Motors (MCSA)

Pump Turbine for Standalone Power Generation	LED based Stand Alone Lamp	Fire retardant Coating

Current Surge Tester for RCCB	Voltage Dips & Interruption Test Set up	Glow Wire Test Apparatus

RTV Silicone coating	Polymeric Coating for Under Water System	Martensitic Low Alloy Steel Hammer Ring

LT Air Circuit Breaker		Zero Flux CT

2) Pilot Plant Facilities for R&D
-	Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
-	X-Ray Differactometer (XRD)
-	Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS)
-	Plasticorder
-	Compression Molding Machine
	Vacuum Coating Unit
	Extruder

		Scanning Electron Microscope Equipped with Electron Dispersive Spectrometer	X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)

3) Simulation, Modeling, & Numerical Analysis

An Engineering analysis center has been established in the R&D Center. This center is equipped with advanced numerical analysis packages based on Finite Element / Finite Volume methods for electromagnetic, structural, thermal, dynamical and coupled analysis.

V) Documentation & Training Services

Major Services include:

-	Technical Library Publications
-	Abstracts of Current Technical Literature in Electrical Engineering
-	ERDA News

-	Technical Reports
-	Literature Surveys
-	Training Courses, Seminars, Workshops, Publicity Materials