Commissioning & Troubleshooting

Commissioning & Acceptance Testing

ANSI/NETA ATS acceptance testing and end-to-end commissioning of electrical power and protection systems, verifying equipment, wiring, settings, and trip paths before first energization.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

Scope

Acceptance · functional · system testing

Deliverable

Detailed technical commissioning documentation

Standards

ANSI/NETA ATS · IEC 61850

Commissioning & Acceptance Testing – NewEra Testing

Service Overview

Every device and protection function proven before energization.

Acceptance testing proves each piece of equipment is undamaged, correctly installed, and within manufacturer tolerances. Commissioning proves the system works together. NewEra Testing delivers both: ANSI/NETA ATS testing of switchgear, transformers, and cable, followed by functional verification of protection and control schemes, including secondary injection, trip checks, IEC 61850 GOOSE validation, and VFD startup. Relay settings are applied and verified as issued by the engineer of record.

Equipment covered

Protective relays and relay panels

Medium- and low-voltage switchgear

Circuit breakers and disconnect switches

Power and distribution transformers

Instrument transformers (CTs and PTs)

Medium-voltage cable systems

IEC 61850 communication networks

Variable frequency drives and motors

Generator and motor protection schemes

Testing & Capabilities

From Component Acceptance to Full System Verification

Testing follows a deliberate sequence: individual equipment, then wiring and control schemes, then the integrated system. Each stage is verified and documented before energization.

Equipment Acceptance Testing

Insulation resistance, contact resistance, breaker timing, TTR, winding resistance, and power factor testing of switchgear and transformers per ANSI/NETA ATS.

Equipment Acceptance Testing

Insulation resistance, contact resistance, breaker timing, TTR, winding resistance, and power factor testing of switchgear and transformers per ANSI/NETA ATS.

Relay Settings & Secondary Injection

Settings applied as issued by the engineer of record, then verified by three-phase secondary injection across overcurrent, differential, and distance elements.

Relay Settings & Secondary Injection

Settings applied as issued by the engineer of record, then verified by three-phase secondary injection across overcurrent, differential, and distance elements.

CT & PT Verification

Ratio, polarity, excitation, and burden checks, plus primary injection where required, confirming the relay sees what the power system does.

CT & PT Verification

Ratio, polarity, excitation, and burden checks, plus primary injection where required, confirming the relay sees what the power system does.

Trip Checks & In-Service Readings

Trip, close, interlock, and alarm paths exercised end to end, with phasing and in-service load readings confirmed at energization.

Trip Checks & In-Service Readings

Trip, close, interlock, and alarm paths exercised end to end, with phasing and in-service load readings confirmed at energization.

IEC 61850 & Time Sync

GOOSE messaging integrity, communication architecture, and IRIG-B, SNTP, or PTP time sources validated so protection logic and event records perform as intended.

IEC 61850 & Time Sync

GOOSE messaging integrity, communication architecture, and IRIG-B, SNTP, or PTP time sources validated so protection logic and event records perform as intended.

VFD Startup & Commissioning

Speed references, ramp profiles, fault response logic, and I/O configured and verified on ABB, Danfoss, Eaton, Allen-Bradley, Toshiba, and Siemens drives.

VFD Startup & Commissioning

Speed references, ramp profiles, fault response logic, and I/O configured and verified on ABB, Danfoss, Eaton, Allen-Bradley, Toshiba, and Siemens drives.

Applicable Standards

Performed to recognized industry standards.

ANSI/NETA ATS

Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems

IEC 61850

Communication Networks and Systems for Power Utility Automation

IEEE 1588

Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems

IEC 60255

Measuring Relays and Protection Equipment

NFPA 70E

Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

From the Field

Methodology

How every job runs.

Scope & Review

We review drawings, one-lines, and the settings issued by the engineer of record or client before mobilizing.

Scope & Review

We review drawings, one-lines, and the settings issued by the engineer of record or client before mobilizing.

Safe Mobilization

Job briefing, hazard awareness, arc flash precautions, and proper PPE are in place before any test begins.

Safe Mobilization

Job briefing, hazard awareness, arc flash precautions, and proper PPE are in place before any test begins.

Test & Verify

Relay settings are applied and verified; equipment is tested against ANSI/NETA and manufacturer acceptance criteria.

Test & Verify

Relay settings are applied and verified; equipment is tested against ANSI/NETA and manufacturer acceptance criteria.

Document & Deliver

Detailed technical documentation records results, as-left settings, and deficiencies — ready for your records and the next test cycle.

Document & Deliver

Detailed technical documentation records results, as-left settings, and deficiencies — ready for your records and the next test cycle.

Related Services

Related services

All Services

Protective relay testing and commissioning

Protective Relay Testing & Commissioning

Field testing and commissioning of protective relays: settings applied and verified, protection functions proven by secondary injection, and trip paths confirmed end to end.

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Relay testing equipment and laptop in a switchgear lineup

Secondary Injection Testing

Three-phase secondary injection testing of protective relays. Pickup, timing, and logic verified across overcurrent, differential, and distance elements, documented to ANSI/NETA test specifications.

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Protection & Control Systems

Field commissioning, inspection, and troubleshooting of complete protection and control systems: relay logic, IEC 61850 communications, time synchronization, and the schemes that tie them together.

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FAQs

Answers to common questions

What is the difference between acceptance testing and commissioning?

Acceptance testing verifies individual equipment against ANSI/NETA ATS and manufacturer criteria. Commissioning verifies the integrated system: protection schemes, control logic, communications, and trip paths working together as intended. Most projects need both, in that order.

Who provides the relay settings you test?

Settings are issued by the engineer of record or the client. NewEra Testing applies them to the relay, then verifies enabled protection elements and logic through secondary injection and functional testing. Any result that departs from expected behavior is documented and returned for resolution.

Can you commission IEC 61850 substations with GOOSE messaging?

Yes. Commissioning includes IEC 61850 communication validation, GOOSE messaging integrity checks, time synchronization validation, and protocol-level diagnostics, so digital trip and interlock signals are proven with the same rigor as hardwired ones.

What documentation do we receive at the end?

Detailed technical documentation covering test results, as-left relay settings, verified relay performance, and any deficiencies with their resolution status. It gives the owner a documented baseline for future maintenance testing.

What is the difference between acceptance testing and commissioning?

Who provides the relay settings you test?

Can you commission IEC 61850 substations with GOOSE messaging?

What documentation do we receive at the end?

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com

Switchgear lineup with protective relays and control devices

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com