Protection & Controls

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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Call (321) 550-1192

Scope

Commissioning · maintenance · emergency validation

Deliverable

Verified relay performance · test reports

Standards

ANSI · NETA · IEEE · IEC

Protective Relay Testing & Commissioning – NewEra Testing

Service Overview

Every protection function verified before it’s called on.

Protective relays sit idle until the moment they matter. NewEra Testing proves they will operate as intended. Our field teams apply settings issued by the engineer of record or client, then verify each protection function by secondary injection: pickup, timing, slope, and reach. Trip outputs, CT and PT circuits, and breaker operation are confirmed end to end, with every test performed to ANSI, NETA, IEEE, and IEC standards.

Equipment covered

Multifunction microprocessor relays

Feeder and overcurrent relays

Transformer differential relays

Generator protection relays

Motor protection relays

Line distance relays

Electromechanical and solid-state relays

Lockout and auxiliary relays

Current and voltage transformers

Testing & Capabilities

Beyond standard protection function verification

Comprehensive three-phase testing across overcurrent, differential, and distance elements, plus the logic, instrument transformer circuits, and trip paths that make protection work in service.

Secondary Injection Testing

Three-phase injection verifies pickup, timing curves, and dropout for overcurrent (50/51), differential (87), and distance (21) elements against issued settings.

Secondary Injection Testing

Three-phase injection verifies pickup, timing curves, and dropout for overcurrent (50/51), differential (87), and distance (21) elements against issued settings.

Relay Programming & Logic

Settings loaded as issued by the engineer of record or client; programmable logic, I/O mapping, and alarms verified point by point.

Relay Programming & Logic

Settings loaded as issued by the engineer of record or client; programmable logic, I/O mapping, and alarms verified point by point.

CT & PT Verification

CT ratio, polarity, excitation (saturation), and burden checks; PT ratio and polarity; secondary wiring verified from terminal blocks to relay inputs.

CT & PT Verification

CT ratio, polarity, excitation (saturation), and burden checks; PT ratio and polarity; secondary wiring verified from terminal blocks to relay inputs.

Trip Path Testing

Trip, close, lockout (86), and breaker-failure circuits proven by operating the actual breaker or lockout where system conditions permit.

Trip Path Testing

Trip, close, lockout (86), and breaker-failure circuits proven by operating the actual breaker or lockout where system conditions permit.

Asset Protection Verification

Transformer, generator, and motor protection proven: differential, stator ground, loss of field, reverse power, thermal overload, phase imbalance, and stall elements.

Asset Protection Verification

Transformer, generator, and motor protection proven: differential, stator ground, loss of field, reverse power, thermal overload, phase imbalance, and stall elements.

As-Found / As-Left Reporting

Each test recorded against settings with as-found and as-left values, pass/fail results, and deficiencies flagged for correction.

As-Found / As-Left Reporting

Each test recorded against settings with as-found and as-left values, pass/fail results, and deficiencies flagged for correction.

Applicable Standards

Performed to recognized industry standards.

ANSI/NETA ATS

Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems

ANSI/NETA MTS

Maintenance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems

IEEE C37.2

Standard for Electrical Power System Device Function Numbers, Acronyms, and Contact Designations

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

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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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.

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FAQs

Answers to common questions

What does secondary injection testing verify?

It injects calibrated currents and voltages into the relay from a test set to confirm each protection element picks up, times, and trips as set. Three-phase testing covers overcurrent, differential, and distance functions, including slope, reach, and directional characteristics.

Do you develop the relay settings?

No. Settings are applied and verified as issued by the engineer of record or client. We confirm the relay performs to that settings file and report any discrepancy before the equipment is placed in service.

Can you respond to a relay misoperation?

Yes. We support routine commissioning and emergency field validation. A field service technician is dispatched on request to review event records, test the relay, and help determine whether settings, wiring, or the device caused the operation.

What documentation do we receive after testing?

A detailed technical report with test results against the issued settings, as-found and as-left data, CT and trip-circuit verification, and any deficiencies noted, giving you a verified record of relay performance.

What does secondary injection testing verify?

Do you develop the relay settings?

Can you respond to a relay misoperation?

What documentation do we receive after testing?

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