The main testing services provided by ICMET Craiova

ICMET Craiova provides its partners with a complex testing infrastructure and advanced solutions for the maintenance of energy equipment.

It is intended for testing:

• Research – development of prototypes and certification of low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage devices and equipment;
• Determining the parameters and effects produced by short-circuit currents in the operation of equipment in electrical networks;
• Calibration of high current devices (shunts, Rogowski cords, etc.);
• Comparative tests between similar laboratories.

• Research and development for the creation of new electrotechnical products and equipment;
• Research for the assimilation of new tests and measurement methods;
• Applied research to determine the performance of low, medium and high voltage equipment;
• Type tests for certification;
• Research in the field of short-circuit currents during switching tests of high voltage equipment;
• Research on the behavior of low, medium and high voltage equipment during short-circuit current withstand tests and their peak value;
• Research on the behavior of low, medium and high voltage equipment during heating tests at long-term currents of the current paths;
• Research on measuring the values of electrical and non-electrical quantities (currents, voltages, pressures, temperatures, resistances, etc.), their processing and recording in high-power tests.

• High voltage tests of IT equipment (transformers, cables, circuit breakers, GIS, etc.) in the electromagnetically shielded hall of ICMET Craiova;
• Full-wave (1.2µs/50µs) and back-cut wave (between 2µs and 8µs) voltage impulse tests at voltages up to 4200kV and energy 336kWs; (LI)
• Tests with applied voltage at frequencies between 25÷150Hz up to 800kV; (AC)
• Single-phase and three-phase induced voltage tests, 5MVA, (AC);
• Continuous voltage tests up to 1200kV/30mA; (DC);
• Switching impulse tests up to 2600kV; (SI);
• External insulation tests under artificial rain for nominal voltage up to 400kV;
• Measurement of partial discharges and radio disturbances and electromagnetic compatibility of high-voltage and high-current equipment.

• Switching capacity for high voltage circuit breakers, fuses, disconnectors: 7.2 kV/63 kA; 12kV/63kA; 24kV/50kA; 36 kV/31.5kA (three-phase); 60kV/31.5kA (single-phase);
• Admissible short-time current test: 135kA/330kA peak (three-phase); 140kA/350kA peak (single-phase);
• Dynamic short-circuit stability: power transformers up to 120MVA/220kV;
• Heating and determination of thermal class at transformer stations: 2000kVA;
• Capacitive current switching tests: 36kV/400A;
• Switching tests of mainly active loads: 36kV/800A;
• Short-circuit tests for arresters: 50kA/1s;
• Pantograph disconnector short-circuit tests (up to 525kV): 63kA/1s or 40kA/3s;
• High power arc tests on insulator strings (up to 420 kV): 50 kA/1s.

• Special (performance) tests such as: internal arc for instrument transformers, high-power arc for insulator strings, determination of thermal class for transformer substations; short-circuit current withstand test for power transformers;
• Shielded high voltage chamber (48m x 32m x 27m) for special and type tests (with 4.2MV pulse generator, 1.2MV AC transformer cascade and 1.1MV DC rectifier cascade, artificial rain equipment);
• Shielded induced voltage test chamber (36m x 32m x 27m) for routine tests.

The installation "System for producing, measuring and recording short-circuit currents - SPMICS" falls into the category of installations of national interest both due to its uniqueness in Romania and due to the strategic role it plays in the development of the Romanian electrotechnical industry by carrying out applied research for local companies:

Retrasib Sibiu, Electrocentrale Elcen-Bucharest, Electromagnetica Bucharest, C&A Company IMPEX SRL, CNC LTD EXIM SRL, Softronic Craiova, Electroputere SA Craiova, SC Necom Iasi, E-Distributie Banat SA, Electroalfa Botosani, Transferoviar Cluj, Energobit Cluj, Maira Montaj Bucharest, Fise Electrica-AISE Oradea, Aerostar Bacau, Spiact Craiova, Spiact Arad, Electrotel Alexandria, Electroputere VFU Pascani, Electro Sistem Baia Mare.

The external compatibility of the installation with European infrastructures is proven by applied research services carried out for top companies in the electrical field such as:

• ABM Intra SRO – Czech Republic;
• Counterparty 35 Ltd – Bulgaria;
• Electtropicena Sud SRL – Italy;
• Drusto SA Orgranicenom Odvornoscu Fabrika Mernih Transformator Zajecar – Serbia;
• IBR Dr. Eng. Roggenbau Engineering GmbH – Germany;
• IGEL Electric GmbH – Germany;
• Inael Electrical System, SA – Spain;
• Engineering Dass – Macedonia;
• JSC "PO ELTECHNICA" – Russia;
• Konkar-Switchgear Inc. – Croatia;
• New Mascherpa SRL – Italy;
• Nikidim M Ltd. – Bulgaria;
• „"High Voltage Union - RZVA" LLC - Ukraine;
• Schneider Electric Sachsenwerk GmbH – Germany;
• Trench Italia Srl – Italy.

• Asia: AK-AY ELEKTRIK DIS TIC. KOLL. KNOW. HASAN GULSEN VE ORT – Turkey, ARMTEK Elektrik San. Ve Tic. AS – Turkey, ASTOR TRANSFORMATOR AS – Turkey, EKOSINERJI ELEKTRIK SANAYI VE TICARET AS – Turkey, ELEKSAN MUHENDISLIK VE DIS TICLTD STI – Turkey, Erkan Elektromekanik Malzemeleri Elek. Muh. Yeh. Ith. Ihr San. Tic. AS – Turkey, EUROPOWER ENERJI VE OTOMASYON TEKNOLOJILERI AS – Turkey, GURAL ELEKTRIK MALZEMELERI TICARET VE SANAYI AS – Turkey, MONOKON ELEKTRIK.AS–Turkey, Ulusoy Elektik Imalat Taahut Ve Tikaret AS–Turkey;
• South Africa: McWade Productions (Pty) Ltd;
• USA: ALSTOM Grid LLC.

The "SPMICS" facility allows research, development and evaluation of technical solutions resulting from the modeling of electromagnetic phenomena and the correction of technological solutions developed at the functional model level. To carry out scientific research activities, the system has the necessary spaces to accommodate equipment for producing high voltages and currents, measurement and control systems, as well as equipment for maintaining environmental conditions required by international standards (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.).

This complex of equipment, measuring and control devices requires rigorous revisions, repairs and checks. The maintenance of the installation is mostly ensured by the ICMET Craiova staff, and for special operations the services of specialized companies are used. The professional training of the specialists who service it is another determining factor that ensures its usefulness both at national and international level.

The "SPMICS" facility is used for the development and certification of high-power and high-voltage equipment. Its beneficiaries are developers and users of equipment from the electrotechnical industry, research and development units, and universities with an electrical profile.

• 🗎 Access to research infrastructure
• 🗎 Activity report on the operation in 2024
• 🗎 Activity report on the operation in 2023
• 🗎 Activity report on the operation in 2022
• 🗎 Access regulations in the SPMICS facility
• 🗎 Organizational chart
• 🗎 Experimental plan

• Shock generator 2500MVA motor-generator group no. 1;
• Shock generator 2500MVA motor-generator group no. 2;
• Shock generator 2500MVA motor-generator group no. 3;
• ATMF engine 2MW engine-generator group no. 1;
• ATMF engine 2MW engine-generator group no. 2;
• ATMF engine 2MW engine-generator group no. 3;
• Shock excitation stand for motor-generator group no. 1;
• Separate excitation for motor-generator group no.2;
• Separate excitation for motor-generator group no. 3;
• Power factor improvement installation for motor-generator group no. 1;
• Power factor improvement installation for motor-generator group no. 2;
• Power factor improvement installation for motor-generator group no. 3.

• Compressed air circuit breakers with high breaking capacity group no. 1;
• Compressed air circuit breakers with high breaking capacity group no. 2;
• Compressed air circuit breakers with high breaking capacity group no. 3;
• Active load test switch;
• Fast and precise switching system, three-phase 24 kV; 100 kA, Group 1;
• Three-phase, ultra-fast, environmentally friendly short-circuit breaker, 24 kV; 100 kArms; 300 kAvarf, Group 2;
• Short circuit in engine-generator group no. 1;
• Short circuit in engine-generator group no. 2;
• Short circuiter motor-generator group no. 3;
• 9 x 80 MVA step-up transformer station;
• Step-down transformer station 4 x 10 MVA;
• Transformer 15MVA, 10.5/6.3kV;
• 6kV power station – LMP;
• 0.4 kV power station – LMP;
• Distribution station 6kV/0.4kV- LMP;
• Direct current station (voltage 220V DC, voltage 24V DC).

• Compressed air installation;
• Lubrication and cooling system related to Group no. 1, Group no. 2, Group no. 3;
• Installation and measurement circuits;
• Automatic test sequence programmers (ATP);
• 3-stage capacitor bank installation (capacitive load);
• TTR adjustment installation with two parameters;
• Reactor coil installation;
• 12KV distribution busbar system;
• 150 KV distribution busbar system;
• Separator test stand;
• External platform for internal arc testing;
• Thermal and dynamic stability testing facility – pantograph separator;
• Fuse tested installation, sequence III;
• Heating test stand;
• Endurance test stand;
• Test cells no.1 ÷ no.8.

• Overhead cranes (12.5 ton overhead crane – LMP Product Preparation Hall, 50 ton overhead crane – LMP Machine Room, 20 ton overhead crane – LIT Induced Voltage Hall, 50 ton overhead crane – LIT Impulse Hall);
• Power installation related to building A, building B, building C, building D – LMP;
• Lighting installation related to building body A, body B, body C, body D – LMP;
• Engine room oil heating station;
• Acoustic and visual warning system;
• Closed circuit video monitoring installation;
• Signaling installation;
• Motor group – direct current generator (0V ÷ 240V dc);
• Intercom installation;
• Earthing protection installation (LMP+LIT+ICMET Pavilion);
• Power and lighting installation (LIT+ ICMET Pavilion);
• LMP cooling tower;
• Generator set + engine (type DGFX 1837-20) + engine 1 (type GMF1316-50) + engine 2 (type GMF 1316-50).

• Partial discharge measurement system;
• HILO TE55 type current pulse generator;
• Anechoic chamber 8[m] x 4[m] x 4[m];
• 1MV direct current testing facility;
• Induced voltage test installation 350kV, 175kVA;
• Impulse test facility – GIT 750kV;
• 200kV test facility;
• 1.2 MV alternating current installation (Cascada);
• 15 kV /35 kV /110kV induced voltage station;
• High voltage connection installation (group - generator);
• 4.2MV voltage impulse testing facility;
• Climatic chamber 36 m3 type KMHW-365;
• Transformer TTU-AL 10 MVA (10 kV /6.3kV);
• Six-phase transformer 4 MVA (10 kV /6.3kV);
• 1600 kVA transformer (10kV/0.4kV);
• 1000 kVA transformer (6kV/0.4kV);
• 3MVA 6 kV/0.6kV transformer.

• 6kV power station – LIT;
• Square wave current generator, 2000 µs/±1.8 kA; 2800 µS/±1.5 kA; 3200 µS/1.2 kA;
• Multiple waveform current generator, 4 µs±0.5 µS /10 µs±1 µS/ ±40 kA; 8 µs±1 µS /20 µs±2 µS/ ±2 kA;
• Digital partial discharge diagnosis and measurement system type LDS 6;
• High voltage test station – 350kV/1A;
• Copeland thermostatic enclosure;
• Thermostatic enclosure 24m3;
• Static material testing machine with digital indicator 01 (3kN…300kN);
• Static material testing machine with digital indicator 02 (3kN…600kN);
• System for determining current and voltage transformer errors;
• C+tgσ measurement system, type TANDO 700 + Capacitors;
• DIRANA OMNICRON kit;
• MEGGER FRAX kit;
• DC measurement system 200 kV/400 kV;
• Reference measurement system consisting of: SIEMENS RC divider + TR-AS 100/10-3;
• System for measuring conducted EMC disturbances;
• System for measuring radiated EMC disturbances, 10 Hz ÷ 7 GHz;
• System for determining conducted EMC immunity;
• System for determining radiated EMC immunity;
• Artificial rain installation;
• LMP Buildings – Building A, Building B, Building C, Building D;
• LIT Buildings - LIT Hall, LIT Machine Room, LIT Laboratory + Pavilion.