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Commercial Testing

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory has always provided a commercial testing service alongside its research activity. Indeed, the original building on the current site was developed specifically for testing submarine fibre optic cables and accessories. Our range of testing capability has increased considerably since that time and we now offer a comprehensive service. If you have not previously used our service, please read the introduction before contacting us, since this may answer some of your questions.

Facilities & Testing Capabilities
	Details of our basic range of test facilities are outlined on this page. We also have additional specialist research experiments and equipment that may be used for commercial testing if required.
Backfill, Sand and Soil
	We undertake the measurement of soil/backfill thermal resisitivity using the single probe approach. We can also determine the relevant characteristic parameters (for example, void ratio, particle size distribution) for backfill materials and have a fully equipped characterisation facility.
Bushings
	We have the capability to test all types of bushing, the only limitations being physical size (to fit in the salt fog chamber) and voltage requirements. We can also perform capacitance and tan delta measurements.
Cable & Accessories
	As one of our specialist areas of activity, we are well-equipped to meet the testing, modelling and consultancy needs of the cable and cable accessory industry.
Forensics
	Non-destructive testing during the process of manufacture and the examination of components that have either failed or have been removed from service based on condition assessment is of primary importance not only to manufacturers but also to system operators. For example, x-ray assessment is a powerful tool for use during manufacture or pre-energisation testing and, in the case of sub-sea cables, can guarantee accessory insulation quality prior to placement on the sea-bed.
Insulators
	The development of new insulator designs and their associated testing is an area in which we have substantial expertise.
Material Characterisation
	A significant proportion of our industrially funded research is concerned with dielectric materials (solid, liquid and gaseous) and measurement of their properties. Consequently we are able to characterise materials in terms of their electrical, mechanical and thermal behaviour.
Switchgear
	The testing of switchgear, related apparatus and enclosures has been a regular activity within the Laboratory since it first opened in 1991.
Transformers / Reactors
	We can test medium voltage transformers and reactors to a range of standards (although there are some limits on the acceptable size and weight (maximum c3 Tonne) of any test object).
Other
	The above eight categories are not exhaustive and if your testing requirements do not fit directly it is still possible that we can provide a service. Over the years we have worked with many clients developing products in areas where international testing standards have yet to be established.