Solutions High Power Testing
Core Services
Short-time Withstand Current Testing
The short-time and peak withstand current tests are critical tests on power equipment to ensure their capability to withstand thermal and mechanical stresses due to a fault current.
Capabilities
Our lab can precisely control the test current and duration in order to meet the symmetrical and asymmetrical current withstand requirements up to 90 kArms/240 kApeak single phase or 75kArms/200 kApeak three phase.
Products
The short-time and peak current withstand tests are performed on most electrical equipment, including switchgear, transformers, arresters, fuses, portable safety grounds, cables, bus, and connectors.
Switching and Interrupting Testing
Switching and interrupting tests are critical to verify a switchgear’s capability for making and breaking current under different conditions to ensure safe and reliable operation under normal and fault conditions.
Capabilities
Our lab can provide various types of switching and interrupting tests, including load switching, cable charging, line charging, fault-making, short-circuit breaking, time-current, minimum trip, and switching duty tests.
Our lab can provide fault current at rated voltage up to 38 kV and 670 MVA for three-phase tests, and 44.8 kV and 400 MVA for single-phase tests. The lab has source and load components to control the fault current, X/R ratio, load requirements, and TRV parameters.
Products
Switching and interrupting tests are commonly performed on components on the electrical grid, such as reclosers, fault interrupters, fuses, circuit breakers, load break switches, capacitor switches, metal-enclosed switchgear, and separable insulated connectors.
Internal Arc and Power Arc Testing
Power Arc testing verifies an equipment’s ability to contain internal arc faults or resistance to external arcing events and ensures enclosures can withstand arc faults without ejecting flame or debris. The testing ensures the protection of personnel and prevention of catastrophic failures.
Internal Arc Tests
Our lab can provide internal arc and arc-resistance tests on metal-enclosed switchgear up to 40 kArms. The lab is equipped with panels of cotton indicators required to detect ignition/flame exposure, as well as high speed video systems to capture arc flash events.
Power Arc Tests
The lab can provide power arc testing on insulators and bushings to verify they can withstand arc fault events without breakdown or mechanical damage. The power arc tests are typically surface arcs initiated using a fuse wire across the length of the insulator. The lab is capable of testing pin/post insulators, short strings of cap and pin insulators, and suspension insulators up to 50 kArms single phase or 40 kArms three phase.
Custom Test Programs
Our team of experienced engineers can assist with planning and execution of custom, non-standard test programs where high voltage, high current tests are required. Examples are research testing, new and novel product development, and spark generation and wildfire ignition testing.
Why Choose Powertech?
Test for the Real World
Simulate lightning strikes, fault currents, grid interactions, and high-temperature operating conditions with the precision needed to uncover design limitations and verify resilience.
Comply with Confidence
Align your testing with globally recognized standards (IEC, IEEE, CSA, UL) and interconnection requirements—supported by engineers who understand the path to certification and market entry.
Accelerate Innovation
Use our data-rich results to inform product development, troubleshoot weak points, and validate performance before launch.
Work with People Who Get It
Our team includes deeply experienced high-voltage specialists who’ve tested thousands of products and systems across generations of electrical infrastructure.
Applicable Standards
Testing aligned with: IEC, IEEE, CSA, UL, NERC, ISO interconnection and equipment standards.
How This Applies to Your Industry
Utilities
Validate transformer, switchgear, and cable performance under fault and surge conditions. Ensure compliance with NERC and grid integration requirements.
Electrical OEMs
Certify high-voltage equipment for type testing and market entry. Reduce time to compliance with repeatable, standards-aligned testing.
Government and Public Sector
Support infrastructure development with accredited high-voltage testing aligned to public safety and regulatory requirements.
“When failure isn’t an option, you need more than a test—you need proof. That’s what our High Power Lab delivers.”
Logan Connaughton
Division Manager, High Energy Applied Testing
Push Boundaries. Prove Performance.
When your equipment is expected to perform under the most extreme electrical conditions, there’s no room for uncertainty. Powertech’s High Power Lab delivers the confidence you need—through rigorous, standards-aligned testing that mirrors the real world.
Whether you're qualifying new designs, validating fault performance, or preparing for certification, our accredited lab and expert engineers help you uncover vulnerabilities, verify resilience, and move forward with clarity.
Let’s design a test plan that meets your technical, safety, and compliance goals. Reach out today.
Logan Connaughton
Division Manager, High Energy Applied Testing
email us | 604.590.7500
Let's Work Together.
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