Training Course on Building Services Engineering

9. Electrical Services Part 2

9.1 Standby power and testing

Ir Dr. Sam C. M. Hui

Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Hong Kong
E-mail: [email protected]
Jul 2021
Contents 內容

• Power outage & quality 停電和電能質量

• Backup of normal supply 備用電源

• Standby generator 後備發電機

• Testing of electrical systems 電氣系統測試

Power outage & quality

• Common causes of power supply interruption

• Underground cable damage (e.g. excavation work)
• High voltage (HV) supply cable is faulty/damaged
• Low voltage (LV) network fault
• Equipment failures in the customer installations
• 1. Overload or under-rated equipment
• 2. Improper connections
• 3. Deteriorated insulation or faulty switchgear
• 4. Defective electrical appliances
• 5. Improper setting of protection devices
 Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines
有關在供電電纜附近工作的實務守則

[Source: https://www.emsd.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_443/CoP-WorkingNearElectricitySupplyLines2018.pdf]
 Locating underground electricity cable 確定地下電纜所在

[Source: https://eld.emsd.gov.hk/eic/tc/guideline-for-trade/]
Power outage & quality

• Tips for handling power outage 供電中斷

• If only your own electricity is off, check whether
the main switch or circuit breaker has tripped or if
the fuse has blown
• If other people in your area are also affected,
check whether the building's/estate’s main switch
has tripped or supply from the power company has
been interrupted
• If supply from the power company is off, contact
the power company for assistance
Power outage & quality

• Power quality of electricity supply 電能質量

• Voltage drips (momentary) 電壓驟降
• Origins: faults in transmission power, excessive starting
current of large motor or fault current
• Can cause nuisance tripping of motor or HVAC system
• Mitigation measures:
• Motor circuit design consideration
• Install voltage dip ride-through devices (e.g. for HVAC
systems, lifts & escalators)
• Protect high-pressure discharge lamps with higher voltage dip
ride-through capability
• Undervoltage protective & power conditioning devices
 Causes of voltage dip 電壓驟降的成因

[Source: https://www.clp.com.hk/en/customer-service/electricity-knowledge/voltage-dip]
Power outage & quality

• Power quality of electricity supply (cont’d)

• Harmonics (by non-linear loads) 諧波
• Possible impacts:
• Overheating of motors/transformers & capacitors
• De-rating of electrical wiring & devices
• Decreased motor performance
• Improper operation of protection devices
• Telecommunications interference
• Improper operation of sensitive electronic devices
• Mitigation measures:
• Handling non-linear loads
• Apply harmonics filters
 Harmonics and power quality issues

THD = total harmonic distortion 總諧波失真

[Source: https://cauk.tv/articles/power-quality-issues-harmonics/]
Power outage & quality

• To enhance the reliability of power supply

• Interconnection between different transformers/
11-kV/22-kV sources on customer side
• Dual feed/dual source 兩個供電 / 兩個電源
• Un-interruptible power supply (UPS), standby
generator & other automatic backup supply (ABS)
for important services
• Regular inspection & preventive maintenance of
customer installations
• The discrimination of protective devices
 Interconnection between UPS plus standby generator
transformers at load side for important services
[Source: HEC, 2017. Guide to Connection of Supply, 6th Edition, Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HEC), Hong Kong.]
Backup of normal supply

• Need for standby power supply

• To satisfy statutory fire services requirements
• To maintain essential control & safety systems
• Possible ways of alternative sources to backup
the normal supply during power failure:
• 1) Duplicate mains supply (dual feed)
• 2) Battery supply
• 3) Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• 4) Standby/emergency generating supply
Backup of normal supply

• 1) Duplicate mains supply 重複主電源

• A consumer may require a duplicate supply for
added security and the supply company may agree
to install an extra mains supply cable
• This additional cable will operate in fully in
parallel with the original supply or just as standby.
The additional cable may be fed from a different
point of the supply network of the supply
company (dual feed)
Backup of normal supply

• 2) Battery supply 電池供電

• A battery can be used to provide standby power
• Even for generators, batteries usually provide the
starting power, and are often used to provide
power to essential loads for the initial period,
while the generator is running up to speed
• When a large amount of rechargeable batteries are
used in the installation, usually a separate battery
room is provided
• Batteries are also commonly used in those stand-
alone emergency lighting systems
Backup of normal supply

• 3) Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

• For applications where no interruption of supply
can be tolerated even for a fraction of a second, an
UPS is needed (不間斷電力供應系統)
• Typical applications are computer systems and
information systems
• UPS has been developed rapidly so that its
capacity can up to several hundred of kW
• Many systems available but they broadly follow
the same concept of an AC supply backed to a DC
supply and the use of static changeover switch
Backup of normal supply

• 4) Standby generating plant 後備發電機

• Money spent on standby generating plant can be
described as a non-productive expenditure of
capital. It is therefore in the consumer’s interest to
keep the capital expenditure to a minimum and
also to minimize the amount of fuel that needs to
be stored
• The most commonly used prime mover for
standby set is diesel engine. Today it is more usual
for them to drive AC generator
Backup of normal supply

• 4) Standby generating plant (cont’d)

• Alternative starting techniques are possible,
depends on the applications, the requirements and
the availability of other means of standby supplies:
• Started automatically, following the failure of the mains
supply, with the generator being run up to speed and
switched in immediately
• Started automatically, following the failure of the mains
supply, with the generator being run up to speed, but
standby supply is switched in system only when
required
Backup of normal supply

• 4) Standby generating plant (cont’d)

• Started manually, from a push button on a control panel
adjacent to the generator
• Started manually, form a remote push button, say
located in the main control room of the building
• Start manually & mechanically by using a starting
handle (only for small portable sets)
Standby generator

• Sizing of standby generator

• To determinate the power rating of the “genset”,
not only the total essential loading of connected
electrical equipment needs to be catered for
• Since the starting of a larger motor load may give rise
to an unacceptable voltage drop, thus causing
momentarily dimming of light or the connected motors
may cease to run
• Therefore, the rating of the generator shall cope with
the steady state loading condition as well as the starting
of these loads
Genset examples
Q: What is this for?
 Typical changover arrangement for standby supply

[Source: CLP’s Guide to Supply and Metering Arrangement on Customer’s Internal Distribution System, Version 9 – 09/18]
Standby generator

• Major issues on standby generator

• Fuel supply & cost (e.g. diesel)
• Availability & fuel storage
• Noise (noise attenuation & acoustic enclosure)
• Maintenance & testing
• Emissions (from exhaust)
• Space requirements & location
• Safety (fuel & electrical)
Standby generator

• Location of standby diesel generator

• It should be located in a well ventilated room with
adequate space between machines to allows for
easy repair, checking and maintenance
• It is normally supplied with the engine and
alternator on a common base plate but massive
concrete foundations are neither necessary nor
recommended
• As a rule the machine should be supported in anti-
vibration mounting to reduce the transfer of
vibration through the structure of the building
Standby generator

• Requirements of Fire Services Department

(FSD)
• In the CoP for Minimum Fire Service Installation
and Equipment, it lists statutory requirements on
standby generator, the diesel engine, fuel storage,
installation of the genset, engine starting,
operation of the genset, maintenance & testing,
generator room, service tank room, and also on
controls, safety devices & control panel/ cubicle of
the genset
Testing of electrical systems and installation
Testing of electrical systems

• First inspection, testing and certification 首次

檢查、測試及發出證明書
• For new work, alternation or addition
• By a Registered Electrical Worker (REW)
• Certification on the design
• Certification on the installation
• Work completion certificate 完工證明書
• Before it is energised
 Testing of electrical systems
定期檢查、測試及發出證明書
• Periodic inspection, testing and certification
• Fixed installation requiring annual inspection
• Place of public entertainment
• Premises for manufacturing/storing of dangerous goods
• High voltage installations
• Fixed installation requiring inspection every 5 yrs.
• Factories & industrial undertakings > 200 A
• Any premises > 100 A
• Hotels, hospitals, schools/universities, etc.
• Periodic test certificate (Form WR2)
(See also: Periodic Test for Fixed Electrical Installations
http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/electricity_feipt.shtml)
 Testing of electrical systems

• Periodic inspection, testing & certification (PITC)

• 1. Employ Registered Electrical Worker (REW) of
appropriate grade
• 2. Arrange power suspension
• 3. PITC work for distribution circuit
• 4. PITC work for low voltage switchboard
• 5. Record all inspection & testing results
• 6. Resume power
• 7. Issue periodic test certificate & testing records
• 8. Submit to EMSD for endorsement
[Source: https://www.emsd.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_440/Leaflet_PITC.pdf]
Testing of electrical systems

• Inspection of L.V. installations, e.g.

• Adequacy of working space & access
• Connection & sizes of conductors
• Fire protection
• Protection against electric shock
• Isolation & switching
• Overcurrent protective devices
• Warning notices and labels
• Diagrams, instructions & other info.
Testing of electrical systems

• Testing procedures (in correct sequence)

• Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
• Continuity of protective conductors, including
main and supplementary equipotential bonding
• Earth electrode resistance
• Insulation resistance
• Polarity
• Earth fault loop impedance
• Functions of all protective devices
• Functions of all items of equipment
Continuity test of ring final circuit 環形最終電路的電氣連續性測試
Continuity Testers Digital Multimeter
Insulation resistance to earth test 絕緣電阻測試
 Minimum values of insulation resistance

Circuit nominal Test voltage d.c. Minimum

voltage (Volts) (Volts) insulation
resistance
(megaohms)
Extra-low voltage * 250 0.25

Up to 500 V 500 0.5

Above 500 V 1,000 1.0

* When the circuit is supplied from a safety isolating transformer

or safety extra-low voltage (SELV).
Insulation Tester (MegOhmMeter) 絕緣測試儀表
Earth Bonding Resistance Meter
接地接駁電阻測試儀表
Insulation resistance test between phases 絕緣電阻測試
Polarity test 極性測試
Earth electrode resistance test 接地極電阻測試
Test of earth electrode resistance having four or more electrodes
Testing of electrical systems

• Earth fault loop impedance 接地故障環路阻抗

• Measured by a phase-earth loop tester
• Functions of all protective devices
• Checked by residual current device tester (built-in)
• Checked by hand operation (MCB, MCCB, ACB)
• Additional checks for hazardous environment
• Such as dangerous goods (DG) stores & industrial
process
 Earth fault loop impedance test 接地故障環路阻抗測試

[Source: http://www.ksmak-sir.com/pdf/EIT.zip]
 Test of residual current device (RCD) 電流式漏電斷路器的測試

[Source: http://www.ksmak-sir.com/pdf/EIT.zip]
 Electrical wiring test record form 電力線路測試記錄表

[Source: http://www.ksmak-sir.com/pdf/EIT.zip]
 Circuit breakers test 斷路器測試

[Source: https://topcolighting.com/2020/01/22/circuit-breakers-test/]
 Testing of motor control circuit using resistance tester

[Source: http://www.ksmak-sir.com/pdf/Note_control_wiring.pdf]