CERDA Testing Laboratory

CERDA Testing Laboratory

Certified and Independent

CERDA Testing Laboratory - Certified and Independent

Located in Villeurbanne, France, CERDA was established in 1929. CERDA and General Electric (GE Vernova) share the same site, allowing proximity and partnership for research and engineering of new equipment.

Quality and Confidentiality

To demonstrate its committment to quality, neutrality and impartiality, CERDA is recognized and accredited by a number of organizations, and tests according to a variety of standards.

• COFRAC accredited for testing equipment according to ISO/IEC 17025
• ASEFA certified to provide a full certification with inspector
• ESEF and STL national and international association memberships for full netrality and impartiality
• Tests are performed according to IEC, IEEE, EN, VDE, GOST, FURNAS, GB, DL and other standards or customer specifications

High Power Testing

The high power testing laboratory at CERDA provides the full short circuit test program according to international and regional standards, and is equipped with modern and reliable measurement tools.

High Power Testing Portfolio

• Basic short circuit test dutiesFull pole 420 kV / 63 kA / 50 HzHalf pole 550 kV / 63 kA / 50 Hz
• Short line fault tests duties, artificial line simulation up to 63 kA
• Capacitive current switching tests, 420 kV / 63 kA / 50 Hz full pole
• Out of phase making and breaking tests300 kV full pole420 kV and higher in half poleInternal arc tests up to 63 kA
• Commutation switching tests in DC
• Power supply di/dt measurement using Rogowski coils
• Arc voltage measurement tests

Technical Capabilities

• Maximum generator output: 2 x 2,500 MVA
• Maximum short-circuit current (single): 100 kA
• Maximum voltage for synthetic tests: 1,000 kV
• Frequency: 50/60 Hz
• 3 x testing halls

Medium Power Testing

The medium power station is equipped with two transformers with 23 MVA each, and it can reach up to 46 MVA in combination. This laboratory is able to perform tests from 10 V to 850 V and up to 4,000 A, when coupled with one regulator transformer.

Medium Power Testing Portfolio

• Short time current withstand up to 80 kA rms for3 seconds and 160 kAp
• Disconnector busbar transfer current up to 4,000 A
• Earthing switch breaking and making of inductive currents
• Transformers: 2 x 23 MVA, 2,000 V
• Regulator transformer:10 V to 850 V and up 4,000 APower factor < 0,15

High Voltage Testing

The high voltage testing laboratory offers several possibilities for short and long term insulation testing, and is equipped with three power frequency transformers and one impulse generator bank. All tests can be performed also under rainy conditions for outdoor equipment. The laboratory provides the necessary tools to measure Radio Interference Voltages (RIV) as well as Partial Discharge (PD).

High Voltage Testing Portfolio

• AC power frequency tests
• Switching impulse tests
• Lightning impulse tests
• DC dielectric tests
• Combined voltage tests (BIAS)
• Chopped wave tests
• Power frequency - up to 1 MV 50 Hz
• Lightning impulse - up to 2.5 MV (1.2 μs / 50 μs)
• Switching impulse - up to 1.6 MV (250 μs / 2,500 μs)
• Direct voltage - up to 1 MV DC
• Partial discharge - up to 750 kV
• RIV testing - up to 550 kV

Temperature Rise Testing

This test laboratory can simulate the impact of the equipment on the environment e.g. the energy losses or radiation under nominal current applications. It is made of two independent, parallel testing rooms with its own current generator and allows to record up to 200 x PT1000 temperature sensors together. The ambient temperature can be controlled up to 40 °C.

Temperature Rise Testing Portfolio

• Short term temperature rise tests
• Long term temperature rise tests
• Calculation of temperature rise values based on the resistance measurement of the current transformers
• Tests in AC – Single-Phase (50/60 Hz) - up to 50 kA
• Tests in AC – Three-Phase (50/60 Hz) - up to 10 kA
• Tests in DC - up to 4 kA

Climatic & Mechanical Testing

The climatic chamber is equipped with one room, which can reproduce extreme environmental conditions and temperatures from -60 °C to +60 °C. Additionally the laboratory is equipped for leakage measurement by accumulation for gases such as SF6, CF4 or g3 – green gas for grid.

Climatic & Mechanical Testing Portfolio

• Icing tests
• Mechanical tests
• Leakage measurements
• Temperature range: -60 °C to +60° C
• Testing room dimensions: 11 x 6 x 6.8 m (D x W x H)

Contact Us

CERDA is located in Villeurbanne, Lyon. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.

Availability for our next test slots starting from Q2 2027

CERDA Testing Laboratory

21, rue Cyprian69 100 Villeurbanne, France

Request a Test Download Brochure