News

Current Injection Testing (CIT) at Tallawarra Power Station

This past week Safearth successfully led a large team to perform a complicated transmission line Current Injection Test (CIT) to assess OHEW and OPGW current handling capabilities and ratings.

Current Injection Testing at Tallawarra Power Station
Current Injection Testing at Tallawarra Power Station

Engaged by Energy Australia to carry out the investigation, and working alongside Mackex Services as ASP Level 1, and Endeavour Energy as asset owner, Access Authority for Test issuing authority and Network Test support, the work achieved the intended goals AND most importantly was performed safely!

With Energy Australia constructing the Tallawarra B Open Cycle Gas Turbine Generator, and other network changes, fault levels naturally rise. Direct measurement of the earth wire current distributions is the most reliable way to determine short circuit current capacity of transmission line shielding conductors and measure other earthing related impacts such as Earth Potential Rise and Touch Voltages.

Safearth staff working onsite at Tallawarra Power Station
Safearth staff working onsite at Tallawarra Power Station

Safearth used proprietary developed GPS synchronised current injection testing equipment (Model AX1) to establish off power frequency test current in the two transmission line sections, correctly simulating a dual source fault at the chosen tower.

While tested results indicated good correlation with computer modelling, real world influences such as broken tower structure earthing and other impossible to predict impedances meant current injection testing is the most accurate method to assess built or in-situ earthing system components.

Thanks to all that made this testing exercise a complete success!

Safearth staff working alongside Energy Australia, Mackex Services as ASP Level 1, and Endeavour Energy as the asset owner.
Safearth staff working alongside Energy Australia, Mackex Services as ASP Level 1, and Endeavour Energy as the asset owner.

If you need expertise and advice from the world recognised earthing system experts, we’d love to assist you in your earthing and lightning protection ventures. We’ll be with you every step of the way. Contact Safearth today!