CEA to issue revised draft on type test periodicity for power equipment

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has decided to withdraw its 2024 draft guidelines on the periodicity of type tests for major power equipment and is preparing to issue a fresh version for stakeholder feedback.

The new draft is likely to be published for industry comments by next week.

According to information received by Power Peak Digest from CEA officials, the earlier draft, released in November 2024 and titled “Guidelines for the Periodicity of Type Tests for Major Equipment used in Electrical Power System”, was rejected.

The draft aims to cut redundant testing and ease pressure on test labs. It proposes a 10-year validity for type test results if there are no changes in design, materials, or manufacturing. For equipment like GIS, RMUs, and outdoor breakers, the interval may extend to 15 years. One key proposal is to exempt transformers from repeating short-circuit tests if changes involve only bushings or OLTCs with equal or higher ratings, provided these parts have valid IS/IEC test reports.