{"id":2591,"date":"2026-10-08T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shenhengglobal.com\/?p=2591"},"modified":"2026-10-08T10:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T02:07:36","slug":"switchgear-factory-acceptance-test-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shenhengglobal.com\/ja\/blog\/switchgear-factory-acceptance-test-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Switchgear Factory Acceptance Test Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

A switchgear factory acceptance test (FAT) checks the manufactured equipment against the approved specification before shipment. It combines document review, construction inspection, applicable routine-test evidence and agreed functional demonstrations. A useful checklist identifies the exact panel, acceptance basis, witness responsibility and evidence required for each item. FAT does not prove that transport, site assembly, cable installation or final protection coordination will be satisfactory; those interfaces need their own site acceptance and commissioning checks.<\/p>\n

This guide focuses on medium-voltage metal-enclosed switchgear. Adapt it to the actual technology, contract, standards and supplied configuration. It is a buyer’s inspection framework, not a generic instruction for applying high voltage to every device in a panel.<\/p>\n

Agree the scope before the witness visit<\/h2>\n

The inspection and test plan should distinguish document review, hold points, witness points and records submitted for review. It should state what the buyer will observe and what the manufacturer completes independently. Agree the notice period, sample selection where permitted and the handling of a missed witness point.<\/p>\n

Identify the equipment covered by each report. A project may contain incomers, feeders, metering panels, bus couplers and different breaker duties. A generic report bearing the project name does not establish that every supplied panel was inspected or tested as required.<\/p>\n

The IEC 62271-200 catalogue scope<\/a> addresses AC metal-enclosed switchgear above 1 kV up to and including 52 kV. The applicable edition and contractual amendments must be agreed. Its catalogue description identifies scope; the actual standard and specification determine the detailed requirements.<\/p>\n

Separate type-test evidence from routine tests<\/h2>\n

Type-test evidence supports a design or defined configuration. Routine tests concern the manufactured equipment according to the applicable requirements. A witnessed FAT may include routine tests and additional contractual demonstrations, but it does not mean every design test is repeated on every panel.<\/p>\n

Review whether supplied design evidence applies to the offered construction, ratings, components and arrangements. Record deviations for technical assessment. An internal-arc report for a different enclosure or accessibility arrangement cannot simply be treated as proof for every version carrying the same product family name.<\/p>\n

The short-circuit rating guide<\/a> helps distinguish the ratings that must align with the project study. The internal arc classification guide<\/a> explains another important boundary: classification evidence and installation conditions must be checked against the actual offer.<\/p>\n

Review the approved documents first<\/h2>\n

Collect the approved single-line diagram, general arrangement, panel schedule, wiring diagrams, component list, ratings and protection philosophy. The drawing revision on the factory floor should match the revision used by the inspector. Resolve changes before executing a functional demonstration against an obsolete scheme.<\/p>\n

Check nameplates, panel identifiers and serial numbers. Confirm that the records can be traced from the report to the physical equipment and later to the installed location. If a report covers multiple panels, the identification list should be explicit.<\/p>\n

Review manufacturer documentation for major components and any agreed design-test evidence. Record exceptions and exclusions. A missing document is an open acceptance item, even if the panel looks complete and the operating mechanism moves correctly.<\/p>\n

\"Closed
Record routine-test evidence and agreed functional demonstrations. Reference-based illustration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inspect the manufactured arrangement<\/h2>\n

Compare dimensions, panel sequence, accessible compartments, cable interfaces and transport sections with the approved arrangement. Confirm that the supplied configuration leaves the agreed installation and maintenance access. Do not infer the final site clearance from a cabinet standing alone in the factory.<\/p>\n

Inspect visible workmanship, labels, enclosure condition and the documented earthing arrangement through the authorized inspection procedure. Confirm that the specified major components are present and identifiable. Any substitution needs the agreed approval process rather than a verbal explanation during the witness visit.<\/p>\n

Check auxiliary supply ratings, control devices, terminal identification, heaters and monitoring options where included. These details can affect the site integration even when the main circuit ratings are correct. Record the actual delivered option, not a feature shown in a marketing photograph.<\/p>\n

Use a panel-specific acceptance checklist<\/h2>\n

The table provides a starting structure. Detailed test parameters and limits must come from the agreed standard, manufacturer instructions and approved inspection plan.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
FAT area<\/th>\nWhat to verify<\/th>\nAcceptance basis<\/th>\nRecord to retain<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Identity and drawings<\/td>\nPanel, serial number, function and revision match<\/td>\nApproved panel schedule and drawings<\/td>\nSigned identity list and revision register<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main ratings<\/td>\nVoltage, current and short-circuit duty align<\/td>\nContract and approved study requirements<\/td>\nNameplate record and technical schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Design evidence<\/td>\nApplicable reports cover the offered arrangement<\/td>\nAgreed standard and accepted deviations<\/td>\nTraceable report references and review outcome<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Construction<\/td>\nComponents, interfaces and workmanship match<\/td>\nApproved bill of materials and arrangement<\/td>\nInspection checklist and deviation photographs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Routine electrical tests<\/td>\nRequired tests cover the supplied equipment<\/td>\nApplicable routine-test procedure<\/td>\nInstrument output and panel-specific results<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mechanical operation<\/td>\nPermitted operating states function correctly<\/td>\nEquipment instructions and interlock matrix<\/td>\nWitnessed operation record<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Protection and control<\/td>\nInputs, outputs, alarms and trip paths match<\/td>\nApproved logic and wiring diagrams<\/td>\nFunctional test sheets and configuration version<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shipment release<\/td>\nBlocking items closed and documents complete<\/td>\nContractual release criteria<\/td>\nSigned release or explicit hold record<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Witness electrical tests through approved procedures<\/h2>\n

The test plan should state the measurement scope, equipment configuration, instruments, applicable limits and precautions for connected components. Insulation measurements, dielectric tests and circuit resistance checks answer different questions. They should not be grouped under an unexplained \u201celectrical test passed\u201d label.<\/p>\n

Some components may need a specified treatment before a particular test. The manufacturer’s procedure establishes that configuration and its restoration. A checklist that applies one test voltage indiscriminately to every connected electronic device can damage equipment and does not demonstrate sound acceptance practice.<\/p>\n

Instrument identification and calibration status should be recorded where required. Preserve raw results and any retest sequence. If a failure is corrected, retain the original result, corrective action and accepted retest so the buyer can understand what changed.<\/p>\n

The IEC 62271-1 catalogue page<\/a> provides common-specification context for high-voltage switchgear and controlgear. Confirm the edition and applicable product requirements rather than assuming one catalogue page supplies all test limits.<\/p>\n

Test interlocks as a matrix of allowed and blocked states<\/h2>\n

Agree the intended operating states from the actual design. Test both permitted actions and prohibited operations using the manufacturer-approved method. A demonstration that only shows successful closing leaves important interlock functions unverified.<\/p>\n

Record the equipment state, command, expected outcome, actual outcome and witness. Include the applicable local and remote controls, breaker position indications and earthing arrangements. The earthing switch interlock guide<\/a> helps prepare these questions without replacing the panel’s actual logic matrix.<\/p>\n

For withdrawable equipment, the approved procedure may include relevant service, test and disconnected positions. For fixed equipment, the applicable operating arrangement differs. The fixed versus withdrawable switchgear comparison<\/a> explains why one generic demonstration sequence cannot cover every design.<\/p>\n

Verify protection and control without overstating the outcome<\/h2>\n

Factory functional checks should verify the supplied wiring, specified devices, indications, alarms and agreed trip paths. Identify simulated interfaces and unavailable site equipment. A relay output demonstrated at the factory does not prove a remote installed breaker or final supervisory system will operate correctly at site.<\/p>\n

Record relay model, firmware where relevant, configuration revision and the settings used for the demonstration. Distinguish temporary test settings from the final approved settings. A contractor should not copy the factory test file into service without the protection engineer’s approval.<\/p>\n

The university video below explains relay testing and commissioning principles. It supports this protection-and-control section, rather than claiming to demonstrate the entire switchgear FAT.<\/p>\n