Certified reliability for high-voltage AC and DC cable systems
Prequalification testing (PQT) validates the performance of high-voltage cable systems by exposing at least 100 m of cable and its accessories to real-world installation conditions for one year, applying 1.7 U₀ voltage, 180 heating cycles (with polarity reversals for DC), and a series of electrical and non-electrical checks with zero tolerance for breakdown or deterioration. Because utilities demand high-quality products that minimize the risk of network failures, PQT is essential: it confirms insulation integrity and thermo-mechanical behaviour, verifies compliance with specifications, and proves the system’s lifetime reliability over an assumed 40-year design life rather than merely its rated performance. With more than 20 dedicated, independent test bays, KEMA Labs leads the world in high-voltage AC and DC cable testing, ensuring top-tier reliability and safety for power infrastructure.
Some examples of test equipment:
- Land and Submarine Cables
- Premoulded Joints
- Straight Joint
- Factory Joint
- GIS back to back connections
- Transformer Connection
- Outdoor terminations
Selected applicable standards:
- IEC 60840
- IEC 62067
- IEC 62895
- CIGRE TB852
- Transco, Terna and other client specific standards
KEMA Labs, a CESI Group Business Unit, is a global leader in third-party conformity assessment services, testing, inspection, and certification of electromechanical components. Our certificates and reports are internationally recognized by both manufacturers and purchasers.
KEMA Labs is a well-recognized conformity assessment body, accredited according to ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO/IEC 17065 standards. Additionally, KEMA Labs, through CESI S.p.a., is a notified body for the IECEx Certification Scheme and ATEX.
