Specialty Testing Services
Advanced diagnostic testing services to identify potential issues before they lead to failures and outages.
Specialty electrical testing, beyond the megger
Voltage testers, infrared thermography, partial discharge testing, battery testing, and power quality analysis — diagnostic tools that catch failure modes a meggering crew on its annual visit will miss. Used right, they turn unplanned outages into scheduled work.
What "specialty testing" actually means
Standard electrical testing — insulation resistance, contact resistance, breaker timing — tells you whether equipment passes a pass/fail spec on the day of the test. Specialty testing tells you whether equipment is degrading, and how fast. Online partial discharge surveys catch insulation breakdown before it shorts. Infrared thermography catches loose connections at thermal load before they fail. Power quality analyzers catch harmonic distortion that is killing motors months before the motors fail.
ClarkTE uses partial discharge instruments (UHF and acoustic), high-resolution infrared cameras, capacity testers for stationary battery banks, and class-A power quality analyzers calibrated to IEEE 519 and IEC 61000-4-30. Every test is run by NETA-certified technicians and reviewed by a licensed PE. Reports are written so the maintenance planner, the finance lead, and the insurance broker all understand the same finding.
Partial Discharge Testing
Advanced non-destructive testing to detect and assess insulation deterioration in electrical equipment before failure occurs.
Applications:
- Power transformers
- Gas insulated switchgear (GIS)
- Medium and high voltage cables
- Rotating machines
- Bushings and insulators
- Instrument transformers
Key Benefits:
- Early detection of insulation defects
- Condition assessment without system shutdown
- Trend analysis for predictive maintenance
- Extension of equipment service life
- Prevention of catastrophic failures
- Optimized maintenance scheduling
Infrared Thermography
Non-contact thermal imaging technology to identify abnormal heating patterns indicating potential electrical and mechanical issues.
Applications:
- Switchgear and circuit breakers
- Transformers and bushings
- Motor control centers
- Bus connections and cable terminations
- Mechanical equipment (bearings, belts, etc.)
- Building envelope assessments
Key Benefits:
- Detection of problems while equipment is energized
- Identification of loose connections and overloaded circuits
- Early warning of pending component failures
- Comprehensive documentation with thermal images
- Improved electrical safety
- Reduced maintenance costs
Battery Testing & Maintenance
Comprehensive assessment and maintenance of stationary battery systems critical for backup power applications.
Applications:
- Substation DC systems
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
- Emergency lighting systems
- SCADA and telecommunications backup
- Generator starting systems
- Critical process control systems
Key Benefits:
- Verification of battery system capacity
- Early identification of failing cells
- Extended battery system life
- Ensured reliability during critical power events
- Compliance with NERC and IEEE standards
- Detailed documentation for regulatory requirements
Power Quality Analysis
Detailed measurement and analysis of power system parameters to identify issues affecting equipment performance and reliability.
Applications:
- Industrial facilities with sensitive equipment
- Data centers and telecommunications facilities
- Renewable energy integration studies
- Troubleshooting nuisance tripping and equipment failures
- Harmonic distortion assessment
- Voltage sag/swell investigations
Key Benefits:
- Identification of power quality issues impacting equipment
- Root cause analysis of equipment malfunction
- Verification of power quality improvement measures
- Compliance with utility requirements
- Documentation for warranty claims
- Mitigation strategy development
Our Testing Process
Assessment
We work with you to understand your system, equipment history, and specific concerns to develop a tailored testing program.
Testing & Analysis
Our certified technicians perform comprehensive testing using state-of-the-art equipment, followed by detailed data analysis.
Reporting & Recommendations
We provide detailed reports with clear findings, data interpretation, and actionable recommendations for maintenance or improvements.
Success Stories
Data Center Power Quality Assessment
Conducted comprehensive power quality analysis for a major data center experiencing unexplained server restarts and UPS alarms.
Results:
Identified harmonic distortion from non-linear loads exceeding IEEE-519 limits. Implementation of recommended harmonic filters eliminated equipment issues and improved energy efficiency by 3.5%.
Industrial Partial Discharge Survey
Performed partial discharge testing on aging medium voltage switchgear at a manufacturing facility as part of a condition assessment program.
Results:
Detected significant PD activity in two cubicles before any operational issues occurred. Targeted maintenance prevented an unplanned outage that would have cost an estimated $250,000 in production losses.
Discover Hidden Issues Before They Cause Failures
Contact our specialty testing experts today to discuss how our advanced diagnostic services can help optimize your maintenance program, improve system reliability, and prevent costly unplanned outages.
Schedule a Consultation