Laboratories Measurement & Test Unit (MES)

Laboratories Measurement & Test Unit (MES)

Description

Laboratoire Mesures EssaisThe Measurement and Test Unit (MES) located in Paris specialises in high voltage, heavy current tests on railway equipment or electrical power tests at 750V to 1,500V, 40,000A)

Workforce

MES is a team of 4 people within the infrastructure maintenance department of RATP.

Principal resources

  • A dedicated facility for testing the electrical arc resistance of traction insulators
  • 2 x 15kV power supply inlets (short circuit power 180MVA)
  • 1 15/20 kV autotransformer
  • 1 750V 4MW rectifier unit
  • 1 1,500V 4MW rectifier unit
  • 1 adjustable 20kA LT calibration rig
  • 1 50kV dielectrometer

Key strengths

The laboratory has access to a mechanical engineering shed on the same site, where it can produce the mechanical parts required for tests.

The unit offers a very wide range of services, including in particular:

  • Dielectric strength tests on guide wheels (voltages up to 50kV), on isolators, power supply cabinets, etc.…
  • Heat build-up tests
  • Electric arc resistance tests (750V – 1,000A)
  • Saltwater resistance and behaviour tests on traction insulators
  • Short circuit tests
  • Electrical power tests (750V to 1,500V, 40,000A)