Overview

Key Contact Personnel:
Nasser Al-Qahtani, General Manager nasser.alqahtani@gccelab.com

Mohammed Al Muaili, COO mohammed.almuaili@gccelab.com

Year Founded: 2021
Total Number of Employees: 350
Major Export Markets Served: GCC Countries and MENA region, China, India, USA, European Countries

GCC Electrical Testing Laboratory (GEPL) is a modern, independent facility providing accredited testing services from Low Voltage (LV) to Extra High Voltage (EHV), including dedicated High Power testing capabilities. Our services cover type, routine, special, and prequalification testing for a wide range of power system components up to 550 kV and 80 kA. It operates across a 170,000 m² campus, located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (Modon 3)

Key Facility Features
• High Voltage Laboratory
• High Power Laboratory
• Low Voltage Laboratory
• Advanced Technologies Laboratory
• Materials Laboratory
• Mechanical and Insulator Laboratory
• Cable Prequalification Laboratory
• Pollution Testing Chambers
• Mobile On-Site Testing System
• IP/IK and Environmental Testing
• Investigation, Contamination, and Design Services
• Fire Testing Laboratory

Services

High Voltage Laboratory

Impulse Testing
Lightning Impulse
3.2 MV, 480 kJ
600 kV, 60kJ
300 kV, 30kJ

Switching Impulse (Dry)
2.2 MV, 480 kJ

Switching Impulse (Wet)
1.8 MV, 480 kJ

AC Power Frequency (Dry / Wet)
1600 kV
1200 kV
800 kV
600 kV
200 kV
100 kV

Partial Discharge
800 kV <0.5 pC
100 kV <0.5 pC

Capacitance & Tan delta
500 kV
200 kV
100 kV

Cable PQ Test Bays
720 kV
720 kV

Insulator Pollution Chambers
400 kV
150 kV

Cable Systems & Accessories

GEPL’s High Voltage Laboratory features independent test bays capable of performing multiple type tests on cables up to 75 meters in length. The Prequalification (PQ) lab includes two dedicated bays, all equipped with 24/7 monitoring under real-world thermal conditions.

Voltage Classes
LV ≤1 kV
MV ≤36 kV
HV ≤170 kV
EHV ≤550 kV

Current Capability: Up to 6000 Amps
Standards: IEC 60502-1/2/4, IEC 60840, IEC 62067, ICEA S-108-720, IEC 61442, IEEE 48/404/400
Test Capabilities: AC & Impulse Withstand, Heating Cycles, PD, IR, Tan Delta, Non-Electrical, Mechanical, Flame & Smoke Tests – Complete Type Tests
Accessory Tests: Joints, indoor/outdoor terminations, Gas insulated accessories
Prequalification Setup: Up to 250 m loops, 2 bays, outdoor terrain under sunlight

Insulators & Pollution Testing

GEPL performs full mechanical, electrical, and environmental type testing of insulators and bushings up to 765 kV. It also features two fully enclosed artificial
pollution labs for solid layer salt fog testing under IEC 60507.

Switchgear Testing

GEPL offers complete dielectric, mechanical, and functional testing of AIS, GIS, and LV assemblies. Testing is in accordance with IEC 62271 and 61439 standards.

Transformer Testing

GEPL tests distribution, power, dry-type, and instrument transformers per IEC 60076 series. The facility supports full dielectric, thermal, FRA, and oil testing.

Advanced Technologies Laboratory

GEPL provides full type testing and certification for a wide range of LV components and systems in accordance with IEC 61439, IEC 60947, and metering standards.

Overhead Transmission Line Conductor Testing

GEPL conducts full electrical and mechanical qualification of overhead transmission line conductors and fittings.

Materials Testing Laboratory

GEPL provides highly advanced testing techniques for material Identification, Characterization and advanced analysis as follows.

Standards

IEC 62067, IEC 60840, BS 7912 in addition to any relevant specs required these testing techniques

Test Capabilities

• Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) to characterize the polymerization of the insulation material
• Determination of the moisture content of Insulation material
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to confirm degassing of insulation material and its thermal history.
• Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) to examine the performance of the degassing process of insulation material.
• Examination of insulation and screens for Protrusion, Void, Irregularity and Contamination through Microscopic equipment
• Determination of chemical composition of lead alloy of metallic sheath.

High Power Laboratory

High Power (Short Circuit) Testing
GEPL’s High Power Laboratory is equipped for comprehensive testing of MV and HV electrical apparatus, powered by a 2000 MVA short-circuit generator. The lab supports both direct and synthetic testing of components up to 550 kV and 80 kA. This includes making and breaking capacity, short-time and peak withstands, and internal and power arc tests.

Main Test Hall Dimensions: 76 m (L) × 30.5 m (W) × 28.8 m (H)
Power Source: 2000 MVA short-circuit generator
Voltage Range: 0.38 kV to 550 kV
Short Circuit Current: Up to 80 kA (RMS), 100 kA peak
Continuous Current: Up to 7000 A
Test Bays: 2 bays for HV (up to 550 kV), 4 bays for MV (up to 52 kV)
Synthetic Testing: Full-pole breaker testing up to 550 kV (1-phase: 550 kV, 3-phase: 245 kV)

Additional Capabilities for GEPL

Seismic Testing
• Vibration Generator with frequency range from 0 to 4000 Hz

Environmental Testing
• 2 Climatic Chambers: 1.0 × 0.8 × 0.8 m, Temperature range: -70 °C to +180 °C, Humidity up to 98%
• 2 Climatic Chambers: 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.4 m, Temperature range: -70 °C to +180 °C, Humidity up to 98%
• Multiple Environmental Chambers: 3 × 3 × 3 m for large-scale equipment conditioning
• IP & IK Testing – According to IEC 60529 and IEC 62262

Failure Investigation & Diagnostics
• Root-cause analysis for cables, insulators, transformers, bushings, arresters, and switchgear
• Electrical testing: PD analysis, insulation breakdown, flashover analysis
• Mechanical testing: fracture, deformation, material fatigue assessment
• Environmental stress analysis: pollution, corrosion, moisture ingress, UV degradation
• Thermal diagnostics and tracking/erosion studies
• Contamination site assessment