Third Industrial City MODON-III
Dammam, 39558
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Overview
Key Contact Personnel:
Hemanth Mani, Commercial Manager Hemanth.Mani@gccelab.com
Nasser Abusittah, Operations Lab Manager Nasser.AbuSittah@gccelab.com
Nasser Al-Qahtani, COO Nasser.ALQahtani@gccelab.com
Year Founded: 2021
Total Number of Employees: 550
Major Export Markets Served: GCC countries, Middle East, Africa, and international markets through manufacturers and utilities at China, India, USA, European Countries.
GCC Electrical Power Lab is one of the most advanced testing centers in the MENA region, providing independent routine, type and special testing, evaluation, and product prequalification services for a wide range of electrical equipment, components, and systems used across the power sector.
The laboratory plays an important role in helping clients verify performance, demonstrate reliability, and accelerate market acceptance of their products in regional and international markets. The lab operates across a 170,000 m² campus, located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (Modon 3).
Key Facility Features
1. Low Voltage Lab Facility
2. Dielectric Lab Facilities for testing MV, HV and EHV equipment
3. Distribution and power Transformer Test Facility
4. Short Circuit / High Power Facility
5. Type and Special Test Facilities for Cables Systems
6. Environmental Lab Facility
7. Pre-Qualification (PQ) Test Facility for High Voltage and Extra High Voltage Cables
8. Pollution Lab Facility for testing High Voltage and Medium Voltage insulation
9. Fire Testing Facility
10. Investigation, Contamination, and Design Services
11. IP/IK and Environmental Testing
12. Mobile On-Site Testing System
13. Mechanical tests and Insulator testing Facility
14. Advanced Technologies Laboratory
Services
High Voltage Laboratory
| Parameter | Value/Description |
| Lightning Impulse | 3.2 MV / 480 kJ 600 kV / 60 kJ 300 kV / 30 kJ |
| 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 | 600 kV |
| Insulator Pollution Chambers | 400 kV 150 kV |
| Temperature Rise | 7000 A |
| Heating Cycling | 2500 A 3000 A 5000 A 6000 A |
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.
| Parameter | Details |
| Standards | IEC 60502-1/2/4, IEC 61442, IEC 60840, IEC 62067, ICEA S-108-720, IEC 61442, IEEE 48/404/400, and IEC 61238-1, BS EN 50393, HD 629.1.S3 |
| Voltage Range | LV ≤1 kV MV ≤36 kV HV ≤170 kV EHV up to 550 kV |
| Test Capabilities | AC & Impulse Withstand, Heating Cycles, PD, IR, Tan Delta, Non-Electrical, Mechanical, Flame & Smoke Tests – Complete Type Tests, Thermal and Dynamic Short Circuits |
| Test Objects | Cables, Straight Joints, Isolated Joints, Outdoor Terminations, GIS Terminations, and separable connectors. Cable lugs and connectors |
| Type test Setup | Up to 80 m cable systems |
| Prequalification Setup | Up to 250 m cable systems, 2 bays, presentative of the installation design conditions, for example rigidly fixed, flexible and transition arrangements, underground and in air |
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.
| Parameter | Details |
| Standards | IEC 60168, 60383, 61109, 62217, 61462, 60437, 60507 |
| Voltage Range | Up to 765 kV |
| Pollution Chambers | Two artificial fog labs for Levels I–IV contamination testing |
| Test Capabilities | AC/Wet Impulse Withstand, RIV, Steep-front, Tracking & Erosion, Mechanical Strength, Cantilever, Thermal shock, Flammability |
| Insulator Types | Porcelain, Glass, Composite, Hollow-core, Line-post |
| Horizontal Tensile Machine | 20 m length, 1000 kN |
| Vertical Cantilever & Torsion Machine | 50 kN (cantilever), 10 kN (torsion) |
| Electro-mechanical Testing Machine | 50 kV voltage, 500 kN load capacity |
| Porosity Testing Machine | Up to 30 MPa pressure |
| Thermo-Mechanical Test System | -60°C to +100°C |
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.
| Parameter | Details |
| Standards | IEC 62271-100/-102/-103/-200/-203, IEC 60947, IEC 61439 |
| Voltage Range | LV to 550 kV |
| Current Capability | Up to 7000 Amps |
| Test Scope | PD, RIV, Temp Rise, IP/IK, Making/Breaking, Dielectric, Electrical and Mechanical Endurance |
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.
| Parameter | Details |
| Voltage/Power Range | Up to 550 kV / 400 MVA |
| Standards | IEC 60076, 61869, IEEE C57 |
| Source Type | Single, Two and Three Phase |
| Frequency | 40 – 200 Hz |
| Maximum Power | 1300 kVA (1 Φ) | 2000 kVA (3 Φ) |
| Test Capabilities | No-load/load loss, Applied Voltage Withstand, Induced Withstand Test, SFRA, DGA, Temp Rise Test along with Hotspot, Sound Level, PD, IP/IK, Switching Impulse, Full and Chopped Wave Lightning Impulse, Capacitance and Dissipation Factor Test |
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.
| Parameter | Details |
| Standards | IEC 61439-1/2, IEC 60947-1/2/3, IEC 62053 series, IEC 61010, IEC 60687 |
| Rated Voltage | Up to 1000 V AC |
| Rated Current | Up to 6300 A |
| Tested Equipment | MCBs, MCCBs, Distribution Boards, Panel Assemblies, Energy Meters |
| Test Capabilities | Dielectric withstand, temperature rise, short circuit (Icu & Ics), IP protection, mechanical endurance, coordination and compatibility, accuracy verification for energy meters, impulse & surge tests, functional and performance tests for metering and protection units. |
Overhead Transmission Line Conductor Testing
GEPL conducts full electrical and mechanical qualification of overhead transmission line conductors and fittings.
| Parameter | Details |
| Standards | IEC 61284, IEC 61897, IEC 61089, ASTM B502, ASTM B549, ASTM B230 |
| Test Capabilities | Electrical: Corona, RIV, AC/DC resistance Mechanical: Stress-strain curves, UTS, tensile strength, elongation, wire geometry (diameter, wire count), hardware fitting evaluation, surface finish, conductor weight and cross-section, lay direction and ratio (Aluminum & Steel core) |
| Conductor Types | ACSR, AAAC, AAC, ACCC (Composite Core), and full hardware assemblies |
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)
Short Circuit Laboratory
GEPL’s Short Circuit Laboratory is equipped for comprehensive testing of MV and HV electrical apparatus.
Thermal SC test: Simulate the heating effect of a short circuit. The thermal short circuit test is conducted to verify that the insulation and conductive parts of the test object can withstand the temperature rise caused by a short circuit current for a specified duration, without suffering any thermal degradation or loss of performance.
Dynamic SC test: To simulate the mechanical stress and force acting on conductors, joints, and connections during the peak of a short circuit event.
Thermal Short Circuit Current: Up to 100 kA (RMS)
Dynamic Short Circuit Current: Up to 250 kA
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
