Background
Stanwell engaged Ampcontrol to conduct switchboard protection, synchroniser testing, and calibration at Tarong North Power Station, located in the South Burnett region of Queensland.
Tarong North is a 443 MW baseload coal-fired power generation unit supplying electricity to the Queensland grid. During a planned outage, Stanwell required comprehensive testing and calibration of protection relays, metering transducers and synchronising equipment across multiple 6.6 kV and 415 V switchboards within a defined outage window.
Tarong North Power Station (left) and Tarong Power Station, South Burnett, Queensland. Image: Stanwell.
Services
Ampcontrol Townsville high voltage service technicians delivered a detailed testing and calibration scope, including:
Switchboard protection and metering
- Protection relay testing on 6.6 kV switchboards
- Power, current and voltage transducer calibration on 6.6 kV circuits
- Protection relay testing on 415 V switchboards
- Current and voltage transducer calibration on 415 V circuits
Synchronising systems
- Testing of synchroniser and check synchroniser functions for generator connection to the grid
- Secondary injection testing and calibration of more than 250 protection relays and transducers across the station’s distribution switchboards
- Verification that the relays’ operating characteristics matched programmed settings, and that metering transducers were within acceptable tolerances
Planning and coordination
- Development of test plans and sequences to integrate with the outage program
- Close coordination with Stanwell operations and protection engineers to manage isolations, access and documentation
Outcomes
A four-person Ampcontrol team completed the full scope over a six-week period during the planned outage.
The project:
- Verified the correct operation of protection systems across 6.6 kV and 415 V switchboards
- Confirmed the accuracy of power, current, voltage and frequency measurements used for monitoring and control
- Provided Stanwell with detailed test records for regulatory and asset management purposes
- Met the customer’s expectations for technical expertise, site support, safety, budget and delivery to schedule
The work demonstrates our capability to support complex protection and control systems at large baseload power stations, utilising structured test programs and experienced high-voltage technicians.
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