SMR Test Equipment

From Generator to Grid

Test equipment for every stage of a small modular reactor's electrical path

What we test here

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Click a pin on the diagram to see what gets tested there, and with what.

Elektro-Automatik

EA PS 9000

Programmable DC bench supply for exciter and I&C electronics

Elektro-Automatik

EA PSB 10000

Bidirectional 30kW supply for transient and fault-response testing

Elektro-Automatik

ELR 21000 30kW High Speed

High-speed regenerative DC load, 30kW, slew to 1.9A/µs for fast transient steps

Elektro-Automatik

EA-BT 20000

Multi-channel regenerative capacity testing

Elektro-Automatik

EA-BIM 20005

Battery impedance meter — non-destructive cell screening

Zahner

Zahner EIS

Impedance spectroscopy for degradation diagnosis

Associated Research

Hypot Series

Dielectric withstand and insulation resistance

SCI

SCI Safety Testers

Hipot, ground bond and multifunction testing

Pacific Power Source

RGS Series

Regenerative grid simulator, 216kVA per cabinet, systems to 1.3MVA

Pacific Power Source

AZX Series

Regenerative four-quadrant AC/DC source, 30–55kW, to 440kW in parallel

Cinergia

GE Series

Four-quadrant grid emulators, 7.5–160kW per unit

Beyond the diagram

Ongoing operations and calibration

Every instrument in the plant's safety case needs traceable calibration for its operating life, plus periodic re-verification that it still meets the grid-compliance parameters proven at connection - for as long as the plant runs, not just at commissioning.

What testing does an SMR's electrical system need?

esting along an SMR's electrical path falls into three stages, and each asks for different evidence. Component and system qualification shows that equipment important to safety will perform under its service conditions, with standards such as IEC 61226:2020, IEC/IEEE 60780-323:2016 and IEC 62003:2020 setting the framework. Factory and site acceptance proves the power-conversion and plant electrical systems, typically with programmable sources and regenerative loads cycling equipment across its full operating range, alongside dielectric withstand and ground bond checks. Grid compliance follows: a 470 MWe unit is likely to be a Type D, transmission-connected generator, so the GB Grid Code European Connection Conditions are expected to apply rather than EREC G99.

With a first site at Wylfa and a signed contract between GBE-N and Rolls-Royce SMR, the UK programme is moving into procurement. The government aims for 70% of the fleet's value to come from UK-registered companies. Because the units are factory-built, suppliers are likely to be asked for test evidence that repeats from one unit to the next and stands up to a licensee's audit. Grid simulators and regenerative sources can help by reproducing grid conditions on the bench before witnessed testing.

Calibration runs through all three stages: test evidence is only as good as the traceability of the instruments that produced it. Caltest's calibration laboratory is UKAS accredited (No. 4432), and we can support you in keeping power supplies, loads, safety testers and power analysers in calibration for the life of the plant. Get in touch to check whether your instruments and ranges fall within our scope.

Read the full guide: Test and calibration requirements across the SMR lifecycle →