Testing and commissioning services

High Voltage Testing Services Australia

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Talk to an engineer: 1300 730 499 or service@megavar.com.au

Last reviewed: July 2026 by Matt Geoghegan, CEO, Megavar

Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing for HV Assets from 11 kV to 500 kV

High-voltage testing is the primary method for verifying the integrity, performance, and safety of electrical assets. Whether commissioning new equipment, performing routine maintenance, investigating a fault, or assessing asset condition, Megavar’s testing services provide the data you need to make informed decisions about your HV infrastructure.

We test transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, protection relays, cables, instrument transformers, and earthing systems using a 200+ item test equipment fleet spanning Omicron, Megger and other leading brands. All testing is performed to AS/NZS, IEC, and IEEE standards, with detailed diagnostic reporting that goes beyond pass/fail – we interpret results and provide actionable recommendations.

ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifiedLicensed in every Australian stateTeams in Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Newcastle

Megavar resonant HV test set reactor stack set up beside new substation plant for on-site withstand testing

What is high voltage testing?

High voltage testing is the controlled application of electrical tests to HV assets, transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, cables, protection relays, instrument transformers and earthing systems, to verify insulation integrity, performance and safety. It is carried out when commissioning new equipment, during routine maintenance, when investigating a fault, and when assessing asset condition, with results captured in detailed diagnostic reports.

Field

Value

Voltage range

11kV to 500kV

Standards

AS/NZS, IEC and IEEE

Equipment

200+ item test equipment fleet

Coverage

Australia-wide, five offices

Deliverable

Detailed diagnostic test reports

What We Test

Power Transformers

TTR, winding resistance, insulation resistance, tan delta, SFRA, excitation current, short-circuit impedance, DGA, oil quality, OLTC dynamic resistance, and bushing power factor. See our dedicated Transformer Testing page for full details.

Switchgear and Circuit Breakers

Contact resistance (DCRM), insulation resistance, timing tests (open/close/reclose), SF6 gas quality and pressure, mechanical operation counting, and trip/close coil current analysis using Omicron CIBANO 500.

Protection Relays

Secondary injection testing of all protection functions using Omicron CMC 356 and CMC 500. Primary injection for end-to-end verification using the CPC 100. See our dedicated Protection Relay Testing page.

HV Cables

VLF withstand, VLF partial discharge, DC insulation resistance, sheath integrity, tan delta, and fault location. See our dedicated HV Cable Testing page.

Instrument Transformers

CT ratio, polarity, burden, and magnetisation curves. VT ratio and burden verification. Capacitance and tan delta on CVTs.

Earthing Systems

Earth grid resistance, step and touch potential, earth fault loop impedance, continuity, and soil resistivity. See our dedicated Earthing Design and Testing page.

When HV Testing Is Required

New installation commissioning (site acceptance testing)
Routine maintenance testing (time-based or condition-based programmes)
Post-fault investigation after protection operation or equipment failure
Condition assessment for ageing or critical assets
Pre-purchase due diligence for asset acquisition
Insurance compliance and risk assessment
Post-transport testing for relocated equipment

Test Equipment

Omicron CMC 356, CMC 500, CPC 100, CP CU1, CT Analyzer, CIBANO 500, MPD 600, Megger insulation testers, FLIR thermal imaging, earth resistance testers, and DGA sampling equipment. All calibrated, with NATA-traceable certificates.

Where the testing is part of a new installation, Megavar’s substation commissioning services cover the full pre-energisation and energisation sequence.

Working in Victoria

Megavar carries out high voltage testing on HV sites in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, including wind and solar farms, battery energy storage systems and industrial substations. Our engineers and test equipment mobilise from our Tasmanian and Adelaide offices, and the test methods and reports are the same as on any Megavar job.

Why Choose Megavar For High Voltage (HV) Testing?

Unmatched Expertise: With decades of combined experience in HV systems, Megavar’s team delivers accurate, reliable testing outcomes across all industries.
Dependability: Our commitment to safety, precision, and compliance means you can trust every test result – every time.
Safety as Standard: Testing high-voltage infrastructure requires extreme caution. We prioritise rigorous safety protocols to protect both people and assets.
End-to-End Solutions: From acceptance testing and routine diagnostics to fault-finding and condition assessments, Megavar provides comprehensive HV testing services tailored to your needs.

For high voltage testing anywhere in Australia, contact us today on 1300 730 499.

Take it to your team

Capability statement

High-Voltage Testing, Commissioning and Maintenance Services

Primary plant testing, protection and SCADA commissioning, substation maintenance and the design capability behind them.

Capability statement

High-Voltage Resonant Hipot Testing

AC withstand testing to 500 kV on Megavar-owned resonant test sets, with partial discharge measurement.

Clients

What our clients say

Megavar are industry leaders in HV commissioning services, offering high quality commissioning services. They are experts in high voltage commissioning services, and their work is always on time, on budget and to the highest quality.

Shaun ColtonEngineering Manager Substations & BESS, Downer Group

Megavar has repeatedly demonstrated their ability to quickly mobilise their highly skilled technicians to meet project demands and effectively develop solutions in a highly proficient and professional manner.
Megavar have been a pleasure to deal with, and we look forward to continuing to work closely on future projects for years to come.

Matt LawlessDirector – High Voltage Contracting

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions High Voltage (HV) Testing

What types of HV testing does Megavar perform?

We test power transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, protection relays, HV cables, instrument transformers (CTs and VTs), and earthing systems. Tests include electrical diagnostics (insulation resistance, tan delta, SFRA, DGA), mechanical testing (CB timing, contact resistance), and protection verification (secondary and primary injection).

How often should HV equipment be tested?

Testing frequency depends on asset age, criticality, and maintenance strategy. Typical schedules: annual DGA oil sampling for transformers, relay testing every 4–6 years for numerical relays, CB testing every 4–6 years or after specified fault operations, and earthing testing every 3–5 years.

Does Megavar provide diagnostic interpretation or just test data?

We provide full diagnostic interpretation. Every test report includes comparison against standards limits and factory data, trend analysis where historical data is available, and actionable recommendations for maintenance, monitoring, or further investigation.

Can testing be scheduled around operational shutdowns?

Yes. We work closely with system operators and asset owners to plan testing within maintenance windows, minimising outage duration while ensuring all required tests are completed.

Does Megavar test equipment nationally?

Yes. We deploy from offices in Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland to sites across all states and territories.

Does Megavar provide HV testing for renewable energy projects?

Yes. Megavar provides specialist HV testing for wind farms, solar farms, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Australia. This includes pre-commissioning testing of transformers, switchgear, protection systems, and cables, as well as ongoing condition-based testing under maintenance agreements.

ISO Certified and Licensed in Every State

Megavar is certified to ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (safety), and holds electrical contractors licences in every Australian state.

Need HV testing on your site? Contact Megavar today on 1300 730 499 or visit our contact page to request a quote.

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