FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- FAQs
- 1.What is Accreditation and what does it mean?
- 2.Is CPRI independent?
- 3.Is an accredited report valid in another country?
- 4.How can I tell if a test report is an accredited report?
- 5.Why an accredited report?
- 6.Why is it important to perform measurements traceable to international standards?
- 7.Why should I perform tests in an accredited laboratory?
- 8.Why should I choose a type tested product?
- 9.Does CPRI have comprehensive facilities for evaluation of Smart meters ?
- 10.What is the role of CPRI in Cyber Security of Power equipment and what are the Tests undertaken by it?
- 11.What are the Consultancy Services offered by CPRI?
- 12.What is the role of CPRI in Capacity building programmes for Power Engineers in the country?
- 13.What are the Research programmes undertaken by CPRI?
- 14.How do I approach CPRI for getting more information ?
1. What is accreditation and what does it mean?
Accreditation involves assessment of the complete quality system of the laboratory to perform the task in an internationally agreed manner. This assessment is carried out as per Indian and international standards. Accreditation means a reputed certifying body like National accreditation body for testing laboratories (NABL), Association of Short Circuit Testing Authorities, ISO etc.. regularly assess the competence of the laboratory to perform as per internationally laid down procedures. Accreditation guarantees that all aspects of tests are impartial and based on nationally and internationally recognized standards.
CPRI is an autonomous society under Ministry of Power, Govt. of India. It is not an Institute either set up by manufacturers or utilities. Hence CPRI is an independent third party organization with high reputation as an absolutely impartial and independent institute and has been offering its services to the Power Sector for the last 61 years.
3. Is an Accredited Test report valid in another country?
Because of its reputation and long standing association with utilities and manufacturers both within and outside India, the test reports issued by CPRI are accepted in many countries. CPRI has been issuing reports to manufacturers in following countries and accepted by the respective utilities.
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Ghana
- Bangladesh
- Srilanka
- Nepal
- New Zealand
- Oman
- UAE
- Bahrain
- Egypt
ISO/IEC 17025:2017:
National accreditation body (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories-NABL) has accredited CPRI Laboratories at Bangalore, Bhopal and Hyderabad as per ISO/IEC 17025. NABL, India is a signatory to Mutual Recognition agreements (MRA) under APLAC ( Asia Pacific Laboratory accreditation Cooperation www.apac-accreditation.org/ )
DETAILS OF ILAC:
ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) is an International Cooperation of laboratory and inspection accreditation bodies.
It provides a focus for:
- developing and harmonising laboratory and inspection accreditation practices;
- promoting laboratory and inspection accreditation to industry, governments, regulators and consumers;
- assisting and supporting developing accreditation systems;
- global recognition of laboratories and inspection facilities via the ILAC Arrangement, thus facilitating
- Acceptance of test, inspection and calibration data accompanying goods across national borders.
Similarly NABL is also a signatory to Mutual Recognition agreements (MRA) under ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation).
Hence technically, the Test report issued by CPRI should be Acceptable in all the signatory Countries.
DETAILS OF APLAC:
Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) groups accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific region responsible for accrediting calibration, testing and inspection facilities.
APLAC's principal objectives are to foster the development of competent laboratories and inspection bodies in member economies, to harmonize accreditation practices in the region and with other regions, and to facilitate mutual recognition of accredited test, measurement and inspection results through the APLAC multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). This reduces the need for re-testing of products and therefore saves time and money. APLAC has active programmes for the development of technical guidance documents, inter-laboratory comparisons (proficiency testing), and for training of laboratory assessors.
APLAC is recognized by Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies as a Specialist Regional Body (SRB).
In addition CPRI, in the interest of its Customers, has obtained International accreditation of following important international accreditation and testing bodies.
INTERTEK ASTA, UK:
CPRI is the first major Asian Laboratory to be accredited by INTERTEK ASTA of UK for testing of LV and MV power equipment, Power Transformers & Power Cables. INTERTEK ASTA will issue Test reports/Certificates based on tests done at CPRI test facilities.
DLMS-UA & UCA-IUG:
CPRI is a Corporate Member in DLMS UA (Device Language Message Specification User Association) and UCA IUG (Utility Communication Architecture International User Group).
ISO 9001:2015 Certified:
CPRI undertakes Consultancy and fosters applied research in the area of Electrical Power engineering. CPRI has been certified for ISO 9001 – 2015 for the Research & Consultancy activities.
INMETRO, Brazil:
CPRI has been accredited as a Third Party Test Laboratory by INMETRO, Brazil for Brazilian Energy Labeling Program on Transformers.
EWA, Bahrain:
CPRI is approved by Electricity Water Authority (EWA), Kingdom of Bahrain – Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD) as an Independent Testing and Certification Body.
Association with International Bodies
Association with Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL), CSA Group and TUV Rheinland India Pvt. Ltd. for Testing & Certification
4. How can I tell if a test report is an accredited report?
Any Test Report or Certificate contains the logo of the accreditation body. This has to be checked for ascertaining the accreditation of the report. For example all the tests conducted by CPRI as per ISO/IEC 17025 carry NABL Logo in the Test Report. Also test reports /Certificates issued by INTERTEK ASTA, UL and CSA carry their respective Logos which aids in the confidence building of the Buyer of Equipment / component.
Also it is better for the Customer to check the accreditation Certificates thoroughly before ascertaining the accreditation of a Laboratory.
Accreditation guarantees that all aspects of tests are impartial and based on nationally and internationally recognized standards. An accredited report is bound to be accepted by the purchaser. An accredited report is a legally valid document.
6. Why is it important to perform measurements traceable to international standards?
The integrity of measurements done during testing is very vital since this determines the suitability of a product for any application. A reputed laboratory ensures that all the test equipment used for testing are regularly calibrated and the calibration certificates are traceable to international standards.
7. Why should I perform tests in an accredited laboratory?
The Test reports and Certificates issued by any laboratory has to be accepted by the user or purchasing authority of any product. The purchase authority always prefers a Test report or Certificate issued by and accredited Laboratory since they are authentic and traceable to any international standards. These are also legally accepted as authentic.
8. Why should I choose a Type tested product?
Type Test Certificates are special documents that are issued only if a component has been successfully tested in accordance with the relevant internationally accepted standard. For utilities or industries who buy the products “Type Test Reports/Certificates” are important documents to ensure proper operation and technical excellence of the component purchased from the vendor.
A Type Test Certificate is issued only if a component has passed all the relevant tests and meets all technical requirements. With a Type test Report/Certificate you can be sure of buying a component of good quality.
These certificates are increasingly required by electrical contractors, project specifiers and purchasers as ‘proof-positive’ that a product is tested, assured and safe. Having evidence of Certified testing enables them to confidently supply their clients with goods; minimising any chances of product liability and meeting their regulatory obligations to provide safe products.
It also goes without saying that the reputation and international standing of a laboratory is very important to the buyer of equipment. A reputed laboratory is one which exposes its facilities to the scrutiny of all national and international certification bodies to prove its worth. International standing depends on the no. of years of existence of a laboratory to signify its pioneering status, the laboratories contribution to the formulation of standards and test methods and finally its association with the prestigious international forums.
9. What is Short Circuit Testing Liaison (STL)?
CPRI is a Member of prestigious SHORT CIRCUIT TESTING Liaison (STL) panel, a premier body for hormoized application of IEC recommendations to the type testing of electrical equipment and uniform presentation of test results.
Utilities of many countries prefer test reports/certificates issued by an STL member laboratory and many Utilities seek Independent Third Party Type Test Witness by a STL Member Laboratory.
The Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL) is an Agreement Group of International Certification Bodies concerning the type testing of high voltage electrical power equipment. INTERTEK ASTA is a signatory to this Agreement, and thereby commits to prepare and recognise certificates to a number of IEC and other Standards following common interpretations of the Standards and the Procedures agreed by the Members of the STL. CPRI is a full member of STL and hence type test reports issued by CPRI meets the norms of STLA uniformly followed by all its members like KEMA, CESI etc.
One can see from above that the reports/certificates issued by CPRI is of highest international quality and stands the scrutiny of any international body and hence accepted by almost all the standard power utilities and other bodies.
10. Does CPRI have comprehensive facilities for evaluation of Smart meters ?
Yes the Institute has comprehensive facilities and are placed below:
The implementation of Open Protocol for Static Energy Meter / Smart Meter is one of the most essentially required key features in present scenario for implementation of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Grid across the country to ensure interoperability of Energy meters.
The open protocol based on IEC 62056 helps to overcome most of the challenges regarding data acquisition of utilities, uniformity and homogeneity among various energy meter manufacturers in India.
Subsequently, BIS has formulated India Companion Specification (ICS) and published
- IS: 15959 (Part 1): 2011- “Data exchange for electricity meter reading, tariff and load control – Companion specification” (Part 1 for Static Energy Meters).
- IS: 15959 (Part 2): 2016 (Smart Meters) as part of IS 16444 (Part 1): 2015
- IS: 15959 (Part 3): 2017 (Transformer operation Smart meters) – “Data exchange for electricity meter reading, tariff and load control- Companion specification for Smart meters” as part of IS 16444 (Part 2): 2017.
This companion specification covers Indian specific requirements for design of open protocol energy meters / smart meters. The open protocol for Static & Smart Energy meter formulated as ICS will also serve as the backbone for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The laboratory’s testing and developmental assistance services has been utilized by many Indian / overseas manufacturers, Utilities, Integrators etc. CPRI is a member of DLMS UA (Device Language Message Specification User Association), Geneva. The CPRI Test Reports will carry the logo of DLMS UA.
11. What are the Consultancy Services offered by CPRI?
CPRI offers expert consultancy services in the areas of Transmission and Distribution Systems, Power Quality, Energy Auditing, Conductor Vibration, Power System Instrumentation. Transformer Oil Reclamation, new materials for Power
CPRI renders Expert Consultancy in the areas of :
- Diagnostic & Condition Monitoring of HV substation and Power plant electrical equipment, Site testing of Transformer oil.
- Power System Studies, Real Time Simulation of Power System Controls, Protection Audit of Generating stations and substations, Grid integration of Renewables -Wind and Solar, Power Quality Studies, Harmonic Filter design, Protection coordination studies and the related Equipment setting.
- RLA and R & M of Thermal & Hydro Power Plants, Failure analysis of industrial and plant components. Performance assessment of coal mills and cooling towers, In-situ oxide scale measurement in Super heater and Re-heater tube, Non-destructive evaluation of Thermal Power Station plant equipment, Corrosion mapping of water wall tubes of Boilers.
- Energy efficiency services like Energy Audit, Fuel Audit of Thermal Power Stations, Training services in Plant Optimization for Thermal Power Stations.
- Power System Automation/Distribution Automation, Smart Grid.
- The Institute offers Third Party Inspection services and Vendor Assessment for Utilities. CPRI is also offering services for programmes initiated by Government of India. System application, High Power, Extra High Voltage and related fields.
12. What is the role of CPRI in Capacity building programmes for Power Engineers in the country?
CPRI has been in the forefront for disseminating the knowledge assimilated by way of in-house Research through organising Technical Programmes. The training modules are designed to comprehensively address the specific needs of the power sector Utilities which has benefited a large number of personnel from Electrical Utilities and Industries. Specific Training programmes covering Orientation/Induction to newly inducted Power engineers in PSUs for upgradation of technical manpower skills.
13. What are the Research programmes undertaken by CPRI?
CPRI serves as a Nodal Agency for furthering applied Research in the field of Electrical engineering which leads to technology development in Power Sector. With the State-of-the-art infrastructure, CPRI has been carrying out R & D in the areas of electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution in the endeavour to assist the power Utilities to supply reliable, uninterrupted, safe and quality power to the consumers at affordable cost. The Centre for Collaborative & Advanced Research (CCAR) has been established with the aim of creating a healthyambience and a conducive environment for collaborative research between R & D Institutions, Industry and Academia. The Centre is aiding Technology Development for the Power Sector.
The various R&D Schemes of CPRI are:
- In-House R & D (IHRD)
- Research Schemes on Power (RSoP)
- Research Project under National Perspective Plan (NPP)
CPRI also coordinates and monitors Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) and Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) under MHRD.
The Institute has executed over 400 R&D Projects resulting in over 70 Patents and has numerous Technical Papers published in National and International Journals of repute. The Institute has been organizing many National and International Seminars, Conferences and Workshops and has been serving as a platform for information dissemination and Interaction between Power Utilities, Academia and Industry personnel. To its credit, the Institute has brought out Technical Reports on completion of each Research Project and is equipped with a state-of-art Documentation Centre for easy reference and access.
14. How do I approach CPRI for testing?
The CPRI website has popup menus seeking details of the nature of interest in the activities of CPRI and the Queries can also be communicated Online under” Contact us” wherein the queries will be routed and addressed by the Information & Publicity Division.
Shri. Shyam Sundar S
Joint Director
Customer Services & Coordination Division
Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru
Mobile: 91 9449057569
Phone: +91 - 080 - 22072210(Off.)
Email: enquiry@cpri.in
Shri Ramadas
Engineering Officer Grade 3
Customer Services & Coordination Division
Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru
Phone : +91 - 080 - 22072208(Off.)
Mobile : +91-9845184013
Email : enquiry@cpri.in
Customer Services & Coordination Division
Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru
Phone : +91 - 080 - 22072229(Off.)