Powertech solves technical problems with power equipment and systems throughout their life cycle, from the design stage through service life, to disposal and re-use.
Many technical issues are complex, requiring knowledge across several disciplines for complete assessment and remediation. In a single facility Powertech offers electrical, chemical, environmental, gas technologies, mechanical, metallurgical, materials, civil and structural engineering expertise gained over years of research and testing.
The resulting solutions to technical problems are practical, timely, and cost-effective.
The company is organized around seven distinct business units: Power System Studies; Electrical Technologies; Power Engineering Labs; Civil Infrastructures and Alternative Energy Technologies; Gas Systems Engineering; Materials Engineering and Applied Chemistry.
Cable Testing; Many utilities and industrial facilities have large numbers of power cables in service that are approaching their end of life. Powertech can help clients assess the condition of these cables and prioritize replacement, whether they are low voltage, distribution or transmission class cables.
Electrical Testing; Powertech operates one of the best equipped and most technologically advanced electrical and natural gas equipment testing facilities in North America. We evaluate equipment for manufacturers and utilities through the world, and perform certification testing to national and international standards.
High Voltage Lab; Maximum impulse voltage: 3200 kV, Maximum 60 Hz voltage: 800 kV, Maximum DC voltage: 1000 kV
Services; The services offered by High Voltage Laboratory include:

• Standard high voltage testing
• Testing and evaluation of porcelain, glass and composite insulators (withstand and flashover, puncture, electromechanical and steep front tests)
• Testing of bushings
• Testing of switchgear, disconnecting switches and circuit breakers
• Testing and commissioning of power cables
• Testing of distribution and power transformers (partial discharge and impulse tests)
• Testing of power cable accessories
• Testing of SF6 insulated equipment
• Testing and evaluation of instrument transformers
• Radio interference voltage (RIV) testing of equipment
• Partial discharge testing of equipment
• Evaluation and analysis of transformer condition and faults
• Transformer winding movement monitoring
• Line and bus hardware evaluation
• Certification tests on aerial devices (bucket trucks) for live-line work
• EMF calculation, analysis and consultation
• EMF field measurement
• Electromagnetic interference testing and consultation
• Field testing: substation equipment
• Transient measurement for transmission and distribution systems Outdoor Pole Testing

Poles made from alternative materials are being developed and marketed for the support of overhead electrical and communication systems, for transmission and distribution applications. These alternative materials include steel, concrete, composite, hard wood and laminated wood. Powertech Labs has an outdoor pole testing facility to carry out cantilever static bending tests according to the ASTM D1036 standard procedure. The test facility can accommodate testing poles as long as 125 feet. Wood poles, steel poles, concrete poles, composite poles and laminated wood poles can be tested at the testing facility. For testing thin hollow poles, such as steel distribution size or composite poles, the facility has provision to use different gripping mechanisms to eliminate any localized stress concentrations as well as to simulate different embedded conditions.