Most of the tests are done in the laboratory which is housed at the KEBS head office in Nairobi and other tests are done at client’s premises. The lab which is accredited by SANAS implements ISO 17025 and the staff is highly competent.
Instrumentation:
Electrical laboratory houses several versatile and equipment and instruments as below
- Power input tester
- Lamp testing Machine
- Switch testing machine
- Earth resistance tester
- Cranking machine
- Battery Charging and discharging testers
- Dry cell tester
- Secondary Battery analyzer
- Rigid Test fingers
- Glow Wire Test Apparatus.
- High Voltage Test Apparatus (0-10 kV AC).
- High Voltage Test Apparatus (0-5 kV AC).
- Kelvin's Double Bridge.
- Mega Ohm Meter.
- Digital data logger.
- Torsion Test Apparatus.
- Tumbling Barrel.
- Projection Microscope
- Tracking Current Test Apparatus.
- Universal Tensile Test Apparatus.
- Vernier Caliper.
- Micrometer.
- Multimeters.
- Etc.
Products tested
- Electrical & Communication Cables
- Enameled Winding Wires
- A.C.S.R
- Bus-Bars, Earthing Rods & Strips
- Adhesive PVC Tapes
- Miniature Circuit Breakers
- Electrical Accessories
- Conduits
- Switches
- Plugs
- Socket-Outlets
- Lamp Holders
- Electrical Home Appliances
- Refrigerators » Cookers
- Audio visual Equipment
- Instantaneous Water Heaters
- Primary and secondary cells
- Immersion Water Heaters
- Electrical Iron Box
- Different Insulation Materials
- Consumer units
- switch gears and panel boxes
- Solar modules
- Automobile Cables »Etc.
Tests Performed on Cables
- Annealing Test for Copper Conductor
- Tensile Strength for Aluminum Conductor
- Wrapping Test for Aluminum Conductor
- Conductor Resistance
- Physical Tests for Insulation and Sheath
- Thickness of Insulation and sheath
- Tensile Strength and Elongation
- Aging in Air Oven, and Elongation
- Loss of Mass after Aging
- Heat Shock
- Thermal Stability
- Flammability
- Insulation Resistance
- High Voltage
- High Voltage Water Immersion
- Tensile Strength & Elongation of Armouring
- Dimension of Armouring
- Zinc Coating of Armouring
Tests Performed on Home Appliances:
- Safety Requirements
- Protection against Elect. Shock
- Input power
- Temperature Rise
- Operation Under Overload Conditions
- Elect. Insulation
- Leakage Current
- Electric Strength
- Abnormal Operation
- Stability & Mechanical Hazards
- Mechanical Strength
- Construction
- Internal Wiring
- Cord Grip & Cord Guard
- Terminal for External Conductor
- Provision for Earthing
- Screw & Connection
- Creepage Distance & Clearances
- Resistance to Heat, Fire & Tracking
- Endurance
- Insulation Resistance
- Measurement of Heating Up Time
- Measurement of Sole Plate Temperature
- Measurement of Temperature Distribution
- Temperature rise
- Measurement of thermostatic Stability
Tests Performed on Plugs & Sockets:
- Checking of Dimensions
- Protection Against Electric Shock
- Construction
- Insulation Resistance and Electric Strength
- Temperature Rise
- Breaking Capacity
- Endurance Test for Shutters
- Withdrawal Pull
- Cord Grip
- Mechanical Strength
- Resistance to Heat
- Screws and Connection
Tests performed on Winding Wires:
- Resistance
- Elongation
- Flexibility and Adherence
- Mandrel Winding
- Heat Shock
- Break-down Voltage
Tests Performed on Switches :
- Visual Examination of Marking
- Protection Against Electric Shock
- Terminals & Screws
- Insulation Resistance & Electric Strength
- Temperature Rise
- Making & Breaking Capacity
- Endurance
- Mechanical Strength
- Resistance to Heat
- Creepage Distance & Clearance
- Resistance to Rusting
Tests Performed on Pressure Sensitive Adhesive PVC Tapes for Electrical Purposes
- Dimensions
- Adhesion to Steel
- Adhesion to Backing
- Elongation and Tensile Strength
- Electrical Strength
- Flammability
- Accelerated Aging
Tests Performed on M.C.B
- Indelibility of Marking
- Reliability of Screws, Current Carrying Parts & Connections.
- Reliability of Terminals for External Conductors.
- Protection Against Electric Shock.
- Dielectric Properties
- Insulation Resistance of Main Circuit
- Dielectric Strength of Main Circuit.
- Dielectric Strength of Auxiliary and Control Circuits.
- Temperature Rise.
- Resistance to Mechanical Shock & Impact.
- Resistance to Heat.
- Resistance to Abnormal Heat & Fire.
- Resistance to Rusting.
Tests Performed on Aluminium Conductor for Overhead Transmission Purposes.
- Test for Ultimate Breaking Load on Stranded Conductor.
- Measurement of Diameter of Individual Aluminum and Steel Wires.
- Measurement of Lay Ratio.
- Breaking Load of Individual Wires.
- Ductility Test.
- Wrapping Test.
- Resistance Test.
- Galvanizing Test.
Tests Performed on Photovoltaic solar modules
- Marking
- Insulation Resistance
- Power output
Industries we serve
- Electrical and Electronic Appliances
- Battery
- Renewable Energy
- Audio Visual
- Industrial
- Power, metering and distribution
- Government
- Automotive
- Telecommunications
Contacts:
Michael Oganga
Head of Laboratory
Testing Services Department
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Popo road, off Mombasa road
P. O. Box 54794 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.