NETA ATS-2021 is the Standard for Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems, published by the International Electrical Testing Association. It provides comprehensive guidelines for testing newly installed or retrofitted electrical power equipment and systems.

NETA ATS-2021 was published on September 18, 2020.

This standard is essential for electrical engineers, power system technicians, facility managers, quality assurance professionals, and electrical contractors involved in the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of electrical power systems.

NETA ATS-2021 covers a wide range of electrical equipment, including:

• Switchgear and circuit breakers
• Transformers
• Cables and busways
• Motor control centers
• Protective relays
• Grounding systems
• Surge arresters
• Batteries and chargers

Yes, NETA ATS-2021 is applicable across various industries, including:

• Commercial buildings
• Industrial facilities
• Data centers
• Healthcare facilities
• Educational institutions
• Utility power systems

Key updates in NETA ATS-2021 include:

• Enhanced safety protocols for testing activities
• Updated test procedures for emerging technologies
• Revised acceptance criteria reflecting current industry standards
• Expanded guidance on power quality testing

NETA ATS-2021 emphasizes safety by:

• Providing detailed safety precautions for each test procedure
• Aligning with current NFPA 70E requirements
• Addressing arc flash hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs
• Offering guidance on safe work practices during testing activities

To implement NETA ATS-2021:

1. Obtain a copy of the standard
2. Review and understand the requirements
3. Develop testing plans based on the standard's specifications
4. Train personnel on the new procedures
5. Update existing testing protocols to align with NETA ATS-2021
6. Conduct acceptance tests following the standard's guidelines

While not legally mandatory in all jurisdictions, compliance with NETA ATS-2021 is often required by:

• Project specifications
• Insurance companies
• Regulatory bodies
• Industry best practices

A typical NETA ATS-2021 acceptance test includes:

1. Visual and mechanical inspection
2. Electrical tests
3. System function tests
4. Documentation of results
5. Comparison with acceptance criteria
6. Recommendations for corrective actions if needed

NETA ATS-2021 provides guidance on power quality testing, including:

• Harmonic analysis
• Voltage sag and swell measurements
• Transient capture and analysis
• Power factor correction verification

Key transformer tests include:

• Insulation resistance measurements
• Turns ratio testing
• Winding resistance measurements
• Dissolved gas analysis (DGA)
• Power factor/dissipation factor testing

Circuit breaker testing in NETA ATS-2021 includes:

• Contact resistance measurements
• Insulation resistance testing
• Time-travel analysis
• Trip and close coil current profile testing
• Primary and secondary injection testing

NETA ATS-2021 requires comprehensive documentation, including:

• Test equipment calibration records
• Detailed test procedures
• Recorded test results
• Comparison of results with acceptance criteria
• Recommendations for any necessary corrective actions
• Final acceptance test report

Test results should be reported in a clear, concise format that includes:

• Equipment identification
• Test procedures used
• Measured values
• Pass/fail status based on acceptance criteria
• Any deviations from standard procedures
• Recommendations for follow-up actions

NETA ATS-2021 recommends that testing personnel be:

• NETA certified technicians
• Familiar with the equipment being tested
• Trained in safety procedures and arc flash hazards
• Knowledgeable about the specific test procedures in NETA ATS-2021

Yes, NETA offers several certifications, including:

• NETA Certified Technician Level III
• NETA Certified Technician Level IV
• NETA Accredited Company

NETA ATS-2021 significantly impacts the industry by:

• Standardizing acceptance testing procedures
• Improving electrical system reliability and safety
• Enhancing the quality of newly installed electrical equipment
• Providing a benchmark for electrical testing practices worldwide

Future updates to NETA ATS-2021 may address:

• Integration of smart grid technologies
• Testing procedures for renewable energy systems
• Enhanced cybersecurity considerations for electrical equipment
• Adoption of artificial intelligence in electrical system diagnostics

NETA ATS-2021 includes guidelines for testing:

• Solar photovoltaic systems
• Wind turbine generators
• Energy storage systems
• Microgrid components
  These sections cover specific tests for inverters, charge controllers, and grid interconnection equipment.

The standard addresses smart grid technologies by including:

• Testing procedures for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)
• Verification of communication protocols for intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)
• Guidelines for testing distribution automation systems
• Acceptance criteria for demand response equipment

NETA ATS-2021 addresses cybersecurity by:

• Providing guidelines for testing network-connected electrical equipment
• Recommending verification of access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Outlining procedures for testing firmware integrity
• Suggesting assessments of communication encryption in smart devices

Key cybersecurity tests include:

• Verification of secure boot processes
• Testing of role-based access controls
• Assessment of data encryption methods
• Evaluation of firmware update mechanisms
• Testing of intrusion detection systems

NETA ATS-2021 includes detailed procedures for:

• Harmonic distortion analysis
• Voltage fluctuation and flicker measurements
• Transient voltage and current capture
• Power factor and reactive power compensation testing
• Unbalance and symmetrical components analysis

he standard provides guidance on testing:

• Active harmonic filters
• Static VAR compensators
• Dynamic voltage restorers
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

NETA ATS-2021 includes considerations for:

• Temperature and humidity effects on equipment performance
• Altitude derating factors for electrical equipment
• Corrosive atmosphere impacts on insulation and contacts
• Seismic qualification testing requirements

The standard offers:

• Special test procedures for marine and offshore installations
• Guidelines for testing equipment in high-pollution areas
• Recommendations for cold and hot climate testing adaptations
• Procedures for verifying ingress protection (IP) ratings

NETA ATS-2021 supports predictive maintenance by:

Providing baseline data through comprehensive initial testing
Recommending periodic testing intervals for various equipment types
Outlining trending and analysis techniques for test results
Suggesting integration of online monitoring systems with acceptance testing

he standard mentions:

• Infrared thermography for electrical connections
• Partial discharge monitoring for medium and high voltage equipment
• Acoustic emission testing for transformers
• Motor current signature analysis (MCSA) for rotating machinery

NETA ATS-2021 includes specific guidelines for:

• UPS systems and static transfer switches
• Power distribution units (PDUs)
• Redundant power architectures (N+1, 2N)
• Emergency power off (EPO) systems

The standard covers:

• Isolated power systems for operating rooms
• Automatic transfer switches for essential electrical systems
• Ground fault protection systems for life safety branches
• Testing of medical equipment grounding (MEG) receptacles

NETA ATS-2021 is designed to complement international standards by:

• Referencing IEC standards where applicable
• Aligning test procedures with IEEE recommendations
• Providing cross-references to relevant ISO standards
• Considering global best practices in electrical testing

While generally aligned, some differences include:

• More prescriptive test procedures in NETA ATS-2021
• Specific acceptance criteria values in NETA ATS-2021
• Different emphasis on certain tests based on regional practices
• Variations in terminology and definitions

Future editions may include:

• Enhanced procedures for testing DC power systems in data centers
• Expanded guidelines for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• More comprehensive testing protocols for energy storage systems
• Integration of artificial intelligence in test result analysis and interpretation

NETA continuously gathers feedback through:

• Industry surveys and questionnaires
• Technical committee meetings with subject matter experts
• Collaboration with equipment manufacturers
• Analysis of field reports and case studies from NETA-accredited companies