We provide startup and commissioning services to inspect, validate, and verify (IV&V) the construction integrity of both new and existing facilities undergoing modification. Our comprehensive services assure you that your systems have been delivered and installed in a safe, reliable, and fully functional manner.

Verifying the proper functionality of hardware, software, and instrumentation systems ensure that your installed equipment suits your original application intent.  Tasks including power system validation, electrical component checkout, wiring system verification, process control loop testing, PLC and HMI operation, register mapping, safety interlocking, and performance testing establishes the basis for meeting your operational requirements and for successful long-term functionality.

Our core competencies:

In addition to performing IV&V services, our team can also be a long-term resource for you with equipment training, operation & maintenance, and documentation for standard operating procedures.  We also develop methods of procedure for equipment inspection and maintenance as a roadmap for your long-term reliability.  For specialty project applications involving complex electrical systems, the startup and commissioning services might include:

  • Safety Interlocking. Verification of electrical and mechanical interlocks for substations and power distribution equipment to prevent dangerous electrical operating conditions, ensure proper equipment protection, and establish safety for electrical personnel.

  • Control System Verification. Confirmation of electrical protection schemes to accomplish desired functionalities including high-speed relaying, redundant relaying, differential protection, pilot transfer trip (PTT), direct transfer trip (DTT), line impedance monitoring, negative sequence, synchronism check, and IEC 61850-based transfer tripping.

  • Generator System Validation. Verification of generator operation and interconnection systems including prime mover controls, turbine controls, anti-islanding protection, out-of-step protection, and loss of excitation to help maintain transient stability for a given electrical system.

  • Electrical Equipment Functionality. Proper functionality of motor control center centers, variable frequency drives, and control panels associated with water and wastewater facilities to ensure proper water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water distribution, and to avoid public health and ecological consequences.

  • Power System Functionality. Proper functionality of switchgear lineups, rectifier transformers, rectifiers, rectifier load balancing, frequency converters, AC/DC relaying, short circuit testing, and control systems associated with AC and DC traction power systems for railway electrification.

  • Communication System Operation. Verification of communication architecture, system alarming, real-time connectivity, and data exchange between electrical equipment and with remote control devices using hardwired signaling and communication protocols including Modbus, DNP3, Mirrored Bits, and IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging.

A representational list of our startup & commissioning projects:

Water & Wastewater Facilities
  • WSSC Parkway Water Resource Recovery Facility – Laurel, MD (Learn More)
  • Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant – Baltimore, MD
  • Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant – Baltimore, MD
Data Centers
  • Fannie Mae Worldgate Center – Herndon, VA (Learn More)
  • AIG Data Center – Reston, VA
Facility Generation, Distribution, and System Automation
  • BCUA Cogeneration Facility – Hackensack, NJ (Learn More)
  • Quantico Marine Corps Base – Quantico, VA
  • WMATA Silver Line – Dulles, VA

Our blogs related to startup & commissioning:

Featured
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How to Ensure the Electrical System Integrity of an Urban Metro Rail System

Electricity can provide power for trains to create an effective city-wide mass transportation system. An important part of this system is the traction power substations whose function is to convert the incoming commercial electrical supply to a form usable by trains via overhead catenary or an energized third-rail.

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Understanding “Power Factor” Will Reduce Your Costs and Make Your Electrical System More Efficient

Improving the quality of your electrical power improves reliability and reduces electrical costs. Additionally, it will improve your own electrical distribution system and reduce the likelihood of your utility company penalizing you for a low “power factor”. The key to improving your electrical power is understanding the importance of the power factor.

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How to Provide Electrical Safety and Reduce Costs

Electricity is a serious workplace hazard. Its use is essential, yet every year many workers suffer injury or death from accidents involving electrical equipment. Every company that relies on electricity requires a safety program to protect its employees from electrocution, arc flash, or other electrical hazards. OSHA recognizes electricity as a serious workplace hazard – just one serious workplace injury could outweigh the time and cost to develop a proper electrical safety program.

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Test Cables Without Damaging Them and Save Money Doing It
Test Cables Without Damaging Them and Save Money Doing It

During construction projects, electrical contractors are often required to re-use existing medium and high voltage cables. Prior to re-use of existing in-service cables, it is important to properly test its insulation integrity to ensure satisfactory long-term performance. Consultation with both a master electrician and a professional engineer will determine the most appropriate test method, maintain cable integrity during testing, and achieve better analysis of the test results.

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Testimonials from our startup & commissioning clients:

“Helios Electric integrated, programmed, and commissioned the electrical protection system on a large transit project for us. I found them to be very knowledgeable and willing to accommodate the rigors of working on a large project.”

Electrical Contractor (Manassas, VA)

“I have to give a special thanks to Helios Electric that I brought onboard as without their help and also quickness in reviewing the OEM drawings, identifying its errors, working up a complete main-tie-main scheme quickly with the info provided, and getting us something that we could work with; timely completion could not have happened. With their meticulous direction on site we were confident that the job could get done.”

Electrical Contractor (Reston, VA)