Qualifications and Validation
The qualification and validation of power plants are important methods of quality management ensuring a smooth production process and quality of product.
IQ/OQ/PQ
Together with quality management and validation, the qualification of equipment and plant sections is an important part of project design.
Installation Qualification (IQ)
The installation qualification (IQ) is the documented proof that the plants and plant components supplied and installed by APS Elektrotechnik GmbH conform to the legal regulations as well as to the design specifications of the customer.
Installation-Qualification Tools:IQ Test Plan: The IQ Test Plan comprises of detailed information on the IQ tests carried out on the respective equipment and plant components.
IQ Report: Following completion of the installation-qualification (IQ) the results of the work carried out are summarised and assessed in an IQ Report.
Any deviations to the standards are recorded in the IQ report together with a description of the measures necessary to delete the same. Following the deletion of the deviations, the changes must be tested anew, recorded and summarised and assessed in a new IQ-Report.
Operational Qualification (OQ)
The operational qualification (OQ) is a test procedure assessing and documenting the correct operation of the plant and/or the implementation accordingly. This requires the successful completion of an installation qualification (IQ) at the start of the OQ.
Regarding the OQ, the specific test procedures are processed and documented with the aid of a specific OQ Test plan.
Operational Qualification Tools:OQ Test Plan: In the OQ test plan the specific test-procedures and functions in process and the expected results are described and the actual results documented.
OQ Report: Following completion of the operational qualification (OQ), the results of the tasks carried out are summarised and assessed in an OQ.
Any deviations to the standards are recorded in the OQ report together with a description of the measures necessary to delete the same.
Following the deletion of the deviations, the changes must be tested anew, recorded and summarised and assessed in a new OQ-Report.
The operational qualification is usually accompanied by the end customer or operator of the plant respectively and this is also noted by signature on the OQ-Report.
A properly completed Operation Qualification is a requirement for permission to operate a part of a plant accordingly.
Performance Qualification (PQ)
In the case of the performance qualification (PQ), the whole production process for a particular product is reviewed over a fixed period of time.
The objective of this PQ is to test and document, that the plant and/or application operates within a fixed framework and supplies reproducible, homogeneous and stable production within defined limits.
In doing so, the plants and/or the applications are not explicitly tested, but are regarded as an integral part of a complete system or a partial process.
Even though the PQ generally means the OQ Test under operating conditions, a detailed OQ Test Plan is compiled based on both a comprehensive process description and the general and specific standards, regulations and recommendations. The PQ is carried out with the aid of this Test Plan.
The specific production stages and results are recorded in a corresponding Qualification Report.
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
Before electrical equipment may leave our test bay, the compliance with the quality standards laid down in the specifications is verified and ensured once again. Ideally, these tests are carried out together with the customer and/or the future operator of the plant and also the authorities.
Site Acceptance Test (SAT)
Following commissioning and before delivering the electrical installation to the customer / plant, a SAT is carried out together with the operator. In the SAT, the whole installation is tested regarding safety and operation and recorded in every detail.
