The 245kV AC Pantograph was tested in Munich, Germany and was qualified for installation at the Transpower Pole 3 substation in New Zealand.  This site is located in one of the most seismically vulnerable regions in the world.  This was a unique test in that an actual section of bus was rigged in the test facility over the shake table to replicate the actual installed configuration of the switch in the closed position.  

A complete Finite Element (FE) analysis was prepared prior to testing to predict the outcome of the test.  The FE analysis showed the switch was vulnerable in the closed position without the mating contact installed.  This provoked the decision to rig the bus system providing a solution to increase the probability of passing the test.

The test setup for this switch was very complex and ensured the performance of the switch in the in-service configuration was confirmed.