UL 3200 OUTLINE

Description / Abstract: The objective of this outline (test protocol) is to establish a uniform methodology for testing and reporting performance of DG equipment and packaged CHP products in a laboratory environment. The outline establishes methods for measuring, calculating, and reporting power output, efficiency, other electrical parameters, emissions, and thermal output with the intent of determining or verifying the operational characteristics of the tested products within the manufacturer's specified ambient and operational design limits. The outline is not a detailed procedure. It refers to detailed industry-accepted standards for specific test requirements, as appropriate.

This document is intended for use by organizations such as manufacturers, universities, laboratories, and other capable testing agencies to assess the performance attributes of commercial distributed energy products. Results of testing are ultimately intended for use by end users, manufacturers, utilities, system integrators, engineers, and regulators. The scope of this document covers laboratory quality performance testing of gas-turbine-, reciprocating-engine-, and microturbine-based products and applies to CHP (combined heating and power) products that contain heat recovery and thermally activated cooling technologies.

In addition to the tests themselves, this outline describes consistent methods for preparing for the tests, analyzing data, and calculating and reporting of test results. It includes grid-connected, stand-alone, and transient operating performance. The outline does not describe setting up the CHP system or its commissioning and decommissioning.

This outline includes the following performance test elements for DG and CHP systems:

a) Power output and efficiency.

b) Standby and transient performance.

c) Emissions.

d) Noise.

This outline does not cover the performance testing of distributed energy products with respect to:

a) The electric utility interconnection requirements of IEEE 1547 or the Standard for Inverters, Converters and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems, UL 1741.

b) Remote communication and control systems.

c) The reliability, availability, maintainability, or durability of DG products as the number of DG units and operating time required to obtain meaningful data is greater than reasonably achievable in a laboratory environment.

Liquid fuel analysis and heating value determination is not covered by this outline.