What is acceptance testing? Field acceptance testing is formally recognized in industry standards covering major electrical equipment, such as those produced by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). In general, acceptance testing under these standards consists of electrical tests to verify the integrity of insulation, and condition of contacts, etc.
In addition to these tests, which I refer to as "electrical integrity testing," an acceptance testing program should include verification of mechanical integrity and functional performance. Mechanical integrity includes verifying that the equipment is properly installed, connections are tightened properly, and mechanisms are properly adjusted, etc. Functional performance verification applies to any operation, interlock, or control system that requires a step-by-step procedure for testing, such as bus transfer schemes or ground fault protection.