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Case Study

Test Incorporated + University of Strathclyde

Assessing the insulation integrity, performance, and condition of electrical systems in commercial buildings.                                           

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Test Incorporated

Test Incorporated Ltd. is one of the UK's leading service companies, providing a comprehensive range of specialist Preventative, Predictive and Periodic maintenance solutions to the built environment across a vast range of installations and system types across the UK.
The business was founded in 2012 by Mr. Grant Davison with the objective of providing exceptional service delivery across the industry, specifically 5-Star service for 5-Star clients.

What was the need?

The Challenge

The Challenge

What was the need?

Developing a method to assess cable insulation integrity under live conditions introduces several real-world challenges. Unlike traditional offline tests that allow controlled, high-voltage spot measurements with all equipment powered down, live environments offer no such isolation. Power cannot be turned off, and loads remain active and variable, making it difficult to define clear test boundaries. Safety regulations may limit access to certain points in the system, and engineers often cannot interact directly with live conductors. Additionally, each installation differs in configuration, loading, and physical layout, making it hard to establish a universal testing framework. There is also no widely accepted standard or benchmark for evaluating insulation health during operation, which complicates both the design and validation of any new approach.

What did we do?

The Solution

To address these challenges, we are developing a diagnostic approach that passively observes the system during normal operation and uses advanced analysis to assess the condition of cable insulation without requiring any shutdown or disruption. The method is designed to adapt across different sites and operating conditions, providing insight into insulation health in a way that is both practical and scalable.

What changed?

The Impacts and Benefits

Impacts for the Company 

  • Addresses a Critical Industry Need
    Enables insulation integrity assessment without power disruption — a long-standing challenge in electrical maintenance.
  • Improves Safety and Uptime
    Reduces the need for shutdowns during testing, helping operators maintain system continuity and avoid costly outages.
  • Supports Predictive Maintenance Trends
    Aligns with the global shift toward smarter, condition-based maintenance strategies across infrastructure and industry.
  • Drives Innovation in Electrical Diagnostics
    Demonstrates how advanced signal analytics can deliver practical tools for real-world power systems.
  • Promotes Sustainable Operations
    Minimizes operational disturbance and energy waste associated with traditional offline testing methods.
  • Strengthens UK Engineering and Research
    Reflects the success of industry-academic collaboration in solving complex, real-world engineering problems.
  • Builds Foundations for Scalable Solutions
    Opens up future product and service pathways in industrial, commercial, and critical infrastructure markets.

 

Impacts for the Academic Team 

  • Showcases High-Impact Applied Research
    Demonstrates how academic expertise can directly contribute to solving real-world industrial challenges.
  • Strengthens Industry Engagement
    Builds long-term partnerships with SMEs through collaborative innovation, reinforcing the university’s relevance in modern engineering practice.
  • Supports Research Visibility
    Results presented at international conferences and included in a patent application enhance the university’s research reputation and outreach.
  • Enables Student and Researcher Development
    Provides real-life problem-solving experience for students and research associates, bridging the gap between academic learning and industrial application.
  • Fosters Innovation Ecosystem
    Contributes to the UK’s knowledge transfer landscape by advancing tools and techniques with tangible market potential.
  • Enhances Funding and Collaboration Opportunities
    Demonstrated success strengthens the university’s case for future collaborative funding bids (e.g. KTPs, Innovate UK, Horizon Europe).

 

Impacts for the KTP Associate

  • Advanced Technical Skill Development
    Gained hands-on expertise in power systems diagnostics, signal processing, and model-based engineering applied to real industrial challenges.
  • Innovation and IP Contribution
    Played a key role in the development of a novel diagnostic algorithm, contributing directly to a patent application — a rare and valuable milestone in early-career R&D.
  • Product Development Experience
    Participated in the full lifecycle of technology translation: from conceptual design through prototyping, validation, and commercial planning.
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration
    Engaged with both academic supervisors and industry leaders, developing communication, negotiation, and project management skills in a multi-stakeholder environment.
  • Professional Recognition and Exposure
    Co-authored a peer-reviewed international conference paper, with the solution publicly presented at IEEE EIC 2025 — raising the associate’s profile in the professional community.
  • Strategic Insight and Commercial Awareness
    Contributed to discussions on business strategy, market positioning, and IP protection, gaining valuable insight into how technology drives commercial growth.
  • Career Progression Foundation
    The experience provides a solid platform for future roles in R&D, consultancy, product innovation, or academic research.
The Impacts and Benefits

The People

Meet the Team

Dr Zia Ullah

Professor Brian Stewart

Aidan Routledge