Mobile Laboratories and Diagnostics of Electrical Networks: Solutions from the Ukrainian Manufacturer PA "STEKS"

03.03.2026

On February 19, 2026, the online talk show “NETWORKS IN SPOTLIGHT: Technological Solutions for the Resilience of Ukrainian DSOs” took place. During the event, participants discussed issues of physical protection, digitalization, and the rapid recovery of critical energy infrastructure.

Nataliia Marchenko, Director of LLC “Production Association ‘STEKS'”, presented an overview of domestic solutions for the diagnostics and testing of electrical networks. The company, founded in 2006, is a long-standing partner of the energy, utility, and industrial sectors of Ukraine, as well as railway infrastructure.

The primary specialization of the enterprise is the production of electrotechnical mobile laboratories, as well as search, testing, and measuring equipment.

Mobile Electrotechnical Laboratories (ETL)

PA “STEKS” designs and assembles laboratories on various chassis (from compact vans to off-road vehicles) for the specific needs of the customer. The line includes three main types:

1. Cable Mobile Laboratories (6–10 kV): A basic solution for power engineers. The laboratory allows for a full range of work: searching for cable line damage locations, testing them, and topographic determination of the accident site (using burning, acoustic, and low-voltage methods). One interesting case from last year was the assembly of a full-scale ETL-10 laboratory in a compact Citroën Jumpy, which allowed for line diagnostics without taking them out of service in dense urban conditions.
2. Testing Laboratories (ETL-35): Specialized complexes focused exclusively on high-voltage testing of cable lines and electrotechnical equipment directly at substations (without the damage localization function). Usually mounted on minibuses (Renault Master, Ford Transit).
3. Comprehensive Mobile Laboratories: The most universal solution, combining the functionality of the first two types. It ensures damage localization and testing of objects in an extended voltage range—from 6 to 35 kV. For the needs of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” and AFU units, the company implemented comprehensive laboratories based on off-road vehicles (KUNGs) for work in hard-to-reach and mountainous areas.

Search, Testing, and Measuring Equipment

In addition to comprehensive laboratories on wheels, the company produces a wide range of mobile stands and devices:

• Search Equipment: Designed for localizing accidents on underground lines (6–35 kV). Includes high-voltage reflectometers, sound and search frequency generators, “Poshuk-2016” receivers, spark discharge units, and burning stands. For convenience, the equipment can be mounted on mobile trolleys (mini-laboratory format).
• Testing Equipment: AV 50/70 series apparatus for traditional cables, as well as modern units (AV 20/01, AV 45/01, AV 60/01) for testing cables with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation using very low frequency (VLF) voltage. A separate direction is the SVS-50 stands for testing personal protective equipment (dielectric gloves, boots, insulating rods).
• Measuring Instruments: Equipment for analyzing parameters of power transformers and liquid dielectrics. Specifically, IPI-10 insulation parameter meters, “Tangens-3” units (for transformer oil analysis), MO-40 micro-milliohmmeters, and K-540 devices.

Thanks to its own production, LLC “PA ‘STEKS'” offers Ukrainian power engineers reliable equipment that serves as a competitive and accessible alternative to imported analogs, ensuring rapid recovery and stable operation of domestic power grids.