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Winding Insulation Testing for

Transformers
 Transformer Types
• Power and distribution transformers may
be either single-phase or three-phase
– Three-Winding
– Two-Winding
– Autotransformer (with or without a tertiary
winding)
• They may be liquid-insulated, gas-
insulated, or dry-type.
The Overall Test-Short the Winding
• Before starting test:
• Short Circuit High
Voltage Windings
CHL
CH • Short Circuit Low
CL Voltage Windings
• Disconnect the
neutral bushing
from ground

This is one of the most

Ensure that the Neutral
Bushing is also shorted and common sources of error
disconnected from Ground in test results!
Reason for Short Circuiting Winding

• Maintain equipotential across the

entire winding
• Winding should remain short circuited
for Overall and Bushing C1 tests
 Model Transformer Insulation
• For Overall tests
transformer
High
Voltage
insulation
Windings sectioned into
three groups:
CH – CH
CHL – CL
CL – CHL
• Reason
Low – Better assessment
Voltage of the individual
Windings components,
 Dielectric Circuit: Two Winding Transformer

CH - Insulation between
– High Voltage conductors and grounded
Tank & Core (HV Bushings-Winding
Insulation-Structural Insulating Members-
Oil)

• CL - Insulation between
High – Low Voltage conductors and grounded
Tank & Core (LV Bushings - Winding
CH Insulation-Structural Insulating Members-
Tank Oil)
and
CHL Core
• CHL - Insulation between
CL – High and Low Voltage Windings
(Winding Insulation-Barriers-Oil)
Low
Test Procedure: Two Winding Transformer

Test # Test Mode Energize Ground Guard UST Measure

1 GST HIGH LOW ---- ---- CH+CHL
2 GST HIGH ---- LOW ---- CH
3 UST HIGH ---- ---- LOW CHL

4 Calculated Results: Test 1 minus Test 2 CHL

5 GST LOW HIGH ---- ---- CL+CHL

6 GST LOW ---- HIGH ---- CL
7 UST LOW ---- ---- HIGH CHL
8 Calculated Results: Test 4 minus Test 5 CHL

CH
CHL
CL
Lead connection for High Voltage Winding

HV Lead

CH
Ground Lead
CHL
CL

LV Lead

Test Connections for Test Nos. 1, 2 and 3

Lead connection for High Voltage Winding

High
CH
GST-Ground CHL
CL Test #1 : CH+CHL
Low

High
CH
GST-Guard CHL
CL
Test #2: CH
Low

High
CH
UST CHL Test #3: CHL
CL
Low
 Lead connection for Low Voltage Winding

LV Lead

CH
Ground Lead
CHL
CL

HV Lead

Test Connections for Test Nos. 5,6 and 7

Overall Test in DTA
Overall Test in DTA
Three-Winding Transformers

High
CH Tank
CHL and
Core
CHT Low
CL
CLT

Tert
CT
Test Procedure: Three-Winding Transformer

Test Mode Energize Ground Guard UST Measure

1 GST HIGH LOW TERT. ---- CH+CHL
2 GST HIGH ---- LOW, TERT. ---- CH
3 UST HIGH TERT. ---- LOW CHL
4 Calculated Results Test 1 Minus Test 2 CHL
5 GST LOW TERT. HIGH ---- CL+CLT
6 GST LOW ---- TERT., HIGH ---- CL
7 UST LOW HIGH ---- TERT CLT
8 Calculated Results Test 3 Minus Test 4 CLT
9 GST TERT. HIGH LOW ---- CT+CHT
10 GST TERT. ---- HIGH, LOW ---- CT
11 UST TERT. LOW ---- HIGH CHT
12 Calculated Results Test 5 minus Test 6 CHT
13 GST H,L,T ---- ---- ---- CH+CL+CT
 3 Winding Overall Test 1, 2 and 3

• Test circuits using lead connection shown below

– Test 1 GST Ground Red Guard Blue (GST R)
– Test 2 GST Guard Red and Blue (GST RB)
– Test 3 UST Measure Red Ground Blue (UST R)
 3 Winding Overall Test 5, 6 and 7

• Test circuits using lead connection shown below

– Test 5 GST Ground Red Guard Blue (GST R)
– Test 6 GST Guard Red and Blue (GST RB)
– Test 7 UST Measure Red Ground Blue (UST R)
3 Winding Overall Test 9, 10 and 11
• Test circuits using lead connection shown below
– Test 9 GST Ground Red Guard Blue (GST R)
– Test 10 GST Guard Red and Blue (GST RB)
– Test 11 UST Measure Red Ground Blue (UST R)
 3 Winding Overall Test 13
• Test circuits using lead connection shown below
– Test 13 GST Ground (GST RB)
DTA Overall Test Three Winding
Autotransformer with Tertiary
H1 H2 H3

Y3
Y2 H0X0 X1 X2 X3
Y1

HIGH
H2 TERTIARY
X2 Y2

X1 X3 Y1
H0X0
CHT
H1 H3
Y3

CH TANK & CORE CT

DTA Overall Auto with Tertiary
Autotransformer without Tertiary
H1 H2 H3

H0X0 X1 X2 X3

H2

X2

X1 X3
H0X0

H1 H3

CH
DTA Overall Auto without Tertiary
 Test Voltage

Recommended Doble Tan δ Test Voltages for Liquid-Filled

Power and Distribution Transformers

*Transformer Winding Rating (kV) Test Voltage(kV)

12 and Above 10
5.04 to 8.72 5
2.4 to 4.8 2
Below 2.4 1

*Phase to Phase
 Test Voltage
Recommended Doble Tan δ Test Voltages for Dry-Type
Power and Distribution Transformers

Transformer Winding Rating (kV) Test Voltages (kV)

Delta and ungrounded Wye Windings
Above 14.4 2 and 10
12 to 14.4 2, L-to-G, 10
5.04 to 8.72 2 and 5
2.4 to 4.8 2
Below 2.4 1
Grounded Wye Windings
2.4 and Above 2
Below 2.4 1
Transformers: Data Interpretation of Modern Oil-
Filled Power Transformers (Temperature Corrected)

•Less Than 0.5% -- GOOD

•>.5% but <1.0% -- DETERIORATED
•>.5% but <1.0% and increasing -- INVESTIGATE
•Greater than 1.0% -- BAD

GENERAL GUIDELINES!
 Interference Factors affecting PF
Measurement
•Electrostatic Interference

•Surface Leakage

•Humidity

•Temperature
Electrostatic Interference

•Use of double screened HV cables

•Off frequency measurement

•Avoid capacitance coupling to adjacent

metalwork- eg scaffolding
 Surface Leakage
Interference Factors affecting PF Measurement

•Leakage over the porcelain surface of

the specimen and gets added to the
losses

–Cleaning of insulation surface

–UST mode measurement where
ever possible
 Humidity

Interference Factors affecting PF Measurement

Moisture condensation on the surface

will increase surface losses

–Measurement to be carried out on

dry weather where relative humidity
does not exceed more than 80%
–Measurement during sunny day
–Cleaning of insulators before test
 Temperature
Interference Factors affecting PF Measurement

Dielectric loss changes with temperature

Tanδ δT0 e α(T-T0)

δT = Tanδ

α = Temperature Coefficient
= (ln TanδT – ln TanδT0)/ (T – T0)
 Case Study - Tanδ
• Spare transformer stood on plinth for 2 years
• 45 MVA; 132/11 kV; Free breather
• High tanδ and moisture
• Required purification

Tan δ (%)
Date Moisture
CH CHL CL
2005-04-18 0,54 0,68 1,39 15ppm
 Case Study - Tanδ
• After first purification
• Not happy with CL value !
• CH, CHL and moisture decreased
• Request further purification

Tan δ (%)
Date Moisture
CH CHL CL
2005-04-18 0,54 0,68 1,39 15ppm
After first purification
2005-05-06 0,43 0,53 1,39 8ppm
 Case Study - Tanδ
• After second purification
• Complete increase in all tanδ values
• HUGE PROBLEMS

Tan δ (%)
Date Moisture
CH CHL CL
2005-04-18 0,54 0,68 1,39 15ppm
After first purification
2005-05-06 0,43 0,53 1,39 8ppm
After second purification
2005-05-24 1,42 1,46 1,58 8ppm
 Case Study - Tanδ
• Performed TIP-UP test
• Steady increase in tan δ as the voltage increases
Tan δ (%)
Date Voltage (kV)
CH CL
2005-05-24 1 1,47
2 1,38 1,49
3 1,50
4 1,39 1,55
5 1,58
6 1,40
8 1,41
10 1,42
 Case Study - Tanδ
• Tip-up test shown presence of foreign partials
• Inspection of contractor’s purification plant revealed
damaged fiber filters
• Fibers entered the transformer

Tan δ (%)
Date Moisture
CH CHL CL
2005-04-18 0,54 0,68 1,39 15ppm
After first purification
2005-05-06 0,43 0,53 1,39 8ppm
After second purification
2005-05-24 1,42 1,46 1,58 8ppm
 Case Study - Tanδ
• After hot flush, vacuum for 24 hours and
further purification
• Acceptable tanδ
Tan δ (%)
Date Moisture
CH CHL CL
2005-04-18 0,54 0,68 1,39 15ppm
After first purification
2005-05-06 0,43 0,53 1,39 8ppm
After second purification
2005-05-24 1,42 1,46 1,58 8ppm
After third purification
2005-05-30 0,36 0,38 0,68 8ppm
 Case Study - Capacitance
• 275/132/22 kV autotransformer
• 315 MVA, Free breather with single phase
diverters
• Tripped on tapchanger pressure
• Clear indication that the blue phase diverter
was damaged.
• Questions:
– What other damage?
– Can we repair the tapchanger and return to service
“critical” transformer?
Transformer was tested before ! We have
reference data.
 Case Study - Capacitance
• Note the change in capacitance
• Indication of winding movement
• Not very sensitive
• SFRA and Leakage Reactance – better
• Does not indicate which phase

Date
Capacitance (pF) Difference (%)
2006-03-16 2007-02-20
CH 8922,6 7909,1 13
CHT 8099,30 7675,5 6
CT 16019,2 20122,1 21
 Value
• Tanδ and capacitance indicates:
– Dryness;
– Carbonisation;
– Conducting particles;
– Improperly grounded core;
– Winding movement; and
– Structural insulating members.
• Quality control after purification and
regeneration
 Things to look out for!
• Changers in tanδ and capacitance
• Is the neutral disconnected
• Is the core ground connected
• Correct connections (GST or UST)

• THE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL

THEORY!
 End of Winding Insulation
Thank you

Any Questions ?