Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

COMSATS University Islamabad,

Abbottabad Campus

Testing of Bushing

Name Registration #

Aamir Ali khan FA18-EPE-069

Assignment
03

Subject
High Voltage

Submitted to
Engr Saima Ali

Date
December 16, 2021
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

Testing of Bushing
Definition:
In electric power, a bushing is a hollow electrical insulator that allows an electrical conductor to
pass safely through a conducting barrier such as the case of a transformer or circuit breaker without
making electrical contact with it.

Bushing:
A single or composite structure carrying a conductor or providing passage for a conductor, through
a partition, such as a wall or tank cover, or through a ring type current transformer and insulating
it there from, it includes the means of attachment to the partition.

I. Solid Bushing: A bushing consisting of a single

piece of solid insulating material which is
continuous between its outer surface and the
inner conducting surface, which may be the main
conductor or a conducting layer connected
thereto.

II. Plain Bushing: A bushing consisting of a single

piece of solid insulating material, with a space
between the conductor and the inner surface of
the solid insulation. The space is occupied by air,
oil or other insulating medium which forms part
of the insulation.

III. Oil filled Bushing: A bushing consisting of an

oil-filled insulating shell, the oil providing the
major radial insulation.

IV. Condenser busing: A bushing in which

cylindrical conducting layers are arranged coaxially with the conductor within a solid body
of insulating materials, (including materials impregnated with oils or other
impregnants),the lengths and diameters of the cylinders being designed with the object of
controlling the internal and external electric fields.

Testing of Bushings
Bushings are an integral component of high voltage machines. A bushing is used to bring high
voltage conductors through the grounded tank or body of the electrical equipment without
excessive potential gradients between the conductor and the edge of the hole in the body. The
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

bushing extends into the surface of the oil at one end and the other end is carried above the tank to
a height sufficient to prevent breakdown due to surface leakage.

Following tests are carried out on bushings:

1) Power Frequency Tests of Bushing

1.1 Power Factor Test

 High voltage Schering bridge is used for this test. The test setup is shown in Figure.
 The conductor coming from bushing is connected to HV source and transformer tank is
connected to detector (D) side as shown.
 The Schering bridge is balanced by usual procedure.
 The observations are taken with increasing, and decreasing values of voltages.
 The power factor (cos Φ), capacitance of bushing (C2) is evaluated for each observation.
 The loss factor (tan 𝛿) is calculated.

Insulation power-factor tests are used to measure dielectric losses, which relate the wetness,
dryness or deterioration of high voltage insulation. Leakage current comprises of two components:
Resistive current and Capacitive current. In practice, no insulation is perfect, but has a certain
amount of loss and the total current leads the voltage by a phase angle less than 90°.

Vector Component of test Voltage & Current

In a parallel R/C Circuit
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 = 𝐸 × 𝐼𝑇 × 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝐸×𝐼𝑇

High voltage bushings are usually equipped with a tap for test measurements. The bushing
nameplate should list the tap capacitance and power factor of the C2 insulation, as measured from
the tap to the grounded flange.

The various types of power factor tests applicable to high-voltage bushings may include:

 Overall Test (from Center Conductor to Flange).

 Ungrounded-Specimen Test, or UST (Center Conductor to Tap, C1).
 Inverted UST Test (Tap to Center Conductor, C1).
 Cold Guard (Center Conductor to Flange).
 Tap Insulation Test (Tap to Flange, C2).
 Alternate C2 Test: C1 and C2 in Parallel.
 Collar Tests (Externally Applied Collar to Center Conductor).

1.2 Partial Discharge Test

In order to determine whether there is deterioration or not of the insulation used in the bushing,
this test is carried out. The shape of the discharge is an indication of nature and severity of the
defect in the bushing. This is considered to be a routine test for high voltage bushings.

Cx – Test piece. rx – Internal resistance of test piece

CD – Dummy sample rD – Internal resistance of dummy sample
CT – Filter capacitor D – Power frequency detector
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

1.2.1 What is Partial Discharge

Partial discharges (PD) are small electrical sparks that occur within the insulation of medium and
high voltage electrical assets. Each discrete partial discharge is the result of an electrical
breakdown of an air pocket within the insulation. These discharges erode insulation and eventually
result in insulation failure.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70B), the leading cause of electrical
failures is insulation breakdown. The National Electrical Code (NEC) states that these partial
discharges are the first indication of insulation deterioration. Research from the IEEE Gold Book,
Table 36, indicates that cables, switchgear, and transformers suffer the greatest losses from
insulation failure.

 Cables, splices, and terminations

 Power transformers and bushings
 Switchgear
 Motors and generators

Failures are not limited to service-aged equipment. Acceptance testing on newly installed
equipment builds reliability right from start. Acceptance Testing can:

 Verify original manufacturers test data and identify damaged insulation that occurred from
improper installation, poor design, and/or poor workmanship during or after installation.
 Identify premature failures and capture baseline data to trend asset health over the asset’s
life cycle to ensure maximum return on investment.

1.2.2 Integrated Partial Discharge Solutions

Vertiv’s integrated Partial Discharge Testing and Monitoring solutions include both online and
offline testing as well as periodic and continuous monitoring of your electrical assets. Depending
on your specific operating requirements and application, Vertiv can customize a program to best
fit your needs. Choose from the following solutions:

 Online Partial Discharge Testing

 Handheld Survey
 Periodic Partial Discharge Testing
 Continuous Online Monitoring
 Ultrasonics
 Offline Partial Discharge Testing
 Tan Delta
 Very Low Frequency Testing (VLF)
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

1.2.3 Online Partial Discharge Testing:

Online testing is performed while the equipment is energized at normal operating voltages. The
testing is conducted during real operating conditions, under typical temperature, voltage stresses,
and vibration levels. It is a nondestructive test and does not use over voltages that could adversely
affect the equipment. Online Partial Discharge Testing is relatively inexpensive compared to
offline testing that requires interruption of service and production. For critical facilities that operate
24x7, this is the best solution for identifying insulation condition.

1.2.4 Permanently Mounted Sensors

For “hard-to-access areas” or areas that pose a safety concern, you can use permanently mounted
sensors for periodic online PD detection. These HFCT sensors are installed by Vertiv engineers
and remain on the equipment for online access and diagnostic information. Often, these sensors
must be installed during an outage or plant downtime. Once installed, no further outage or
disruptions are required for online testing.

1.2.5 Periodic Partial Discharge Testing

Sometimes, you may need to conduct continuous monitoring over a short period. A portable PD
monitor can be used to perform continuous monitoring from one hour up to three months. Through
continuous monitoring, Vertiv will trend your assets over a longer period of time to provide a more
accurate assessment and recommendation. This solution is less expensive than installing a
permanently mounted PD monitoring system.

1.2.6 Offline Partial Discharge Testing

Offline Partial Discharge Testing offers a significant advantage over other technologies because
of its ability to measure the cable system’s response to a specific stress level and predict its future
performance without causing a fault. Offline testing is also known for its ability to pinpoint the
exact defect location on field-aged equipment, enabling the asset manager to accurately plan for
maintenance and repair. The challenge with offline testing is that the equipment must be taken
offline and out of service. Offline testing is also commonly used in acceptance testing on newly
installed cables. When deenergization is preferred, Vertiv can conduct offline testing as part of
your predictive maintenance program.

1.2.7 Visible Discharge Test

• This test is performed in dark room because the discharge taking place is not visible in
light.
• Standard test voltage is applied to the bushing.
• No discharge should take place on the bushings.
• The discharge taking place on arcing horns, grading rings of bushing is permitted.
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

1.3 Very Low Frequency Testing (VLF)

VLF AC High Potential (Hipot) Testing was developed in the early 1980s as a substitute for DC
Hipot testing. DC Hipot testing is no longer an acceptable test method for field aged extruded
cables because of its destructive nature and inability to determine insulation quality. Although
Very Low Frequency (VLF) Testing is primarily used to perform hipot or withstand testing in
cables, it is also suitable for testing transformers, switchgear, rotating machines, and other
electrical assets. It is frequently used as a voltage source for offline testing. A VLF hipot test is a
go/no-go test and is not a diagnostic test, but is one of the best ways to check the AC integrity of
an electrical asset to determine a pass or fail result. Similar to Offline Partial Discharge Testing,
the challenge of this test is that the equipment must be taken out of service.

2) Impulse Voltage testing:

1.1 Dry Lightning Impulse Voltage Withstand Test

 This test is applicable to all types of bushings..

 The time intervals between consecutive applications of the voltage is sufficient to avoid
effects from the previous application of voltage.
 The bushing is considered to have passed the test if no puncture occurs and if the number
of flashover at either polarity does not execed two except for transformer bushings.

1.2 Dry or Wet Switching Impulse Voltage Withstand Test

The bushing is subjected to fifteen impulses of positive polarity followed by fifteen impulses of
negative polarity of the standard waveform 250/2500 us.
The bushing is considered to have passed the test if no puncture occurs at either polarity and if the
number of flashover at either polarity does not exceed two except the transformer bushings for
which not more than two flashover at positive polarity and one flashover at negative polarity are
permitted.

Chopped Wave Withstand and Switching Surge Tests: The chopped wave test is sometimes done
for High Voltage Test Bushings (220 kV and 400 kV and above). Switching surge flashover test
of specified value is nowadays included for High Voltage Test Bushings. The tests are carried out
similar to full wave withstand test.

The bushing is either immersed fully in oil or is installed as in service condition. This test is carried
out to ascertain that the internal breakdown strength of the bushing is 15% more than the power
frequency momentary dry withstand test value.
Engr Saima Ali High Voltage Fa18-EPE-069

2. Thermal Tests:
Temperature Rise and Thermal Stability Tests:

 The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the bushing in service for long does not have an
excessive temperature rise and does not go into the "thermal runaway" condition of the
insulation used.
 The steady temperature rise above the ambient air temperature at any part of the bushing
should not exceed 450C.

Temperature rise test is carried out in free air with an ambient temperature below 40°C at a rated
power frequency (50 Hz) A.C current. The steady temperature rise above the ambient air
temperature at any part of the bushing should not exceed 45°C. The test is carried out for such a
long time till the temperature is substantially constant, i.e., the increase in temperature rate is less
than I °C/hr. Sometimes, the bushings must be operated along with transformers; of which the
temperature reached may exceed 80°C. This temperature is high enough to produce large dielectric
losses and thermal instability. For High Voltage Test Bushings this is particularly important, and
hence the thermal stability test is done for bushings rated for 132 kV and above.

THE END