TRANSFORMER TESTING

PROCESSES & INSTRUMENTS

Prepared By
Syed Hashim Iqbal
Testing & Servicing Engineer
HV Transformers
TEST PROCESSES (TYPES)

Testing Processes

ROUTINE TYPE SPECIAL

Routine Tests

A test to which each individual transformer

is subjected is called routine test.
List of Routine Tests
„ Measurement of „ Separate source voltage
winding resistance. withstand test.
„ Measurement of voltage „ Test on on-load tap
ratio and check of changers.
phase displacement.
„ Lightning impulse voltage
„ Measurement of short
withstand test (only for
circuit impedance and
load loss. power transformers.
„ Measurement of no- „ Measurement of partial
load loss and current. discharges(only for power
„ Induced over-voltage transformers).
withstand test.
Type Test

A Test made on Transformer, which is

representatives of other transformers, to
demonstrate that these transformers
comply with specified requirements not
covered by routine tests is called type test.
List of Type Tests

„ Temperature rise test.

„ Dielectric type tests
„ Lightning impulse voltage withstand
test(only for distribution transformer).
Special Test

A Test other then routine or type test

agreed by manufacturer and purchaser is
called special test.
 List of Special Tests
„ Determination of capacitances „ Measurement of the power
windings-to-earth and between taken by the fan and oil pump
windings. motors.
„ Determination of transient „ Measurement of insulation
resistance to earth of the
voltage transfer characteristics. windings.
„ Measurement of zero- „ Measurement of dissipation
sequence impedance(s) on factor of the insulation system
three phase transformers. capacitances.
„ Short circuit withstand test. „ Measurement of dielectric
„ Determination of sound levels. strength of oil.
„ Measurement of harmonics of „ Measurement of inductance of
the windings of the transformer.
the no-load current.
Measurement of Voltage Ratio
& Phase Displacement
Raytech meter
Voltage Ratio & Phase Displacement
„ Class: IEC & IEEE : Routine
„ Purpose: Voltage ratios are of significance
when/if transformers are to be operated in
parallel (along with Sr & Impedances) i.e.
no-load ratio and the vector group must be
the same/compatible to avoid circulating
currents.
„ Affected By: Turns per limb, regulating
winding configuration, inter-turn faults.
Voltage Ratio & Phase Displacement
„ Background:
It is performed to check the deviation of the
voltage ratio from the specified value. The extent
of deviation from nameplate ratio is a direct
indication of winding deterioration. A transformer
will tolerate a limited amount of such
deterioration, but it’s a blueprint for ultimate
failure. Accordingly, the ANSI Standard C57.12
specifies that turns ratio be no more than 0.5%
from rating.
Voltage Ratio & Phase Displacement
„ Measuring Circuit:
The Transformer Turn Ratio
Meter aids in identifying

„ Shorted Coils.
„ Open Circuits.
„ Incorrect Connections.
„ Internal faults or tap changer defects in
step regulations as well as in
transformers.
PROCEDURE
The general procedure is to apply a low AC voltage to a
winding (preferably HV winding) and measure the resulting
voltage across the other. Their ratio gives the voltage ratio
of the winding set. The ratio is always measured between
the phase voltages of the transformer. Normally Leads
marked with uppercase letters are connected to HV side
while those marked with lowercase are connected to the LV
side of the transformer. For three phase transformers
proper connection sequence of the ratio meter leads should
be adopted to measure the correct ratio. The connection
schemes (sequences) can be found in the ratio meter
manuals.
Vector Group
„ The vector group column is the IEC vector group
coding. The number indicates the phase
displacement in increments of 30° of the low
side winding to the high side winding. For
example a D-Y transformer with a Vector group
number of 3 would have a phase displacement
of 3 x 30° or 90°. The low side winding has a
lagging displacement with respect to the high
side winding.
Phase Displacement

„ The transformer three phase displacement

indicates the error in phase of primary
winding with respect to secondary
winding.
Excitation Current
Excitation current is the current the tester applies
through one winding in order to generate voltage
across the other. Its measurement helps detect
shorted turns or unequal number of turns connected
in parallel, and provides information about the
condition of the core. Unwanted circulating currents,
unintentional grounds, or incipient short circuits can
affect the exciting current. Identification of normal (in
phase) and reverse polarity determines proper
connection within a power network.
Safety & Precautions
„ Only qualified and familiar person should perform the test.
„ Make sure the transformer to be tested is cleared and removed from
operation.
„ To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cabinet must
be connected to a properly grounded receptacle. The power cord
supplied with the equipment must be connected an electrical
receptacle with an electrical ground (safety earth ground).
„ Do not operate the instrument in flammable gases and fumes.
„ Do not replace components with power cable connected. To avoid
injuries, always disconnect power, discharge circuits, and remove
external voltage sources before touching components.
Megger

„ Purpose of Megger.
„ Reading of Megger.
„ Temperature Correction of Megger.
„ Safety and Precautions.
Purpose of Megger

„ Measurement of „ Measurement of
Insulation Resistance Capacitance Between
Insulation.
Insulation Resistance

Testing the integrity of insulation requires

measuring its resistance to current
flow across it. A high level of resistance
means that very little current is escaping
through the insulation. Conversely, a low
level of resistance indicates a significant
amount of current may be leaking through
and along the insulation.
Measuring Of Insulation Resistance
„ The simple equation of Ohm’s law enables us to
attach a numerical value to our resistance
measurements. It states that resistance(ohms)
equals voltage(volts) divided by current(amperes).
Using Ohm’s law, insulation resistance is
determined by pressurizing the conductor with a
given voltage & dividing it by the current that
escapes through the insulation & returns to the
meter.
Insulation Resistance
1) A Control Voltage 2) The Leakage current is
Supply is connected to the measured against the
Test Specimen. provided voltage source.

3) The ratio of Supplied 4) It is to be noted that

Voltage and Leakage both AC and DC currents
current(From Ohm’s are measured against the
Law;V=IR) obtained gives supplied voltage. This is
the Insulation Resistance. due to the fact that
Leakage current can be in
AC/DC or Transient form.
Polarisation Index
„ The PI measurement is a ratio metric test used to assess
the performance of insulation. Moisture may be
absorbed within the insulation and/or condensed on the
connection surfaces, which is often dirty. For very moist
and dirty windings, the relatively constant surface
leakage component of the current will predominate over
the time varying components, so that the total current will
rapidly reach a near steady-state. Thus, to help
determine how dry and clean the insulation is, the IR is
usually measured after 15 seconds and after 60
seconds. The PI is the ratio of 60 seconds reading to 15
seconds reading.
Limits of Polarisation Index
„ The value of PI generally shall be above 2.
In general, a high value of PI indicates the
good condition of the insulation system. If
the PI values are less than normal value
or shows large deviations from the
previous measured values then immediate
corrective actions need to be taken.
Temperature Correction
„ Since Polarisation Index being a ratio, it is
independent of temperature and no temperature
correction is required. However, if R60 is far less
then safe limits i.e. 1000Mohms, then
temperature correction should be applied to
make sure the insulation is strong enough else
energising of transformer should be avoided and
further testing should be carried on.
Capacitance
„ During the insulation resistance
measurement, a capacitor is also formed
against the supplied voltage. However, the
applied voltage is DC, but capacitor works
in its charging or short circuit mode. It
takes around 6 to 8 hours for a high
voltage devise to charge. Accurate
reading can only be achieved after the
capacitor is charged completely.
Safety & Precautions

„ Correct voltage range should be selected.

„ Winding under test should be thoroughly
discharged after test by shorting it to
earth.
„ Bushings should be clean and free from
dust.
TEST RESULT

Following items are recorded in the test

report:
„ Terminals between which the resistance is
measured.
„ Measured resistance.
„ Test voltage.
SPECIAL THANKS

Jeff Jowett Jahanzeb Ahmed Raza Aftab

Megger