7 Routine Tests For A Dry-Type Transformer You Should Perform During Commissioning - EEP

03/04/2019 7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform during commissioning | EEP
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7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform

during commissioning
Home / Technical Articles / 7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform during commissioning
Factory tests
This technical article briefly describes seven very important tests you should perform during commissioning of a dry-
type transformer. Usually tests are performed in the factory where transformers are produced.
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7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform during commissioning
Introduction to routine tests

The following routine tests must be carried out on all dry-type power transformers:
1. Separate-source voltage withstand test

2. Induced voltage test
3. Voltage ratio measurement and check of polarities and connections
4. No-load current and no-load loss measurement
5. Winding resistance measurement
6. Short-circuit impedance and load loss measurement
7. Partial discharge measurement in accordance with IEC 60726 (for dry-type power transformers)
1. Dielectric tests – Separate-source voltage withstand test
The single-phase applied voltage wave shape shall be approximately sinusoidal. The test must be performed at
rated frequency. At the end of the test, the test voltage shall be rapidly reduced up to 1/3 the full voltage before
disconnection.
The full test voltage shall be applied for 60 seconds between the winding under test and all the remaining windings,
magnetic core, frame and enclosure connected to earth.
The test shall be performed on all the windings. The test is successful if no failure occurs at full test voltage.
Figure 1 – Dielectric tests – Separate-source voltage withstand

test
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2. Induced voltage test
The test voltage shall be twice the value corresponding to the rated voltage. It shall be applied between the
terminals of the secondary windings, by maintaining the primary winding open. The duration of the test at full
voltage shall be 60 s, and the frequency twice the rated value.
The test shall start with a voltage lower than 1/3 the full test voltage, and it shall be quickly increased up to full
value.
At the end of the test, the voltage shall be rapidly reduced up to 1/3 the rated value before disconnection. The test
is successful if no failure occurs at full test voltage.
Figure 2 – Induced voltage test
3. Voltage ratio measurement and check of polarity/connections
Voltage ratio measurement and check of polarities and connections shall be performed on all tap changer positions.
The correspondence between the numbers assigned to the tappings and the ratings shall also be checked.
Voltage ratio measurement shall be performed phase by phase between the terminals of corresponding windings.
Voltage ratio measurement is carried out by use of potentiometric method.
Figure 3 – Voltage ratio measurement and check of

polarity/connections
4. No-load current and no-load loss measurement
This test is performed by supplying LV windings at rated frequency and rated voltage. The wave shape shall be
as nearly as possible of the sine-wave and the primary windings shall be open.
The frequency of the test shall not differ from the rated value more than ± 1%. No-load current and loss shall be
measured as well as the mean value and the effective value of the voltage.
If these two readings are equal, no correction shall be applied on the measurement of no-load loss. Otherwise, no-
load loss shall be referred to sine-wave condition in accordance with IEC Standards 60076-1.
No-load current shall result as the average value of three readings performed by effective value ammeters. Three
wattmeters shall be used to measure the power, by using instrument transformers and transducers when necessary.
Figure 4 – Transformer no-load current and no-load loss

measurement
5. Winding resistance measurement
Winding resistance measurement shall be performed when the windings are at ambient temperature without supply
for a time long enough to achieve this condition. The measurements shall be carried out in direct current between
terminals according to the sequence U-V; V-W; WU.
Ambient temperature shall also be measured. It shall result as the average value of three measurements performed
by apposite thermal sensors.
5.1 HV winding resistance measurement
HV winding resistance measurement shall be performed by measuring simultaneously voltage and current. The
voltmeter and ammeter must be
connected as follows :
Voltmeter terminals must be connected beyond current cables;

The current shall not exceed 10% of winding rated current;
The measurement shall be carried out after voltage and current are stable.
Unless otherwise agreed, the HV winding shall be connected on principal tapping.
Megger WINDING RESISTANCE REV (TRAX)
5.2 LV winding resistance measurement
LV winding resistance measurement shall be performed by measuring simultaneously voltage and current.
The voltmeter and ammeter shall be connected as follows :
1. Voltmeter terminals shall be connected beyond current cables;

2. The current shall not exceed 5% of winding rated current;
3. The measurement shall be carried out after voltage and current are stable.
6. Short-circuit impedance and load-loss measurement
The short-circuit loss and the short-circuit voltage show the performance of the transformer. These values are
recorded and guaranteed to the customer and important for operational economy. The short-circuit voltage is an
important criteria especially during parallel operations of the transformers.
The short-circuit loss is a data which is also used in the heat test.
Short-circuit voltage is the voltage applied to the primary winding and causes the rated current to flow in the winding
couples while one of the winding couples is short circuited. The active loss measured during this, is called short-
circuit loss. If the adjusting range is more than 5%, in addition to the rated value, the losses are repeated for the
maximum and minimum values.
The short-circuit loss is composed of “Joule“ losses (direct current/DC losses) which is formed by the load current in
the winding and the additional losses (alternating current/AC losses) in the windings, core pressing arrangements,
tank walls and magnetic screening (if any) by the leakage (scatter) fluxes.
Measuring circuit and performing the measurement:
Figure XX – Short-circuit losses measurement connection diagram
Where:
1- Power supply
2- Supply (intermediate) Transformer
3- Current Transformers
4- Voltage Transformers
5- Power Analyser
6- Transformer under test
C- Compensation Capacitor groups
In general, the HV windings of the transformer are supplied while the LV windings are short-circuited.
During measurement, the current has to be at the value of IN or close to this value as far as possible. The voltage,
current and short-circuit losses of each phase should be measured during measurement.
In cases where the power supply is not sufficient enough to supply the measurement circuit, compensation to meet
the reactive power has to be made using capacitors. Before beginning to measure, the transformer winding
temperature has to be stabilized and the winding temperature and winding resistances have to be measured.
In order to avoid increasing the winding temperature by the applied current, the measurement has to be completed
in a short time and the measuring current has to be kept between 25%…100% of the rated current. In this way, the
measurement errors due to winding temperature increase will be minimized.
The losses have to be corrected based on reference temperature (e.g. 75°C ) stated in the standards and
evaluated.
The short-circuit voltage and losses which are found at the temperature which the measurement was made, have to
be corrected according to this reference temperature.
7. Partial discharge measurement
All PD measuring methods are based on the detection of PD current impulses i(t) circulating in the parallel‐
connected capacitors Ck (coupling capacitor) and Ct (test object capacitance) via measuring impedance Zm.
The basic equivalent circuit for PD measurements is presented in figure 5.
Figure XX – Test circuit for measurement without

capacitive tap
Where:
PDS = PD system
Ck = coupling capacitor
Ct = test object capacitance
Z = voltage source connection
Zm = measuring impedance
The measuring impedance Zm can either be connected in series with coupling capacitor Ck or with the test object
capacitance Ct. PD current impulses are generated by charge transfers between parallel‐connected capacitor Ck
(coupling capacitor) and Ct (test object capacitance).
Present IEC and IEEE Standards have both established rules for measuring and evaluating electric signals caused
by partial discharges together with specifications on permissible magnitude. The IEC approach to the processing of
the recorded electric signal is different from the IEEE approach.
IEC transforms the signal to an apparent electric charge generally measured in picocoulombs (pC), while IEEE
transforms the signal to a Radio Interference Voltage (RIV), generally measured in micro volts (μV). The use of
the RIV‐method for PD‐signal detection will be abandoned, although the IEEE standard has not yet been officially
approved.
The detection of apparent charge in pC is the preferred method now in use in IEEE Std. C57.113.
For the detection of apparent charge the integration of the PD‐current impulses i(t) is required.
Integration of the PD current impulses can be performed either in the time domain (digital oscilloscope) or in the
frequency domain (band‐pass filter). Most PD systems available on the market perform a “quasi integration” of the
PD current impulses in the frequency domain using a “wide‐band” or “narrow‐band” filter.
Circulating PD current impulses – generated by an external PD source (in the test circuit) or by an internal PD
source (in the insulating system of the transformer) – can only be measured at the transformer bushings.
Bushing capacitance C1, represents the coupling capacitor Ck, which is connected in parallel with capacitance Ct
(test object = total capacitance of the transformer insulating system).
UHF Partial Discharge Location Demonstration
Demonstration of UHF partial discharge location in a power transformer using time-of-flight techniques.
UHF Partial Discharge Location Demonstration
References:
1. Guide to transformer testing by Tesar

2. A Guide to Transformer Winding Resistance Measurements by Bruce Hembroff, (Manitoba Hydro), Matz Ohlen
(Megger Sweden) and Peter Werelius (Megger Sweden)
3. Transformer Tests by BEST Transformers
Edvard Csanyi
Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV
high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities.
Professional in AutoCAD programming.

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03/04/2019 7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform during commissioning | EEP

7 routine tests for a dry-type transformer you should perform

Introduction to routine tests

1. Separate-source voltage withstand test

1. Dielectric tests – Separate-source voltage withstand test

Figure 1 – Dielectric tests – Separate-source voltage withstand

2. Induced voltage test

Figure 2 – Induced voltage test

3. Voltage ratio measurement and check of polarity/connections

Voltage ratio measurement is carried out by use of potentiometric method.

Figure 3 – Voltage ratio measurement and check of

4. No-load current and no-load loss measurement

Figure 4 – Transformer no-load current and no-load loss

5. Winding resistance measurement

5.1 HV winding resistance measurement

Voltmeter terminals must be connected beyond current cables;

Unless otherwise agreed, the HV winding shall be connected on principal tapping.

Megger WINDING RESISTANCE REV (TRAX)

5.2 LV winding resistance measurement

The voltmeter and ammeter shall be connected as follows :

1. Voltmeter terminals shall be connected beyond current cables;

6. Short-circuit impedance and load-loss measurement

Measuring circuit and performing the measurement:

Figure XX – Short-circuit losses measurement connection diagram

7. Partial discharge measurement

The basic equivalent circuit for PD measurements is presented in figure 5.

Figure XX – Test circuit for measurement without

UHF Partial Discharge Location Demonstration

UHF Partial Discharge Location Demonstration

1. Guide to transformer testing by Tesar

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