HV Testing of Equipments

Testing of transformer

• Transformer is one of the most expensive and

important equipment in power system.
• If it is not suitably designed its failure may cause
a lengthy and costly outage.
• Therefore, it is very important to be cautious
while designing its insulation, so that it can
withstand transient over voltage both due to
switching and lightning.
• Tests include short circuit test, open circuit test,
temperature rise test, impulse test, pd test.
Partial discharge test
• The test is carried out on the windings of the transformer to
assess the magnitude of discharges.
• The transformer is connected as a test specimen and the
discharge measurements are made. The location and
severity of fault is ascertained using the travelling wave
produce due to pd.
• The measurements are to be made at all the terminals of the
transformer and it is estimated that if the apparent measured
charge exceeds 104 Pico-coulombs, the discharge magnitude
is considered to be severe and the transformer insulation
should be so designed that the discharge measurement
should be much below the value of 104 Pico-coulombs.
Impulse Testing of Transformer

• The impulse level of a transformer is determined by

the breakdown voltage of its minor insulation
(Insulation between turn and between windings),
• Breakdown voltage of its major insulation (insulation
between windings and tank) and the flash over
voltage of its bushings or a combination of these.
Test Process

• Impulse testing consists of the following steps:

(i) Application of impulse of magnitude 75% of the Basic
Impulse Level (BIL) of the transformer under test.
(ii) One full wave of 100% of BIL.
(iii) Two chopped wave of 115% of BIL.
(iv) One full wave of 100% BIL and
(v) One full wave of 75% of BIL.
• Usually the chopping time is of 3 to 6µs
• A rod gap is used to chop the impulse wave.
Test results

General observations
• During impulse testing the fault can be located by general
observation like noise in the tank or smoke or bubble in the
breather.
Oscilloscopic observation
• If there is a fault, it appears on the Oscilloscope as a partial
of complete collapse of the applied voltage.
• Study of the wave form of the neutral current also indicated
the type of fault. If an arc occurs between the turns or form
turn to the ground, a train of high frequency pulses are seen
on the oscilloscope and wave shape of impulse changes.
• If it is a partial discharge only, high frequency oscillations
are observed.
Non destructive testing

• Measurement of the insulation resistance under d.c.

voltages.
• Determination of loss factor tan δ and the
capacitance C.
• Measurement of partial discharges.
Losses in a dielectric

(i) Conduction loss Pc by ionic or electronic

conduction. The dielectric, has σ as
conductivity.
(ii) Polarization loss Pp.
(iii) Ionization loss Pi by partial discharges
internal or external zones.
Specimen and electrode

• Normally of 5 to 10 cm length and 3 to 12 mm

thickness.
• Electrode may be aluminum or lead foils usually
pressed on the surface of the specimen by a roller and
made to stick using a conductive adhesive like
silicone grease.
Measurement of resistivity
Measurement of resistivity

If I is the current and V is the voltage applied, then

Dielectric loss factor, tanδ

Iim =VωC
I

IReal

P=VI=VIReal =VIimtanδ
Loss tangent
High voltage Shearing bridge
Bridge balance
Determination of loss tangent
Determination of loss tangent
Determination of loss tangent
Determination of loss tangent
Loss tangent