Design of power transformers - e-lesson #9 - Insulation design

Q&A REPORT

A1. What is the practical application of the voltage conversion factor

Q1. To compare voltages of different shapes and duration with AC 1 min, without developing different
withstand curves for main insulation

A2. Is there any multiplying constant for safety factors between mineral oil /ester oil
Q2. Behaviour difference is not the same for different circumstances (homogeneous field vs inhomogeneous
field…). You should develop a set of design rules to cover the dielectric difference. I’m not aware of
publicly published design curves, so different manufacturers developed their own know-how rules. Some
info you can find in “Wang, "Partial discharge behaviours and breakdown mechanisms of ester
transformer liquids under ac stress," PhD Thesis, The University of Manchester, 2011”, and other available
academic papers.

A3. Is frequency variation considered for insulation A Cremasco private

Q3. Please provide more details.

A4. How to predict the occurrence of resonant overvoltages from winding impedance measurements?
Q4. Unfortunately, I didn’t cope with this topic.

A5. What are the conversion factors for converting measurement voltage with 1 minute, 60Hz AC Voltage?
You calculated these for 50HZ Voltage.
Q5. You can use same conversion factors for 50 Hz and 60 Hz

A6. How can I take into account the different types of oil, like natural ester oils? There are different curves to
use?
Q6. (Repeated question A2) Behaviour difference is not the same for different circumstances (homogeneous
field vs inhomogeneous field…). You should develop a set of design rules to cover the dielectric difference.
I’m not aware of publicly published design curves, so different manufacturers developed their know how
rules. Some info you can find in “Wang, "Partial discharge behaviours and breakdown mechanisms of
ester transformer liquids under ac stress," PhD Thesis, The University of Manchester, 2011”, and other
available academic papers.

A7. What are the conversion factors for converting measurement voltage with 1 minute, 60Hz AC Voltage?
You calculated these for 50HZ Voltage.
Q7. (Repeated question A5) You can use the same conversion factors for 50 Hz and 60 Hz

A8. How insulation could be properly designed for non-standard voltage shapes, such as VFTO?
Q8. To estimate withstand, volt-time curves can be used, but design tools to calculate voltage distribution
along the windings must be adopted to calculate accurately.

A9. How to predict the occurrence of resonant overvoltages from winding impedance measurements?
Q9. (Repeated question, A4) Unfortunately, I didn’t cope with this topic.

A10. Why in a substation for the same lightning strike different rating transformer kv class faces different
electrical stress? Like why have different BIL
Q10. Distance between power lines and surge protection is selected to voltage class (insulation
coordination). Flashover will happen on the different voltage on the power lines.

A11. What is the safety margin during the design of a solar transformer? Or it remains the same as another
power transformer?
Q11. Remains the same.
A12. I there any difference in insulation design parameter between Star and Delta connected windings?
Q12. No. Design rules are the same.

A13. Switching Impulse test is not conducted during a routine test. Can we use the conversion factor to test
equivalent AC test at the factory.
Q13. No. When analyzing test voltage we also must take into account test connection, not only test voltage.

A14. For analysis of distances between windings. Wouldn't the non-uniform field region be more
appropriate for analysis and comparison with wiedmann curves? Some references recommend the region
with the highest electric field, due to the theory of weak links
Q14. Both regions must be checked, uniform and non-uniform. You are right, the non-uniform region is more
complex and their insulation configuration is often more complex. On the other side, if you have a middle
entrance, bottom/top insulation is rather simple.

A15. common safety factors against Weidmann curves are due to the geometry and the conditions with
which these curves were generated, which leads in some cases to overdimensioning of the transformer,
what is your comment on that?
Q15. Possible but should not look in that direction. To reduce distance you have the opportunity to reduce
tolerances of all kinds (calculation, manufacturing, material, conversion factors, and introduce different
safety margins for different regions…)

A16. page 17, could you share the Weidmann curves for ester liquids, please?
Q16. (Repeated question A2) Behaviour difference is not the same for different circumstances
(homogeneous field vs inhomogeneous field…). You should develop a set of design rules to cover the
dielectric difference. I’m not aware of public published design curves, so different manufactures
developed their own know how rules. Some info you can find in “Wang, "Partial discharge behaviours and
breakdown mechanisms of ester transformer liquids under ac stress," PhD Thesis, The University of
Manchester, 2011”, and other available academic papers.

A17. is there experience values for CWave after 6 microsec? some breakdowns happend in late time of the
wave after chopping
Q17. You should use transient voltage calculation tools to predict these issues.

A18. Could you share the voltage conversion factors for ester liquids, please?
Q18. (Repeated question A2) Behavior difference is not the same for different circumstances
(homogeneous field vs inhomogeneous filed…). You should develop set of design rules to cover dielectric
difference. I’m not aware of public published design curves, so different manufactures developed their
own know how rules. Some info you can find in “Wang, "Partial discharge behaviours and breakdown
mechanisms of ester transformer liquids under ac stress," PhD Thesis, The University of Manchester,
2011”, and other available academic papers.

A19. what do you mean by breakdown strength please ? breakdown voltage or breakdown withstand ?
Q19. Withstand

A20. the time between real and virtual origin could have disturbed voltage wave, is there a limit to accept
the wave shape or repeat it?
Q20. Not aware on the limitation.

A21. what are the physical differences between BIL / SIL / LIC
A22. Source, shape, duration.