Department of Engineering Technology

ETE407TE3 High Voltage Technology

Generation of High Voltages and Currents - AC

(2) Alternating voltages (AC voltage)

• The most common form of testing HV apparatus is related to high AC voltages

• A single transformer can be used to generate HVAC up to 300 kV.

• Requirements for test transformers:

• Withstand sudden voltage breakdown

• Reliable overcurrent protection with fuses and circuit breaker

• Portable and light weighted for field tests

• Reduced power supply required

Cascaded test transformers

• For voltages > 300 kV, transportation

and erection of large transformers
become difficult, therefore, cascaded
transformers are required.

• Individual units of cascaded

transformers save insulation and
money.
• Example: high voltage
laboratory, Technical University of
Munich.
 Basic circuit of cascaded test transformers

• For voltages higher than 400 KV, it is desired to

cascade two or more transformers depending
upon the voltage requirements.

• The transformers are usually identical, but

transformers of different designs can also be
used.

• With this, the weight of the whole unit is

subdivided into single units and, therefore,
transport and erection becomes easier.

• The primary of the first stage transformer is

connected to a low voltage supply. A voltage is
available across the secondary of this
transformer.
 Basic circuit of cascaded test transformers
• The tertiary winding (excitation winding) of first stage has
the same number of turns as the primary winding and
feeds the primary of the second stage transformer.

• The potential of the tertiary is fixed to the potential V of

the secondary winding as shown in Figure.

• The secondary winding of the second stage transformer is

connected in series with the secondary winding of the first
stage transformer, so that a voltage of 2V is available
between the ground and the terminal of secondary of the
second stage transformer. Similarly, the stage-III
transformer is connected in series with the second stage
transformer. With this the output voltage between ground
and the third stage transformer, secondary is 3V .
Cascaded test transformers

Advantages

• Better cooling

• Easy to transport since the units are light and compact

• Construction is identical

• Three phase connection in delta or star is possible for three units

• Available for both indoor and outdoor applications

Disadvantages

• Costly and requires more space for installation

Resonant transformers
• Cascading transformers have the disadvantages:
• Complicated design

• Bulky size

• Losses are more (summation of individual transformers)

• Not suitable for high current applications

• Resonant transformers operating on the

resonance
phenomena i.e. XL = XC are thus used.

• In resonance condition, the current through test object is

very large and is limited only by the resistance of the circuit.

• The sinusoidal voltage waveform is improved using resonant

transformers
Resonant transformers
• Magnitude of voltage across the capacitance C of the test object will
be
𝑉𝑋𝑐
−𝑗𝑉𝑋𝑐
𝑉𝑐 =
𝑅 + 𝑗(𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋 𝑐 ) 𝑉𝑅
= =
𝜔𝐶𝑅
R = total series resistance of the
circuit
1
• The factor 𝑋𝑐 is called Q-factor of the circuit and gives the voltage multiplication across
𝑅=
𝜔𝐶𝑅
the test object under resonance conditions.

• Used for testing apparatus for high voltage, high current applications such as cable testing,
partial discharge measurements, etc.

• The input voltage required for excitation is reduced by Q-factor and the power requirement is
also reduced.
Resonant transformers
Applications
• Cable Testing
• Dielectric loss measurement
• Partial discharge measurement

Advantages
• Output is pure sine wave
• Power requirement is very less (5% - 10%) of total kVA
• No high-power arcing and heavy current surges occur when
the test object fails as resonance ceases.
• Simple and compact test arrangement

Limitations
• A variable choke (inductor) is required that can withstand full
test voltage and full current rating.
High frequency AC high voltage using Tesla coil
High frequency AC high voltage using Tesla coil

Applications
• High frequency high voltage rectifier
• Testing of electrical apparatus for switching surges

Advantages
• Absence of iron core hence savings in cost and size
• Gradual voltage buildup, hence, no damage due to switching surges
• Pure sine wave output
• Uniform distribution of voltage across winding coil