Negative Dissipation Factor

Issue
Sometimes negative DF values at high frequencies (f > 10 Hz)
Usuallyy not at low frequencies,
q
so water analysis
y not affected
Reasons
Small measured capacitance
p
and
large guard capacitance
Inductance of coils
High guard currents (dirty bushings)

DF
1.000
0 500
0.500

0.0100
0
0100
0.005

Solution
Connect both guards of measurement
cables and maybe additional wire
Decrease guard current (clean bushings,
disconnect all devices)
Check
C
ratio off capacitances
(measure adjacent windings)
February 2,
2011

Page: 1

CHL

0.100
0.050

0.001

0.010

0.100

1.000

10.000

f/Hz

Dissipation Factor
I
IR
R

A Dielectric can be modeled by:

Capacitance
p
Resistance (losses)

IC
C

Im I
R
IC

Dissipation factor
Tangent of angle between
sum current I and capacitive
current IC
Quality of a dielectric

U
February 2,
2011

Re
Page: 2

Explaination of Negative Dissipation Factor

Due to leakage currents over CH and CL

a frequency dependent bridge is formed.
Resonances depending on impedances of the network!
February 2,
2011

Page: 3

Explaination of Negative Dissipation Factor

A negative dissipation factor mainly appears:
- if CL and CH are high in relation to CHL
- if the guard resistance and
input resistance of the device is high

e.g. the measured and simulated influence of guard resistance: