PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING CAPACITANCE & TAN δ OF DIFFERENT

OBJECTS IN 400 kV SWITCHYARD, USING C/TANDELTA KIT

Abbreviation

High Voltage Terminal of Power Supply HIGH

Low Terminal of Power Supply LOW
Ground Terminal of the Power Supply GND
High Voltage Terminal of Test object / Primary of Transformer or Reactor HV
Intermediate Terminal of the Autotransformer IV
Low Voltage Terminal of the Transformer / Secondary winding LV
Ungrounded Specimen Test UST
Grounded Specimen Test by guarding Test Object Capacitance GSTg
Capacitance C
Bushing Main Capacitance C1
Capacitance between Bushing Tanδ tap and Ground C2

I. Measurement on Transformers / Reactors:

Different Types of Transformers, used in Transmission are.

1. 3 Phase, 3 winding Transformers – Contains Primary, Secondary Tertiary
2. 3 Phase, 2 Winding Transformers – Contains Primary, Secondary
3. 3 Phase, Autotransformers – Contains Primary, IV, LV, Tertiary
4. 1 Phase, 3 winding Transformers – Contains Primary, Secondary Tertiary
5. 1 Phase, 2 Winding Transformers – Contains Primary, Secondary
6. 1 Phase, Autotransformers – Contains Primary, IV, LV, Tertiary
Different Types of Reactors in Transmission are
1. 3 Phase Reactors
2. Single Phase Reactors

Insulation quality normally to be checked is between

1. Bushing Conductor and tan δ tap.

2. Primary and Secondary (HV – LV)
3. Primary/IV and Secondary – HV+IV- LV
4. Primary and Tank ( HV – Tank)
5. Primary to Tertiary (HV – Tertiary) ; in case of 3 winding transformers
6. Secondary and Tank ( LV – Tank)
7. Secondary to Tertiary ( LV- Tertiary)
8. Tertiary To Tank
The tank is at Ground Potential.
Preparation:

1. Remove earth connection to Neutral point of Primary.

2. Short all HV Bushing terminals together with the neutral bushing. (Also I V Bushing
terminals incase of Autotransformers)
3. Short all LV bushing terminal together.
4. Short all Tertiary Terminals (in case of 3 winding transformers)
Measures C Connection Mode Precautions / Note
& Tan δ of Selected in
Instrument
Bushing (C1) 1, HIGH to HV; UST Keep tan δ tap closed for the
2. LOW to tan δ tap of bushings which are not selected for
corresponding busing measurement,
3. GND to tank
Bushing (C2) 1, HIGH to tan δ tap; GSTg Apply max of 500 V
2. LOW not connected.
3. GND to tank
HV - LV 1, HIGH to HV; UST Connect Tertiary to Ground
2. LOW to LV
3. GND to tank
HV- Tertiary 1, HIGH to HV; UST Remove ground connection to
2. LOW to Tertiary Tertiary and ground LV
3. GND to tank
HV- Tank 1, HIGH to HV; GSTg Remove ground connection to
2. LOW to LV and Tertiary and LV
Tertiary shorted together
3. GND to tank
LV-Tank 1, HIGH to LV; GSTg Remove ground connection to
2. LOW to HV and Tertiary and HV
Tertiary shorted together
3. GND to tank
Tertiary – 1, HIGH to Tertiary; GSTg Remove ground connection to
Tank 2. LOW to HV and LV Tertiary and HV
shorted together
3. GND to tank

Measurement on Reactors:

Preparation

1. Remove earth connection to Neutral point of Primary.

2. Short all HV Bushing terminals together with the neutral bushing.

Measurement on bushing of reactors is as mentioned in Transformer section. The only other

measurement is with respect to tank; The procedure is as mentioned above
 II. Current Transformers.

In case of CTs the insulation quality normally to be checked is

1. For CT Bushing
2. CT Primary to tank
Measuring tan δ of CT bushing alone is possible only if tan δ tap of CT is accessible. If tan δ
tap not accessible, then only Primary to tank measurement is possible. Also this can judge the
quality of CT, as Bushing insulation contributes the major part in the total tan δ value.

Preparation
1. Access the tan δ tap of the bushing and remove it from ground.
2. Short all secondary terminals and connect to ground.
3. Open the earth switch on CT side as well as bus side

Measures C & Connection Mode Precautions / Note

Tan δ of Selected in
Instrument
CT Bushing 1, HIGH to Primary; UST
2. LOW to tan δ tap.
3. GND to tank
Primary to 1, HIGH to Primary; GSTg Closing the earth switch on Bus side
Tank 2. LOW not connected reduces interference. *However
3. GND to tank Series combination of 2 CB
capacitance will get selected parallel.
*It is to be noted that in 400 kV transmission systems, normally grading capacitor will also placed
beside the CT. That means CT and CB on CT side has common terminal.
In such cases a simple connection is enough to make measurement on CT as well as two
numbers CBs at once.

III. CB Grading capacitors

Measures C & Connection Mode Precautions / Note

Tan δ of Selected in
Instrument
CB Grading 1, HIGH to Primary of UST Open earth switch on CT side and
Capacitor of CT; close earth switch on Bus side.
CT Side 2. LOW to Centre of the
double interrupter
3. GND to tank
CB Grading 1, HIGH to 4 inch IPS of UST Open earth switch on bus side and
Capacitor of the CT on bus side; close earth switch on CT side
Bus Side 2. LOW to Centre of the
double interrupter
3. GND to tank
 IV. Measurement on CVT

In CVT capacitance tan δ of individual stack can be measured by applying voltage between the
corresponding terminals. For measurement on whole CVT it is the required to open the HF point
and tan δ point from ground. Here under is the procedure for measuring C & tan δ of whole CVT

Preparation
1. Short all secondary terminals and connect to ground.
2. Open HF Point from ground.
3. Open Tan δ tap of the CVT from ground if accessible

Measures C & Connection Mode Precautions / Note

Tan δ of Selected in
Instrument
CVT 1, HIGH to HV; UST If Tan δ tap is open-able.
capacitance 2. LOW to Tan δ tap.
3. GND to tank
CVT 1, HIGH to HV; GSTg If Tan δ tap and HF point is not
capacitance 2. LOW to not connected open-able.
3. GND to tank

The procedures of measuring C / Tan δ on various test objects in energized 400 kV Substation was
probably first illustrated in India by earlier Tettex Representatives. This was carried out at Power
Grid 400 kV Jabalpur Substation during 1998.

During same demonstration the usage of Manual Tan δ kit (Tettex / L&T make C & Tan δ
instruments type 2805/5281) was also illustrated. It is to be noted that model 2805/5281 has highest
tan δ resolution of 0.000002. This resolution is achieved by increased measuring sensitivity. While
the modern instruments provide tan δ resolution of 0.0001, which is also the present required
specification. Hence while using manual C, tan δ kits, it is recommended that, the sensitivity can be
kept to the prevailing condition to achieve the resolution, and not to increase the unwanted signals
(e.g. Interference Current). The user manual of measuring bridge 2805 mentions the same in its
page.

However the observation is that Manual Capacitance and Tan δ Kit without Interference Suppressor
has limited applications in substations. Even, there is a provision (Mains / Commutator modes) for
canceling the errors occurred due to interference current; the system is ineffective under high
interference prone switchyards. A manual Interference suppressor that cancels the interference
current will be handy to use with such manual kits. This Suppressor cancels the current injected to
the test object through air capacitor from High Tension (HT) lines and nearby High Penitential
points of Switchyard.