Narrow band DFR (1-500Hz)

Or
Variable frequency tan delta application and its advantage

By: Ankit Porwal

E:ankit.porwal@megger.com
1
M:+917838427788
 Content

Applicable standards for capacitance and tan delta testing

Deficiencies in DF testing @Line frequency

Advantage & Assessment of Variable frequency tan delta or NBDFR

ITC-Individual temperature correction

Case Studies

Summary

Delta 4000 Key features and update

2
 Applicable Standards

IEEE C57.12.90
• Standard test code

IEEE 62-1995 (to be replaced by
C57.152)
• Field test guide

IEC 60076
• International standard

Etc...

3
 Power factor – Dissipation factor – Tan delta

PF – cosine θ

Tan Delta – tangent δ

Same value for PF/tan delta < 10%

4
 Dissipation factor (power factor/tan delta) testing

 Perfect insulation/ideal capacitor –

Dissipation factor = 0
 More leakage, higher dissipation
factor – A resistor has 100% dissipation
 If the dissipation in the
transformer/bushing/cable is too high
you may get self-generated heating
and the component may explode
(thermal runaway)
 Dissipation factor is a quality
parameter for the insulation
 Traditionally measured at power
frequency 50/60 Hz

5
 Tan delta and capacitance measurements

Hi

Lo
A

Ground CHL

CL CH

6
 IEEE DF Limits

7
 Typical power factor limits for oil insulated transformers and bushings (IEEE)

Typical power factor values @ 20° C

"New" "Old" Warning/alert limit

Power transformers (oil
insulated) and bushings < 0.5% 0.5-1% > 1%
(OIP)

IEEE 62-1995 states; “The power factors recorded for routine overall tests on older apparatus
provide information regarding the general condition of the ground and inter-winding insulation of
transformers and reactors. While the power factors for most older transformers will also be <0.5%
(20C), power factors between 0.5% and 1.0% (20C) may be acceptable; however, power factors
>1.0% (20C) should be investigated.”

8
 Deficiencies of DF testing

Averaging Test
• Impacts ability to see a problem as size
increases
• Impacts ability to discriminate between
localized problems (immediate attention 100 50
90 90
90
required) and widespread general 100 100 90

90
deterioration (regular monitoring) 100

Localized problem General deterioration

Not very sensitive to problems at line frequency (as shown on next slide)

When a problem is indicated, impossible to differentiate and characterize the

source – leaving “why has my D.F. changed?” unanswered

9

10.00
Tan
delta/PF,
%
Note relatively flat slope of
LF PF results, particularly
the service-aged xfmr, up to
≈ 2.5% moisture. This is
area of minimized sensitivity
to moisture.
The fact that DF hardly
changes here as moisture
increases means that ANY
change in PF may be really
significant!
10
Sensitivity Issues with LF PF/DF

At tan delta = 1.0%, moisture can be around4%

At tan delta = 0.5%, moisture can be around 3%

At tan delta = 0.3%, moisture can be 0.5 to 2%
1.00
Note that service
life (yrs in svc) is New
not a reliable
indicator of how Service
aged an insulation aged
system is!
Environmental &
Meaning of identical
system variables,
DF/PF (0.3%) depends on
maintenance, etc.
how aged the insulation is!
all factor into aging.
0.10
0 1 2 3 4 5
Moisture in cellulose, %
 Traditional Power Factor Testing
Power
factor

Frequency

1 mHz 60 Hz 1kHz
 Dielectric Frequency Response

Power
factor

Frequency

1 mHz 60 Hz 1kHz
 Variable frequency tan Delta
application and its advantage

13
 LF vs DFR vs NB DFR
DFR NB DFR
1000

100
% Power Factor

10

0.1
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Frequency [Hz]
LF
TRANSFORMER

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 Influence of Frequency on Insulation

 DF changes with test frequency

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 The Significance of measuring DF at low frequencies

0.1 mA
Graph shows current (and its

components) measured vs time
that test voltage is applied in one
direction.

The frequency of the applied test
voltage determines where we get
on the graph (from time 0) before
the polarity of the applied test
voltage changes

At 50 Hz, total current is primarily
capacitive charging current and
losses due to polarization

At low frequencies, conduction
10 Hz 0.1 Hz current is dominating

13
Higher
frequencies
f = 1/T Lower
frequencies DF = IR/Ic = 0.25% = 0.0025 = 1/400
 NB DFR

A subset of DFR
 PF from
1Hz to 500Hz

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 Narrowband DFR

Several PF/DF measurements are obtained from a 500Hz test

voltage signal down to 1Hz. This represents a subset of the
measurements taken in a DFR test, hence the name narrowband
DFR

Has also been referred to as variable frequency DF; however, NB
DFR is the preferred name.

~ 3 min

(Unlike DFR) no modeling/database/curve fitting is used

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 LF DF vs NB DFR
LF PF +4 min/ test NB DFR
Ineffective in detecting problems in large insulation TanD/PF measurements at 1 to 505Hz are more
systems due to averaging & nature of components capable of revealing an emerging problem in a
large insulation specimen
Mostly insensitive until moisture is well over 2.5% Provides early indication of insulation change
including moisture

Actions only taken when insulation is severely Eases determination of sensible next steps and
contaminated or deteriorated. recommendations – decisions will be better
informed

20⁰C correction tables inaccurate at extreme Individual Temperature Correction (ITC)

temperatures automatically calculated. 20⁰C correction up to
20% more accurate - confidence in test result.

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 Overall Messaging – Benefits of NB DFR

Line Frequency (LF) Power Factor +4 min/ Narrowband (NB) DFR

test
Mostly insensitive to moisture until content is well Provides very early indication of moisture and
over 2.5% moisture in paper solves general sensitivity problems inherent with a
LF-PFOr PF
Ineffective in detecting problems in large DF measurements at 1 Hz are far more
insulation components because of averaging & capable to reveal an emerging problem in a
nature of components present large insulation specimen because conduction
current (i.e., loss) component makes up a
larger % of the average
Unable to determine the equivalent 20⁰CPF if testing Provides the means to determine a specific
at a non- 20⁰C temperature insulation system’s sensitivity to temperature and
an accurate temp correction factor (ITC) to
correct toan equivalent 20⁰C PF
Unless the insulation is severely contaminated or Eases determination of sensible next steps and
deteriorated, determining correct next steps or recommendations – decisions will be well
recommendations is completely elusive – you will informed
be5 guessing even if you think you aren’t
 Narrowband DFR Results Plot
This image cannot currently be display ed.

This image cannot currently be display ed.

NB DFR Results
4
This image cannot currently be display ed.

3.5
This image cannot currently be display ed.

3
POWER FACTOR

2.5

2 This image cannot currently be display ed.

1.5

1
This image cannot
currently be
display ed.

0.5

0
1 10 100 1000
FREQUENCY

Thi
s
ima
g CHG Thi
s
ima
g CHL Thi
s
ima
g CLG

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 Linear vs. Logarithmic Display
Low voltage bushings (linear display) Low voltage bushings(logarithmic)

4.5 4.5
% PF 4 % PF 4
3.5 3.5
3 3
2.5 2.5
2
2
1.5
1.5
1
1
0.5
0 0.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 500 1 10 10 1000
0 0 0 0 Frequency, Hz 0 Frequency, Hz
X1 X2 X3 X1 X2 X3
X0 X0

 Convenient when you don’t  Preferred display

measure low frequencies  Shows more detail in low
(stretches the measurement out frequency range
so it looks like a broader  Consistent with DFR display
measurement)
Problem while measuringonly measure 15-400Hz (yellow highlight)
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 Monitoring Of HV/EHV Bushing Using Variable frequency tan delta

Power Grid Experience

Variable frequency tan delta at low voltage is a very effective method for detecting
faults like voids in paper, partial discharge and deposition of X-Wax in the bushings
and water in the insulation with high sensitivity at very initial stage. Capacitance in the
bushing with shorted conductive layer is also very sensitive at low frequency. i.e. in
mHz range.
 Monitoring of Bushing by C & Tan Delta in Frequency Domain

Many times its observed by Pgcil that bushing fails

without any violation tan delta or substantial incremental
changes in tan delta @50Hz.

40% of transformers & reactors failure attributed to
bushings.

For avoiding catastrophic failures on account of OIP
bushings, RIP bushings have been introduced in 2013.
Further, following supplementary tests have been
introduced for bushing in POWERGRID for identification
of the problem: General Guidelines for acceptance of bushing in Pgcil

i. Capacitance & Tan delta test in frequency domain

ii. Capacitance & Tan test in variable temperature for OIP bushings
iii. Bushing DGA on case to case basis
Few 765kV OIP bushings were detected with increase
in Tan Delta by 0.1% to 0.13% from factory value within
short span of commissioning. Tan delta values of the
above bushings are well within the acceptable limit.
Bushings were tested for DGA as per the
recommendation of manufacturer and found with
elevated level of fault gasses.
Tan delta Response of 765kV Bushing
Capacitance Response of 765kV Bushing
 Further Test & Findings
moisture content in the paper insulation in these
bushings are normal (i.e less than 0.3%). DP samples
were collected from the condenser core of Bushing1, 2
& 4 from inner most layer in which X-wax were found
and values were found to be more than 1000. It
indicates that no degradation of paper insulation
occurred due to PD activities. Hence elevation of
Tan δ at lower frequency region was due to presence of
X-wax causing high dielectric loss.

As illustrated from Graph, bushings with shorted

conductive layers are having increase in
capacitance with reduction of frequency and
healthy bushings are having stable capacitance
throughout the frequency range. In bushings with
shorting of one conductive layer, 10% to 13%
increase in capacitance were observed at low
frequency from 50Hz value..
From factory investigation, it was found
that in bushings with high fault gasses,
bridging of winding tube with first
conductive layer was observed. Further,
X-wax (insoluble polymerized oil
molecules) a jelly like substance was
found over the winding tube and first 2-3
inner most paper layers
 Narrow Band DFR Testing
Standard 10KV PF(DF) test sets are now available with
expanded capabilities. Their main application is line frequency
10KV PF(DF) testing (which is still the international standard for
AC insulation quality), but some units include the ability to
perform PF tests at frequencies from 1 to 500Hz which can be
defined as a narrow frequency band dielectric frequency
response test.

This reduced frequency band does not provide the

measured level of moisture (we cannot determine what
percentage of moisture is present with this test), but it does
point to the presence of moisture and/or impurities in the
insulation.

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In the figure below, we see the typical shape for a new transformer, (Ch-l) where the curve
is considered generally flat. The 60Hz result is 0.34%, the slope around line frequency is
slightly positive and the maximum PF at 1 Hz is under 1%. We consider this insulation to
be in excellent condition.

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 Case Study

The transformer was built in 1972, which is at the end

of its useful life (>50 years old). We have seen many
transformers which are allowed to operate beyond their
designed service life, so long as no indication of issues
arise to question its reliability.

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 Case Study -Thailand

Further As an additional test to determine the condition of

the paper + oil insulation, we were also able to conduct a
narrow band DFR test (1-500Hz). Doing so added 4
minutes to the test time, but with no change in lead
connections. The narrow band DFR provided us with the
following result:

EGAT – DELTA4000 | 1–500Hz 250V DFR Result | PF @ 60Hz – 0.52% AEP – DELTA4000 | 1-500Hz 250V DFR Result | PF @ 60Hz – 0.34%

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 Case Study -Thailand

Using this situation as an opportunity to explore possible issues

with the EGAT transformer, we set about to perform an IDAX300
full DFR test the next day. This test required a similar connection
setup, but with a different lead set and a 200V test voltage from a
frequency band of 2mHz to 1000 Hz. Total setup plus testing
time for this small transformer was approximately 30 minutes.
(Note: It takes longer to make lead connections to larger high
voltage transformers)

The IDAX result for the EGAT transformer as shown below agrees with
the DELTA4000 at 1 Hz, and so both tests are considered reliable and
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accurate
 Conclusion

Major Information @1Hz

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 Transformer Overall Proposed Limits

 CH, CL, and CHL analyzed for non-typical responses

Evaluation Criteria New Asset Service Aged

LF PF Limit @ 20°C 0.5% 1.0%

1Hz Limit @ 20°C 1.0% 2.0%

NB DFR Curve Flat Slight curve

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 Temperature Correction Factors

DF values are highly dependent on temperature.

IEEE C57.12.90 section 10.10.4 Note 3 (b) states that “Experience has
shown that the variation in dissipation factor with temperature is
substantial and erratic so that no singlecorrection curve will fit all cases.”

It is imperative to only compare a specimen’s DF values that are either taken

at a similar temperature or corrected to the same temperature accurately.

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 Individual Temperature Correction (ITC)
Actual Temperature Dependence of Insulation

 Standard average temperature correction curves Individual

In traditional power factor/dissipation factor test sets, for Temperature
different insulation materials, standard average
Correction
temperature correction curves are used to recalculate the
measured results to reference conditions (20°C/68°F).

 In reality no test object corresponds exactly

to the table. New or very old transformers differ
significantly from tables published by IEC, IEEE and others.
 With ITC we estimate the actual temperature
dependence of the test object by measuring tan delta
over a frequency range and then mathematically calculate
the correct temperature correction from e.g. 45 to 20° C.,
resulting in a more accurate assessment of the condition
of the insulating material.
** INDUSTRY FIRST **
This is the first time in the Industry that
a test set advances beyond the average
table temperature corrections and
determines the true correction based
on the actual condition of insulating
material.

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 Measured TCF vs ITC Measured
Tan Delta@ Tan Delta@
Ambient temp Ambient temp

Temp Correction Temp Correction

factor using UsingVaiable
Table by IEEE Frequency Tan delta

Results Result
? accurate
assessment
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 Case Study
Case Study

Grading Capacitor @ 400 kV Sub

Historical measurement (Dec 18th 2009):

Tan Delta @ 18 °C = 0.375 %

New measurement (May 28th 2010) :

Tan Delta @ 30 °C = 0.657 %

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40
Historical measurement (Dec 18th 2009):
Tan Delta @ 18 °C = 0.375 %

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 ITC Case Study

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 Benefits of Narrowband DFR

 Additional insulation results (1 -500 Hz) for advanced diagnosis

 Especially useful when testing bushings

 Same instrument/setup as line frequency PF/DF

 Test time approximately 3-4 minutes

 Determine thermal behavior (ITC)

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 Benefits of NB DFR

Provides earlier indication of a problem in the dielectric!

Confirms that a seemingly good P.F. result really is good

• Informed Decisions = Peace of Mind

Can help in defining what should be your next step

Determine temperature dependence ITC, Individual

Temperature Correction…
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 DELTA4000 Key Features

Light & rugged two piece design – portable

1-505Hz output (Variable frequency Tan Delta)

300mA Output current -Ensure ability to test

transformer/Reactors/Generator transformers capacity up to
95nF@10kV,50Hz.

Individual temperature correction factor

Voltage dependence detection

 New HV Cable

Introducing a new and improved HV

cable

Versus previous cable, new cable is:
• 20% lighter
• 20% smaller

Compatible with all previous
Delta4000 units

46
 New HV Cable

Better accessories - Easier to

use/connect to various specimen

47
 Questions?
Power on
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of your business. That is why we are dedicated to creating, designing and
manufacturing safe, reliable, easy-to-use portable test equipment backed by world-
leading support and expertise.

We can assist your acceptance, commissioning and maintenance testing for

predictive, diagnostic or routine purposes. By working closely with electrical
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dependability and advancement of the electrical supply industry.

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