BUSHING CAPACITANCE AND DISSIPATION FACTOR

MEASURED IN HIGH VOLTAGE LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT

Peter DeYong Zhao

Trench Limited, Toronto, Canada

ABSTRACT - Test results from measuring bushing capacitance (Cap) and dissipation factor (DF) can vary
depending on a number of factors. These include test setup, test methods and the environment. This paper
will compare a specific test method used in a high voltage laboratory environment and the test method
commonly used in the field. Comparisons will be made between the two methods and factors influencing
measurement accuracy will be discussed.

1. INTRODUCTION

Bushings, as an insulating structure, are applied to connect power transformers to transmission lines. During service,
bushings must withstand normal operating voltage and occasional surges, which may be several times the operating
voltage. The dielectric losses must be low in order to prevent thermal breakdown. To satisfy this requirement and
maintain reliable performance during life service, oil-impregnated paper with capacitance grading layers has been
adopted as an insulation system for bushings. Fig.1 shows the bushing structure with this type of an insulation
system.

To verify the integrity of the insulation during manufacture the bushings must pass a series of dielectric tests from
high voltage withstand to insulation quality measurement. With modern measurement technology, the bushing
insulation quality can be quantified in the factory by measuring partial discharges and dissipation factors. These
tests, particularly insulation quality measurement are performed in a controlled environment in order to eliminate
background noises and obtain accurate readings. Fig.2 is a bushing test laboratory.

In the field, bushings are subjected to a number of routine inspections and tests to verify the operational condition as
well as monitor its ongoing fitness for service. Normally the location, environment and available measurement
devices limit the scope and magnitude of the electrical tests. One of the commonly employed methods for insulation
inspection in the field is the measurement of the bushing’s power factors. Based on a collection of power factor
values, an assessment can be made on the operating condition of the bushing.

In this paper, the technique for bushing capacitance and dissipation factor measurement in a high voltage laboratory
will be reviewed and the measured results compared with the measurement values obtained by methods employed in
the field.

2. CAPACITANCE AND DISSIPATION FACTOR MEASUREMENT IN HV LABORATORY

Due to stray electric and magnetic fields, the test circuit for capacitance and dissipation factor measurement must be
carefully designed to avoid any possible measurement errors. One of the most commonly used and accurate methods
for measuring capacitance and dissipation factor in high voltage laboratory is the Transformer Ratio Arm bridge.
The bridge arrangement is shown in Fig.3. The bridge measures the capacitance and dissipation factors of a
capacitor by comparing it with a gas-filled standard capacitor which has negligible loss over a wide frequency range.
The balance condition is indicated by zero voltage induced in the detector coil and corresponds to the conditions
when IxN1=I2N2.

For detailed theory analysis and operating instruction of the bridge, see reference [1].

With the method described, the capacitance and dissipation factor were measured on three different styles of Trench
COTA type bushings. During the measurement, two circuit configurations – UST and GST have been used. Table 1
shows the measured results, which indicate that there exists no significant difference between the values measured
under UST and GST configurations.

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 Table 1 - Bushing Capacitance and Dissipation Factors
Bushing Style Capacitance, pF Dissipation Factor, %
Number UST / GST UST / GST
150-F027-21-AG2-01-AXT 1184.2 / 1182.0 0.333 / 0.326
250-H014-21-AG3-01-A 404.3 / 401.8 0.306 / 0.296
650-H014-23-AG3-01-A 542.6 / 539.0 0.314 / 0.310

3. MEASURING BUSHING CAPACITANCE AND DISSIPATION FACTOR WITH – M4000

INSULATION ANALYZER

A commonly used measurement device in the field for capacitance and dissipation factor measurement is the M4000
Insulation Analyzer from Doble Engineering Company. (See reference [2] for detailed information)

For this paper the bushing capacitance and dissipation factor were measured with the M4000 Insulation Analyzer.
The results using this device and bridge method in the HV laboratory are compared in Table 2.

It can be seen that the capacitance values measured from the two methods are very close, while some differences on
PF readings were noticed. For major insulation C1, the PF readings from the M4000 Insulation Analyzer tended to
be lower, while tap insulation C2 PF readings are higher.

During the investigation in our facility, we also performed the comparison tests when bushing inboard end is in the
oil and in the air. From the results it can be concluded that the measurements are in agreement. It is important to
note that our testing evaluation was conducted indoors in clean and dry conditions. If bushings are tested in an open
air in the field, some measurement errors may occur, resulted from environment conditions, e.g., high humidity
level, condensation or contamination inside the tap compartment. Such conditions will introduce the leakage current
into the measurement circuit if the measurement system is not shielded or guarded properly.

Table 2 - Bushing Capacitance and Loss Measurement

2-1. COTA 150-F027-21-AG2-01-AXT, average readings from three (3) units
Cap. Test kV mA Watts .PF Correction Corrected Cap.
Method % Factor PF % pF
C1 UST-B 10 4.320 0.128 0.293 1.00 0.293 1146.0
C1 Bridge 10 0.356 1146.6

2-2. COTA 150-H015-21AG2-01-A, average readings from two (2) units

Cap. Test kV mA Watts PF Correction Corrected Cap.
Method % Factor PF % pF
C1 UST-B 10 1.409 0.037 0.260 1.00 0.26 373.8
C1 Bridge 0.295 377.5

2-3 COTA 350-H014-21-AG3-01-A

Cap. Test kV mA Watts PF Correction Corrected Cap.
Method % Factor PF % pF
C1 UST-B 10 1.765 0.061 0.35 1.00 0.35 468.3
C1 Bridge 10 0.36 469.3

2-4 COTA 550-H014-23-AG3-03-A, average readings from three (3) units

Cap. Test kV mA Watts PF Correction Corrected Cap.
Method % Factor PF % pF
C1 UST-B 10 1.891 0.064 0.34 1.00 0.34 501.4
C1 Bridge 10 0.35 504.0
C2 GAR-B 10 21.88 0.629 0.29 1.00 0.29 5804.7
C2 Bridge 10 0.26 5779.2

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4. COMPARISON OF TWO TEST METHODS

Based on the results of the measured values in a controlled environment, it is noted that in general, the measured
values from two methods are in agreement of each other. However, some minor discrepancies are also noticed.
Following discussions are provided to explore the possible causes to the discrepancies;

• Loss Parameter Measured

In the two test methods, two different parameters were selected for measurement of insulation loss, i.e., dissipation
factor was used in the bridge method while power factor was used in the M4000 Insulation Analyzer.

To understand the meanings of the measured parameters, a capacitor was used as a model for analysis. Under power
frequency voltage, a capacitor can be represented with a simplified equivalent circuit in which the relation of
electrical parameters in the circuit will be defined. Fig.4 illustrates the modeling process.

According to the definition, the power factor and dissipation factor of a capacitor shown above will be expressed as:
Power Factor, Cos(ϕ) = Ir/I,
Dissipation Factor, Tan(δ) = Ir/Ic,
It can be seen that the two factors are not equal, although can be very close when the angle ϕ is tending to 90°.
When using different parameters for measurement, reading errors may occur.

• C1 and C2 PF Readings
During the measurement, some minor differences on dissipation factor readings were noticed even though the
capacitance values measured from the two methods are very close. For major insulation C1, the PF readings from
M4000 Insulation Analyzer tended to be lower, while tap insulation C2 PF readings are higher. This may indicate
that the PF readings are influenced by the capacitance values.

5. CONCLUSION

• The Transformer Ratio Arm bridge - One of the most commonly used and accurate methods for measuring
Capacitance and Dissipation Factor in high voltage laboratory - was introduced. The bushing Dissipation Factor
values were measured under both UST and GST modes and no significant differences of the Dissipation Factor
values were noticed.
• The bushing’s capacitance and power factor were measured with M4000 Insulation Analyzer. The measured
values were compared with the ones from the bridge method and minor difference was noticed on PF readings.
• Comparison was made between two methods. The minor discrepancy on PF readings might result from the two
different parameters selected in two methods for measurement, and the large capacitance range might contribute
to this discrepancy also.
• When bushings are tested in the field, the consequences of the environmental conditions must be taken into
account. These include high humidity levels, elevated temperature of the bushing, contamination of the
bushing’s surfaces, condensation or contamination inside the test or voltage tap compartment and weather or not
the inboard end of the bushing is in air or oil. Such conditions will introduce leakage current into the
measurement circuit if the measurement system is not shielded or guarded properly. For this reason,
measurement errors can occur particularly during C2 measurement. Additional investigation is necessary to fully
understand the impacts on filed measurements as a result of the unstable environment conditions.

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REFERENCES

[1]. Operating and Instruction Manual of High Voltage Capacitance and Dissipation Factor Bridge Model CB-605,
AVO Multi-Amp Canada Limited, 1992.
[2]. User’s Guide M4000 Insulation Analyzer System for Windows, Doble Engineering Company, 1997.
[3]. Kuffel, E. and Zaengle, W.S., High Voltage Engineering – Fundamentals, Pergamon Press, 1984.

BIOGRAPHY

Peter DeYong Zhao obtained his B.Sc. with Dean’s honor in Electrical Engineering in 1983, his M.Eng. in Power
Transformers in 1986, and his M.Sc in High Voltage in 1993. The areas of his professional practice include
transformer products design and development, high voltage and insulation engineering, electrical testing and QA. He
is a registered professional engineer, a member of IEEE, and a member of IEEE/PES Transformer Committee.
Presently, he is with Trench Limited Canada as Engineering Manager at Bushing Products Division.

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Figure 1 - Typical Construction for Transformer Condenser Bushings
(draw lead connection)

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