Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Package Transformer

Dry type Transformer

Requirements of Transformer Installations in India
Outdoor

• Minimum clearance between supplier's and consumer's 11 kV structures shall be 3

m. If it is 5 m or more they should be braced together both at top and middle.

• Minimum size of RSJ poles shall be 175 x 85 mm. Channels shall be of minimum 75
x 50 mm.

• Phase to phase and phase to earth clearances at AB switch shall be minimum 915
mm and 610 mm respectively.

• Minimum size of 11 kV jumpers shall be Number '0' SWG copper.

• Maximum length of unsupported 11 kV jumpers shall be 2.44 m for solid conductors

and 1.5 m for stranded conductors.

• Minimum safety working clearance of 2.6 m shall be maintained for bare conductors
and live parts.

• Lightning arrestors shall be provided between AB switch and D.O. / H.G. fuse.

• Group control AB switch shall be provided for multiple transformer installations.

• The minimum clearance from ground to the 11 kV bushings of the transformers shall
be 2.6 m

• AB switch operating handle shall be fixed at 1 m to 1.25 m from ground level.

• 11 kV AB switch shall be three insulator type.

• Fencing with a height of 2.5 m shall be provided, keeping a minimum clearance of

1.5 m from the transformer body.

• Minimum clearance between 11 kV up and down jumpers shall be 75 cm.

• Outdoor transformer is not permitted in corporation areas and at the premises of

high-rise apartment buildings. However outdoor transformers with cable end boxes
at both sides and indoor breaker/SFU at primary side may be permitted judiciously.

• Indoor transformer is recommended for rating above 630 kVA

• If more than one transformer, having more than 2000 litres of oil, are installed side
by side, baffle walls of minimum 4 hr fire rating shall be provided in between
transformers.
Indoor

1. Only dry type transformers shall be installed inside residential/commercial buildings

(Rule 64(2)(e)(iv)).

Oil filled transformers are permitted outside residential and commercial buildings subject to
the following conditions.

(a) Only indoor type transformers are permitted in Corporation areas and at the
premises of residential buildings.

(b) There shall be free access for fire engines to the transformer stations.

(c) The building in which transformer is installed shall have minimum clear distance
of 1.5 m from the residential/commercial buildings.

(d) The substation building shall be of weatherproof and fire proof construction. Walls
shall be of 355 mm thick brick or 230 mm thick RCC. If there is any window/door
opening towards the residential/commercial building, there shall be a fire resistant
wall between the substation building and residential/commercial building keeping a
minimum clear distance of 1.5 m from both the buildings.

(e) Transformers may be installed outdoor, keeping a minimum distance of 6 m from

commercial buildings in areas other than corporation areas.

(f) If the transformer is installed outdoor with in 6m from commercial buildings, there
shall be a fire resistant wall in between the transformer and the building keeping a
minimum distance of 1.5m both from the building and the transformer.

2. Only dry type transformer shall be installed in cellars and above ground floor. Indian
Electricity Rules, 1956 (Rule 64(2) (f) (iii))

3. ABSF unit/VCB shall be provided at primary side. The 11 kV ABSF unit shall have CPRI
test certificate and brand certification. At hospital premises breaker shall be recommended.

4. Minimum size of cable at 11 kV side shall be 150 sq.mm XLPE (Aluminium). But size
may be 70 sq.mm XLPE (Aluminium) if back up fuse is provided.

5. Fire separation walls shall be provided in between oil filled transformers. Thickness of
the wall shall be minimum 30 cm (Brick) or 20 cm (RCC)

6. Oil filled transformers shall be segregated from HT and MV switchgears using fire
separation wall

7. Oil drainage facility/soak pits shall be insisted for oil filled transformers if quantity of oil is
more than 2000 litres.

8. All-round clearance shall be provided for indoor transformers. It shall be minimum 1.25m
if walls are provided at 4 sides.

9. Transformers shall be installed at the periphery of the building for getting easy access
and adequate ventilation.
10. Doors and windows of transformer room shall be of non-inflammable materials.

11. Minimum 50 cm headroom clearance shall be provided for the transformer.

12.
a). If dry type transformers are installed above ground level, emergency switching off
facility shall be provided at ground floor.

b). Structural fitness certificate from a competent structural engineer shall also be
furnished.

13. Minimum phase to phase and phase to earth clearance of bus bars in 11 kV panel
shall be 130 mm and 80 mm respectively.

14. Minimum 1.0 metre clear space shall be available in front of HT panel in breaker drawn
out position.

Distribution Transformer : Erection & Commissioning

Checkpoints
Introduction
A distribution transformer is an important link between any utility’s
distribution network and the power supply delivered to customer. It is
therefore most vital asset in any electrical distribution network and needs
special attention right from erection, commissioning and maintenance of
these transformers.
Let us examine some important aspects related to erection, commissioning of
Distribution Transformer.
Checkpoints before Transformer installation
Before the transformer is lifted from the warehouse / maintenance workshop
and taken to the site where it is to be installed, following physical
inspection/checks should be done:
1. Check the transformer bushings thoroughly for any signs of cracks /
damages

2. Check the oil level in the transformer and check for any signs of oil leakage
through bushings, gaskets or welded joints

3. Test the Insulation Resistance (IR) values using a 1000 V Megger unit for
various sections such as – HV to LV, LV to Earth, HV to Earth.

4. For a rated voltage of winding between 11 kV up to 6.6 kV the minimum

safe IR value should be in the range of 200 mega Ohms to 400 mega Ohms

5. In case if the above values are not obtained then it is necessary to dry out
the transformer completely by filtration procedure
6. Check whether tests are carried out for – Ratio Tests, % impendence voltage
test and rate voltage withstand tests
Transformer Installation
During installation of Transformer on a Pole mounting structure, following
checks should be made:
1. Ensure that the base channel of transformer is at height complying to IEC
Standards:
a) Height of top of HV bushing from ground for pole mounted transformer
should be 4.572 meters minimum (15 Ft)
b) Height of top of HV bushing from ground for plinth mounted transformer
should be 2.75 meters minimum (8 Ft)

2. Ensure that base channel is horizontally leveled

3. Avoid jerky movement of the transformer while lifting it upwards during

installation

4. During installation ensure that the HV bushings of the transformer are on

the DO unit (or HG fuse unit) side of the structure

5. After installation of transformer, also check that other allied equipments

such as AB switch, Horn Gap fuse units, DO Fuse sets, Lightening arrestor etc.
are fitted at appropriate positions as per the applicable drawing issued by the
utility.

6. Use PVC unarmoured cable (3 ½ core) of appropriate size and length for LV
side. Ensure that the lugs are appropriately crimped at the ends.
Earthing of Distribution Transformer
Earthing of transformer is an important aspect of Distribution Transformer
installation. As per IE rules: 61 (1) (a) and 61 (2), the neutral bushing of the
transformer and the body of the transformer should be earthed by not less
than two separate and distinct connections with a minimum of two different
earth electrodes.
In order to comply with above rule it is a customary practice to excavate three
earth pits (usually 8 feet deep) arranged to form an equilateral triangle. One
pit is used for connecting lightening arrestors. The transformer neutral
earthing is connected to another pit while the body earthing is connected to
third pit.
These three earth electrodes are connected to each other to form earth bus at
one feet below the ground. The earth resistance of these interconnected
electrodes should not exceed 2.5 ohms.
Commissioning of Distribution Transformer
Before actually charging the transformer the following points should be
checked:
1. Transformer should be inspected by authorized electrical inspector and get
permission to energize the same

2. Insulation resistance and continuity of the winding should be checked by

1000V Megger

3. Check dielectric strength of the transformer oil by taking out sample

4. Check oil level in conservator tank, colour of silica gel in the breather and oil
level at the bottom of the breather

5. Make MCCB/Main Switch in the distribution box OFF and charge the
transformer on no load by using DO fuse elements of suitable capacity

6. Wait until noise of the transformer stabilizes then measure the secondary
voltages phase to phase and phase to neutral

7. Apply load on the transformer (preferably a 3 phase motor) and check

direction of rotation of motor. If the motor rotates in reverse direction, then
the phase sequence of connections is wrong and needs to be rectified. To
rectify this, interchange the cable connections at the MCCB / Main switch e.g.
R&Y or Y&B or B&R phase connections. The phase sequence will then be
rectified.