BA Transformers

Technical Standard
Issuer: PTTR A. Gillmert 1ZBA 4505-108
Author: PTTR/DE Emil Bercea 2004- 06- 21, Page 1 of 8
Replaced: new

Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on

Power Transformers

List of content:
1 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................................2

2 PURPOSE OF MEASUREMENT....................................................................................................................2

3 STANDARDS ..................................................................................................................................................2

4 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISSIPATION FACTOR AND POWER FACTOR AND TEST, CIRCUITS FOR
contained therein. Reproduction, use or disclosure to third parties

UST, GST AND GSTG MEASUREMENTS ....................................................................................................3

We reserve all rights in this document and in the information

4.1 MEASUREMENTS OF DISSIPATION FACTOR OR POWER FACTOR AND CAPACITANCE OF INSULATION IN ........
without express authority is strictly forbidden.

POWER TRANSFORMERS .......................................................................................................................3

4.2 UST, GST AND GSTG MEASUREMENTS WITH EXAMPLE OF CIRCUIT .......................................................3
5 INSTRUMENTS USED FOR CAPACITANCE, DISSIPATION FACTOR AND POWER FACTOR
@ ABB 2004

MEASUREMENTS..........................................................................................................................................4

6 MEASUREMENTS..........................................................................................................................................4

7 COMBINATIONS TO BE MEASURED ..........................................................................................................5

8 CORRECTIONS ..............................................................................................................................................6

9 REPORT..........................................................................................................................................................7

APPENDIX 1........................................................................................................................................................8

Revisions: First Edition: 2004-06-21

No. Date Pages No. Date Pages
A H
B J
C K
D L
E M
F N
G P
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 2

1 Scope
This standard gives the rules for measurements of capacitance and dissipation factor of the winding
insulation of power transformers. The following topics are treated:
Purpose of measurement.
Standards
The difference between dissipation factor and power factor.
Test circuits
Instruments used for capacitance, dissipation factor and power factor measurements
Measurements.
Combinations to be measured.
Corrections

2 Purpose of measurement
Dissipation factor and power factor of an insulation system can give some indications on the conditions
of the system such as humidity content. It is however more or less impossible to judge a single
measurement but trend of series of measuring results made during the life time of an insulation system
may give some indications on humidity or other contaminations increase.

3 Standards
IEC regards the capacitance and dissipation factor measurement as special tests.
IEEE states that capacitance and power factor as routine test for Class II transformers

IEC 60076-1 2000 Clause 10.1.3

IEEE C57.12.00 2000 Clause 8

IEEE C57.12.90 1999 Clause 10.10
IEEE C57.93 1995 Clause 4.11 b)
IEEE 62 1995 Clause 6.1.6 and Annex A
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 3

4 Difference between dissipation factor and power factor and

test, circuits for UST, GST and GSTg measurements
4.1 Measurements of dissipation factor or power factor and
capacitance of insulation in power transformers
Figure1 The below figures shows the definitions and similarity of the
dissipation factor (tg δ ) and the power factor (cosϕ).

it it
iC
ϕ
iC C R iR
~

δ
ϕ

iR

Equivalent circuit
Vector diagram for dissipation factor
and power factor
IR IR
cos ϕ = tgδ = When δ is a small angle (< 1degree) and ϕ is getting closed to 90
It IC
degrees (> 89 degrees) cosϕ ≅ tg δ which means that the power factor (cosϕ) is almost identical to
the dissipation factor (tg δ).

4.2 UST, GST and GSTg measurements with example of circuit

Measurements of power factor in accordance with North American practice use to be defined as UST
(Ungrounded Specimen Test), GST (Grounded Specimen Test) and GSTg (Grounded Specimen Test
with guard). This is also referred to as Doble test. Below figures shows how this was done with the old
Doble bridge. Modern current comparator bridges can normally perform the same measurements.

Figure 2. UST measurements

CA-B

A B
Power
supply Standard
CA CB
capacitor

Bridge

In this case CA-B is measured and the capacitances to earth are not measured as they have return
path above the meter.
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 4

Figure 3. GST measurements

CA-B

A B
Power
supply Standard
CA CB
capacitor

Bridge

In this case CA-B and CA are measured. CB is not measured, as it is ground connected on both sides.

Figure 4. GSTg measurements

CA-B

A B
Power
supply Standard
CA CB
capacitor

Bridge

In this case only CA is measured as CA-B has return path above the meter and CB is guarded.

5 Instruments used for capacitance, dissipation factor and

power factor measurements
The classic instrument for measurement of capacitance and dissipation factor is the Schering bridge.
This instrument is still in use especially in laboratories.
Modern dissipation factor bridges are often microprocessor controlled current comparator bridges with
built in high voltage power supplies. The BA Standard Equipment list for Test Room gives
recommendation for measuring bridges for Medium and Large power transformers and suggested
equipment for Small Power Transformers.

6 Measurements
For measurements of winding insulation all bushings of each winding are connected together. The test is
performed at the combinations given in clause 8.
The test is normally performed with 10 kV but the voltage shall not exceed half of the low frequency test
voltage. The test shall be performed with a voltage with nominal frequency for the test object and at
around room temperature. Bushing insulators must be clean and dry so that external leakage current not
is influencing the measuring result. Avoid cleaning with rapid evaporating solvents like alcohol. The rapid
evaporating will cool down the insulator surface and water may condense on the insulator.
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 5

Dissipation factor on bushings (C1) is often a good tool to find defective bushings during investigations.
When measuring C1 of bushings assembled on a transformer the UST connection shall be used.

Note: Capacitance and dissipation factor of bushings are normally only measured, as routine test by
the manufacturer of the bushings and this is normally not repeated at delivery test of
transformers and reactors.

7 Combinations to be measured
The below tables are based on IEEE C57.12.90-1999 table 4

Table 1
Method I
Test without guard circuit
Measured
Two winding transformers
capacitances
High to low and ground GST CH + CH-L
Low to high and ground GST CL + CH-L
High and low to ground GST CH + CL
High to low Note 4 UST CH-L

Three winding transformers

High to low, tertiary and ground GST CH + CH-L + CH-T
Low to high, tertiary and ground GST CL + CH-L + CL-T
Tertiary to high, low and ground GST CT + CH-T + CL-T
High and low to tertiary and ground GST CH + CL + CH-T + CL-T
High and tertiary to low and ground GST CH + CT + CH-L + CL-T
Low and tertiary to high and ground GST CL + CT+ CH-L + CH-T
High, low and tertiary to ground GST CH + CL + CT

Table 2
Method II
Test with guard circuit
Two winding transformers Measured
capacitance
High to low and ground GST CH + CH-L
High to ground, guard on low GSTg CH
Low to high and ground GST CL + CH-L
Low to ground, guard on high GSTg CL
High and low to ground Note 4 GST CH + CL
High to low Note 4 UST CH-L

Three winding transformers

High to low and ground, guard on tertiary GSTg CH + CH-L
High to ground, guard on low and tertiary GSTg CH
Low to tertiary and ground, guard on high GSTg CL + CL-T
Low to ground, Guard on high and tertiary GSTg CL
Tertiary to high and ground, guard on low GSTg CT + CH-T
Tertiary to ground, guard on high and low GSTg CT
High and low to tertiary and ground GST CH + CL + CH-T + CL-T
High and tertiary to low and ground GST CH + CT + CH-L + CL-T
Low and tertiary to high and ground Note 4 GST CL + CT + CH-L + CH-T
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 6

Notes to table 1 and 2

Note 1: While the real significance that can be attached to the power factor of liquid-immersed
transformers is still a matter of opinion, experience has shown that power factor is helpful in
assessing the probable condition of the insulation when good judgment is used.

Note 2: In interpreting the result of power factor test values, the comparative values of tests taken at
periodic intervals are useful in identifying potential problems rather than an absolute value of
power factor.

Note 3: A factory power-factor test will be of value for comparison with field power-factor
measurements to assess the probable condition of the insulation. It has not been feasible to
establish standard power-factor values for liquid-immersed transformers for the following
reasons:
(a) Experience has indicated that little or no relation exists between power factor and the
ability of the transformer to withstand the prescribed dielectric tests.
(b) Experience has shown that the variation in power factor with temperature is substantial
and erratic so that no single correction curve will fit all cases.
(c) The various liquids and insulating materials used in transformers result in large
variations in insulation power factor values.

Note 4: This combination is not in the IEEE standard but commonly used.

The note 3 above is taken direct from the IEEE C557.12.90-1999 and it says that it not have been
feasible to establish standard power factor values, but the Guide IEEE Std 62-1995 says in Clause
6.1.6.8 “In case of new oil-filled transformers and reactors, the power factor should not exceed 0,5%
(20 °C). Even if this is a contradiction the measured dissipation factor is normally below 0.005 at 20 °C

Figure 5. Capacitances to be measured

CH-T

CH-L CL-T

CH CL CT

H = High voltage terminals

L = Low voltage terminals.
T = Tertiary voltage terminals

8 Corrections
The dissipation and power factors are very temperature dependent.
IEEEC57.12.90-1999 gives in table 5 correction factors for temperature but they will only be valid for a
specific insulation and contamination degree.

In appendix 1 is shown curves for variation of dissipation factor as function of temperature for different
humidity content in oil impregnated paper. That curves are also only valid for a specific insulation system
but they show the tendency and they show that each correction factor only will be valid for one condition.
IEEE C57.12.90 have one table 5 with suggested correction of power factor to 20 °C. This table is given
as table 3.

Dissipation or power-factor shall be compared for the same test object and for measurements at around
the same temperature. The standards do not give any limits for dissipation or power factors for power
transformers.
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 7

Table 3 Temperature correction factors for insulation power factors. IEEE C57.12.90-1999 Table5

9 Report
Report the combinations measured, stating if guard has been used and for each combination which
terminals that were on voltage and which terminals that were connected to the measuring terminal or to
eventual guard.
Report also the top and bottom oil temperatures and the voltage at which the measurements were
performed.
If correction has been applied report both the measured value and the corrected value. Never report only
the corrected value.
BA Transformers Capacitance and Dissipation Factor measurements on 1ZBA 4505-108
Power Transformers 2004-06-21
Revision No. Page 8

Appendix 1

Example of dissipation factor as function of temperature for different humidity in oil-impregnated

kraft paper
10

2.0% H2 O

1.0% H2 O

0.1%H2O
0.5%H2O
tg δ

1 1.0%H2O
2.0%H2O

0.5 % H2 O

0.1% H2 O

0,1
0 10 20 30 40 50
Temperature ºC 60 70 80 90 100