Materials System Specification

14-SAMSS-534 21 May 2012

Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers
Electrical Substations Equipment Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Qualifications.................................................. 3
5 Service Conditions......................................... 3
6 General Requirements................................... 4
7 Construction................................................... 4
8 Testing........................................................... 8

Previous Issue: 22 September 2008 Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Page 1 of 8
Primary contact: ISHWAIT BASEL A. on 966-3-8809664

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2012. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

1 Scope

1.1 This specification defines the mandatory requirements for single-phase and
three-phase, self-cooled, overhead type distribution transformers, 500 kVA and
smaller with high voltages 34.5 kV and below for operation in 60 Hz power
systems.

1.2 The specific requirements for transformers to be purchased shall be given in the
Buyer's Purchase Order Documents for this equipment.

1.3 The distribution transformer unit shall be designed, built and tested in
accordance with the latest applicable provision of American National Standards
Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE
C57.12.20 as supplemented by this specification and all applicable companion
guides and codes as referenced in ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20).

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 If there are any conflicts between this Specification and associated purchasing,
project or engineering documents, this specification shall take precedence.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this Specification in writing to the Company
or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company waiver procedure.

2.3 The designation "Commentary" is used to label a sub-paragraph that contains

comments that are explanatory or advisory. These comments are not mandatory,
except to the extent that they explain mandatory requirements contained in this
SAMSS.

3 References

The following is a summary of all the documents which have been mentioned within
this Specification. The specific part(s) of these documents which are applicable have
been identified throughout this Specification.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

Form NMR-7906 Non-Material Requirements for Transformers:
Small, Medium & Large, Power & Distribution

Page 2 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM D1535 Standard Method for Specifying Color by the
Munsell System
ASTM D3487 Standard Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil
Used in Electrical Apparatus

American National Standards Institute

ANSI/IEEE C57.12.00
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20
General Requirements for Liquid-Immersed
Distribution, Power, and Regulating
Transformers
American National Standard for Transformers-
Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers,
500 kVA and Smaller: High-Voltage, 34,500
Volts and below; Low-voltage, 7,970/13,800
Wye Volts and below

International Electrotechnical Commission

IEC 60296 Specification for New Insulating Oils for
Transformers and Switchgear

4 Qualifications

Transformer designs and materials used in the transformer shall have a minimum of two
(2) years of verifiable, satisfactory performance and proven field experience.

5 Service Conditions

5.1 The transformers shall be suitable for outdoor application. Unless otherwise
specified, they shall be suitable for continuous operation at locations up to an
altitude of 1000 meters.

5.2 Equipment shall be suitable for use in locations that are subject to sand and dust
storms, fog, and airborne contaminants, including NaCl (Sodium Chloride) to
300 ppm and MgCl (Magnesium Chloride) to 50 ppm.

5.3 Unless otherwise specified, equipment shall be suitable for use in locations with
the following ambient temperatures: Average monthly normal maximum
(hottest month), 45°C; Average daily temperature (hottest month) 40°C;
Maximum daily peak 50°C. The temperature of metal surfaces exposed to direct
solar radiation can reach 75°C.

Page 3 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

6 General Requirements

6.1 This specification shall take precedence over any referenced third party
document(s). Technical reference documents shall be of the latest issue.

6.2 All documentation shall be in the English language.

6.3 Transformers covered by this specification are single-phase and three-phase

overhead transformers. Unless otherwise specified, transformers shall be
suitable for direct mounting on poles.

6.4 The Voltage ratings, Kilovolt-Ampere ratings and Basic Lightning Impulse
Levels (BIL's) for single-phase and three-phase transformers shall be in
accordance with ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

6.5 All transformers shall be rated in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C57.12.00,

Section 4.1, “Usual Service Conditions”. KVA rating shall be based on a 65°C
temperature rise from a 30°C ambient.

6.6 Unless specified otherwise, all transformers shall be provided without

overcurrent or overvoltage protection.

6.7 Saudi Aramco Form NMR-7906 provides information on non-material

requirements.

7 Construction

7.1 Tank

7.1.1 Transformer tank shall be designed to withstand the internal pressures

that will develop over the full range of transformer loading up to a
maximum overload at maximum ambient temperature and with unlimited
number of load cycles. A means, meeting the requirements of
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20, shall be provided, for relieving excessive
pressure. If a pressure relief valve is provided, the venting port on the
outward side of the valve-head seat shall be protected to prevent entry of
dust, moisture, and insects before and after the valve has operated.

7.1.2 Transformers shall be provided with all attachments and accessory

equipment as specified in ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

7.1.3 Unless otherwise specified the kVA rating shall be shown in contrasting
colored characters of minimum 50 mm height, located on the tank wall
on the opposite side of the support brackets.

Page 4 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

7.1.4 Tank cover shall be sealed to prevent atmospheric contamination of oil.

The cover gasket shall be reusable and non-setting.

7.2 Cores

7.2.1 Cores shall be fabricated using high permeability, laminated silicon steel.
All cuts to be burr-free and to exact length.

7.2.2 Cores design and fabrication shall be done in such a manner that will
minimize losses and audible sound level. The manufacturer shall state
the guaranteed total losses in watts (the sum of no-load and load losses)
and the audible sound level in decibels for the transformer rated voltage,
current and frequency.

7.3 Coils

7.3.1 High and low voltage windings shall be copper.

7.3.2 Coils shall be braced for magnetic stress due to short circuit. The
windings shall be constructed to withstand a bolted secondary fault with
rated primary voltage applied for a period in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.00.

7.4 Tap Changers

A tap changer shall be provided for deenergized operation. Tapping shall be

provided on the high-voltage winding for a variation of the no-load primary
voltage. If not specified transformers shall have two taps 2½% below nominal
voltage and two 2½% taps above nominal voltage. If transformers with other
tap arrangement are required such as with four taps 2½% below nominal voltage
they shall be specified as such in the Purchase Order. All taps shall have full
current capacity.

7.5 Winding Connections

7.5.1 Unless otherwise specified all three-phase transformers shall have delta-
connected high voltage windings and wye-connected low-voltage
windings. The angular displacement shall be in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

7.5.2 The low-voltage neutral shall be brought out and be fully rated.

7.6 Insulating Oil

7.6.1 All transformers shall be shipped, filled with insulating oil. The oil shall
be virgin hydrocarbon mineral oil specifically manufactured for use as

Page 5 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

electrical insulating oil. The oil shall contain no additives, and shall
meet IEC 60296 Class 1 or ASTM D3487 Type 1.

7.6.2 Insulating oil shall be free (less than 1 ppm) of polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB) and the transformers shall be supplied with labels stating that they
are PCB free.

7.7 Impedance

Unless otherwise specified, the manufacturer shall furnish transformers with

standard impedance (measured at the centered tap) for particular type of
transformer being purchased.

7.8 Bushings

7.8.1 Unless otherwise specified the number, color, location and arrangement
of bushings for single-phase and three-phase transformers shall be in
accordance with ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.
Commentary Note: 7.8.1:

IEC 60137 bushings are acceptable.

7.8.2 Bushings shall have a minimum creepage of mm per kV line-to-line

voltage as specified in Table 6 of ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

7.8.3 All bushings shall be made from wet process glazed porcelain.

7.8.4 All bushings of the same voltage class shall be interchangeable.

7.8.5 All current carrying parts of low-voltage bushings shall be copper.

Connection surfaces shall be silver or tin plated.

7.9 Nameplates

7.9.1 Each transformer shall have a permanently attached nameplate

containing the minimum information as specified for Nameplate B in
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.00.

7.9.2 Nameplates shall be in the English language according to American

usage, shall be abrasion-resistant, stainless steel and attached with
stainless steel hardware. Entries shall be marked by etching, engraving,
or other permanent marking method.

7.9.3 The nameplate(s) shall include the following, which may be on a

separate plate:

Page 6 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

a) Manufacturer's plant location

b) Buyer's Purchase Order number
c) Manufacturer's Order reference number
d) Year of manufacture
e) Model Number
f) Amount of insulating liquid
g) PCB free

7.10 Mounting Provision

Transformers for direct-pole mounting shall be furnished with an upper and

lower support lugs in accordance with the requirements of ANSI/IEEE
C57.12.20.

7.11 Painting

7.11.1 The manufacturer's standard paint system is acceptable provided it's

suitable to be used in the environmental conditions described in
Section 5, Service Conditions above. Manufacturers who have not
previously provided transformers to Saudi Aramco are required to
submit details of their paint system through the Buyer or Saudi Aramco
representative for approval by the Coordinator, Electrical Systems
Division, Consulting Services Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

7.11.2 The paint color of transformer tank and supporting hardware shall be
light grey number 61 in accordance with ASTM D1535 (Munsell
Notation 8.3 G6 10/0.54).

7.12 Terminal Markings and Polarities

7.12.1 The low-voltage terminal designations for single phase transformers

shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

7.12.2 The identification of the transformer low-voltage internal and external

connections shall be shown on the nameplate.

7.12.3 Polarities for all single phase transformers shall be in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20.

7.13 Grounding Provision

7.13.1 Tank grounding provision shall consist of a steel pad located near the
bottom of the tank suitable for 2-hole, bolted ground lugs. Ground pad

Page 7 of 8
Document Responsibility: Electrical Substations Equipment 14-SAMSS-534
Issue Date: 21 May 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 May 2017 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers

size and hole threading shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE

C57.12.20.

7.13.2 The low-voltage grounding connection shall be an external copper link

of adequate size securely connecting the low voltage neutral terminal
to the tank.

8 Testing

Routine, Design and other tests shall be carried out as required by ANSI/IEEE
C57.12.20.

Routine Tests – The following routine tests will be performed on each transformer, as
required by ANSI/IEEE C57.12.00 and ANSI/IEEE C57.12.20:
a) Ratio
b) Polarity and phase relation
c) No-load losses and excitation current
d) Dielectric tests
e) Mechanical tests (leak test)

Revision Summary
10 April 2007 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document and
reissued with no other changes.
25 March 2008 Minor revision to include value engineering recommendations and comments received
from PMT.
22 September 2008 Editorial revision to replace Electrical Substations Equipment Standards Committee
Chairman and Vice Chairman.
21 May 2012 Editorial revision to update the next planned update and the primary contact.

Page 8 of 8