Overview of High Voltage Laboratory and Discussion on the Different

Experiment to be Conducted.

Objective (s): To Understand the different Power apparatus present in the Laboratory and basics
understanding of all the experiments that are to be done in the laboratory.

Apparatus Present:

Name of the Apparatus Ratings

Impulse Voltage Generator 800 KV, 40KJ
Impulse Voltage Divider 800 KV
Digital Impulse Oscilloscope with Software
AC power frequency HV testing transformer 300 KV
AC Divider 300 KV
Partial Discharge Measuring System
Coupling Capacitor
Vessel for vaccum and Pressure
RIV Measuring Instrument
Resistivity Meter
Leakage Current Tester
Impulse Voltage Divider
Capacitance and tan Delta Measurement

Theory:

a.) Calibration of power frequency high voltage and measurement of partial discharge using
sphere-sphere gap arrangement.
This Experiment will be conducted to measure the partial
discharge by using sphere-sphere gap by calibrating the power frequency.
Simple spark gaps insulated by atmospheric air can be used to measure voltage amplitudes
above 10 kV and protect equipment from overvoltage. Spark gaps offer a limited accuracy but
are highly reliable and simple to use.
More accurate devices incorporating electronic circuits are generally used for routine
measurements, but these circuits can be sensitive to electromagnetic effects and may fail to
work. Regular calibration of such devices against approved spark gaps eliminates the
possibility of large measuring errors.
 The geometry of a spark gap is a decisive factor for its application, with sphere gaps being
recommended for approved voltage measurements due to their reliability. Partial discharges
(PDs) are localized electrical discharges within an insulation system and can occur in various
forms. The detection and measurement of PDs is based on the exchange of energy during the
discharge, with electrical detection being the most frequently used and successful method.

b.) Study the characteristics of impulse voltage and wave shape of lightning impulse voltage.
The main objective of this experiment is :-
 Understand the impulse voltage generator
 To draw standard wave shape of lightning impulse voltage.
 To draw the circuit for lightning impulse test system.
 To record and study the wave system of lightning impulse voltage.
An impulse voltage is a unidirectional voltage that
rises rapidly to a maximum value and falls to zero without appreciable oscillations. It is
characterized by its peak value, wave front time, and wave tail time. The standard wave shape
specified in BSS and ISS is a 1/50 microsecond wave, with a tolerance of ±50% on the duration
of the wave front and 20% on the time to half value on the wave tail. An impulse generator
requires a d.c.
Power supply for charging the impulse capacitance of the generator, which
consists of a high voltage testing transformer and rectifier. The charging times should not be
less than 3 to 10 seconds to allow for preionizing effects. Non-inductive wire would resistors
are used for wave front and tail control resistances due to their stability, even though they are
relatively costly.

c.) Study the BDV test of insulating oils using 100kV motorized oil test set.
Under this experiment we have to study BDV Strength of insulating oils using 100
KV motorized oil Test set.
BDV (Breakdown Voltage) test is used to measure the dielectric strength of
insulating oils, such as transformer oil. The dielectric strength of oil is the maximum voltage
withstand capacity of the oil without breakdown. The BDV test is important for ensuring the
healthiness of the transformer oil and for trouble-free operation of the transformer. As per
IEC, the minimum BDV of transformer oil should be 30 KV.
The transformer oil is used in the transformer for insulation as well as for cooling
purposes. The different insulating materials have different dielectric strengths. The
insulating material should sustain the voltage up to its dielectric strength. If the voltage is
increased above the specified dielectric strength of the insulating material, the current starts
flowing through it and eventually, the material gets permanently punctured.
The transformer oil is hygroscopic in nature, meaning it tends to absorb moisture
quickly. The dielectric strength of the oil gets deteriorated with the absorption of
moisture. That is why a breather filled with silica gel (moisture absorbent material) is used in
transformers so that external moisture during breathing can be trapped in silica gel.

d.) Measurement of Flash point and Fire point of liquid insulating material.
Under this experiment we will understand the flammability characteristics on
different insulating oil samples using closed cup flash and fire point tester.
flash point and fire point are important characteristics of insulating oils.
The flash point is the lowest temperature at which the vapor above the oil sample will
momentarily ignite or flash when an ignition source is passed over it. It is the lowest
temperature, corrected to a pressure of 760mmHg (101325 Pa) (1013 mbar), at which
application of an ignition source causes the vapour of a specimen to ignite. The flash point is
an indication of the safety hazards of a lubricant with respect to fire and explosion.
 The fire point is the temperature at which lubricant combustion will be sustained. It
is a higher temperature than the flash point, indicating that the oil not only ignites but
continues to burn at this temperature.
These properties are critical for insulating oils used in transformers and other
electrical equipment. They ensure that the oil can perform its function as an insulator and
coolant without posing a risk of fire or explosion. The safe operation of electrical equipment
requires an adequately high fire point that is measured in accordance with ISO 2592.

e.) Study of Capacitance and Tan Delta of UG cable.

The main purpose of this experiment is to understand the tan delta test is to make
sure of maintaining a secure and reliable functioning of the transformer. The calculation of
dissipation factor and capacitance values provide the result of insulation behaviour of
bushings and in windings too.
The study of capacitance and tan delta (dissipation factor) of insulating material is an
important part of evaluating the health of the insulation. These tests can detect changes in
the insulation’s dielectric properties by measuring the capacitance, which represents the
insulation’s capacity to store electrical energy.
Capacitance and tan delta values obtained on new insulation are treated as
benchmark readings. Then, by measuring and comparing the periodical readings of the
capacitance and tan delta of the insulating material with the benchmark readings, one can
know the rate of deterioration of the health of the insulation.
Tan delta is a measure of insulation dielectric loss and not dielectric strength. Tan delta of
insulation depends on water content and impurities. By measuring the electrical properties
such as capacitance and tan delta regularly on a periodical basis, it is possible to ensure the
operational unexpected breakdown.
The analysis of transformer insulation by tan delta testing method is a routine test
conducted at site to know the healthiness of insulation in transformers. The result shows
that the tan delta testing method is a very efficient method.

f.) Measurement of Insulation Resistance of different paper insulation samples under dry,
wet and oil impregnated conditions.
Under this experiment we have to study the Insulation
Resistance of Paper in Dry, Wet and Oil Impregnated Conditions.
Insulation resistance measurement is based on Ohm’s Law, where a known DC voltage is
injected and the current flowing is measured to determine the value of the resistance. The
insulation resistance value characterizes the quality of the insulation between two
conductors and gives an indication of the risks of leakage currents flowing. Factors such as
temperature or humidity may significantly affect the measurement result. The total current
flowing in the insulating material is the sum of three components:
a.) capacitance charging current,
b.) absorption current
c.) leakage current.
The capacitance charging current falls exponentially towards a value close to zero,
while the absorption current falls much more slowly. The leakage current characterizes the
quality of the insulation and is stable over time.
g.) Measurement of Power Frequency Voltage Withstand Test on 11 kV High Voltage Line
Materials.
Under this experiment we have :
1. To perform the AC power frequency, withstand test on 11 KV high voltage line
materials under dry conditions.
2. To perform the AC power frequency, withstand test on 11 kV high voltage line
materials under wet conditions.
High voltage testing of electrical equipment requires two types of tests: (i) Type tests,
and (ii) Routine test. Type tests involves quality testing of equipment at the design and
development level i.e. samples of the product are taken and are tested when a new product
is being developed and designed or an old product is to be redesigned and developed
whereas the routine tests are meant to check the quality of the individual test piece. This is
carried out to ensure quality and reliability of individual test objects.
High voltage tests include
(i) Power frequency tests.
(ii) Impulse tests. These tests
are carried out on all insulators.
(i) 50% dry impulse flash over test;
(ii) Impulse withstand
(iii) Dry flash over and dry one-minute test
(iv) Wet flash over and one-minute rain test
(v) Temperature cycle test
(vi) Electro-mechanical test
(vii) Mechanical test
(viii) Porosity test
(ix) Puncture test
(x) Mechanical routine test.

h.) Measurement of Volume resistivity of liquid insulating material

This experiment is to perform volume resistivity test on different insulating
oil samples with rise in temperature.
The volume resistivity of a liquid insulating material is its ability to oppose the flow of
electric current through a volume of the cubic specimen. The SI unit of volume resistivity is
ohm-meter (Ohm-m). Volume resistivity is also known as electrical resistivity, bulk resistivity,
specific electrical resistance, or specific volume resistance.
The formula to calculate volume resistivity is: ρ = (V/I) x (A/L) or ρ = R x (A/L), where ρ is the
volume resistivity (in ohm-m or ohm-cm), V is the voltage (in volts), I is the current (in
ampere), R is the electrical resistance (in ohms), A is the cross-sectional area of the material
(in square meters), and L is the length of the material (in meters).
The method of measuring the volume and surface resistivity of insulating material is
described in detail in the international standard of IEC 60093 and ASTM D 257 approved in
1980 by the International Electrotechnical Commission. Both the volume and surface
resistivity are measured using a three-terminal electrode.

There are two basic types of measurements used to determine resistivity: volume and
surface. Volume resistivity measurements typically employ a test fixture electrode
configuration where a voltage source is applied to the upper electrode and the bulk current
that flows through the test sample is measured. The volume resistance is then calculated
using the equation Rv = Vs/Im. The volume resistivity is obtained by,
𝐸𝐴𝑅
Rv = 𝑅𝑣
𝑆𝑇𝐻∗
10
where EAR is the effective area and STH is the sample thickness.

Conclusion:
The brief description of all the experiments have been discussed in the
Laboratory and the overview of the apparatus have been shown.