2018 Electrical Insulation Conference (EIC), San Antonio, TX, USA, 17-20 June 2018

Evaluation of Capacitance and Dielectric Dissipation

Factor of Distribution Transformers – Experimental
Results
Gabriel Faria, Matheus Pereira, Gustavo Lopes, Jansen Villibor, Paulo Tavares, Ivan Faria
LAT-EFEI High Voltage Laboratory Prof. Manuel Luís Barreira Martinez
UNIFEI – Federal University of Itajubá
Itajubá, Brazil
gustavo@lat-efei.org.br

Abstract — This paper aims to evaluate the capacitance and the
dielectric dissipation factor (DF) of brand new distribution
transformers tested in the past two years at LAT-EFEI High
Voltage Laboratory. Evaluation proposed consists to classify the
capacitance between windings and between the windings and the
ground, as well as the DF, according to the rated power, voltage
class and number of phases. The DF analysis is based on IEEE Std.
C57.152 limits and it aims to infer the insulation quality prior its
operation on distribution networks. The parameters
measurements were carried out on 170 distribution transformers
made in Brazil, using a Schering bridge. The measurements
showed a considerable number of samples with DF greater than
the limit for a good insulation’s condition.
Keywords—capacitance, dielectric dissipation factor,
distribution transformers, electromagnetic transients.
TABLE I. TRANSFORMERS’ TYPICAL ANNUAL FAILURE RATIO [1].
Best Regular Worse
0.2% 1.0% 3.0%
For power transformers, there are numerous studies
evaluating the insulation’s capacitance and DF. Adding to this,
several companies do a constant and online monitoring of these
parameters, in order to verify the insulation’s condition and
evaluate the need of preventive maintenance. The concern with
power transformer’s insulation is because of the high cost of the
equipment and its primordial function in the electric system,
since a failure on this equipment can result in interruption of
electric energy supply for a large portion of consumers.

I. INTRODUCTION This is not the same scenario as seen for distribution

Transformers are primordial equipment for electric power
systems, being used in all branches of the sector. Failures on this
equipment generally result in improper interruptions, causing
disorders to the consumers and economic losses to the Electric
Energy Distribution Companies (EEDC).
By way of guidance, a developed study indicates that EEDC
quality can be classified by the annual transformer failure ratio,
as seen in Table I [1]. However, in Brazil, studies developed in
partnership with some EEDC point out that the index of
transformers’ failure in certain regions of the country reached
annual levels of 6%, 6.3% and even 8.65% [1-3]. Besides other
factors, these high indexes can be related to the condition at
which these transformers are operating on the electric power
system.
Most of the transformers failure happens due to the
disruption of the equipment’s insulation [4]. This fact can be
aggravated due to the equipment insulation’s degradation during
its lifespan, reducing its supportability level against
overvoltages originated from, e.g., lightning discharges.
Therefore, in order to evaluate the transformers insulation’s
condition, two parameters are considered: the insulation’s
capacitance and its Dissipation Factor (DF) or Power Factor
(PF).
transformers, since the monitoring of their parameters by the
EEDC would result in a high operational cost, due to the large
amount of installed transformers on the system. Besides that,
there are not many studies evaluating the insulation condition of
the distribution transformers based on capacitance and DF
parameters.
Thus, this work evaluates the insulation’s condition of brand
new transformers based on capacitance and DF parameters,
relating by rated power, number of phases and voltage class.
II. CAPACITANCE AND DISSIPATION FACTOR
A. Modeling of Transformer’s Dielectrics
The ideal transformer insulation can be represented by a
single capacitor, but this model is not applicable in practice,
because every insulation presents a resistive component. Thus,
applying alternating voltage (ܸሶ ) on insulation of a distribution
transformer, basically composed by insulating oil and paper, a
current ( ‫ ܫ‬ሶ ) will appear, resulting of a resistive ( ‫ݎܫ‬ሶ ) and a
capacitive (‫ܿܫ‬ሶ ) component, as shown in the fasorial diagram of
Fig. 1.

978-1-5386-4178-1/18/$31.00
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 i(t)

ɷ
v(t) Rp Cp

Fig. 3. Parallel representation of a dielectric.

Fig. 1. Fasorial diagram of a dielectric submitted to alternating voltage. ‫ܫ‬ோ௣ ͳ

‫ ܨܦ‬ൌ ‫ ߜ݃ݐ‬ൌ ൌ ሺͶሻ
‫ܫ‬஼௣ ʹ ή ߨ ή ݂ ή ܴ‫ ݌‬ή ‫݌ܥ‬
According to the diagram, į and ij are the angles between ‫ ܫ‬ሶ
and ‫ܿܫ‬ሶ and between ‫ ܫ‬ሶ and ܸሶ , respectively. The current’s ‫ܫ‬ோ௣ ͳ
ܲ‫ ܨ‬ൌ ܿ‫ ߮ݏ݋‬ൌ ൌ ሺͷሻ
resistive component implies in Joule losses on the dielectric ‫ܫ‬ ඥሺʹ ή ߨ ή ݂ ή ܴ‫ ݌‬ή ‫݌ܥ‬ሻଶ ൅ ͳ
material. Therefore, the bigger its value, the worse is the
insulation’s condition, making it necessary to evaluate the ͳ
equipment before its installation. One method of evaluating the ‫ ܨܦ‬؆ ܲ‫ ܨ‬ൌ ሺ͸ሻ
ʹ ή ߨ ή ݂ ή ܴ‫ ݌‬ή ‫݌ܥ‬
insulation of a transformer is to determine the insulation’s DF or
PF. B. DF Evaluation
In order to determine the transformer insulation’s DF and Regarding DF, the Brazilian standard that determines the
PF, one can consider the dielectrics composed of resistance and measuring procedure of this parameter does not mention the
capacitance, representing them in two possible ways: series and acceptable limits for an adequate insulation [6]. However, the
parallel [5]. classification of the dielectric material’s conditions is
determined, for example, by the IEEE Std C57.152 for power
Considering first the series representation as shown in Fig. transformers, according to Table II [7]. As recommended by the
2, applying alternating voltage (v(t)) on the dielectric material, IEEE Std C57.152 it is not advisable to energize new
it will split between the Rs resistor (ܸோ௦ ) and the Cs capacitor transformers with DF above 0.5%. Considering transformers in
(ܸ஼௦ ). Then, it is possible to calculate DF and PF according to service the values between 0.5% and 1.0% may be acceptable
equations (1) and (2), respectively, where ݂ is the system’s and DF > 1.0% should be investigated.
frequency. However, usually the DF values are small, making it
so that DF and PF are about equal, as shown in equation (3). Although these values are usually applied to power
transformers, they will be used on the present work to evaluate
ܸோ௦ the condition of distribution transformer’s insulation,
‫ ܨܦ‬ൌ ‫ ߜ݃ݐ‬ൌ ൌ ʹ ή ߨ ή ݂ ή ܴ‫ ݏ‬ή ‫ݏܥ‬ሺͳሻ
ܸ஼௦ considering the limits for power transformers in service.
III. SAMPLES AND TESTS
ܸோ௦ ‫ߜ݃ݐ‬
ܲ‫ ܨ‬ൌ ܿ‫ ߮ݏ݋‬ൌ ൌ ሺʹሻ
ܸ ඥሺ‫ߜ݃ݐ‬ሻଶ ൅ ͳ A. Tested Samples
During the last couple of years at the LAT-EFEI High
‫ ܨܦ‬؆ ܲ‫ ܨ‬ൌ ʹ ή ߨ ή ݂ ή ܴ‫ ݏ‬ή ‫ݏܥ‬ሺ͵ሻ
Voltage Laboratory of the Federal University of Itajubá
(UNIFEI), the capacitance and DF parameters were obtained for
Considering the parallel representation of a dielectric 170 oil filled brand new distribution transformers. These
submitted to an alternating voltage (v(t)), as seen in Fig. 3, a transformers are manufactured following the characteristics
current i(t) will flow, composed by ‫ܫ‬ோ௣ and ‫ܫ‬஼௣ . Then, DF and determined by the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 5440 [8].
PF can be calculated according to equations (4) and (5), The tested samples are from 16 distinct manufacturers and
respectively. However, considering once again the small values present different electrical characteristics as rated power (5 kVA
of DF, the resulting DF and PF are about equal, as indicated by to 300 kVA), voltage class (15 kV, 25 kV and 36 kV) and
equation (6). number of phases (single-phase with one hv-bushing and three-
i(t) phase transformers). Besides the main characteristics, the tested
transformers are core-form type made of grain-oriented silicon
steel.
Rs TABLE II. EVALUATION OF TRANSFORMERS’ INSULATION BY THE DF [7].
v(t)
Insulation’s Condition
Transformer
Cs Good Acceptable Investigate
New DF ” 0.5% - -
In service DF ” 0.5% 0.5% < DF ” 1.0% DF > 1%
Fig. 2. Series representation of a dielectric.
Note – All DFs are corrected to 20°C

337
B. Test Methods TABLE III. SUMMARY OF THE CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT RESULTS
FOR SINGLE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS.
The three-phase transformers present three main insulation
capacitance values, which are: high voltage winding to low Single-phase Transformers Results
voltage winding (‫ܥ‬ு௅ ), high voltage winding to ground (‫ܥ‬ுீ ) Voltage Rated Power ۱۶‫ ۺ‬, ȝ±ı
N
and low voltage winding to ground (‫ܥ‬௅ீ ). On the other hand, the Class (kV) (kVA) (pF)
hv-bushing single-phase transformers presents only one 15 5 3 1294 ± 165
measurable capacitance value, which is between the high 15 10 7 1438 ± 233
15 15 6 2248 ± 885
voltage winding and the low voltage winding (‫ܥ‬ு௅ ).
15 25 1 2105
The test scheme for the three-phase transformers consists in 15 37.5 1 2283
establishing a short-circuit between the high voltage terminals 25 5 1 1221
and repeat the procedure for the low voltage terminals. In order 25 10 4 1395 ± 288
25 15 7 1718 ± 547
to measure the ‫ܥ‬ு௅ , the Schering bridge’s measuring cable is
25 25 3 2341 ± 237
connected to the low voltage terminals, the guard cable is 25 37.5 4 2060 ± 47
connected to the tank (ground), which cancels the effects of ‫ܥ‬ுீ 25 50 3 2690 ± 408
and ‫ܥ‬௅ீ . After that, 3 kV are applied to the high voltage 25 75 1 1661
terminals, and the measurement is made. Regarding ‫ܥ‬ுீ , the 36 5 3 920 ± 135
measurement is made simply by switching the guard cable with 36 10 4 1279 ± 237
the measuring cable from the previous scheme and applying 36 15 3 1507 ± 81
3 kV to the high voltage terminals. However, in order to measure 36 25 3 2007 ± 167
36 37.5 2 1977 ± 83
‫ܥ‬௅ீ , the guard cable must be switched to the high voltage
36 50 2 2407 ± 0
terminals, and the measuring cable connected to the tank 36 75 1 2956
(ground), after which 1 kV is applied to the low voltage
terminals in order to make the measurements.
For single-phase transformers, the short-circuit is applied TABLE IV. SUMMARY OF THE CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT RESULTS
FOR THE THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS.
only to the low voltage terminals. Due to the fact that there’s
only one capacitance to be measured, it is not necessary to utilize Three-phase Transformers Results
the guard cable, therefore the Schering bridge’s measuring cable Voltage Rated Power
N
۱۶‫ ۺ‬, ȝ±ı ۱۶۵ , ȝ±ı ۱‫ۺ‬۵ , ȝ±ı
is connected to the low voltage terminal and 3 kV are applied to Class (kV) (kVA) (pF) (pF) (pF)
the high voltage terminal, after which the ‫ܥ‬ு௅ is measured. 15 15 3 1031 ± 560 442 ± 1 1113 ± 4
15 30 7 1075 ± 323 532 ± 112 1603 ± 329
The test voltage levels have been chosen accordingly to 15 45 5 1109 ± 456 543 ± 163 1847 ± 559
insulation winding tested (high or low voltage) and with 15 75 11 1494 ± 547 728 ± 312 2266 ± 778
Schering bridge’s secure level – 35 kV. A set range from 100 V 15 112.5 4 1659 ± 518 694 ± 122 2287 ± 612
to 10 kV is enough to measure the capacitances and DF [7]. 15 150 6 1963 ± 751 660 ± 119 2957 ± 340
15 225 7 2281 ± 759 946 ± 5 3615 ± 302
IV. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 15 300 7 2727 ± 1057 984 ± 85 3651 ± 626
25 15 3 585 ± 270 493 ± 157 1210 ± 307
Table III presents the mean capacitance values (ȝ) and the 25 30 9 866 ± 680 403 ± 29 1471 ± 263
respective standard deviation (ı), split by the single-phase 25 45 8 822 ± 429 609 ± 157 2119 ± 556
transformers’ voltage class and rated power. The values were 25 75 5 891 ± 473 703 ± 125 2090 ± 316
obtained by the measurement of the capacitance between the 25 112.5 4 1212 ± 176 682 ± 217 2405 ± 285
high voltage winding and the low voltage winding. The column 25 150 3 947 ± 680 650 ± 93 2820 ± 142
(N) presents the number of transformers tested at the same 25 225 1 1941 871 3073
25 300 3 2177 ± 610 952 ± 37 4182 ± 884
voltage class and rated power.
36 15 3 482 ± 145 440 ± 14 1341 ± 121
According to Table III, an increase of the capacitance value 36 30 5 740 ± 132 574 ± 77 1955 ± 384
is observed with the higher transformer’s rated power, due to the 36 45 4 861 ± 37 588 ± 42 2010 ± 159
36 75 6 1082 ± 195 636 ± 67 2236 ± 546
increase of the winding’s dimensions. In relation to the voltage
36 112.5 2 1078 ± 204 707 ± 68 2922 ± 198
class, a small decrease of capacitance with the higher voltage
36 150 2 1254 ± 223 720 ± 46 2851 ± 543
class transformers is observed, which is expected due to the 36 225 2 1998 ± 506 855 ± 68 2629 ± 752
necessary widening of the insulation distances. 36 300 1 2498 836 4177
Also, Table IV presents the mean capacitance values (ȝ) and
the respective standard deviations (ı), split accordingly to the In addition, on the ‫ܥ‬ு௅ , ‫ܥ‬ுீ and ‫ܥ‬௅ீ measurements, it is
voltage class and rated power, for the three-phase transformers. observed that highest capacitance value is obtained at ‫ܥ‬௅ீ
Correlations similar to the ones found in Table III are also measurement. This happens due to the fact the low voltage
evidenced in Table IV, such as the increase of the capacitance winding is usually wrapped around the transformer’s core,
with the power increase and the decrease of the capacitance with which is connected to the tank (ground), resulting in a smaller
the increase of the voltage class. insulation distance.

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 The smallest capacitance value, in general, occurs on ‫ܥ‬ுீ Considering the DF, the results presented in this work
measurement due to the fact that the insulation distance between indicates that a considerable number of the distribution
the high voltage winding and the tank is bigger than the others. transformers do not present good insulation conditions, based on
limits adopted [7]. When installed in the power system, this
Table V presents a summary of the results of the DF condition tends to be aggravated with time, reducing the
measured for the 170 samples analyzed, being 59 single-phase equipment’s lifespan and even leading it to an insulation failure.
transformers and 111 three-phase transformers. All of DF are Such fact can be directly related to the high index of
corrected to 20 ºC [7]. For the analysis, three DF conditions will transformers’ failure in certain regions of Brazil with high
be considered: less than or equal to 0.5%, between 0.5% and 1%, keraunic level. Similar results have been presented by the
and greater than 1%. It is observed in Table V the best results authors when analyzing the lightning withstand of distribution
are related to 36 kV voltage class considering three-phase transformers considering the standard lightning impulse test on
transformers, for which 6% of the samples presented a DF samples with same main electrical characteristics [9].
higher than 1%. On the other hand, the worst scenario was
observed for the single-phase 25 kV voltage class transformers, For the EEDC, the evaluation of transformers insulation
with 35% of the samples presenting a DF higher than 1%. performance using capacitance and DF parameters reveals that
quality process should be revised on manufactures. More
Considering all samples tested, one can conclude there is a importantly, these tests should become routine tests instead of
high percentage (17 %) of transformers with DF higher than 1%. special test in order to improve the power quality on EEDC and
Considering Table V and the classification indicated in Table II, for costumers.
it is observed that only 63% of the analyzed samples presented
results of DF ” 0.5%. For future work the authors will prepare the analysis
considering different project characteristics, for example: wire
V. CONCLUSIONS materials (aluminum or cooper), insulating paper materials,
This paper presented capacitance values obtained from number of taps, type of oil (mineral or vegetal), temperature
measurements performed in a high voltage laboratory for class (75 ºC to 95 ºC), etc.
different characteristics of 170 distribution transformers. The
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3 36 25 81% 12% 7%
Total 170 63% 20% 17%

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