165 MW CPP Electrical

System
Transformer Testing
TRANSFORMER TEST
For confirming the specifications and
performances of an electrical transformer it has
to go through numbers of testing procedures.
Some tests are done at manufacturer premises
before delivering the transformer. Mainly two
types of transformer testing are done at
manufacturer premises - type test of transformer
and routine test of transformer. In addition to
that some transformer tests are also carried out
at the consumer site before commissioning and
also periodically in regular & emergency basis
through out its service life.
2
TRANSFORMER TEST
For confirming the specifications and
performances of an electrical transformer it has
to go through numbers of testing procedures.
Some tests are done at manufacturer premises
before delivering the transformer. Mainly two
types of transformer testing are done at
manufacturer premises - type test of transformer
and routine test of transformer. In addition to
that some transformer tests are also carried out
at the consumer site before commissioning and
also periodically in regular & emergency basis
through out its service life.
3
 Type of transformer testing

Tests done at Factory

1. Routine Test
2. Type Test

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 Routine tests of transformer

Routine tests of transformer is

mainly for confirming operational
performance of individual unit in
a production lot. Routine tests
are carried out on every unit
manufactured.

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 Routine tests of transformer

1. Measurement of insulation resistance

2. Transformer Ratio test
3. Magnetic Balance test
4. Transformer winding resistance measurement
5. Separate source voltage withstand test (High
Voltage tests on HV & LV)
6. Induced Over voltage Withstand test (DVDF
test).
7. Short Circuit Test
8. BDV of transformer oil
9. Transformer vector group test
10. Tests on OLTC (if Attached)
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 Type tests of transformer

THESE TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT ONLY ON ONE TRANSFORMER

OF THE LOT.

All routine tests

Additionally following tests are included in type tests
1. Lightening Impulse test.
2. Temperature rise test

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Insulation Resistance Test of transformer

Insulation resistance test of transformer is essential type test. This test is carried
out to ensure the healthiness of over all insulation system of an electrical power
transformer.

Procedure of Insulation Resistance test of transformer

1.First disconnect all the line and neutral terminals of the transformer.
2.Megger leads to be connected to LV and HV bushing studs to measure Insulation
Resistance IR value in between the LV and HV windings.
3.Megger leads to be connected to HV bushing studs and transformer tank earth
point to measure Insulation Resistance IR value in between the HV windings and
earth.
4. Megger leads to be connected to LV bushing studs and transformer tank earth
point to measure Insulation Resistance IR value in between the LV windings and
earth.
Note : It is unnecessary to perform insulation resistance test of transformer per
phase wise in three phase transformer. IR values are taken between the windings
collectively as because all the windings on HV side are internally connected
together to form either star or delta and also all the windings on LV side are
internally connected together to form either star or delta.

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 Insulation Resistance Test or Megger
Test of transformer

Measurements are to be taken as follows:

For Two Winding Transformer: HV to LV, HV to E, LV to E

Three Winding Transformer: HV to LV,, HV to E, LV to E

Oil temperature should be noted at the time of insulation

resistance test of transformer. Since the IR value of
transformer insulating oil may vary with temperature.
IR values to be recorded at intervals of 15 seconds, 1 minute
and 10 minutes.
With the duration of application of voltage, IR value
increases. The increase in IR is an indication of dryness of
insulation. .
Absorption Coefficient = 1 minute value/ 15 secs. value.
Polarization Index = 10 minutes value / 1 minute value
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Insulation Resistance Test of transformer

IR of Transformer VALUE AT 1 MIN. PI VALUE

HV-LV
Insulation Resistance Test of
transformer
HV-EARTH

LV-EARTH
 Transformer Ratio Test

The performance of a transformer largely depends upon

perfection of specific turns or voltage ratio of transformer. So
transformer ratio test is an essential type test of transformer.
This test also performed as routine test of transformer. So for
ensuring proper performance of electrical power transformer,
voltage and turn ratio test of transformer one of the vital
tests.
The procedure of transformer ratio test is simple. We just
apply three phase 415 V supply to HV winding, with keeping
LV winding open. The we measure the induced voltages at HV
and LV terminals of transformer to find out actual voltage
ratio of transformer. We repeat the test for all tap position
separately.

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 Transformer Ratio Test

Procedure of transformer ratio test

1.First, the tap changer of transformer is kept in the lowest
position and LV terminals are kept open.
2.Then apply 3-phase 415 V supply on HV terminals. Measure
the voltages applied on each phase (Phase-Phase) on HV and
induced voltages at LV terminals simultaneously.
3. After measuring the voltages at HV and LV terminals, the
tap changer of transformer should be raised by one position
and repeat test.
4.Repeat the same for each of the tap position separately.

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•RATIO TEST:-

Transformer Ratio Test

TAP APPLIED PRIMARY MEASURED SECONDARY RATIO

NO. VOLTAGE (IN VOLT) VOLTAGE (IN VOLT)

1U1V 1V1W 1W1U 2U2V 2V2W 2W2U U V W

1 414.3 416 415 126.1 126.4 126.1

3.29 3.29 3.29
2 416.2 415.3 415.1 129.7 129.6 129.3
3.21 3.20 3.21
3 415.3 416.7 415.3 132.7 132.4 132.1
3.13 3.15 3.14
4 415.4 414.2 415.2 134.9 135.4 135.3
3.08 3.06 3.07
5 413.8 415.1 415.6 138.8 139.1 138.9
2.98 2.98 2.99

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•RATIO TEST:-

Magnetizing Current Test

MAGNETIZING CURRENT

Tap No APPLIED VOLTAGE IN H.V SIDE MEASURED CURRENT IN H.V

SIDE (mA)

1U1V 1V1W 1W1U 1U 1V 1W

3 417 419 416 33.1mA 25.1mA 33.7mA

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 Magnetic balance test of transformer

Magnetic balance test of transformer is conducted only on

three phase transformers to check the imbalance in the
magnetic circuit.

Procedure of Magnetic balance test of transformer

1.First keep the tap changer of transformer in normal
position.
2.Now disconnect the transformer neutral from ground
3. Then apply single phase 230V AC supply across one of the
HV winding terminals and neutral terminal.
4.Measure the voltage in two other HV terminals in respect of
neutral terminal.
5.Repeat the test for each of the three phases.

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 Magnetic balance test of transformer

Left side phase Central phase Right side phase

RN YN BN

Voltage applied at
left side phase 230 180 50
Voltage applied at
central phase 115 230 115
Voltage applied at
right phase
50 180 230

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 Winding resistance measurement test of
transformer

Transformer winding resistance measurement is carried out

to calculate the I2R losses and to calculate winding
temperature at the end of a temperature rise test. It is carried
out as a type test as well as routine test. It is also done at site
to ensure healthiness of a transformer that is to check loose
connections, broken strands of conductor, high contact
resistance in tap changers, high voltage leads and bushings
etc.

Note: - Transformer winding resistance measurement shall be

carried out at each tap.

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 Winding resistance measurement test of
transformer

Procedure of Transformer winding resistance measurement:-

For star connected winding, the resistance shall be measured

between the line and neutral terminal.
For delta connected windings, measurement of winding
resistance shall be done between pairs of line terminals. As
in delta connection the resistance of individual winding can
not be measured separately, the resistance per winding shall
be calculated as per the following formula:

Resistance per winding = 1.5 x Measured value

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 Winding resistance measurement test of
transformer

HV SIDE (Phase to phase) VALUE IN milli ohm

TAP NO. 1U1V 1V1W 1W1U

3 83.5 m ohm 83.3 m ohm 83.5 m ohm

HV SIDE (Phase to Neutral ) VALUE IN milli ohm

TAP NO. 1U1N 1V1N 1W1N

3 42.3 m ohm 42.3 m ohm 43.1 m ohm

L.V SIDE: VALUE IN milli ohm

2U2V 2V2W 2W2U

5.8 m ohm 5.7 m ohm 5.7 m ohm

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 Separate source voltage withstand test

Seperate source voltage withstand test (High Voltage tests on HV & LV)-
This test checks the insulation property between Primary to earth,
Secondary to earth and between Primary & Secondary.

HV high voltage test : LV winding connected together and earthed. HV

winding connected together and given 28 KV ( for 11KV transformer) for
1 minute.

LV high Voltage test : HV winding connected together and earthed. LV

winding connected together and given 3 KV for 1 minute.
Equipment used : High Voltage tester ( 100KV & 3KV)

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 Separate source voltage withstand test

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 Dielectric Tests of Transformer

Procedure

1.All three line terminals of the winding to be tested are connected

together.
2.Other winding terminals which are not under test and also tank of the
transformer should be connected to earth.
3. Then a single-phase power frequency voltage of shape
approximately sinusoidal is applied for 60 seconds to the terminals of
the winding under test.
4.The test shall be performed on all the windings one by one.
5. The test is successful if no break down in the dielectric of the
insulation occurs during test.

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 Dielectric Tests of Transformer

The values of test voltage for different fully insulated winding are furnished below in
the table.
Nominal system Highest system Rated short duration
voltage rating voltage rating power frequency
for equipment for equipment withstand voltage

415V 1.1 KV 3 KV

11 KV 12 KV 28 KV

33 KV 36 KV 70 KV

132 KV 145 KV 230 / 275 KV

220 KV 245 KV 360 / 395 KV

400 KV 420 KV 570 / 630 KV

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 Induced voltage test of Transformer

The induced voltage test of transformer is intended to check the inter

turn and line end insulation as well as main insulation to earth and
between windings

Procedure of induced voltage test of transformer:-

1.Keep the primary winding of transformer open circuited.

2. Apply three phase voltage to the secondary winding. The applied
voltage should be twice of rated voltage of secondary winding in
magnitude and frequency.
3.The duration of the test shall be 60 second.
4. The test shall start with a voltage lower than 1/3 the full test voltage,
and it shall be quickly increased up to desired value.
The test is successful if no break down occurs at full test voltage
during test.

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 Vector Group Test of Transformer

In three phase transformer, it is essential to carry out a vector group

test of transformer. Proper vector grouping in a transformer is an
essential criteria for parallel operation of transformers.

There are several internal connection of three phase transformer are

available in market. These several connections gives various
magnitudes and phase of the secondary voltage; the magnitude can be
adjusted for parallel operation by suitable choice of turn ratio, but the
phase divergence can not be compensated. So we have to choose
those transformer for parallel operation whose phase sequence and
phase divergence are same. All the transformers with same vector
ground have same phase sequence and phase divergence between
primary and secondary. So before procuring one electrical power
transformer, one should ensure the vector group of the transformer,
whether it will be matched with his or her existing system or not. The
vector group test of transformer confirms his or her requirements.
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 BDV of Transformer oil

Dielectric strength of transformer oil is also known as breakdown

voltage of transformer oil or BDV of transformer oil. Break down voltage
is measured by observing at what voltage, sparking strants between two
electrods immerged in the oil, separated by specific gap. low value of BDV
indicates presence of moisture content and conducting substances in the oil.
For measuring BDV of transformer oil, portable BDV measuring kit is
generally available at site. In this kit, oil is kept in a pot in which one pair of
electrodes are fixed with a gap of 2.5 mm (in some kit it 4mm) between
them.

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 BDV of Transformer oil

Slowly rising voltage is applied between the electrodes. The rate of rising
voltage is controlled at 2 KV/s and observe the voltage at which sparking
starts between the electrodes. That means at which voltage dielectric
strength of transformer oil between the electrodes has been broken down.

This measurement is taken 3 to 6 times in the same sample of oil and the
average value of these reading is taken. BDV is an important and popular test
of transformer oil, as it is the primary indicator of the health of oil and it can
be easily carried out at the site.

Dry and clean oil gives BDV results, better than the oil with moisture content
and other conducting impurities. Minimum breakdown voltage of transformer
oil or dielectric strength of transformer oil at which this oil can safely be
used in transformer, is considered as 30 KV.

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Specific Resistance of Transformer Oil

This is another important property of transformer oil. This is a measure

of DC resistance between two opposite sides of one cm3 block of oil. Its
unit is taken as ohm-cm at a specific temperature. With increase in
temperature the resistivity of oil decreases rapidly. Just after charging a
transformer after long shut down, the temperature of the oil will be at
ambient temperature and during full load, the temperature will be very
high and may go up to 90oC at an overload condition. So resistivity of
the insulating oil must be high at room temperature and also it should
have good value at high temperature as well.

That is why specific resistance or resistivity of transformer oil should be

measured at 27oC as well as 90oC. Minimum standard specific resistance
of transformer oil at 90oC is 35 × 1012 ohm–cm and at 27oC it is 1500 ×
1012 ohm–cm.

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 Water Content in Transformer Oil

Moisture or water content in transformer oil is highly undesirable as it affects

adversely the dielectric properties of the oil. The water content in oil also affects
the paper insulation of the core and winding of a transformer. Paper is highly
hygroscopic in nature. Paper absorbs the maximum amount of water from oil
which affects paper insulation property as well as reduced its life. But in a
loaded transformer, oil becomes hotter, hence the solubility of water in oil
increases, as a result, the paper releases water and increase the water content in
transformer oil. Thus the temperature of the oil at the time of taking a sample for
the test is very important. During oxidation, acids are formed in the oil the acids
give rise the solubility of water in the oil. Acid coupled with water further
decompose the oil forming more acid and water. This rate of degradation of oil
increases.

The water content in oil is measured as ppm (parts per million unit).
The water content in oil is allowed up to 50 ppm as recommended

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 Vector Group Test of Transformers

Vector group identification of 3-ph transformers are necessary in order

to select transformers to be operated in parallel because the same or
compatible vector groups of transformers alone can be paralleled.

The Vector Group of Transformer is an important property for

successful operation of transformers. The phase sequence or the
order in which the phases reach their maximum positive voltages,
must be identical for two paralleled transformers. Otherwise, during
the cycle, each pair of phases will be short circuited.

Dd0
Delta connected HV winding, delta connected LV winding, no phase shift
between HV and LV.
Dyn11
Delta connected HV winding, star connected LV winding with neutral
brought out, LV is leading HV with 30¦
YNd5
Star connected HV winding with neutral brought out, delta connected LV
winding, LV lags HV with 150¦

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 Vector Group Test of Transformer

Procedure of vector group test of transformer:-

Let’s have a Dyn11 transformer.

1.Connect neutral point of star connected winding with earth.
2. Join 1U of HV and 2W of LV together.
3. Apply 415V, three phase supply to HV terminals.

Applied voltage in HV side (1U & 2U shorted):-

1U1V:-
1V1W:-
1W1U:-

Measured voltage:-
1U2N + 1V2N =1U1V
1V2V = 1V2W
1W2W < 1W2V
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 Vector Group Test of Transformer

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Thank
You.