DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON

TRANSFORMER

By,
Mr.B.L.Lingshettar(Director-Technical,Retd) HESCOM
Bright Engineers Services,Hubli
TESTS ON TRANSFORMER

Continuity Test
Insulation Resistance and Polarization Index
Capacitance and Tan Delta
Turns Ratio
Magnetic Balance
Winding Resistance
Partial Discharge Test
Sweep Frequency Response
Open Circuit and Short Circuit Test
 Auxiliaries Of Transformer
Conservator
Breather
BH Relay (Oil & Gas Relay)
PRV (Pressure Relief Valve)
WTI & OTI
Cooling System
 Continuity Test

This is the general test done by using

ohmmeter to test the transformer windings .
Test each winding separately.
 Insulation Resistance Test
IR measurement is carried out by using
appropriate insulation tester . The readings are
taken for 15, 30, 60 & 600 secs. The IR value at
60sec is the IR of the transformer. The other
readings are taken to calculate Polarization
Index, Di-electric Absorption Ratio.
Thumb Rule for IR: 2MΩ/kV at 60ºC
 In a transformer the IR can be measured in
between the following schemes:
HV winding to LV winding (grounded).
LV winding to HV winding (grounded).
HV winding to LV winding(ungrounded).
Precautions:

After the measurement, winding has to be discharged.

During the measurement, transformer tank has to be
grounded .

POLARIZATION INDEX

10 minute IR reading
PI = --------------------------------
1 minute IR reading
The minimum PI value is 1.3 for safe operation.
If PI is less than 1.3 action to be taken for its improvement.
 Turns Ratio
• It is the ratio of the number of turns in a higher
voltage winding to that in a lower voltage
winding.
Why the transformer turns ratio test needed?

It is very useful as a tool for :

1. Finding defects in the turns.
2. Defective and incorrect tap settings.
3. Finding mislabeled terminal and mislabeled
nameplates.
4. If the transformer has been repaired or if a fault
has occurred , this test is the good way to check the
condition of transformer windings.
Procedure
Make the connections between the Ratio Meter
and the transformer under test as shown in fig.
Set the Range Switch in conjunction with the
anticipated ratio.
Selector Switch is used for selecting the dift
phase winding on the HV (H-Selector Switch)
and LV (X-Selector Switch) side of the test
transformer.
Meter displays the turns ratio.
PERMISSIBLE LIMIT
• The ratio tolerance should be within 0.5% of
the name plate specification.

• If there are shorted turns in the winding, the

measured ratio will be deviated.
• Ratio measurements must be made on all taps
to confirm the proper alignment and operation
of the tap changer.
 Normal Turns Ratio Values of 10MVA
Turns Ratio
OLTC
Phase Turns Ratio as per
Position Turns Ratio measured
the Nameplate
U 20.54 20.53
1 V 20.54 20.53
W 20.53 20.53
U 20.28 20.28
2 V 20.29 20.28
W 20.29 20.28
U 19.09 19.10
7 V 19.11 19.10
W 19.10 19.10
U 16.93 16.94
16 V 16.97 16.94
W 16.94 16.94
U 16.68 16.78
17 V 16.97 16.78
16.69 16.78
 Magnetic Balance Test
The Magnetic Balance test is to be
conducted on transformer to detect the
shorted turns.
These shorted turns oppose the
establishment of flux in the limb.
The Magnetic Balance test is usually done
on the star side of a transformer.
It is preliminary check to confirm the
healthiness of the windings/core.
 Procedure:
Test to be carried out by applying 230V on star
connected winding phase wise.

Apply the voltage on one phase and measure the

voltage on other two phases w-r-to the neutral.

And there should be symmetry in voltages. This

symmetry will depend upon the design and other
factors. If this condition is satisfied, then the
transformer is magnetically balance.
V(Rn)=V(Yn)+V(Bn) V(Yn) > V (Bn)
V (Yn)= V(Rn) +V(Bn) V(Rn) =V(Bn)
V(Bn)=V(Yn)+V(Rn) V(Yn) >V(Rn)
 Precautions
Other windings of transformer should be open.
To be performed before subjected to direct
voltage/current tests.
Keep distance from HV side while doing the test
on LV side.
 Winding Resistance Test

It is to measure resistance of the winding.


It is found out by applying a small D.C
potential(V) to inject the current(I). The
instrument calculates V/I Ratio and
displays the Winding Resistance .

 
Winding resistance measurements in
transformer are of fundamental
importance for the following purposes:

1. Calculation of the I2R losses

(Cu-losses).

2. The test is carried out to check for any

abnormalities due to loose connections,
broken strands and high contact
resistance in the tap changer.
Transformer Winding Resistance Meter
Permissible limit
The permitted deviation for this resistance is
5% of the factory test value.

Measurements must be done at all the taps.

The results have to be compared with previous
test results.
 Precautions:
It is preferable to use a sufficiently high
current to saturate the core. This will
reduce the time required to get a stabilized
results.
Ensure that direct current circulating has
settled down before the measurement is
done.
It is necessary to note down temperatures of
the windings at the time of test then can be
corrected to the value at 75˚C.

R75= Rtest × 234.5+75

234.5+ Wdg temp in ˚C
Typical Values of Normal Winding Resistance
Winding Resistance in 
OLTC Current
Phase(R-N) Phase(Y-N) Phase(B-N)
Position Injected (A)

1 1.14 3.887 3.901 3.895

2 1.14 3.844 3.951 3.849
3 1.15 3.791 3.773 3.798
4 1.15 3.749 3.739 3.757
5 1.15 3.700 3.719 3.707
6 1.15 3.658 3.660 3.666
7 1.15 3.633 3.626 3.620
8 1.15 3.596 3.573 3.574
9 1.15 3.532 3.540 3.535
10 1.16 3.477 3.488 3.483
11 1.16 3.422 3.414 3.435
12 1.16 3.389 3.383 3.390
10MVA,33/11kV Power Transformer-
Abnormal Values
Winding Resistance in 
OLTC Current
Phase(R-N) Phase(Y-N) Phase(B-N)
Position Injected (A)

1 0.336 0.281 0.432

2 0.432 0.282 0.415
3 0.373 0.523 0.489
4 0.335 0.281 0.503
5 0.305 0.293 0.563
6 0.553 0.280 0.493
100mA
7 0.243 0.258 0.549
8 0.241 0.244 0.506
9 0.203 0.268 0.210
10 0.219 0.245 0.297
11 0.220 0.228 0.286
12 0.219 0.629 0.321
Floating Neutral Point Test
Floating neutral means that neutral voltage is
not constant during operation and vary due to
the loading / fault condition.

The test is conducted to ascertain possibility of

short circuit in a winding. It can also be done
during service to ascertain the gradual
deterioration or development of fault in winding.

For a healthy transformer the voltage betn

neutral and ground should be close to zero or
negligible.
 Procedure

Disconnect transformer neutral from ground.

Apply 3Φ supply to HV side and measure
voltage across each of the LV winding and
neutral, then neutral to ground.
The precaution to be taken is no winding
terminal should be grounded, otherwise results
would be erratic.
 Magnetizing Current Test
Magnetizing current is the current required
to set up a flux in the core.
This test is performed to locate defect in
magnetic core structure.
Apply 415V, 3-phase, AC to the HV
terminals, keeping the LV terminals open,
and tap-switch in normal position. Measure
the voltages and currents of 3phases.
Since the magnetic circuit of all the three
phases are not similar the 3 phase currents are
not equal, the current is equal in outer two
phases and lower in central phase for Y-
connection but higher in case of D-connection.
The comparison of test values of healthy
condition with the faulty condition helps in pin
pointing the trouble spots.
The results have to be compared with previous
test results. It should not vary more than 5%.
 Partial Discharge
Partial Discharges (PD) are local breakdowns of the
insulation which does not result in a complete failure
of insulation. The change in the PD value is measured
in unit Pico Coulomb.
PD occurs due to
voids & conducting particles in paper.
Wet fibers, conducting particles & gas bubbles in oil.
Conductor or electrode edges against solid insulation.
PD may occur
- Within windings, bushings & tap changers
- Between windings
- Between windings & earth
 Why the PD test needed

It is done to determine the ageing condition of

transformer insulation and to assess its
remaining lifetime.
It is meant to identify voids, cracks or other
flaws where electrical stresses exceed the
insulation capacity.
 Classification of PD for defective and defect-free insulation of windings of
transformer
Defect Free (10-50) pC

Normal Deterioration <500 pC

Questionable (500-1000) pC

Defective Condition (1000-2500) pC

Faulty (Irreversible) >2500 pC

Critical > (100,000-1,000,000) pC

 Various Techniques for Identifying Partial Discharge

Chemical Method
Acoustic Emission Method
Electrical Method
Sweep Frequency Response Analysis
It is to determine the frequency response of
windings.
The freq responses serve as the finger prints to
monitor the transformer condition.
It is obtained by application of sweep frequency
(sinusoidal) from 20Hz to 2MHz.
The windings have characteristic frequency
response for the applied signal at different
frequencies.
It is performed on one winding at a time.
Test Set Up
During test the transformer has to be electrically
isolated from all other electrical connections including
earth connections.
Needs to earth one end of every winding that is not
being tested , leave the other end open.
Response have to be measured across the
Y-connection terminal and neutral.
D-connection two line terminals.
Transformer Model for SFRA
Healthy transformer 33kV 10MVA
-1
dB
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
20
0 UV 1.000e+00V2W W
1.00U
0e+003 1.000e+004 1.000e+005 f/Hz
Damaged Winding 400kV 100MVA
dB
-60
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1 NA 5 NB 10 N
20C 50 100 200 500 1000 f/kHz
 What can SFRA detect?
 Fingerprint (Reference Measurement) is important!!!

 Geometrical changes in the core and/or windings

due to transport or electrical faults:
 Core deformation / Core movement (clamping)
 Faulty core groundings
 Fault on magnetic cores (shorted laminates)
 Bulk winding movement
 Coil deformation - axial & radial
 Buckling of windings
 Broken or open internal connections
 Inter-winding / Inter-turn short circuits
 Open Circuit Test
The test is performed with supply of rated voltage and
frequency at one winding with other winding kept
open.
It is done at the LV side usually.
The values of no load current and no load losses are
useful to check the defects in magnetic circuit which
helps in evaluating the performance of the transformer.
No load losses are incident to the excitation of the
transformer. These include
core loss (alternating core magnetization)
 The results is to be compared with previous test
results.
 Short Circuit Test
It includes the measurement of
Impedance Voltage
Load Loss
Both can be measured at rated frequency by
applying supply to one of the winding, with the
other winding shorted, with the windings
connected on the relevant tapping.
Test to be conducted on all taps.
 Test condition
The temp of the insulating liquid has stabilized
and the difference between top and bottom oil
temps does not exceed 5˚C
The test current shall be at least 50% of the
rated current of the winding across which the
voltage is applied.

The conductor used to short ckt the LV winding

must have cross sectional equal or greater than
the transformer winding leads.
Typical values of Impedance voltage
for transformer
Rated power (kVA) Impedance Voltage (%)
Up to 630 4.0

631 to 1250 5.0

1,251 to 3,150 6.25
3,151 to 6,300 4.15

6,301 to 12,500 8.35

12,501 to 25,000 10.0
25,001 to 200,000 12.5
 Short- Circuit Apparent Power of the system

Highest System Voltage (kV) Short-circuit Apparent Power (MVA)

7.2, 12, 17.5 and 24 500

36 1,000

52 and 72.5 3,000

100 and 123 6,000

145 10,000

245 20,000

300 30,000

420 40,000
 Permitted Tolerances
Performance factor Tolerance

1) Total losses +10% of the total losses

2) Component losses +15% of each component loss
3) Impedance Voltage at rated current
a) Two-winding transformer : ± 10% of the declared imp for that tapping

b) Multi-winding transformer : ± 10% of the declared imp for one specified

pair of windings.
± 15% of the declared imp for a second
specified pair of windings.

4) Short circuit impedance for any tapping Not less than as indicated in 3

5) No-load current +30% of the declared No-load current.

AUXILIARIES
Conservator
Breather
BH Relay (Oil& Gas Relay)
PRV (Pressure Relief Valve)
WTI & OTI
Cooling System
 Conservator
It is to accommodate the volumetric expansion
of the oil in the transformer, due to increase in
the ambient temperature and or load.
Its capacity is about 5% of the total quantity of
the oil in the transformer.
 Dehydrating Breather
It is necessary to have a spare space for
accommodating the volumetric expansion and
contraction of oil and connecting this space to
the atmosphere.
Breather prevents entry of moisture from
entering conservator.
Breather incorporates silica gel crystals with a
cup filled with oil in air tight flanged casing .
As the casing is transparent the colour of the
gel can observe easily.
A dry Silica gel is blue in
colour and turns to pink
or white on absorption of
moisture.

 Inorder to prevent entry

of moisture to conservator
it is essential to replace
when silica gel begins to
loose the blue colour.
Bucholtz Relay (Gas & Oil Actuated Relay)

It serves as a main protection for any minor or

major electrical faults developed inside the
transformer.
All the electrical faults within the transformer,
result in generation of gases and these gases
on their way to the conservator get
accumulated in the relay.
When, gas accumulates,the oil level in the relay
reduces.
When sufficient gas gets collected the mercury
switch operates and initiates alarm.
If the fault is very severe oil rushes to the
conservator thereby actuating the trip circuit .
Probable Faults Indication by Nature of Gas

Nature of Gas Probable Fault

Colourless and Odourless Air trapped in oil or in

insulation.
Greyish white with pungent Overheating of paper/cloth
smell non-flammable insulation or oil board etc.
Yellowish inflammable Decomposition of wood
insulation.
Dark grey / Blackish Flashover in oil.
inflammable
 Pressure Relief Valve
PRV provides instantaneous relieving of
dangerous pressure developed in the
transformer/OLTC for any of the reason and
sends command for the breakers to trip.
 PRV is tested for following Routine Tests

Operating Pressure test at specified value

with compressed air.

 Switch operation test as per Wiring Diagram

by operating PRV with compressed air.

 Breakdown test at 2 KV for one minute

between live terminals and body.
 OTI and WTI
These indicators normally work on the principle of liquid
expansion.

Indicate oil and winding temperatures.

Operate an alarm or trip circuit when their respective

temperature reaches the preset temperatures.

Switch-on or switch-off the cooling fans/pumps at preset

temperatures in auto-mode.

These also indicate the maximum temp attained in a specific

period.
 Cooling System
Its function is to limit the temperature of oil
and winding, by dissipating the heat, which is
generated due to losses within the transformer.
Heat dissipation capacity can be increased by
forcing air on the radiator surface with fans.,
and forcing the oil through the radiators by
means of Oil-pumps.
 CONCLUSION
 Diagnostic Testing provides a powerful tool for
the complete and economic assessment of the
transformer condition.
 The condition is monitored by keeping the
track record of these test results for betterment
of the service life of the transformers to avoid
failures in the earlier stages .
 The supplementary information obtained by
the off-line diagnostic after the detection of an
abnormal condition is a worth-full information to
be integrated into future on-line monitoring
system.
References
IS 2026 (Part-I).
Maintenance Procedures for Switchyard Equipments
by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
Manual of Transformers by CBIP.
Power Engineer’s Handbook by TNEB.
Instrument manual of TRM-104 by SCOPE.
Operation manual of instrumentATTR-3P by
RGTECH.
KPTCL Manual.
A Guide to Transformer Maintenance- S.D.Myers,
J.J.Kelly, R.H.Parrish.