Transformer Testing

1
Life of a transformer
– with and without diagnostics and maintenance actions

(Mechanical/dielectrical strength)

2
(Transformer) Modeling

 “Make it as simple as possible; but not simpler than

that”, Albert Einstein
 Generally in science
• Observe and measure
• Create a model
• Verify model by experiments
• Extend model (only) if necessary

3
Basic transformer model (impedance)

 Primary side:
• Winding resistance,
• Leakage Inductance
(X1+(N1/N2)2*X2)
• Magnetization current
(excitation current)
 Secondary side
• Winding resistance
• Inductance
 Primary to secondary
• Turn ratio (E1/E2)

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Measuring the parameters

 Excitation/magnetization
current (field) and no-load loss
(factory) measurements
 Winding resistance
measurements (factory and
field)
 Load-loss measurements R+jX = R1+jX1 + (N1/N2)2 x (R2+jX2)
(factory)
 Short-circuit impedance
(voltage) measurements
(factory and field)
 Turn ratio (factory and field)

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Summary - Impedance
modeling
 The ideal transformer combined with the
simple equivalent circuit describes the
physics of the transformer well.
 The important measurement parameters
are:
 Magnetization/Excitation current
(voltage dependent)
 Winding resistance (temperature
dependent)
 Short-circuit impedance/Leakage
reactance
 Turns ratio

6
Insulation modeling and measurement
Hi

Lo
A

Ground CHL

CL
Measure with DC or AC, use Ohms law to calculate:
•Insulation resistance
CH
•Dissipation factor
•Power factor
•Capacitance It is always a capacitor!
•Permittivity
•Etc

7
Oil modeling and measurement (electrical)
Hi

Lo
A

Ground CHL

Dielectric test:
 Measure voltage and current (test cell) CL CH
 Calculate conductivity (mS/m) or
dissipation factor at power frequency
Dielectric strenght:
 Measure the breakdown voltage (test cell)

8
 Transformer stress factors
 Thermal Stress
• Develops across all assembly components. It ages the dielectric material (even at rated
temperatures). Stress to insulation worsened by high temperature and repeated changes in
temperature. Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting transformer life!
 Chemical Stress
• Cellulose decomposes and create water in the solid insulation
• Oil additives may have a deteriorating effect on insulation components.
 Electrical Stress
• Develops within the insulation material separating conductors at different potentials. It ages
the dielectric materiel (even at rated voltages)
 Mechanical Stress
• Deforms/displaces assembly components. High shock events during shipping displaces
components. High current events (short-circuit faults) creates high impact forces and may
cause winding deformation.
 Environmental Stress
• Water may enter the transformer through leaking gaskets
• Salt and other corrosive substances in the environment may deteriorate tanks and
peripheral equipment.
High temperature and water/moisture will finally kill every transformer!

9
CIGRE 642 (2015)
Percentage of primary location of disturbance
220 and 380 kV

10
CIGRE 642
Typical transformer age profile (transmission)

11
CIGRE 642
Failure rates of power transformers

12
CIGRE 642
Number of Failures by Identified Cause

The number of failures by the identified cause during 1992 to 2001.

Total number of failures is 133 within the period of 10 years (Japan).

13
CIGRE 642
Failure location analysis – Voltage class

14
CIGRE 642
Failure location analysis – Transformers (1980- )

15
Transformer fault statistics - Fault reasons
Other reasons
Poor
worksmanship
Sabotage
Overload
Moisture Electric
reasons in the
Contacts Joints net
etc

Maintenance What was the reason

reasons for the transformer fault?

Source:
Insulation Cigré, IEEE, Hartford S&B
Univ of Queensland, ZTZService
Lightning reasons Canadian El Assosiation, Doble mfl

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Different methods for fault detection
Insulation
testing
Reenergizing
Protectionrelay
s
TTR
Internal
inspection Winding
resistance

Exitation
current

How was the fault found?

Source:
Cigré, IEEE, Hartford S&B
Univ of Queensland, ZTZService
External Canadian El Assosiation, Doble mfl
inspecton

17
Testing and Standards/Guides

 CIGRE
• CIGRE Brochure 342 (SFRA-FRAX)
• CIGRE Brochure 414 (DFR-IDAX)
• CIGRE Brochure 445 (Guide for Transformer Maintenance)
 IEC, TC 14
• IEC 60076-1, Power Transformers
• IEC 60076-2, Temperature rise
• IEC 60076-3, Insulation levels, dielectric tests etc
• IEC 60076-18, (SFRA-FRAX)
 ANSI, IEEE Transformer Committee
• IEEE C57.152 (Guide for Diagnostics Field Testing)
• IEEE C57.12.00-2006
• IEEE C57.12.90-2006
• IEEE PC57.149 (SFRA-FRAX)

18
Transformer testing by Megger (≈ IEEE)
STANDARD TEST TYPES MEGGER TEST SETS
LTC
Delta IDAX MIT FRAX MLR TTR MTO MoM TRAX OTS KF
Component Test 135
Resistance X X X
Ratio/polarity X X
Excitation current X X X X
Short-circuit impedance X X X
Windings Frequency response analysis X
Insulation resistance X
Capacitance X X X
Power factor/tan delta X X X
Dielectric frequency response X X
Capacitance X X X
Bushings Power factor/tan delta X X X
Dielectric frequency response X X
Water content X
Insulating oil Dielectric strength X
Power factor/tan delta X X X
Cellulose insulation Moisture content X
Resistance X X X
Ratio X X
Load
Continuity (make before break) X X X
Tap changers
Dynamic resistance (DRM) X X
De- Resistance X X X
energized Ratio X X
Insulation resistance X X
Core/Tank Frequency response analysis X
Ground test X X

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Transformer testing tool-box from Megger!

20
MTO

 Winding resistance measurements

• 1, 2 or 6-ch measurement (3-phase/8-
terminals) with the same lead-set as TTR)
• Single winding or SWM current injection
(HV and LV simultaneously)
 Tap-changer testing
• Winding resistance/tap
• Current change detection (continuity)
 Automatic demagnetization of
transformer core
• Important to perform before all kinds of
excitation current/impedance tests (Delta,
TTR, FRAX)
• Recommended in IEEE as standard
procedure before taking the transformer
in service (in-rush current risk)

21
 LTC135 + CBA
 LTC135 DC current source and circuit-breaker analyzer for
load-tap changer (OLTC) testing
• 48 V compliance voltage
• 1 x 5A (10 Ω output impedance)
• 3 x 1A (48 Ω output impedance)
• 3 x 0.1A (480 Ω output impedance)
• Safe discharge of windings after measurement
• Measurements:
– Dynamic current
– Dynamic voltage
– Dynamic resistance

22
TTR3xx

 Transformer turn-ratio measurement

 Polarity and phase deviation test
 Excitation current measurement

23
Microohmmeters

 Low resistance measurements of;

• HV/LV leads and connections
• Ground connections
 Winding resistance on small
transformers (DLRO10), < 10kVA

24
MLR10
 Short-circuit impedance/leakage reactance measurement @ 50/60 Hz
 Complies with IEEE 62-1995
 Capacitor bank testing

25
FRAX
 Sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA)
from Hz to MHz
 Excitation impedance measurement [open]
 Short-circuit impedance testing [short]
 Presented as relative amplitude [dB] or
impedance [Ω]

26
MIT/S1

 DC insulation testing from 5 to 30 kV

• Insulation resistance
• Polarization index
• Step voltage
• Dielectric discharge

27
Delta4000
 12 kV insulation testing
• Tan delta/power factor and capacitance
• Power transformers
• Bushings
• CT/VT’s
• Generators and motors
• Circuit Breakers
• Oil (with test cell)
• Etc...
 50/60 Hz standard test and 1-500 Hz
frequency sweep
 Excitation current measurement
 Individual temperature correction (ITC)
 Automatic voltage dependence
detection (VDD)

28
CDAX605
 High precision capacitance and tan delta test set
• Measurement at any voltage using external generator
and reference capacitor
• Direct readings of capacitance and dissipation factor, no
balancing or calculation required
• Direct reading of measured ratio
• Capacitance, inductance and resistance in any
combination
• Very high accuracy
• Capacitance 0.02%
• Dissipation factor 0.002%

29
IDAX300/350/VAX020
 Measurements
• 200V (140Vrms) or 2 kV (1.4 kVrms) test
voltage
• Power frequency tan delta/power factor
and capacitance
• 0.1 mHz – 10 kHz dielectric response
measurement
• DC insulation (IR, PI, DAR)
• Excitation current
• Very high AC and DC substation
interference rejection
 Automatic analysis of:
• Moisture in cellulose insulation
• Oil conductivity/tan delta @ 25C (ITC)
• Tan delta/power factor @ 20C (ITC)

30
TRAX – Multi-function test set for transformer
and substation testing
 Winding resistance (100 A)
 Load tap-changers (DRM)
 Demagnetization (adaptive)
 Ratio (250 and 2200 V)
 Excitation current (250 and 2200 V)
 Leakage reactance (250V/10A)
 Tan delta and capacitance (12 kV)
 Instrument transformers, CT’s and VT’s
 Contact resistance (100 A)
 Primary circuit breaker (200A/800A and 2000 A)
 Circuit breaker analyzer (3-ch, motion, coil current, battery voltage)
 Single-phase relay (800 A)
 Ground/earth testing (128/150 Hz)
 And more…

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The doctor is in...

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