1) Introduction :-

The production of electrical energy in big plants under the most

economic condition makes it necessary that more and more energy be
transported over longer and longer distances. Therefore, transmission at
extra high voltages and the erection of systems which may extend over
whole continents has become the most urgent problems to be solved in
the near future.
The very fast development of systems is followed by studies of
equipment and the service conditions they have to fulfill. These
conditions will also determine the values for testing at alternating,
impulse and d.c. voltages under specific conditions.
As we go for higher and higher operating voltages (say above
1000 kV) certain problems are associated with the testing techniques.

2
 2) Problems of Testing Techniques &
Considerations :-
Some of these Problems for higher operating voltages (say above
1000 kV) are :
(i) Dimension of high voltage test laboratories.
(ii) Characteristics of equipment for such laboratories.
(iii) Some special aspects of the test techniques at extra high voltages.

The dimensions of laboratories for test equipments of 750 kV and

above are fixed by the following main considerations :
(i) Figures (values) of test voltages under different conditions.
(ii) Sizes of the test of equipments in a.c., d.c. and impulse voltages.
(iii) Distances between the objects under high voltage during the test period and the
earthed surroundings such as floors, walls and roofs of the buildings.

3
3) Types of Power System Testing :-

A) TESTING OF CABLES

B) TESTING OF POWER TRANSFORMERS

C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

D) TESTING OF OVERHEAD LINE INSULATORS

E) TESTING OF BUSHINGS

F) TESTING OF POWER CAPACITORS

4
 A) TESTING OF CABLES :-
The cable sample has to be carefully prepared for electrical tests to avoid any
excessive leakage or end flash overs which may occur and may give wrong
information regarding the quality of cables. The length of the sample cable varies
between 50 cm to 10 m. The terminations are usually made by shielding the ends of the
cable with stress shields so as to relieve the ends from excessive high electrical stresses.
A cable is subjected to following tests :
(i) Bending tests : The cable is bent round a cylinder to make one complete turn. It
is then rewound in the opposite direction. The cycle is to be repeated three times.
(ii) Loading cycle test : A test loop, consisting of cable and its accessories is subjected
to 20 load cycles with a minimum conductor temperature 5°C and the cable is
energized to 1.5 times the working voltage.
(iii) Thermal stability test: the cable is energized with a voltage 1.5 times the working
voltage for a cable of 132 kV rating (the factor decreases with increases in
operating voltage) ,the loading current is so adjusted that the temperature of the
core of the cable is 5°C higher than its specified permissible temperature. The
current should be maintained at this value for six hours.
(iv) Dielectric thermal resistance test: The ratio of the temperature difference
between the core and sheath of the cable and the heat flow from the cable gives
the thermal resistance of the cable. It should be within the limits specified .
5
(v) Life expectancy test : an accelerated life test is carried out by subjecting the cable to
a voltage stress higher than the normal working stress. It has been observed that the
relation between the expected life of the cable in hours and the voltage stress is given
by where K is a constant which depends on material and n is the life
index depending again on the material.
(vi) Dielectric power factor test: The power factor is measured for different values of
voltages e.g. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times the rated operating voltages. The maximum
value of power factor at normal working voltage does not exceed a specified value
(usually 0.01) at a series of temperatures ranging from 15°C to 65°C .
(vii) Power frequency withstand voltage test : cable is subjected to a voltage 2.5 times
the working voltage for 10 min without damaging the insulation of the cable. HV d.c.
of 1.8 times the rated d.c. voltage of negative polarity for 30 min. is applied and the
cable is said to have withstood the test if no insulation failure takes place.
(viii) Impulse withstand voltage test: The cable is subjected to 10 positive and 10
negative impulse voltage , the cable should withstand 5 applications without any
damage.
(ix) Partial discharge test: When a cable is subjected to high voltage and if there is a
void in the cable, the void breaks down and a discharge takes place. As a result, there is
a sudden dip in voltage in the form of an impulse. This impulse travels along the cable.

5
 B) TESTING OF POWER TRANSFORMERS:-
It is very important to be cautious while designing transformer's insulation , to
withstand transient over voltage both due to switching and lightning. The high voltage
testing of transformers is very important .
1) Partial Discharge Test :
The test is carried out on the windings of the transformer. The location and severity
of fault is ascertained using the travelling wave theory technique. The
measurements are to be made at all the terminals of the transformer and the
transformer insulation should be so designed that the discharge measurement
2) should be much below the value of 10 pico-coulombs.
4

Impulse Testing of Transformer : The impulse level of a transformer is

determined by the breakdown voltage of its minor insulation , breakdown voltage
of its major insulation and the flash over voltage of its bushings or a combination
of these. The impulse characteristics of internal insulation in a transformer differs
from flash over in air in two main respects. Firstly the impulse ratio of the
transformer insulation is higher (from 2.1 to 2.2) than that of bushing (1.5 for
bushings, insulators etc.). Secondly, the impulse breakdown of transformer
insulation in practically constant and is independent of time of application of
impulse voltage.
6
 B) TESTING OF POWER TRANSFORMERS:-

 C1 represents inter-turn capacitance and C2 capacitance between winding and

7
 B) TESTING OF POWER TRANSFORMERS:-
In order that the minor insulation will be able to withstand the impulse voltage, the
winding is subjected to chopped impulse wave . The chopping time is usually 3 to 6
micro seconds. While impulse voltage is applied between one phase and ground, high
voltages would be induced in the secondary of the transformer. To avoid this, the
secondary windings are short-circuited and finally connected to ground. the minimum
value of the impulse capacitance required is given by :
where P = rated MVA of the transformer
Z = per cent impedance of transformer ,V = rated voltage of transformer.

8
 -:B) TESTING OF POWER TRANSFORMERS
Impulse testing consists of the following steps:
(i) Application of impulse of magnitude 75% of the Basic Impulse Level
(BIL) of the transformer under test.
(ii) One full wave of 100% of BIL.
(iii) Two chopped wave of 115% of BIL.
(iv) One full wave of 100% BIL and
(v) One full wave of 75% of BIL.
During impulse testing the fault can be located by general observation
like noise in the tank or smoke or bubble in the breather.
If there is a fault, it appears on the Oscilloscope as a partial of complete
collapse of the applied voltage.
If an arc occurs between the turns or form turn to the ground, a train
of high frequency pulses are seen on the oscilloscope and wave shape of
impulse changes. If it is a partial discharge only, high frequency
oscillations are observed but no change in wave shape occurs.
9
: C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Short circuit tests .1

Dielectric tests .2

Thermal test .3

4. Mechanical test

10
 : C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1. Short circuit tests: There are two types of testing stations :
(i) field type: the power required for testing is directly taken from a large power
system. this method is economical for high voltage C.Bs. But it suffers from the this
drawbacks:
1. The tests can’t be repeatedly carried out for research and development as it disturbs
the whole network.
2. The power available depends upon the location of the testing stations, loading
conditions, installed capacity, etc.
3. Test conditions like the desired recovery voltage , etc. cannot be achieved
conveniently.
(ii) laboratory type: the power required for testing is provided by specially designed
generators. This method has the following advantages :
1. Test conditions such as current, voltage, power factor can be controlled accurately.
2. Several indirect testing methods can be used.
3. Tests can be repeated and hence research and development over the design is
possible.
The limitations of this method are the cost and the limited power availability for
testing the breakers. 11
 : C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Short Circuit Test Plants :

Test Procedure:
(i) After running the motor to a speed the supply is switched off.
(ii) Impulse excitation is switched on.
(iii) Master C.B. is closed.
(iv) Oscillograph is switched on.
(v) Make switch is closed.
(vi) C.B. under test is opened. 12

(vii) Master C.B. is opened.

(viii) Exciter circuit is switched off. The circuit for direct test is shown in Fig.5.
: C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

13
 : C) TESTING OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2) Dielectric Tests: The test voltage is applied for a period of one minute between (i)
phases with the breaker closed, (ii) phases and earth with C.B. open, and (iii) across
the terminals with breaker open. With this the
breaker must not flash over or puncture
3) Thermal Tests: In this test the rated current through all three phases of the
switchgear is passed continuously for a period long enough to achieve steady state
conditions. Temperature readings are obtained by means of thermocouples whose hot
junctions are placed in appropriate positions. The temperature rise of conductors
must normally not exceed 40°C when the rated normal current is less than 800
amps and 50°C if it is 800 amps and above.
4) Mechanical Tests: A C.B. must open and close at the correct speed and perform
such operations without mechanical failure. The breaker mechanism is, therefore,
subjected to a mechanical endurance type test involving repeated opening and
closing of the breaker.( B.S. 116: 1952) requires 500 such operations without failure
and with no adjustment of the mechanism. Some manufacture feel that as many as
20,000 operations may be reached before any useful information regarding the
possible causes of failure may be obtained. A resulting change in the material or
dimensions of a particular component may considerably improve the life and
efficiency of the mechanism.
14
Thank you for good
Listening

15