ISSUE 1

PAGE 68 MARCH 2019 transformer-technology.com

new Technology
Changing the Heart
of Power Systems

High Temperature Insulation Systems: Interview with

An Option for Resilient Transformers Jon Trout, FirstEnergy
40 DIELECTRIC
RESPONSE

Dielectric Frequency Response:

A New IEEE Guide for Field Test on

Power and Distribution Transformers
by Diego Robalino
and Roberts Neimanis

Photo by Shutterstock
Transformer Technology March 2019 41

Issue 1

Since the invention of the non-destructive testing method to

transformer, the design, quality better understand the condition of
and efficiency of this magnificent the insulation system of power and
machine has been improved thanks distribution transformers.
to the development of electro-
magnetic materials, computer Introduction
Diego Robalino currently works for Meg- design algorithms, insulation
ger as Principal Engineer, where he special- materials, cooling systems, During the last two decades, other
izes in the diagnosis of complex electrical structural design, etc. Nowadays, a technical references presented the
testing procedures. While doing research in vast number of transformers operate development of DFR (Dielectric
power system optimization with a focus on worldwide aiming to provide reliable Frequency Response) a.k.a.
aging equipment at Tennessee Technologi- and safe operation under the most Frequency Domain Spectroscopy
cal University, Robalino received his electri- cumbersome environmental and (FDS), aiming specifically to
cal engineering PhD from that institution. operational conditions. its application for power and
Robalino has over 20 years of involvement distribution transformers with oil-
in the electrical engineering profession with Even though the materials, design impregnated paper insulation. CIGRE
management responsibilities in the power and manufacturing processes Technical Brochures 254, 414 and
systems, oil and gas, and research arenas. have improved, the most common 445 as well as IEEE Std. C57.152
He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, member insulation system is a combination addressed the importance, the
of the IEEE/PES transformers main commit- of liquid insulation, cellulose and research carried out and the benefits
tee and a certified Project Management Pro- impregnated in oil cellulose. These of the method as applied to power
fessional with the PMI. He is an active mem- components of the overall insulation and distribution transformers.
ber of the IEEE/DEIS Electrical Insulation system go through an inevitable
Conference. Author and co-author of multi- aging process that leads to the In the IEEE Transformer Committee,
ple technical articles related to power, dis- end of the service life of power and a Task Force was initially formed
tribution and instrument transformer condi- distribution transformers. One can to recommend (or not) the need
tion assessment. expand this statement into other to develop a guide describing
components with similar insulation the application of DFR on oil-
construction such as bushings and impregnated transformers. From
instrument transformer with oil- the initial step of forming the
impregnated paper insulation. Task Force to the publication
of the guide, the contribution
The Institute of Electrical and and participation of specialists,
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) end-users, testing equipment
Standards Association approved manufacturers, transformer
the publication of IEEE C57.161- manufacturers and academia
2018 – “Guide for Dielectric made possible the production of a
Frequency Response Test”. The practical and comprehensive guide
work was developed within the IEEE for the use of DFR technology and
Transformers Committee and the interpretation of transformer’s
Dielectrics Sub-committee. A needed insulation dielectric response in
document for a non-intrusive and the frequency domain.

In 1996, WaBtech AB in Sweden brings to the market

the first portable device for DFR test in the field.
Dr. Peter Werelius and Bjorn Bengtsson introduced
IDA (Insulation Diagnostics Analyzer) mainly for
cable and transformer testing.
42 DIELECTRIC
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DFR References

As mentioned previously, since the The practical application of DFR in the solid insulation by dielectric
beginning of the use of insulation in the field generated the interest response methods.
materials, a method to determine in the industry and international
an acceptable condition for its organizations took lead on Considering the great acceptance
use in electrical applications was the investigation of this “new of the technology in the field, the
required. The dielectric response technology” revolutionizing the CIGRE Working Group (WG) A2.34
of any insulation material can be testing practices in the field. incorporates dielectric response
obtained in the time domain or in methods in time and frequency
the frequency domain. Time domain In 2002, CIGRE developed the domain in section 5.1.3 in the
dielectric response has been in Technical Brochure 254 – “Dielectric Technical Brochure 454 published
place for over 100 years and the Response Methods for Diagnostics in 2011. Dielectric response
typical “Insulation Resistance” test of Power Transformers”. This report methods are included as “Special
became, by far, the easiest and most from the Task Force (TF) D1.01.09 or Advanced Measurements”. DFR
practical approach to understand the focused on three dielectric response or FDS is an advanced testing
condition of the solid insulation. techniques: technique used in the field to
determine the water content in the
• Return Voltage solid cellulose insulation of oil-
The complex impedance Measurements (RVM) paper insulation, insulation failures,

of the dielectric system

• Dielectric
Spectroscopy in Time
and contamination of insulation.
Moisture content in the solid
Domain (PDC) insulation derived from field testing,
is measured at different • Dielectric Frequency mathematical modelling and data
Domain Spectroscopy base source is compared against
frequencies and the (FDS) limits given for dry, moderately wet
dielectric response To summarize the text
and extremely wet insulation given
in IEC 60422. As a reminder, IEC
is finally plotted as of this document, the
TF concluded that all
60422 states that the determination
of the water content in the paper of a
percentage dissipation three methods reflect transformer by the measurement of
the same fundamental the water in oil has been frequently
factor, permittivity polarization and described, but practical results are
conduction phenomena often not in line with the theoretical
or capacitance as a in transformer predictions. All calculations and
function of frequency. insulation and that the
definition of moisture
correlations of the water content
in oil and the water content in the
in the solid insulation oil/paper-system depend on the
by time domain and equilibrium state between the
Nevertheless, around the mid-1900s, frequency domain responses insulating oil and the oil/paper
the frequency domain response was required mathematical modelling system and vice versa.
greatly studied and the definition and good understanding of dielectric
of dielectric losses at power or line properties of the insulation system
frequency (50/60 Hz) turned to be components.
a great success for transformer
manufacturers, end-users and In 2010, CIGRE continued the
testing service companies. work and published the Technical
Nevertheless, technology evolved Brochure 414 – “Dielectric Response
and with that, electronic components Diagnoses for Transformer
and control devices opened the door Windings”. In this document, CIGRE
to a wider band frequency spectrum combines the practical experience
to analyze different insulation acquired with the mathematical
materials. modelling approach to determine
best testing practices. The
In 1996, WaBtech AB in Sweden document covers the fundamentals
brings to the market the first portable of the X-Y model, measurement
device for DFR test in the field. Dr. configurations, test performance and
Photo by Shutterstock

Peter Werelius and Bjorn Bengtsson maybe the most important part, case
introduced IDA (Insulation Diagnostics studies and comparative analysis
Analyzer) mainly for cable and using Karl Fisher Titration (KFT) to
transformer testing. validate the moisture estimation
Transformer Technology March 2019 43

Issue 1

In the North American world, the IEEE The work carried out by the IEEE
Transformer Committee revised the transformer committee ended up
document IEEE 62 Part 1– “Guide for with the publication in 2013 of
Diagnostic Field Testing of Electric the IEEE Std. C57.152 – “Guide
Power Apparatus – Oil filled Power for Diagnostic Field Testing of
Transformers, Regulators, and Fluid-Filled Power Transformers,
Reactors”. One of the fundamental Regulators and Reactors”. The
reasons to revise this document amount of information put together
was the application of new testing in this document is difficult to
techniques not described in this describe in just a few lines, but
document and considered important this guide added the Informative
for the current requirements of ANNEX G introducing to the IEEE
manufacturers and end-users references the Dielectric Frequency
especially in the field. It is interesting Response Method. Annex G provides
to notice that IEEE 62 (R2005) a brief description of the DFR
provided in section 6.3.12 two method and its interpretation for oil-
tables with general guidelines for paper insulation systems in power
interpreting data expressed in transformers.
percent saturation of water in oil and Enough about history. Let us focus
in percent moisture by dry weight of now on the recently published guide
paper. for DFR testing.
44 DIELECTRIC
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IEEE Guide for Dielectric

Frequency Response Test

The continuous work of IEEE and

its members is well reflected in
the guide for dielectric frequency
response test applicable for liquid-
immersed transformers. The guide
includes a thorough description
of the DFR method, a comparative
analysis between line-frequency
power factor and the dielectric
response in a wide frequency
spectrum, recommendations for
instrumentation, procedures for
performing the tests, and guidelines
for interpretation of the data. The
application of DFR allows testing in
factory and in the field.

After a general overview, Section

4 introduces the DFR method.
DFR is a non-intrusive and non-
destructive off-line testing technique
performed in the frequency domain
to determine the moisture content
of the transformer’s solid insulation temperature of the specimen at the
and the conductivity of the liquid time of the test. Second, DFR follows
insulation. This paragraph covers the same measurement principle as
one very important characteristic line – frequency power factor test,
of the dielectric response; it can but the excitation signal applied by
discriminate between the effect of DFR instruments varies frequency in
moisture or contamination in the the range from 1 kHz down to 1 mHz
liquid or solid insulation. (typical range at 20°C). The complex
impedance of the dielectric system
In Section 4, some important facts is measured at different frequencies
are described. First, DFR as any other and the dielectric response is finally
dielectric response method depends plotted as percentage dissipation
on the unique dielectric properties of factor, permittivity or capacitance as
the material, the electric field and the a function of frequency.

After a clear understanding of the behavior of the

materials under an alternating excitation signal in a
wide frequency spectrum, different factors affecting
the dielectric response are described. One of the
most important factors to take into account is the
presence of EMI in the surrounding test area.
Photo by Shutterstock
Transformer Technology March 2019 45

Issue 1

The modelling algorithm requires Besides the modelling part, it is As any other electrical test, the
specific information to evaluate the important to understand that the test very first recommendations are
condition of the insulation system. is performed in the field following the related to safety. For many readers,
The normally fixed information is: same instrument-to-object hook up safety is not just a best practice
a. Liquid Insulation relative principles as those used for power but also a life style. Therefore, local
permittivity εr factor / dissipation factor testing at and federal regulations required to
b. Thermal activation energy for line frequency. Figure 1 shows the perform the test as well as safety
solid and liquid insulation hook up diagram of the DFR test set instructions provided by the test set
c. Temperature of the insulation to a commonly used two-winding manufacturer must be followed. One
under test transformer. more advantage of DFR is that the
test involves a LV excitation signal
The outcome of the test will provide: Section 5 provides the best practices typically ≤140 VRMS.
a. Liquid insulation conductivity (σ) and configurations to perform the test
b. Moisture in solid insulation (m) in the field.

Figure 1. Hook up diagram between a DFR test

set and a two-winding transformer
46 DIELECTRIC
RESPONSE

In the field, working conditions Section 6 provides the guidelines to Overcome the effect of noise (EMI)
might not be optimal. Section 5 generate the test report, including an on the measurement signal, the use
provides guidelines to minimize example of the report. of a voltage amplifier is considered
the effect of external factors on as optional in the field, especially
the test performance as well as the Maybe the most important part for low capacitance specimens and
measurement configurations. At this of the guide is without a doubt tests at temperatures close to zero
stage, the reader should be aware Section 7 – Measurement Analysis degrees Celsius.
that the most accurate estimation and Interpretation. In this section,
of moisture in the solid insulation the guide provides the differences The Annexes included in the
is related to the test between between the dielectric response document cover:
windings in a UST (ungrounded of liquid and solid insulation A. Dielectric Frequency Response
specimen test) test mode. In a two- graphically represented in Figure 2. Analysis – Theory and validation
winding transformer, the capacitance The liquid insulation dielectric B. Non-moisture related
of interest is the inter-winding properties can be described by factors influencing the DFR
insulation between high and low a simple parallel RC-circuit, the measurements
voltage windings represented in capacitance representing the liquid C. Examples of typical measurement
Figure 1 as CHL. Other insulation permittivity and the resistance the challenges
systems, between high voltage liquid conductivity. The dielectric D. Bibliography
winding and ground (CH) or between properties of solid insulation are
the low voltage winding and ground more complex, both capacitance Closing Note
(CL) are susceptible to the influence and losses vary with frequency in a
of bushings and sometimes-other manner that cannot be described by This article is a brief summary
components inside the transformer a simple parallel or series RC-circuit. of a well-developed document
such as tap changers. Nevertheless, provided by IEEE and its members.
the GST measurements are often After a clear understanding of the Authors consider imperative for
taken to identify non-typical behavior of the materials under an asset managers, utility operators,
responses related to contamination alternating excitation signal in a wide transformer manufacturers and
or degradation of the insulation frequency spectrum, different factors testing service providers to acquire
system. affecting the dielectric response are this document and follow the
described. One of the most important guidelines given.
factors to take into account is the The article is co-authored by Dr.
Figure 2. DFR of mineral oil (left); presence of EMI in the surrounding Roberts Neimanis, Product Manager
DFR of paper only (right) test area. at Megger Sweden.

10000 100

1000

100
10
10

1
1
0.1

0.01
Photo by Shutterstock

0.001 0.1
0.0010 0..010 0..1 11 01 00 1000 0.0010 0..010 0..1 11 01 00 1000

Frequency [Hz] OIL ONLY Frequency [Hz] PAPER ONLY