RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT

Meggering

The Megger insulation tester is a small, portable instrument that gives you A direct reading of insulation resistance in ohms or megaohms. The Megger insulation tester is essentially a high-range resistance meter (ohmmeter). For good insulation, the resistance usually reads in the megohm range.ect-current generator.

The generator develop a high DC voltage which causes a small current through and over surfaces This current (usually at an applied voltage of 500 volts or more) is measured by the ohmmeter, which has an indicating scale of the insulation being tested Insulation resistance readings should be considered relative. What really matters is the trend in readings over a time period, showing lessening resistance and warning of coming problems. Periodic testing is, therefore, your best approach to preventive maintenance of electrical equipment, using record cards.

Current through and along insulation is made up partly of a relatively steady current in leakage paths over the insulation surface. Electricity also flows through the volume of the insulation.

1. Capacitance Charging Current Current that starts out high and drops after the insulation has been charged to full voltage (much like water flow in a garden hose when you first turn on the spigot). 2. Absorption Current Also an initially high current which then drops (for reasons discussed under the section Time-Resistance Method). 3. Conduction or Leakage Current A small essentially steady current both through and over the insulation.

The total current is the sum of the three components and it is this current that can be measured directly by a microammeter, or in terms of megohms at a particular voltage by means of a Megger instrument (ohmmeter). The charging current disappears relatively rapidly as the equipment under test becomes charged. Larger units with more capacitance will take longer to be charged. This current also is the stored energy initially discharged after your test, by short-circuiting and grounding the insulation. ALWAYS TAKE THIS SAFETY MEASURE.

Three common test methods: (1) short-time or spot reading (2) time-resistance (3) step or multi-voltage tests.

1- Short Time: In this method, you simply connect the Megger instrument across the insulation to be tested and operate it for a short, specific time period (60 seconds is usually recommended).

For many years, maintenance professionals have used the one-megohm rule to establish the allowable lower limit for insulation resistance. The rule may be stated: Insulation resistance should be approximately one megohm for each 1,000 volts of operating voltage, with a minimum value of one megohm.

Time-Resistance Method Its fairly independent of temperature and often can give you conclusive information without records of past tests. It is based on the absorption effect of good insulation compared to that of moist or contaminated insulation. You simply take successive readings at specific times and note the differences in readings.

Note that good insulation shows a continual increase in resistance (less current see curve A) over a period of time (in the order of 5 to 10 minutes). This is caused by the absorption current we spoke of earlier; good insulation shows this charge effect over a time period much longer than the time required to charge the capacitance of the insulation. If the insulation contains much moisture or contaminants, the absorption effect is masked by a high leakage current which stays at a fairly constant value, keeping the resistance reading low (remember: R = E/I).

Fig. shows how a 60-second test would appear for good and perhaps bad insulation. When the insulation is in good shape, the 60-second reading is higher than the 30second reading.

lets say the spot reading on a synchronous motor was 10 megohms. Now, lets assume that the double-reading check shows that the insulation resistance holds steady at 10 megohms while you hold voltage up to 60 seconds. This means there may be dirt or moisture in the windings that bears watching. On the other hand, if the pointer shows a gradual increase between the 30-second and the 60-second checks, then youre reasonably sure the windings are in good shape.

Time-resistance tests on large rotating electrical machinery especially with high operating voltage require high insulation resistance ranges and a very constant test voltage. A heavy-duty Megger test set, lineoperated, serves this need. Similarly, such an instrument is better adapted for large cables, bushings, transformers and switchgear.

Dielectric Absorption Ratio The ratio of two time-resistance readings (such as a 60second reading divided by a 30-second reading) is called a dielectric absorption ratio. If you have a line-operated Megger instrument, youll get best results by running the test 10 minutes, taking readings at 1- and at 10-minutes, to get the polarization index.

Proof Test Voltages for Rotating Equipment: Factory AC Test = 2 x Nameplate Rating + 1000 volts DC Proof Test on Installation = 0.8 x Factory AC Test x 1.6 DC Proof Test After Service = 0.6 x Factory AC Test x 1.6 DC test sets are employed almost exclusively for highvoltage
1. Lower cost 2. Lighter weight 3. Smaller size 4. N on-destructive 5. Better information, both in quality and quantity

Dry VS Wet equipment Wet equipment is susceptible to voltage breakdown. Therefore, you should use a low-voltage Megger tester (100 or 250 VDC), at least in the early stages of a drying-out run. If a low-voltage instrument is not readily available, slow cranking of a 500-volt tester may be substituted.

TEMPERATURE
One thumb rule is: For every 10C increase in temperature, halve the resistance;or, for every 10C decrease, double the resistance. Its a good idea to make note at least of whether the surrounding air was dry or humid when the test was made.

PREPARATION
Shut down the apparatus. Open switches. Deenergize. Disconnect from other equipment and circuits, including neutral and protective ground connections. Inspect the installation very carefully to determine just what equipment is connected and will be included in the test, especially if it is difficult or expensive to disconnect associated apparatus and circuits.

Capacitance be discharged, both before and after an insulation resistance test. It should be discharged for a period about four times as long as test voltage was applied in a previous test. Never connect a Megger insulation tester to energized lines or equipment. Use rubber gloves when connecting the test leads to the apparatus and while operating the Megger instrument.

The recommended minimum insulation resistance Rm for AC and DC machine armature windings and for field windings of AC and DC machines can be determined by: Rm = kV + 1 where: Rm = recommended minimum insulation resistance in megohms at 40C of the entire machine winding kV = rated machine terminal to terminal potential, in kilovolts