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Unit v Testing of Transformer

The document discusses the importance of testing transformers to prevent damage from overvoltages, including induced overvoltage tests and partial discharge tests. It outlines various methods for measuring partial discharges and details the impulse testing procedure to assess insulation strength against transient voltages. Additionally, it describes techniques for detecting and locating faults during impulse testing, emphasizing the use of advanced methods like digital waveform analysis.

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3 views

Unit v Testing of Transformer

The document discusses the importance of testing transformers to prevent damage from overvoltages, including induced overvoltage tests and partial discharge tests. It outlines various methods for measuring partial discharges and details the impulse testing procedure to assess insulation strength against transient voltages. Additionally, it describes techniques for detecting and locating faults during impulse testing, emphasizing the use of advanced methods like digital waveform analysis.

Uploaded by

aabiya856
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Testing of transformer

Testing of Transformers

 Transformers are very important and costly apparatus in


power systems. Great care has to be exercised to see that
the transformers are not damaged due to transient over
voltages of either lightning or power frequency. Hence,
overvoltage tests become very important in the testing of
transformers.

 other routine tests like the temperature rise tests, short


circuit tests, etc., are not included and can be found in the
relevant specifications.
(a) Induced Overvoltage Test

 Transformers are tested for over voltages by exciting the secondary of


the transformer from a high frequency ac source (100 to 400 Hz) to
about twice the rated voltage. This reduces the core saturation and
also limits the charging current necessary in large power transformers.
The insulation withstand strength can also be checked.
(b) Partial Discharge Tests
Partial discharge tests on the windings are done to assess the
discharge magnitudes and the radio interference levels. The transformer
is connected in a manner similar to any other equipment and the
discharge measurements are made.
The location of the fault or void is sometimes done by using the
travelling wave technique similar to that for cables. So far, no method
has been standardized as to where the discharge is to be measured.
Under the application of power frequency voltage, the discharge
magnitudes greater than 104 pico coulomb are considered to be severe,
and the transformer insulation should be such that the discharge
magnitude will be far below this value.
There are multiple ways to measure discharge in
a transformer, including:
•Ultrasonic
•The discharge process produces ultrasonic waves
that travel through the transformer's oil, paper,
separator, and winding. The waves are converted
into an electrical signal that measures the partial
discharge level.
•Electrical
•This method uses the apparent charge in pC to
measure the integrated current pulse caused by a
partial discharge. It requires a high signal-to-
noise ratio (SNR) in the measurement circuit.
•UHF (Ultra High Frequency)
•A UHF antenna is inserted into the transformer
tank to measure the electromagnetic emission
from a partial discharge source. The tank's metal
Impulse Testing of Transformers
• The purpose of the impulse test is to determine the ability of the
insulation of the transformers to withstand the transient voltages due
to lightning etc. Since the transients are impulses of short rise time,
the voltage distribution along the transformer winding will not be
uniform.

• Impulse testing of transformers is done using both the full wave and
the chopped wave of the standard impulse, produced by a rod gap with
a chopping time of 3 to 6 μs.
(a) Procedure for Impulse Testing
• In transformer testing it is essential to record the waveforms of the
applied voltage and current through the windings under test.
Sometimes, the transferred voltage in the secondary and the neutral
current are also recorded. Impulse testing is done in the following
sequence:

(i) applying impulse voltage of magnitude 75% of the Basic Impulse


Level (BIL) of the transformer under test, to establish pattern of
reference waveforms,
(ii) one full wave voltage of 100% BIL,
(iii) two chopped waves of 100% BIL,
(iv) one full wave of 100% BIL, and
(v) one full wave of 75% BIL.
Measurement locations for impulse testing of transformers
(b) Detection and Location of Fault during Impulse Testing

(i)General Observations : The fault can be located by general


observations like noise in the tank or smoke or bubbles in breather.

(ii) Voltage Oscillogram Method : Fault or failure appears as a


partial or complete collapse of the applied voltage wave. The
sensitivity of this method is low and does not detect faults which occur
on less than 5% of the winding.
(iii) Neutral Current Method : In the neutral current method, a record
of the impulse current flowing through a resistive shunt between the
neutral and ground point is used for detecting the fault.
The neutral current oscillogram consists of a high-frequency oscillation,
a low-frequency disturbance, and a current rise due to reflections from
the ground end of the windings.
When a fault occurs such as arcing between the turns or from turn to
the ground, a train of high frequency pulses similar to that in the front of
the impulse current wave are observed in the oscillogram and the
waveshape changes.
If the fault is local, like a partial discharge, only high-frequency
oscillations are observed without a change of waveshape. The sensitivity
of the method decreases, if other windings not under test are grounded.
(iv) Transferred Surge Current Method
In this method, the voltage across a resistive shunt connected
between the low-voltage winding and the ground is used for fault location.
A short high frequency discharge oscillation is capacitively transferred at
the event of failure and is recorded.
Hence, faults at a further distance from the neutral are also clearly located.
The waveshape is distorted depending on the location and type of fault,
and hence can be more clearly detected.
After the location of the fault, the type of fault can be observed by
dismantling the winding and looking for charred insulation or melted parts
on the copper winding.
This is successful in the case of major faults.
Local faults or partial discharges are self healing and escape observation.
Nowadays digital recorders are used to record the waveforms and analysis is made through digital
computers waveform analysis using the frequency dependence of transformer impedance known as
‘Transfer function’ method.

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