TESTING OF SUBSTATION EQUIPMENTS

TESTING OF SUBSTATION EQUIPMENTS

1. Transformer Testing
2. Current Transformer Testing
3. Voltage Transformer Testing
4. Under Ground Cable Testing
5. Protective Relay Testing
1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

KINDS OF TESTS

 ROUTINE TEST
 TYPE TEST
 SPECIAL TEST
1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

ROUTINE TEST

a test to which each individual transformer is subjected.

1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

ROUTINE TEST

Measurement of winding resistance

Measurement of voltage ratio and check of phase displacement
Measurement of short circuit impedance and load loss
Measurement of no load loss and current
Dielectric routine tests
Test on on-load tap-changer, where appropriate
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

TYPE TEST

A test made on a transformer which is representative of other transformers to

demonstrate that these transformer comply with specified requirements not covered by
routine testing.
1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

TYPE TEST

Temperature rise test

Dielectric type tests
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

SPECIAL TEST

A test other then a type test or a routine test, agreed by the manufacturer and the purchaser.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

SPECIAL TEST

Dielectric special tests.

Determination of capacitances winding-to-earth, and between windings.
Determination to transient voltage transfer characteristics.
Measurement of zero-sequence impedance(s) on three-phase transformers.
Short-circuit withstand test.
Determination of sound levels.
Measurement of the harmonics of the no-load current.
Measurement of the power taken by the fan and oil pump motors.
Measurement of insulation resistance to earth of the windings, and or
Measurement of dissipation factor (tan δ) of the insulation system capacitances.
1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

Dielectric Absorption Test
High-Potential Test
Ratio Test
Phase displacement Test( Vector group Test)
Polarity Test
Short circuit Test
Winding Resistance Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Testing ( Megger Test)

To determine if there are low resistance paths to ground or between winding to winding
as a result of winding insulation deterioration.

Short duration 30, 60 s.

The general rule of thumb that is used for acceptable values for safe energization is
1MΩ per 1000 V of applied test voltage plus 1MΩ.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Testing ( Megger Test)

The test measurement values are affected by variables such as temperature, humidity,
test voltage and size of transformer.

The test value should be corrected to 20 C.

.
If the corrected field test values are one-half or more of the factory insulation reading or
1000MΩ, whichever is less, the transformer insulation system can do a hi-pot test.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Testing ( Megger Test)
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Testing ( Megger Test)
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Testing

MORE PRECISE

Guard- to eliminate leakage

 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING

MEPE SITE TEST

Dielectric Absorption Test

•An extension of insulation resistance test

•Good insulation ,measured resistance values is a straight line increasing with respect to time

PI test (Polarization Index)

DAR test (Dielectric Absorption Ratio)
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Dielectric Absorption Test

PI test (Polarization Index)

 PI of less than 1 need for immediate maintenance

 Independent from temperature effect
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Dielectric Absorption Test

DAR TEST (Dielectric Absorption Ratio)

 DAR ratio below 1.25 is cause for investigation and possible repair of the
electrical apparatus.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test

DC hi-pot test

AC hi-pot test

 DC hi-pot test is not recommended on power transformer above 34.5 kV; instead
the AC hi-pot test should be used.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test

Transformer must have passed the insulation resistance test to start this test.
Nondestructive test
The voltage is raised step by step to a specified level
If the equipment fails or shows excessive leakage current, the equipment under test is
Unusable.
If the equipment does not fail, it has passed the test.

This test can only indicate whether the equipment is good or bad. It can not indicate
with what safety margin the test was passed.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test

AC test value should not exceed 65% of factory test value.

DC voltage value, 1.6 times AC voltage value(i.e., 1.6 x 65 = 104% of AC factory test value)

Some testing companies conduct the AC hi-pot test at rated voltage for 3 min for periodic
Testing instead of the 65% of factory
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
High-Potential Test

 If excessive leakage current is noticed under test,

Voltage can be backed off before further Damage
takes place.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Ratio Test

DEVIATION: within +/- 0.5% of standard value

EXCITATION CURRENT (mA)

Depend on X’mer vector group type
For Delta, Y and B phases are same and R phase is more than Y and B.
For Wye, R and B phases are same and Y phase is more than R and B.
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Ratio Test

Why do we ratio test transformers?

• To validate design specifications
– Windings
– Core
• To verify quality of manufacturing process
– Proper displacement, turn ratio, polarity
– Connections
– Tap-changers
• To establish present condition and condition trend
– Shorted turns
– Deterioration of core or tap-changer
• To determine if damage has occurred
– Shorted turns or open winding
– Movement of core/coils due to through faults, transport
– Tap-changer malfunction
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Ratio Test

Key Fault Detection

• Deviation of ratio from nameplate calculated values may indicate the following:
– Manufacturing defect in winding
• Improper turns
• Incorrect polarity
• Incorrect winding configuration
– Insulation failure
• Damaged turn-to-turn insulation resulting in shorted windings
• Major insulation failure: inter-winding or winding-to-ground
– Defective tap-changer
• Incorrect assembly of winding connections
• High resistance connections
• Incorrect tap-changer setting
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Ratio Test

Key Fault Detection

• Excitation current variations over time may indicate:

– Core defects
• Shorted laminations
• Unintentional grounds / circulating currents
• Mechanical deformation / structural damage
• Magnetic remanance
– Winding defects
• Shorted turns
• High resistance connections
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Phase Displacement Test ( Vector group test)

Dy11

 Important for transformer parallel operation

 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Phase Displacement Test ( Vector group test)

Dy11 Yy0
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST

Phase Displacement Test ( Vector group test)

Key Fault Detection

• Phase deviation variations over time may indicate:

– Core defects
• Shorted laminations
• Unintentional grounds / circulating currents
• Mechanical deformation / structural damage
• Magnetic remanance
– Winding defects
• Shorted turns
• High resistance connections
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Polarity Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Polarity Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Short Circuit Test (impedance check)

Notice: to state %Z deviation percent

 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Short Circuit Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Short Circuit Test
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Winding Resistance Test

The resistance measurement of the windings by applying a small d.c voltage to the
winding and measuring the current through the same.

From the d.c resistance one can get the a.c resistance by applying skin effect corrections.

Based on Ohm’s Law.

I2 R(copper) losses(no load losses) –due to winding resistance

 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Winding Resistance Test

Key Fault Detection

• Poor connections
• Shorted turns
• Open turns
• Defective tap changers
• And more…
 1. TRANSFORMER TESTING
MEPE SITE TEST
Winding Resistance Test

How to measure

Based on Ohm’s law

 2. Current Transformer Testing

TYPICAL RATING PLATE

2. Current Transformer Testing

Current transformers used in conjunction with ammeters, over current relays, etc.

Current transformers step down current from high value to a low value 1A or 5A
2. Current Transformer Testing
2. Current Transformer Testing

STANDARD ACCURACY CLASS FOR MEASURING CT

Phase displacement at
Class ± Percentage current ratio error at rated current
rated current in minutes
0.1 0.1 5
0.2 0.2 10
0.5 0.5 30
1.0 1.0 60

STANDARD ACCURACY CLASS FOR PROTECTIVE CT

composite error at rated

Current error at rated Phase displacement
Accuracy accuracy limit primary
primary current at rated current
Class current
(percent) (minutes)
(percent)
5P ±1 ± 60 5
10P ±3 - 10
 2. Current Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

•Insulation Resistance Test

•AC or DC High Voltage Test (hi-pot test)
•Ratio Test
•Polarities Test
 2. Current Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Ratio Test
A
~

P1 P2

s1 s2

A
Injected current Measured current
Sr Measured Error
C.T Ratio Phase to primary side at secondary side
No Ratio (%)
(A) (A)
1 R
2 Y
3 B
 2. Current Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Polarity Test
+ -

P1 P2 2.2.3

Load flow
s1 s2

+ DC -
A

polarity Multimeter polarity

Sr No Phase deflation
+ - + -
1 R P1 P2 s1 s2 forward
2 Y P1 P2 s1 s2 forward
3 B P1 P2 s1 s2 forward
 3. Voltage Transformer Testing

TYPICAL RATING PLATE

 3. Voltage Transformer Testing

Voltage Transformer Secondary Circuit

3. Voltage Transformer Testing

METER / RELAY
3. Voltage Transformer Testing

STANDARD ACCURACY CLASS FOR MEASURING VT

0.1
0.2
0.5
1.0
3.0

STANDARD ACCURACY CLASS FOR PROTECTIVE VT

3P
6P
 3. Voltage Transformer Testing

VOLTAGE ERROR ( RATIO ERROR )

Where
Kn = rated transformation ratio ( e.g 33000 / 110 = 300 )
Up = injected primary voltage
Us = measured secondary voltage
 3. Voltage Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test ( Megger )

Ratio Test( 400 Vac supply)
Phase Sequence Test
 3. Voltage Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

if V.T primary is not connected to tank

 3. Voltage Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Ratio Test( 400 Vac supply)

A V N
~

a n
V
 3. Voltage Transformer Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Ratio Test( 400 Vac supply)

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

DC High voltage Test
 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

 Short time (1 min duration)

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

Insulation Resistance Test

Field acceptance limit

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

DC High voltage Test

The test voltage values for DC hi-pot tests are based upon final factory test voltage.
As a general rule, for maintenance should not exceed 60% of final factory test voltage
 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

DC High voltage Test

 4. Under Ground Cable Testing
MEPE SITE TEST

DC High voltage Test