TRANFORMER TESTING PROCEDURE & PURPOSE OF

TESTING
The following constitutes pre-commissioning tests at site.
(a) Insulation resistance test
(b) Ratio test on all taps..
(c) Open circuit test for measurement of magnetizing current.
(d) Short circuit test.
(e) Operation test on OLTC if provided.
(f) Measurement of winding resistance of all windings, at all taps in winding having taps.
(g) Determination of Vector group and polarity test.
(h) Measurement of capacitance and tan delta of transformer bushings of EHT voltage rating.
(i) Core balance test.
(j) Tests on bushing CTs if provided.

1. INSULATION RESISTANCE:
Purpose

To check any insulation failure in the core of the transformer.

Instrument required
2.5 KV Megger

Procedure:-

First remove the cover of the terminal block. In normal condition the three terminals
CL,CC&G are shorted by using metal plate. For core insulation testing disconnect the
closing link that connects the two terminals CL and G. Connect the +ve terminal of the
megger in CL terminal and -ve terminal to CC+G. Before testing the tank should be
grounded. Apply 2.5 KV D.C supply between CL and CC+G.

The insulation value after 1 minute test should be more than 1000 M ohm for the
newly installed transformer.

1. An INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST OF TRANSFORMER

PURPOSE

The purpose of this testing is to check the soundness of the transformer insulation. This
test reveals the condition of degree of dryness of paper insulation, presents of any
foreign

PROCEDURE

1. Insulation resistance measurement using 5KV Megger

(a) HV/E + LV

Conduct the test by applying 5KV.

Measure the IR value after 10 sec, 60 sec and 10 minute.

Result

The IR value should be minimum 2000Mohm

Using the IR measurement value calculate Dielectric absorption ratio
and Polarization Index.

Dielectric absorption ratio: IR value after 60 sec/ 15 sec

Polarization Index: IR value after 10 minute/ 1 minute

If dielectric absorption is above 1.3 and Polarization Index is more than 1.25 then
insulation quality is assumed to be good.

POLARIZATION INDEX INSULATION CONDITION

Less than 1 Dangerous
1.0-1.1 Poor
1.1-1.25 Questionable
1.25-2.0 Fair
2.0-4.0 Good
Above 4.0 Excellent

2. MEASUREMENT OF WINDING RESISTANCE OF TRANSFORMER

Purpose
Transformer winding resistance is measured to check for any abnormalities due to loose
connections, broken strands and high contact resistance in tap changers.

Instrument required
Transformer winding resistance meter (10 to 25 A will inject)
Procedure

1. High voltage side

a. Connect the instrument between HV terminal(R phase) and IV terminal(R phase).

b. Measure the resistance by putting tap position in 1.

c. Repeat the testing by changing tap position up to 17. (Temperature should also
taken)

d. Conduct the test in Y Phase and B phase with same procedure

2. Intermediate voltage side

a. connect the instrument between IV terminal(R phase) and neutral

b. Repeat the in Y phase and B phase

3. Low voltage side

a. connect the instrument between LV terminal(R phase) and (B phase)

b. Repeat the test between Y-B and R-Y

Normally the resistance will be below 1 ohm. All the winding temperature reading
should be recorded and the resistance at 75c be calculated as follows.

R75=R t(235+75) / (235+t)

Where Rt= Resistance measured

t=Winding temperature

Allowable deviation for this test in the filed is 5%.

3.VECTOR GROUP TEST FOR TRANSFOREMER

1. VECTOR GROUP &POLARITY TEST

Purpose
To determine the phase relationship and polarity of Transformers.
Procedure

1. Join 1R1 of HV and 3R1 of Tertiary

2. Join neutral and LV terminal with earth

3. Apply 415v,3 phase supply to HV terminals.

4. Measure the voltage across the following terminals.

1R1-1Y1,1Y1-1B1,1B1-1R1,3Y1-1B1,3Y1-1Y1,3R1-N,3Y1-N,3B1-N,2R1-N,2Y1-
N,2B1-N

Ensure 2R1-N=2Y1-N=2B1-N

Ensure 3R1-N > 3Y1-N > 3B1-N And 3Y1-1B1 > 3Y1-1Y1

The above confirms vector group Ynaod11 and verifies polarity.

1. Dd0

Measure voltage at the terminal of 1U-1V,1U-2V,2V-1U,1U-1W,1U-2W,2W-1W,1V-

2V,2W1W,1U-2V,2W-1U,1V-1U,1U-1W

CONDITIONSA) 1U-1V=1U-2V+2V-2U

B) 1U-1W=1U-2W+2W-1W

C) 1V-2V=2W-1U

D) 1V-2V=1W-2W

2. YNO0d1

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1V,1V-1W,1W-1U,1U-3U,3V-N,1U-N,1W-

3W, 1W-3W,1W-3U,1U-3W,1V-3V,1U-2U,2U-N,1U-N,1V-2V,2U-N,1V-N,1W-
2W,2W-N,1W-N.

CONDITION ENSURE A) (1U-1N)= (1U-3V+3V-1N)

 B) (1W-3V)=(1W-3W)

C) (1V-3V<1V-3W)

3. YN0OD11

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1V,1V-1W,1W-1U,1U-3U,3V-N,1U-N,1W-

3W, 1W-3W,1W-3U,1U-3W,1V-3V,1U-2U,2U-N,1U-N,1V-2V,2U-N,1V-N,1W-
2W,2W-N,1W-N.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 2U-N=2V-N=2W-N

B) 3U-N>3V-N>3W-N

C) 3V-1W>3V-1V

For example: vector group (YNa0d1)

a) Between HV & IV (Yyo)

1. 1U & 2U shorted.
2. 3 Phase Voltage applied to HV.

Voltage Applied in Volts. Voltage Measured in Volts.

1U--1V = 406.80 2U--2V = 404.70

1V--1W = 410.10 2V--2W = 188.30

1W--1U = 410.10 2W--2U = 183.10

1UN = 234.40 2UN = 233.70

1VN = 244.10 2VN = 108.70

1WN =230.70 2WN = 105.00

1U2U = 0.32

1U2V = 304.00

1U2W = 308.00

1V2U = 405.40

1V2V = 136.50
 1V2W = 305.90

1W2U = 409.60

1W2V = 293.70

1W2W = 125.30

1U,2U

1V 2V = 1W 2W

136.5 = 125.30

IV 2V < 1V 2W> 2W
2V
136.5 <305.90

1W 2W< 1W 2V
1W 1V
125.3 < 293.7

b) Between HV & LV (yd)

1. 1U & 3U shorted
2. 3 Phase Voltage applied to HV
3. Voltage Applied in Volts. Voltage Measured in Volts.

1U1V = 407.50 3U3V = 17.90

1V1W = 407.90 3V3W = 17.90

1W-1U = 409.40 3W3U = 18.10

1UN = 238.30 1U3U = 0.00

1VN = 235.10 1U3V = 17.80

IWN = 235.20 1U-3W = 17.90

 1V-3V = 407.90

1U, 3U 1V-3U = 393.20

1V-3W = 409.00

1W-3U = 410.00
3W 1W-3V = 394.80

1W-3W = 394.00
3V
1V 3W > 1W 3W

409 > 394.6

1V 3W > 1V 3V

409 > 393.2

1V
3W

1U, 2U
4. YNyn0

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1W,1U-1V,1U-1N,1W-1N,1V-1N,2U-2N,2V-

2N, 2W-2N,1W-2W,1W-2V,1V-2W,1V-2V.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 1U-1W>1U-2W

B)1V-2V=1W-2W 2W 2N
2V

1W 1V
 C)1U-1N=1U-1N+1N-1V

1N

5. YNyn6

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1N, 1W-1N, 1V-1N, 1W-2W, 1V-2V, 1V-2W,
and 1W-2V.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 1W-2W=1V-2V

B) 1V-2V>1W-2V

C) 1W-2V=1V-2W

6. Dyn5

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1V, 1U-1W, 1V-1W, 2U-2N, 2V-2N, 2W-2N,
and 1V-2V. 1V-2W, 1U-2N, 1W-2V, 1W-2W.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 1V-2V=1V-2W

B) 1U-1W=1U-1V

C) 1V-2N=1V=2U+2U-2N

D) 1V-2V>2N-1V

7. Dyn1
Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1V, 1U-1W, 1V-1W, 2U-2N, 2V-2N, 2W-2N,
and 1V-2V. 1V-2W, 1U-2N, 1W-2V, 1W-2W.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 1U-2W>1U-2V

B) 1W-2W=1W2V

C) 1U-1W=1U-1N+1N-1W

8. YNd11

Measure the voltage at the terminals of 1U-1V,1U-1W,1V-1W,2U-2N,2V-2N,2W-2N,1V-

2V. 1V-2W,1U-2N,1W-2V,1W-2W.

CONDITION ENSURE A) 1V-2V=1V-2W

B) 1U-1V=1U-1N+1N-1V

C) 1U-1N=2U-2W+2W-1N

4.VOLTAGE RATIO TEST

Purpose

To determine the turns ratio of transformer(VP/VS)

Instrument required

Turns ratio meter

Procedure

Ratio: HV/IV

Keep the tap position of the transformer in lowest position and IV and LV terminals
open.The voltage should be applied only in the high voltage winding in order to avoid
unsafe voltage.

Apply 3 phase 415V supply on HV terminals.

Measure the voltage applied on each phase (ph-ph) on HV and LV terminals
simultaneously.

Ratio measurement must be made on all the taps to confirm the proper alignment and
operation of the tap changer.

Calculate the turns ratio in each position of the tap.-VP/VS

The ratio tolerance should be within 0.5%.

Ratio: HV/LV

Apply 230V between HV and Neutral.

Measure the voltage applied on HV (Ph-N) and LV (Ph-Ph) simultaneously.

Calculate the turns ratio Vhv / Vlv

Ratio :IV/LV

Apply 230V between IV and Neutral.

Measure the voltage applied on IV (Ph-N) and LV (Ph-Ph) simulteously

Calculate the turns ratio Viv / Vlv

. 5.MAGNETISATION CURRENT TEST

Definition

Excitation/ Magnetizing current is the current required to force a given flux through the
core

Purpose

Excitation/ Magnetizing current test is performed to locate defect in magnetic core

structure, shifting of windings, failures in turn to turn insulation or problems in tap
changer.
Procedure

1. Apply 3 phase 415V supply on HV terminal and keep IV and LV open

A. Apply 3 Ph 415V supply on HV terminals.

c. Measure the voltages applied on each phase (Ph-Ph) and phase current in each
HV winding

2. Apply 3 phase 415V ac supply on IV terminals and keep HV & LV open

a. Keep the tap position of transformer in the Normal (9b) position and put HV
and LV terminals in open.

b. Apply 3 Ph 415V supplies on IV terminals

h. Measure the voltages applied on each phase (Ph-Ph) and phase current in each
IV winding.

Evaluation

Unequal currents shall indicate possible short circuits in winding.

6. FLOATING NUETRAL VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

Purpose

This test is conducted to ascertain the possibility of short circuit in a winding.

Procedure

Keep the tap in normal position.

Disconnect the transformer neutral from ground.

Apply 3 Ph 415V to the high voltage winding and make the measurement in the
IV winding with respect to neutral and neutral point to ground.
 Then apply 3 Ph 415V to the intermediate voltage winding and make the
measurement in the tertiary winding with respect to neutral and neutral point to
ground.

Result:-

For a healthy transformer when 3 ph balance voltage is applied, the voltage

between neutral and ground is zero or otherwise a negligible voltage will appear.
If there is a voltage between the neutral and ground then there is a short circuit
fault in the winding.

7.MAGNETIC BALANCE TEST

Purpose

The test is conduct to check the balance in the magnetic circuit in three phase
transformers

Procedure

Keep the tap position of the transformer in normal (9b)

Disconnect the transformer neural ground

Apply single phase voltage (230V) between phase and neutral of a winding
(R- Ph to N in HV) and measure the voltage induced in other two phases of the
same winding(Y ph to N & B ph to N in HV)

Result

The identical result confirms no damage due to transportation.

Zero voltage or very negligible voltage induced in any of the other two phases
shall be investigated.

8.SHORT CIRCUIT TEST

Purpose
To measure the short circuit current of the winding.
Instrument required
Voltmeter-(0-400V) , Ammeter-(0-1A)
Procedure
Connect 3 phase 415V supply to the HV winding with voltmeter and ammeter.
Short the 3 phase of LV winding and keep the tap in lowest position(1)
Apply 3 phase 415V to primary and measure the primary voltage and current

All the time take the primary voltage and short circuit current

IEE STD- 62, 1995

%ofimpedence
IMPEDENCE VOLTAGE:
100
HV SIDE VOLTAGE

appliedvoltage
PRIMARY SHORT CURRENT: Hvcurrent
impedencevoltage

appliedvoltage
SECONDARY SHORT CURRENT: Lvcurrent
impedencevolts

(OR)

SECONDARY SHORT CURRENT: RATIO PRIMARY CURRENT

9.TAN DELTA AND CAPACITANCE OF BUSHING OF TRANSFORMER

Purpose

Dissipation factor(Tan delta) and capacitance measurement of bushing provides an

indication of the quality and soundness of the insulation in the bushing.

Definition

Dissipation factor / loss factor (Tan delta) is defined as the ratio of resistive component
of current to that of capacitive current flowing in an insulating material.

Instruments required

Measurements of capacitance and dissipation factor under high voltage condition are
commonly made using a Schering Bridge.

Testing modes

UST mode :( ungrounded specimen test)

This is used when specimen is isolated from the earth.

GST mode (ground specimen test mode)

This is used when specimen do not have two specific points (isolated from ground)

Tan delta measurement of bushing of transformer is doing in UST mode.

This test is conducted by applying a test voltage up to 10KV by using Tan delta
kit.

Result

Tan delta measurement of all bushing should be less than 0.007.

TAN DELTA & CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT OF WINDINGS

Purpose

Capacitance and Tan delta measurement of winding is carried out to ascertain the
general condition of the ground and inter winding insulation of transformer.

Testing modes

Tan delta measurement of bushing of transformer is doing in GST mode.

This test is conducted by applying a test voltage up to 10KV by using Tan

delta kit

Procedure

For ICT, Tan delta measurement of winding is to be done in GST MODE in Three
combinations

1. HV+IV/LV+TANK+G

2. Procedure

1. Remove the grounding strap from the neutral bushing of the HV winding.

2. Short the HV winding

3. Short the LV winding

4. Short the IV winding

5. Interconnect the HV &LV winding

6. Interconnect the LV winding with tank and ground

7. Connect the High voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to HV Bushing

8. Connect the Low voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to Tank

9. Conduct the test by applying 2KV &10KV

10. Measure the Tan delta &Capacitance

2. HV+IV+LV/ TANK+G

Procedure
1. Remove the grounding strap from the neutral bushing of the HV winding.

2. Short the HV winding

3. Short the LV winding

4. Short the IV winding

5. Interconnect the HV,IV &LV winding

6. Interconnect the tank and ground

7. Connect the High voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to HV Bushing

8. Connect the Low voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to Tank

9. Conduct the test by applying 2KV &10KV

10. Measure the Tan delta &Capacitance

2. LV/HV+IV+TANK+G

Procedure

1. Remove the grounding strap from the neutral bushing of the HV winding.

2. Short the HV winding

3. Short the LV winding

4. Short the IV winding

5. Interconnect the HV,IV winding with Tank and ground.

7. Connect the High voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to HV Bushing

8. Connect the Low voltage terminal of Tan delta kit in to LV bushing.

9. Conduct the test by applying 2KV &10KV

10. Measure the Tan delta &Capacitance

Note: The Tan delta value of winding should be less than 0.007.
TRANSFORMER TESTING PROCEDURE AND
LIMITS