Document reference NSP / 007/ 006 Document Type Code of Practice

Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 1 of 7

NSP/ 007 / 006 – Guidance on Substation Design:

Transformer Transport, Delivery and Installation
1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the installation of CER (Continuous Emergency Rated)
and CMR (Continuous Maximum Rated) Transformers.

This document supersedes the following documents, all copies of which should be destroyed.

Ref Version Title

DSS/002/107 1.0 Code of Practice: Guidance on Primary Substation Construction: Transformers

2. Scope

2.1. General

This guidance document shall be applied to all CER and CMR transformer installations on the Northern
Powergrid network

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 2 of 7

2.2. Table of Contents

1. Purpose.................................................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.1. General .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.2. Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 2

3. Installation Requirements ........................................................................................................................................ 3

3.1. Preliminary Works ................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2. Transport ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.3. Cooler Bank Installation ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3.4. Top–Up Oil ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.5. Site Testing ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.6. Health and Safety ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.7. Tools and Equipment ............................................................................................................................................... 5
3.8. Paintwork ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.9. Working at Height Regulations ................................................................................................................................ 5

4. References ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. External Documentation .......................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2. Internal documentation ........................................................................................................................................... 6

5. Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

6. Authority for issue ................................................................................................................................................... 7

6.1. CDS Assurance ......................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.2. Author ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.3. Technical Assurance ................................................................................................................................................. 7
6.4. Approval ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.5. Authorisation ........................................................................................................................................................... 7

CAUTION! - This document may be out of date if printed

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 3 of 7

3. Installation Requirements
3.1. Preliminary Works

Prior to delivery of the transformer, the transformer manufacturer and their installation contractor(s) shall visit
site to assess access, off-loading, skidding and installation arrangements.

Prior to delivery of the transformer, Northern Powergrid will mark the centre lines on the transformer and
cooler plinths.

3.2. Transport

An impact recorder in a tamperproof box (recording impact magnitude against time) shall be fitted to the main
tank during transport.

Radiators and pipework shall be filled with dry air and sealed against moisture ingress

3.3. Cooler Bank Installation

The transformer installer shall drill the concrete plinth and bolt down the cooler bank. Anti-vibration pads are
not required on the cooler bank.

3.4. Top–Up Oil

Top-up oil shall comply with NPS/003/019.

New transformers shall be topped-up with unused mineral insulating oil complying with BS EN 60296.
Existing transformers may be topped-up with reclaimed mineral insulating oil complying with BS148.

Top up oil shall preferably be delivered by oil tanker. If oil is to be delivered to site in oil drums then they shall
be stored in a temporary bund to be provided by the oil supplier. The oil supplier shall also provide a spill-kit
and produce a spillage risk assessment and method statement.

Oil tests shall be undertaken on every oil container to be used for topping-up the transformer.

Top-up oil complying with the required moisture content and breakdown strength shall be pumped via a filter
unit into the completed transformer installation, usually via the conservator. There must be no risk of pushing
air into the transformer.

On completion of the transformer installation, the oil shall be tested as required in Section 3.4 (vi) below, to
ensure compliance with NPS/003/019. If the oil does not meet the moisture content or breakdown strength
requirements then it shall be processed using a processing/filtration unit.

3.5. Site Testing

After installation, the following tests shall be carried out on the assembled transformer. The tests shall be
witnessed by Northern Powergrid and the results recorded:

(1) The insulation resistance of each winding in turn to all other windings, core and frame or tank
connected together and to earth.

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 4 of 7

(2) The insulation resistance of all secondary circuits.

(3) Check on calibration of winding temperature indicator(s) including heater current injection
(4) Operation of gas-and-oil actuated relays (alarm and trip floats and flow vane trip) from ground level by
injection of air. Release air on completion of test.
(5) Operation of forced cooling equipment from marshaling kiosk. Check fans blowing air into radiator
bank. Carry out single phase starting test with one phase link removed motor protection shall operate. Single
phase running test, prove that removal of one phase fuse during running causes motor protection to operate
Check pump pumping oil into the transformer. Check valve handles are in the correct direction for open/closed.
Check for mal-operation of gas-and-oil actuated relay.
(6) Operation of tap-changer through the range and functioning of limit switches.
(7) Dielectric breakdown strength, moisture content and dissolved gas analysis on oil samples from main
tank (top and bottom), tap-changer, cooler bank and auxiliary transformer.
(8) FRA tests on 66kV and 132kV transformers
(9) Prove Polarity, Ratio and Mag curve all CTs provided by the transformer manufacturer.
(10) Prove vector group connection of windings.
(11) Voltage ratio and magnetising current check at all tap positions.
(12) Voltage ratio and polarity test of any in tank voltage transformers (in tank NVD?)
(13) Check arcing horn gaps
132kV 970mm (ENATS 35-3)
66kV 540mm (ENATS 35-3)
33kV 315mm (ENATS 35-3)
20kV 38mm with duplex gap (ENATS 35-1)
11kV 25mm with duplex gap (ENATS 35-1)
6.6kV 25mm with duplex gap (ENATS 35-1)

(14) Check bushings are not damaged.

(15) Check operation of the pressure relief alarms

3.6. Health and Safety

The transformer installer shall submit Risk Assessments and Method Statements in accordance with Northern
Powergrid Contract Management Procedure CMP(PL)PT Schedule 7.

If a crane is to be used then a lifting plan shall be provided.

Plant operatives shall be in possession of a current competency certificate. These shall be in English. At least
one person in the working party shall be able to understand and speak English.

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 5 of 7

3.7. Tools and Equipment

Current test certificates shall be provided for all plant and equipment. Steel tape measures and aluminium
ladders are prohibited on site.

Power tools shall not operate at a voltage above 110V.

Torque wrenches shall be used on bolted connections on all oil tight gaskets. Tightening of these bolts shall be
witnessed by Northern Powergrid.

3.8. Paintwork

On completion of the installation, all chipped paintwork shall be repaired. The transformer installer shall supply
a pot of touch-up paint for future paintwork repairs

3.9. Working at Height Regulations

The transformer installer shall comply with The Work at Height Regulations. Working methods complying with
NPS/003/012 Section 13.1 or NPS/003/021 Section 13.1 or alternative methods shall be submitted with the Risk
and Method Statements

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 6 of 7

4. References
4.1. External Documentation

Reference Title
ENATS 35-2 Technical Specification: Emergency Rated System transformers 33/11.5kV
Delta/Star and Star/Star Connected

ENATS 35-3 Technical Specification: Continuous Maximum Rated (CMR) System

Transformers (for use on systems up to 132kV)

HSE INDG401 The Work at Height Regulations

BS EN 60296 Fluids for electrotechnical applications. Unused mineral insulating oils for
transformers and switchgear

BS148 Reclaimed mineral insulating oil for transformers and switchgear. Specification

ENATS 35-1

4.2. Internal documentation

Reference Title
NPS/003/012 Technical Specification for Continuous Emergency Rated (CER) Transformers
Technical Specification for CMR Transformers
NPS/003/021 Specification for electrical insulating fluids for use in Northern Powergrid plant
and switchgear
NPS/003/019 Power Transformer Contract Management Procedure – Enquiry to Handover

CMP(PL)PT

5. Definitions
Reference Title
None

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Version:- 1.0 Date of Issue:- March 2016 Page 7 of 7

6. Authority for issue

6.1. CDS Assurance

I sign to confirm that I have completed and checked this document and I am satisfied with its content and
submit it for approval and authorisation.
Sign Date
Sarah Phillips CDS Administrator Sarah Phillips 01/03/16

6.2. Author

I sign to confirm that I have completed and checked this document and I am satisfied with its content and
submit it for approval and authorisation.

Review Period - This document should be reviewed within the following time period.

Standard CDS review of 3 years Non Standard Review Period & Reason
Yes Period: Reason:

Sign Date
Kevin Cook PEP Engineering & Design Kevin Cook 04/03/16

6.3. Technical Assurance

I sign to confirm that I am satisfied with all aspects of the content and preparation of this document and submit
it for approval and authorisation.
Sign Date
PEP Engineering & Design
Steve Wilkinson Steve Wilkinson 02/03/16
Manager

6.4. Approval

Approval is granted for publication of this document.

Sign Date
Dave Sillito PEP Manager Dave Sillito 02/03/16

6.5. Authorisation

Authorisation is granted for publication of this document.

Sign Date
Steve McDonald Head of Programme Delivery Steve McDonald 08/03/16

CAUTION! - This document may be out of date if printed