Distribution transformer

Table of Contents
• Introduction
- Definition and Function
• Categories
- Distribution transformer
- Power transformer
• Types of transformer
- Types of transformer
- Hermetically Sealed.
- Conservator type (Oil Free Breathing).
- Dry type (Epoxy Cast Resin).
• Power Transformer
• Comparison between Hermetically Seal and Conservator type
- Comparison (in terms of physical size and maintenance)
- Comparison (in terms of categories)
• Name Plate
- Name plate
- 3-phase transformer rating (11kV / 433V)
- General information
 - Physical location of sources
- Transformer schematic diagram
- Tap changer diagram
- Vector group reference
- kVA rating
- Frequency
- Voltage rating (No-load)
- Maximum current rating
- Vector group
- Insulation level
- Cooling type
- Cooling system symbol
- Insulating Liquid Oil - Mineral
- Rise of temperature level
- Total Mass (kg)
- Untanking Mass (kg)
- Liquid Volume
- Pressure (Min/Max)
- Impedance (%)
• Components and functions
- Components and Functions
- HV Cable Box
- HV Disconnect Chamber
- Conservator Tank
 - Thermometer Pocket
- Oil level and Temperature Gauge
- Filter Valve
- Dehydrating Breather
- Off Circuit Tap Changer
- Finwalls / Radiator
- Nameplate
- Conservator Drain Valve
- Drain Valve
- LV Bushing
- Lift Hook for Complete Unit
- Jacking Pad
- Roller Hole
- Earthing Terminal
• Maintenance of Transformer
- Maintenance of Transformer
- Safety
- Start-up checklist
- Rules for Maintenance Work of Transformer
• Testing
- Polarization index (PI)
• References
Introduction
Definition

- Static electrical component that steps up/down the AC

voltage.

Function

- Placed at TNB main substation and distribution

substations.

- Most transformers installed are step down transformers.

- To lowered the AC voltage to suitable level before

supplying it to consumers.
Categories
Distribution transformer
• Placed at electrical substation.
• 11kV or 22kV (Perak and Johor).
• Step down to 433 V.
• Size used is in kVA unit.
Power
transformer
• Placed at main substation
and distribution
substation.
• Voltage rating based on
system voltage level.
• Size used is in MVA unit.
Types of transformer
Types of transformer

• Hermetically Sealed.
• Conservator type (Oil Free
Breathing).
• Dry type (Epoxy Cast Resin).
Hermetically Sealed
• No conservator tank.
• Fully sealed.
• Can withstand extreme environmental conditions (air
pollution and etc).
• Low maintenance required.
• Able to prevent deposits and oxidation of electric fluid.
• Nitrogen gas used as blanket as it does not react with
the electric fluid.
Conservator type (Oil Free Breathing)
• Has conservator tank.
• Many types and sizes for the conservator tank.
• Conservator tank exposed to outside environment and
connected directly to the main tank.
• High maintenance required.
Dry type (Epoxy Cast
Resin)
• LV and HV windings coated with epoxy resin.
• Easy to installed.
• Coolant not needed.
• Do not need fire-proofed room for internal
installation.
• Windings protected by epoxy coating from dust
and corrosive atmosphere.
• Tap changing differs from oil-insulated
transformer.
• Used “Off Circuit Tap Changer Bolted Links
Type”.
• Fixed mold sized for the coil casting, less flexible.
Power
Transformer
Comparison
between
Hermetically Seal
and Conservator
type
Comparison (in terms
of physical size and
maintenance)

No. Type Physical size Maintenance

1 Hermetically No conservator Minimum

Sealed tank

2 Conservator Has conservator Needed

tank
Comparison (in terms
of categories)

Component Power transformer Distribution transformer

Size 7.5 MVA, 15 MVA, 100 kVA, 300 kVA, 500 kVA, 750
30 MVA kVA, 1000 kVA
Type Conservator Conservator and Hermetically
Sealed
Coolant system ONAN (oil natural air natural) ONAN (oil natural air natural)
ONAF (oil natural air force)
Tap changer On Circuit Off Circuit
Name Plate
Name plate
3-phase transformer rating (11kV /
433V)

Electrical apparatus Rating displayed on the

designed to operate name plate consists of
under such transformer important information
rating. about the transformer.
General information

Series no. Type. Size (kVA). Voltage rating. Current rating.

Range of tap
Impedance Weight. Oil content. Others.
changer.
Physical • Physical location of high and low voltage
source is drawn in block diagram.
location of • The block diagram give information on the
sources, the connections of cable and also
sources symbols indicating the sources.
Transformer • Configuration of Delta-Star connections.
• Winding diagrams.

schematic • Number of tap and how many of them.

• Internal windings connections.
diagram
Tap changer • Voltage rating on each tap.

diagram • Connection of number of turns on each tap.

 • Provided for all 3-phase transformers.

Vector group
• To verify the 3-phase windings connections
on the primary and secondary windings of
the transformer.
reference • Gives information on the phase angle
between the primary windings and
secondary windings.
 • Based on the apparent power of the
transformer.
• Size displayed on name plate is for 3-phase.
• Maximum output based on the manufacturer.
• Size is based on apparent power (VA) not real
power (kW).

kVA rating • Copper loss is affected by current flow in the

transformer.
• Iron loss is affected by the voltage level.
• Overall loss is affected by current and voltage
and not by phase angle.
• Phase angle here defines as angle between the
voltage and angle (power factor).
 • Frequency rating is the designed rating that
the transformer can handled.
• If system frequency differs from
transformer’s frequency rating, excessive

Frequency heating occurs which will damage the

transformer.
 • The voltage ratings on the primary and
Voltage rating secondary windings are the voltages that can
be handled by those windings.

(No-load)
 • The maximum line current rating on the
Maximum primary and secondary windings depends on
the voltage rating and its size.

current rating
 Symbol Explanation
Vector group D (Capital letter) indicates
Delta/Mesh connection on the
high voltage side of a 3-phase
system, 3-wire.
yn (Small letter) indicates
Star/Wye connection on the
low voltage side and has
neutral for 3-phase system, 4-
wire.
• Configuration on the connection of the primary
and secondary windings. 11 Based on the clock position
• Example : Dyn 11. (11’o clock). Indicates the
phase difference between the
primary and secondary
windings. One of the
conditions for parallelizing a 3-
phase transformer
 • Over-voltage and impulse test are done to test the
insulator of the transformer and whether the
transformer can handle voltage surge due to
lightning strike and high voltage switching.
• Two types of test.

Insulation • Over Voltage Impulse test (done as Type Test by

relevant authority testers such as KEMA, ASTA,
PEHLA, CESI, TCA and VOLTA. For lightning
level and voltage surge test for 11kV transformer is
75kV [LI 75]).
• Induced Over Voltage Test (done as site test
whereby one of the windings is subjected to AC
voltage twice its voltage rating. Voltage test for
11kV transformer is 28kV for one minute [AC
28]).
Cooling type

First Second Third Fourth

Letter “0” Letter “N” Letter “A” Letter “N”
• ONAN, ONAF, OFAF and others.
• These acronyms provide information on Indicates the coolant Indicates the coolant
the type of coolant for the outer and medium that is in contact medium that is in contact
internal structure of the transformer. with the windings (inside with the outer cooling
main tank) system (outside of the
• E.g. ONAN tank)

Type of Cooling Type of Cooling

medium process medium process
 Cooling Medium Symbol
Mineral insulating oil or synthetic insulating fluid O
with fire rating of ≤ 300 °C
Mineral insulating oil or synthetic insulating fluid K
with fire rating of ≥ 300 °C
Askarel L
Gas G

Cooling Water
Air
W
A

system Solid insulant S

symbol
Cooling process
Natural N
Forced F
Directed D
 • Temperature rise of transformer is defined as
the rise of temperature of the transformer’s
components greater than the ambient
temperature.
• The ambient temperature for distribution
Insulating transformer is 30°C.
• For transformer that utilizes the ONAN

Liquid Oil - cooling system, the temperature rise for the

windings is 65°C and oil (loosed) is 60°C.

Mineral • Maximum temperature for windings is 95°C

and oil is 90°C.
• The life cycle of the transformer will be
reduced by half if the above maximum
temperatures exceeded(continuously) by a
minimum of 10°C.
Rise of temperature
level Component
Windings
Temperature rise
65°C for Natural or Forced
type cooling system.
Insulation class (105°C)
Old system, Class A

Materials used such as

cotton, silk and paper that
is soaked with oil, resin
and wood

Top Oil 60°C if transformer is air-

tight or installed with
conservator tank.

65°C if transformer is not

air-tight.
Total Mass • Overall weight of transformer.
(kg)
Untanking • Weight that can be lifted from the

Mass (kg)
transformer.
Liquid • Oil content in the main tank and conservator

Volume
tank (if present).
Pressure • Minimum and maximum pressure in the

(Min/Max)
transformer’s tank.
 • The transformer is designed such that it has an
impedance value ( combination of resistance and
reactance).
• This is needed to reduce the mechanical stress on
the conductor and limit the fault current and voltage
fluctuation.

Impedance • The impedance value is obtained from the number

of windings, diameter of the coil and conductor size.

(%) • One of the conditions to equalize the 3-phase

transformer is to have the same impedance.

• Percentage of impedance for a 11kV transformer is

in ± 5%, 33kV transformer is in ± 10% and
132kV/275kV is in ± 20%.
Components and
Functions
Components and
Functions
• For conservator type distribution
transformer.
HV Cable • A space for high voltage cables to connect

Box
to the 3-phase high voltage bushing/
HV • space for the connection of the windings of the
Disconnect transformer in the main tank with the cable
box.

Chamber
 • Space to stored oil.
• Determine the oil level in the main tank and
Conservator ensures the it is filled.
• Reduce the contact area of the surface of the
Tank oil with the air.
• Provide space for the expansion of the oil
when heated.
Thermometer • In the form of cylindrical screws.
• To monitor the temperature of the oil in the
Pocket tank if needed.
Oil level and • A measuring tool to monitor the oil level of the

Temperature transformer.
• Has a directly proportional relationship with
the rise of the temperature.
Gauge
Filter Valve • Valve that controls the flow of oil from the
conservator tank to the main tank.
Dehydrating • For the transformer to breath.
• Inside the breather is filled with silicone gel.

Breather • The bottom of the breather is filled with oil

from the transformer.
 • Tap changer is used to either raise or lower

Off Circuit
down the primary voltage of the transformer.
• To stabilize the output voltage.

Tap Changer • Only can be operated when the circuit is de-

energize.
Finwalls / • Place to cool the oil of the transformer.
• By providing a large area for the heat to
Radiator dissipate off naturally.
 • Consists of schematic diagrams and other
Nameplate reference information that are important and
related to the transformer.
Conservator • A valve that allows oil to be sampled for

Drain Valve
testing purpose.
Drain Valve • A valve for the purpose of drying and filling of
oil for new transformer.
 • Output of low voltage source that will be
LV Bushing connected to the low voltage distribution
board.
Lift Hook for
Complete • A place to attached the hook to the crane
during installation.

Unit
Jacking Pad • A platform for jacking during the installation
of the transformer.
 • Hole for the installation of wheels for the
Roller Hole purpose of ease of movement of the
transformer’s position.
Earthing • Parts where earthing are needed.

Terminal
Maintenance of
Transformer
Maintenance of Type of Frequency
Transformer No. maintenance (months)
1 INSPECTION 3
• At TNBD, there are four
types of maintenance 2 ROUTINE 6
activity that have to be
done frequently.
3 CONDITION 12
ASSESSMENT

4 PREVENTIVE 18
 Safety procedures have to be
adhered during the conduction of
maintenance activities and
operations.

Safety Ensure that individuals who are

responsible for the maintenance
work that related to distribution
system are certified and competent.
Start-up checklist

1 2 3 4 5 6
Ensure that the Ensure that Off Circuit Ensure that the Ensure the Porcelain Ensure that the Ensure that the Silicone
connections and cable Tap Changer is in the dielectric oil of the Bushing is not cracked transformer is in good Gel is in blue/orange
ends are tightly right position. transformer is at the nor leaked. condition in terms of color (original color).
connected. right level of the overall cleanliness.
reading.
Rules for Maintenance Work of
Transformer

All sources of Isolate all sources

Earthed the
supply must of supply from the
transformer.
switch off. transformer.
Testing
Polarization
Index (PI) Ratio Category
• A method used for insulation testing. <1 .0 Unsatisfactory
• To check the condition of the insulation of transformer which indicates
the ‘cleanliness of the winding’, motor and power.
• Also known as Time Resistance Testing Method. 1.0 – 1.5 Dubious
• This test is not directly affected by the temperature and size of the
equipment to be tested.
• Testing equipment used is called Insulation Resistance Tester (Mega
Ohm Meter) with the appropriate and stable voltage level applied.
> 1.5 Good
• This test aims to obtain the ratio of insulation resistance values ​obtained

•
at 10 minutes and divided by the reading at 1 minute.
Unitless value (ratio).
>4 Very Good
•
• A good insulation resistance shows a continuous increase in the
insulation resistance reading over time.
• Based on IEEE standard (43-2000), the minimum PI for class A is 1.5
and class B & C is 2.
• Generally, the obtained readings can be categorized as follows :
References •

•
PANDUAN KEJUTERAAN BIL A6/2007 PARALLEL OPERATION
OF 33/11 kV TRANSFORMERS OF DIFFERENT MAKE IN PPU.
TNB DISTRIBUTION DIVISION MAINTENANCE MANUAL:
TRANSFORMER 2007
• SUBSTATION DESIGN MANUAL – 2012
• STANDARD PEMBINAAN PENCAWANG PEMBAHAGIAN –
2014
• PS1
• CBM
• NOTA PRINSIP ELETRIK POLITEKNIK SHAH ALAM (EDISI
2007)
• E303-PENGALATAN DAN UKURAN ELEKTRIK (EDISI 2001)
POLITEKNIK KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN
• http://www.todoc.com/Asas-Elektrik-ebook.html
• http://www.geocities.com/afendi63/Chp2 pengubahV2.pdf
• http://intra.ptsb.edu.my/ptsbslp/jkml/
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/6229969/Teknologi-Elektrik-1-E1063-
Unit-5
• http://www.sgb-trafo.de/
• http://www.fujielectric.co.jp/