Precommissioning test of
Transformers
Contents
• Introduction
• Pre‐commissioning Tests
• Different Tests
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INTRODUCTION
Pre - Commissioning test for transformer should to be done to
verify the technical suitability for the application
check the healthiness or condition of transformer
Since the installation of a transformer involve assembly of various
components, this testing of transformers have great importance.
These results should be compared with manufacturer’s claim and
also against National/ International Standards.
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• Before the test Visually Inspect all the parts/
components
• Check/ Inspect the following before the test
• General Arrangement
• Terminations
• Perfection of Connections
• Earthing
• Control Cable Connections
• Radiator
• Cooler units, fans and Pumps
• Main Conservator and OLTC Conservator
• Breather
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POWER TRANSFORMER
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DIFFERENT PARTS
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GENERAL ARRANGEMENT
Check for the general arrangement of transformer
installation and other auxiliary devices against the
designed SLD.
Size of cables
Size of Busbars
Size of Bus trunking
Size of Earthing Conductors
Adequacy of various clearances
Spacing Between supports
Ventilation
Oil drain facilities
Fire Protection walls
Fire Fighting arrangements
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WINDING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
OIL TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
Check whether thermometer
pocket is filled with oil
Check whether the contacts of
WTI and OTI for alarm and trip
are set at required temperature
depending on ambient and
loading conditions
Calibration of WTI/ OTI may be
checked with hot oil
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BUCHHOLZ RELAY
Check the angle of mounting using a spirit level.
Check the floats for free movement
Release the air in the relay
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PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES
Sudden and violent short circuits inside the oil-cooled
transformer’s metal tanks generate an enormous amount of
gas, which causes an increase in internal pressure.
If the pressure cannot be externally discharged, there is a
danger that the transformer could explode.
The pressure relief device allows the insulating fluid to be
discharged.
These have to be tested for their rated operating pressure
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MAGNETIC OIL LEVEL GAUGE
Provided in a Power Transformer to indicate the level of
insulating oil in the Conservator.
A decrease in level of Transformer Oil in Conservator is an
indication of leak and therefore MOG level isan important
parameter to be monitored.
C onsists of a disc indicator behind a dial frame and a float
linked to the indicator by means of a magneti c field of force.
C heck that the float level is not stuck at any point.
The low oil level alarm of MOLG should also be checked.
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ARCING HORN GAPS
Check arcing horn gaps of bushings for conformity
with standards values
PRE-COMMISSIONING TESTS
The various pre-commissioning tests on
transformers are
• Insulation Resistance Test
• Polarisation Index
• Tan Delta Test
• Transformer Ratio Test
• Magnetising Current
• Magnetic Imbalance
• Vector Group Test
• Winding Resistance Test
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INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST
Tested by means of popular Megger test
kits
It consists of a DC Power source, (hand/
electrically driven DC Gen/ Battery) and a
measuring system
The various working voltage of megger are
500 V, 1000 V, 2500 V, 5000 V
The megger voltage for different Insulation
level are as given below.
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INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST
Procedure of the test
Discharge the winding capacitance
Clean all the bushing
Short Circuit the windings
Guard the terminals to eliminate surface leakage
Connect the leads directly without any joints
Apply the voltage and note the reading
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POLARISATION INDEX TESTS
IncuSation recictance at 10 NINUTEC
Polarisation Index = IncuSation recictance at 1 NINUTE
This test gives a good indication of the condition of Insulation
Insulation resistance test kits with stopwatch/ timer can be
used for this test.
The megger readings are taken for every 10 seconds and
thereafter every minute upto 30 minute.
Interpretation of PI values
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DIELECTRIC ABSORPTION TEST
IR vaSue after 60 cecondc
It is equal to
IR vaSue after 15 cecondc
A good insulation shows increase in resistance
If the reading remains the same, the insulation is
contaminated.
A typical curve of a good insulation is as follows
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TAN DELTA TEST
This factor indicate the surface conditions and presence
of moisture in the Insulation
The Dielectric loss in an insulation = V2 .w. C .tan δ
If voids are present in the insulation, there will be
substantial increase in tan δ with the applied voltage.
A stable value of T an Delta indicates insulation stability
and a small increase is indicative of ageing.
With Automated tan delta test kits, direct
reading of the loss can be obtained
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TRANSFORMER RATIO TEST
To ensure that it confirms with name plate
readings and tap changer connections are done
correctly
Measurement of turn ratio is based on, applying a
phase voltage to one of the windings using a
bridge (equipment) and measuring the ratio of the
induced voltage at the bridge.
The measurements are repeated in all phases and
at all tap positions, sequentially
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SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT MEASUREMENT
Used to detect winding movement that usually occurs due to
mechanical damage during transportation or installation since
dispatch from the factory
From a variable 3 phase balanced low voltage AC supplied to HV
winding at rated tap, with L V winding Short Circuited.
The current measured at rated tap should be equal to the
calculated value of HV current at applied voltage.
Wide difference between the measured and calculated values of
HV short circuit current is an indication of loose contact in tap
changer or lead connections.
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MEASUREMENT OF MAGNETIZING CURRENT
Used to detect damages to core and windings.
A balanced 3phasae supply is applied to LV windings and
the simultaneous current readings of the 3 phases are
taken.
For a core type transformer the middle phase
magnetizing current would be approximately half that in
other windings
In Yy0, Dy11 connections the current in R and B
Phase would be nearly double the Y phase current
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TEST FOR MAGNETIC BALANCE
To determine the condition of core laminations, tightness of
core bolts and magnetic circuit.
In this test, no winding terminal should be grounded.
The test is conducted by applying single phase supply to one of
the 3 phases
The sum of the voltages induced in other two windings should
be equal to applied voltage.
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VECTOR GROUP TEST
Procedure of Vector Group Test of Transformer
For a YNd11 transformer.
1. Connect neutral point of star connected winding with earth.
2. Join 1U of HV and 2W of LV together.
3. Apply 415 V, three phase supply to HV terminals.
4. Measure voltages between terminals 2U-1N, 2V-1N, 2W-1N, that
means voltages between each LV terminal and HV neutral.
5. Also measure voltages between terminals 2V-1V, 2W-1W and 2V-
1W.
For YNd11 transformer,
2U-1N > 2V-1N > 2W-1N
2V-1W > 2V-1V or 2W-1W .
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WINDING RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT
To check for any abnormalities due to loose connections,
broken strands and high contact resistance in tap
changers.
Winding resistance serves a number of important
functions like:
Providing a base value to establish load loss.
Providing a basis for an indirect method to establish
winding temperature and temperature rise within a
winding.
Inclusion as part of an in‐house quality assurance
program, like verifying electric continuity within a
winding.
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TRANSFORMER OIL TESTING
The oil may get exposed to air at site, hence it is necessary
to check for the qualities it is designed for.
Proper procedure for sampling as laid out in Indian
Standards have to be followed.
IS 335: 1993 New insulating oils prescribes the qualities of
Transformer Oil
The various testing on Transformer Oil are as below
Characteristic Equipment Voltage Permissible Limit
Electric Strength 145 kV and above 50 kV (min)
(BDV)
72.5 kV and less than 40 kV (min)
145 kV
30 kV (min)
Below 72.5 kV
Tan Delta at 90OC All Voltages 0.005 (max)
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TRANSFORMER OIL TESTING
Characteristic Equipment Voltage Permissible Limit
Specific Resistance All Voltages 0.1x10 12ohm –cm (min)
At 90 OC
Interfacial Tension at All Voltages 0.018 N/m
27 0C
Dissolved Gas 145 kV and above As per IS 10593 – 1983
Analysis
Sledge and Sediment All Voltages No sediment or sludge
Total Acidity All Voltages 0.4 mg KOH/g (max)
Water Content 145 kV and above 25 ppm (max)
Below 145 kV 35 ppm (max)
Flash Point All Voltages 1250C or decrease in the flashpoint 15 OC of
the initial value
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PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS TESTING
By secondary injection – On all transformer
Protection relays
Primary Injection –
Operational stability of EFR on HV side
High speed neutral ammeter
Over current relays on LV side
Operational stability of EFR on LV side
Over current relays on HV side
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STANDARDS/ PRACTISES OF TRANSFORMER
TESTING
STANDARDS TITTLE
IS 10028 : Part 1 1985 Code of Practice for Selection, Installation and
Maintenance of Transformers - Part 1 : Selection
IS 10028 : Part 2 1981 Code of practice for selection, installation and
maintenance of transformers: Part 2 Installation
Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance
IS 10028 : Part 3 1985
of transformers: Part 3 Maintenance
IS 11171 1985 Dry-Type Power Transformers
IS 13956 1994 Testing transformers
IS 2026 : Part 1 2011 Power transformers: Part 1 General
IS 2026 : Part 1 2010 Power transformers Part 2 Temperature-rise
Power Transformers Part - 3 Insulation Levels, Dielectric Tests
IS 2026 : Part 1 2009 and External Clearances in Air 29
TRANSFORMER TESTING
Substation Test System
Primary injection testing capabilities: up to 800 A, Voltage upto 2 kV with
auxiliary equipment up to 12 kV
Ratio per TAP
Vector group
Static and dynamic resistance
of Tap Changer contacts
No-load current
Short-circuit impedance
Tan Delta measurements
5 kV Insulation Tester
Relay Test Set
Breakdown Voltage test kit for Transformer Oil
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PRE-COMMISSIONING TESTS ON
STANDBY GENERATORS
