TRANSFORMER Testing Manual Final 32 38 Pgs

Power Transformer Testing
32
PRE COMMISSIONING CHECKS /TESTS FOR TRANSFORMERS & REACTORS
Once oil filling is completed, various pre commissioning checks/ tests are performed to ensure the healthiness
of the Transformer/ Reactor prior to its energisation. Various electrical tests to be performed and their
significance are given below.
Sr.
Name of Test /
Purpose of test/ check
No. Check point

3.1
Core insulation tests To check the insulation between Core (CC&CL) and Ground
3.2
Operational Checks Operational Checks on cooler bank (pumps & Fans), Breathers
on protection System (silica gel or drycol), MOG, temperature gauges (WTI/OTI), gas
actuated relays (Buchholz, PRD, SPR etc.) and simulation test of
protection system
Test reveals the condition of insulation (i.e. degree of dryness of
paper insulation), presence of any foreign contaminants in oil and
also any gross defect inside the transformer (e.g. Failure to remove
the temporary transportation bracket on the live portion of tap
changer part)
3.3
Insulation
Resistance(IR)
measurement
3.4
Measurement of C1 & C2 Capacitance and Tan in UST mode.

Capacitance and
Tan measurement Changes in the normal capacitance of an insulator indicate
abnormal conditions such as the presence of moisture layer,short
of bushings
circuits or open circuits in the capacitance network.
3.5
Capacitance and Tan Dissipation factor/Loss factor and capacitance measurement of

measurement of winding is carried out to ascertain the general condition of the
windings
ground and inter winding insulation
3.6
Turns ratio (Voltage To determine the turns ratio of transformers to identify any
ratio) measurement abnormality in tap changers/ shorted or open turns etc
3.7
Vector Group
Polarity
3.8
Winding resistance
measurement
To check for any abnormalities due to loose connections, broken

strands and high contact resistance in tap changers
3.9
Magnetic Balance
test
This test is conducted only in three phase transformers to check the

imbalance in the magnetic circuit
& To determine the phase relationship and polarity of transformers
MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

This test is conducted to ascertain possibility of short circuit in a
3.10 Floating Neutral
point measurement winding.
3.11 Measurement of
Short Circuit
Impedance
This test is used to detect winding movement that usually occurs

due to heavy fault current or mechanical damage during
transportation or installation since dispatch from the factory.
3.12 Exciting/Magnetising To locate defect in magnetic core structure, shifting of windings,

failures in turn to turn insulation or problems in tap changers.
current
These conditions change the effective reluctance of the magnetic
measurement
circuit thus affecting the current required to establish flux in the
core.
To measure the vibrations of core /coil assembly in the tank of the
3.13 Vibration
measurement of Oil reactor. Movement of the core coil assembly and shielding
immersed Reactor structure caused by the timevarying magnetic forces results in
vibration of the tank and ancilliary quipment. These vibrations
have detrimental effects such as excessive stress on the core coil
assembly
3.14 Operational check
on OLTCs
To ensure smooth & trouble free operation of OLTC during

operation.
3.15 Stability of
Differential, REF of
Transformer/
Reactor
This test is performed to check the proper operation of

Differential & REF protection of Transformer & Reactor by
simulating actual conditions. Any problem in CT connection, wrong
cabling, relay setting can be detected by this test.
3.16 Tests/ Checks on

To ascertain the healthiness of bushing current transformer at the
Bushing Current
Transformers (BCTs) time of erection
3.17 Frequency Response To assess
the
mechanical integrity of the transformer.
Analysis (FRA)
Transformers while experiencing severity of short circuit current
measurement
looses its mechanical property by way of deformation of the
winding or core. During pre commissioning this test is required to
ascertain that Transformer active part has not suffered any severe
impact/ jerk during transportation.
33

Oil sample for DGA to be drawn from transformer main tank before
3.18 Dissolved
Gas
Analysis (DGA) of oil commissioning for having a base data and after 24 hrs. of charging
subsequently to ensure no fault gas developed after first charging.
sample
DGA analysis helps the user to identify the reason for gas formation
& materials involved and indicate urgency of corrective action to be
taken
3.19 Thermovision Infra
red scanning (IR
thermography)
A thermo vision Camera determines the temperature distribution

on the surface of the tank as well as in the vicinity of the Jumper
connection to the bushing. The information obtained is useful in
predicting the temperature profile within the inner surface of tank
and is likely to provide approximate details of heating mechanism.
Thermovision scanning of transformer to be done at least after 24
hrs. of loading and repeated after one week.
1.0 TRANSFORMER AND REACTOR

1.1 Following points to be checked After Receipt of transformer /
reactor at Site:
1.1.1 N2 pressure and Dew point to be checked after receipt of transformer at Site. It should be within
permissible band (as per graph provided by manufacturer & given below in Fig 1)
1.1.2 The data of impact recorder shall be analyzed jointly in association with the
manufacturer. In case the impact recorder indicates some serious shocks during shipment, further
course of action for internal inspection, if necessary shall be taken jointly. Impact Recorder should be
detached from the Transformer/ Reactor preferably when the main unit has been placed on its
foundation.
1.1.3 Oil Samples shall be taken from oil drums/ tanker received at site and sent to our Lab (CIOTL / IOTL) for
oil parameter testing. The copy of test certificate of routine testing at oil refinery should be available at
site for comparison of test results.
1.1.4 Unpacking and Inspection of Accessories to be carried out taking all precautions so that the tools used
for opening do not cause damage to the contents. Fragile instruments like oil level gauge, temperature
indicators, etc. are to be inspected for breakage or other damages. Any damaged or missing
components should be reported to equipment manufacturer, so that the same can be investigated or
shortage made up as per the terms/ conditions of the contract.
1.1.5 Core Insulation Test shall be carried out to check insulation between Core (CC&CL) and Ground. (Not
applicable for Air Core Reactors)
34

35
1.1.6 After receiving the accessories at site same should be inspected and kept ready for immediate erection:
If erection work can not start immediately due to some reasons, then accessories should be repacked
into their own crates properly and packing list should be retained.
All packings should be kept above ground by suitable supports so as to allow free air flow underneath.
The storage space area should be such that it is accessible for inspection; water does not collect on or
around the area and handling/transport would be easy. Proper drainage arrangement in storage areas
to be ensured so that in no situation, any component get submerged in water due to rain, flooding etc..
Immediately after the receipt of main unit and also the accessories, same should be inspected and if
found satisfactory, the unit should be erected completely and filled with dry transformer oil as per the
instruction.
It is preferable to store the main unit on its own location/foundation. If the foundation is not likely to
be ready for more than three (3) months, then suitable action plan has to be taken from the
manufacturer regarding proper storage of the Main Unit.
If the transformer/ Reactor is to be stored up to three (3) months after arrival at site, it can be stored
with N2 filled condition. N2 pressure to be monitored on daily basis so that chances of exposure of
active part atmosphere are avoided. In case of drop in pressure, dew point of N2 has to be measured
to check the dryness of the Transformer/ Reactor.
In case of storage of transformer in oil filled condition, the oil filled in the unit should be tested for BDV
and moisture contents once in every three months. The oil sample should be taken from bottom valve.
36
If BDV is less and moisture contents are more than as given for service condition then oil should be
filtered.
1.1.7 During erection, the exposure of active part of transformers should be minimized. Further either dry air
generator should be running all the time or dry air cylinders may be used to minimize ingress of
moisture. The transformer should be sealed off after working hours. It is practical to apply a slight
overpressure overnight with dry air or N2 inside less than 300 mbar (30 kPa or 0.3 atmospheres).
Next day the pressure is checked and suspected leaks may be detected with leak detection instruments
, with soap water or with plastic bags tightened around valves (being inflated by leaking air) For oil
filled units whenever oil is drained out below the inspection covers, job will be treated as exposed.
Other exposure activities are as below:
1) Bushing erections
2) Jumper connections of Bushings
4) Fixing bushing turrets on cover
5) Fixing bushing turrets on side
6) Core insulation checking
7) Buchholz relay pipe work fixing on cover.
8) Gas release pipes/equaliser pipe fixing.
9) Entering inside the tank for connections/inspection etc.
For oil filled units depending upon the level up to which the oil is drained decides the exposure time. All such
exposure time should be recorded in a log sheet to decide the oil processing (drying) and oil filling of
transformer. For transformers with a gas pressure of 2.5 3 PSI, the acceptable limits of dew point shall be as
under:

37
TABLE Variation of Dew Point of N2 Gas Filled in Transformer Tank w.r.t

Temperature.
Parameters of Transformer Oil

38
The oil sample from the transformer tank, after filling in tank before commissioning should meet the following
specifications as per IS: 1866 2000 (latest Revision) given in table below:

TRANSFORMER Testing Manual Final 32 38 Pgs

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TRANSFORMER Testing Manual Final 32 38 Pgs

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

TRANSFORMER Testing Manual Final 32 38 Pgs

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Power Transformer Testing

Purpose of test/ check

No. Check point

Measurement of C1 & C2 Capacitance and Tan in UST mode.

Capacitance and Tan Dissipation factor/Loss factor and capacitance measurement of

To check for any abnormalities due to loose connections, broken

This test is conducted only in three phase transformers to check the

& To determine the phase relationship and polarity of transformers

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

This test is used to detect winding movement that usually occurs

3.12 Exciting/Magnetising To locate defect in magnetic core structure, shifting of windings,

To ensure smooth & trouble free operation of OLTC during

This test is performed to check the proper operation of

3.16 Tests/ Checks on

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

A thermo vision Camera determines the temperature distribution

1.0 TRANSFORMER AND REACTOR

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

TABLE Variation of Dew Point of N2 Gas Filled in Transformer Tank w.r.t

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Power Transformer Testing

Parameters of Transformer Oil

MTEKPRO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

You might also like