Testing Of Transformer

Voltage Withstand Test

Test Purpose
To check the dielectric integrity of insulation structures between the high voltage and ground and
between low voltage and ground.
Test Equipment
Auto transformer, High Voltage Tester
Test Procedure
For High Voltage(HV) Winding:- LV side is short circuited with earth and HV side is short
circuited and tank body is also earthed and given a voltage of 28 kV for one minute. This test
checks the insulation between HV winding and transformer body and HV and LV winding.
For Low Voltage (LV) Winding:- HV side is short circuited with earth and LV side is short
circuited and tank body is earthed and given a voltage of 3 kV for one minute. This test checks
the insulation between LV winding and transformer body and HV and LV winding.
A pass/fail decision of insulation of transformer is made by monitoring the test current intensity.
If the resulting current is larger than specified normal leakage and capacitive currents, the unit is
rejected. This test is omitted for transformers with a permanently grounded high voltage winding.
Double Voltage Double Frequency(DVDF) Test
Test Purpose
To verify the dielectric strength of turn to turn, layer to layer, phase to phase, and other insulation
structures within the transformer windings .
Test Equipment
DVDF tester
The DVDF test is an overvoltage withstand test . It is performed by applying a double of the
nominal voltage to the transformer on the low voltage side for a relatively short period of time
usually 1 minute. Since a prolonged (significant) overvoltage will cause the transformer to

overexcite, the volts per hertz are kept constant by applying a double of the nominal frequency
.For a 11KV/433V transformer, 866 Volts are applied at the 433V winding with the help of a
Generator for 1 minute. This induces 22KV on 11KV side. The frequency of the 866V supply is
also increased to 100HZ. After inducing an overvoltage, the test current is monitored, and if it
exceeds limits specified for each transformer, the unit is rejected. This higher frequency is
considered to avoid excessive excitation current during the testing and to avoid saturation of the
core .
Turn Ratio test
Test Purpose
To measure the turn ratio of HV winding to the LV winding
Test Equipment
Turn Ratio Meter
Test Procedure
A phase voltage is applied to the one of the windings by means of a bridge circuit and the ratio of
induced voltage is measured at the bridge. The accuracy of the measuring instrument is < 0.1 %.

This theoretical turn ratio is adjusted on the transformer turn ratio tested or TTR by the
adjustable transformer as shown in the figure above and it should be changed until a balance
occurs in the percentage error indicator. The reading on this indicator implies the deviaton of
measured turn ratio from expected turn ratio in percentage.

Out-of-tolerance, ratio test of transformer can be due to shorted turns, especially if there is an
associated high excitation current. Open turns in HV winding will indicate very low exciting current
and no output voltage since open turns in HV winding causes no excitation current in the winding
means no flux hence no induced voltage. But open turn in LV winding causes, low fluctuating LV
voltage but normal excitation current in HV winding. Hence open turns in LV winding will be
indicated by normal levels of exciting current, but very low levels of unstable output voltage. The
turn ratio test of transformer also detects high resistance connections in the lead circuitry or high
contact resistance in tap changers by higher excitation current and a difficulty in balancing the
bridge.
V1/V2 = N1/N2
For distribution transformers 11kV/433V the specified value of this test is set at 44 in ideal
conditions. Around 1% tolerance can also be taken into account, taking the value to 43.57 to 44.44.
Transformer Winding Resistance Test
Test Purpose
To measure the resistance of the windings of the transformer
Test Equipment
Digital Resistance Meter
Test Procedure
Transformer winding resistance measurement is carried out as routine test.
In the factory, it helps in determining the I2R losses in transformer. Also, it is done at site in order to
check for abnormalities due to loose connections, broken strands of conductor, high contact
resistance in tap changers, high voltage leads and bushings.
This test measures the resistance of the HV & LV winding. The values of resistance should be

balance for all three phases and should match the designed values.
No Load Test or Open Circuit Test
Test Purpose
To measure the core losses in the transformer and to measure the no load current of the transformer.
Test Equipment
Digital Precision Meter
Test Procedure
For distribution transformer of 11kV/433V, the HV side of winding is kept open and the LV side of
winding is connected with 250V supply (phase to neutral) and then the power consumed(core loss)
by transformer is measured through wattmeter and no load current at LV side is measured through
ammeter. Core losses must be in the range of as prescribed by the company as more is the losses
lower is the efficiency. If losses are higher than core of the transformer is to be checked again.
Load Loss Test or Short Circuit Test
Test Purpose
To measure the full load losses in the transformer and to measure the equivalent magnetic leakage
reactance and equivalent resistance of the transformer.
Test Equipment
Digital Precision Meter
Test Procedure
For distribution transformer of 11kV/433V, the LV side of winding is short circuited and the HV
side of winding is connected with supply such that 50% and 100% of full load current flows on the
LV side and then the power consumed (load loss) by transformer is measured through wattmeter and
current at HV side is measured through ammeter. Load losses must be in the range of as prescribed
by the company as more is the losses lower is the efficiency. Let us consider wattmeter reading is
Psc.
where Re is equivalent resistance of transformer. If Ze is equivalent impedance of transformer.

Therefore, if equivalent magnetic leakage reactance of transformer is Xe

Insulation Resistance Test:

Test Purpose:

Insulation resistance test of transformer is essential to ensure the healthiness of overall

insulation of an electrical power transformer.
Test Instruments:
Megger
Test Procedure:

First disconnect all the line and neutral terminals of the transformer.

Megger leads to be connected to LV and HV bushing studs to measure Insulation

Resistance (IR) value in between the LV and HV windings.

Megger leads to be connected to HV bushing studs and transformer tank earth point to
measure Insulation Resistance IR value in between the HV windings and earth.

Megger leads to be connected to LV bushing studs and transformer tank earth point to
measure Insulation Resistance IR value in between the LV windings and earth.

NB: It is unnecessary to perform insulation resistance test of transformer per phase wise
in three phase transformer. IR values are taken between the windings collectively as because
all the windings on HV side are internally connected together to form either star or delta and
also all the windings on LV side are internally connected together to form either star or delta.

Measurements are to be taken as follows:

Type of Transformer

Testing-1

Testing-2

Three Winding Transformers

HV to LV

LV to LV

Testing-3
HV to E & LV to
E

Oil temperature should be noted at the time of insulation resistance test of transformer.
Since the IR value of transformer insulating oil may vary with temperature.

IR values to be recorded at intervals of 15 seconds, 1 minute and 10 minutes.

With the duration of application of voltage, IR value increases. The increase in IR is an

indication of dryness of insulation.

Absorption Coefficient = 1 minute value/ 15 second value.

Polarization Index = 10 minutes value / 1 minute value

Oil Dielectric Strength Test

Test Purpose
To check the dielectric strength of the transformer oil
Test Equipment
Oil Dielectric Test Set
Test Procedure
The transformer oil transformers fulfills the purpose of insulating as well as cooling. Thus, the
dielectric quality of transformer oil is essential to secure operation of a transformer. As
transformer oil deteriorates through aging and moisture ingress, transformer oil should,
depending on economics, transformer duty and other factors, be tested periodically. The
dielectric strength of oil is measured by measuring breakdown voltage(BDV). The onsite BDV
measuring kit is used. In it, oil is kept in a pot in which one pair of electrodes are fixed with a
gap of 2.5 mm (in some kit it 4mm) between them. Now slowly rising voltage is applied between
the electrodes. Rate of rise of voltage is generally controlled at 2 KV/s and observe the voltage at
which sparking starts between the electrodes. That means at which voltage dielectric strength of
transformer oil between the electrodes has been broken down. Lower the BDV, poorer the quality
of transformer oil. Minimum breakdown voltage of transformer oil or dielectric strength of
transformer oil at which this oil can safely be used in transformer, is considered as 30 KV.

Vector Group Test

Test Purpose
To check the phase sequence relationship between the LV and HV winding.
Test Equipment
Voltmeter
Test Procedure
This test is performed to check the vector positions as well as the delta () connection in HT side
and star (Y)connection in LT side of the transformer are properly connected or not. This test is
done by supplying 400 V at the HT sides of the transformer. In this test, A phase of HT and a
phase of LT is shorted. If V Cb > others i.e. VAB, VBc, VBb then the results confirms vector
group: Dyn-11. Here, Dyn-11means Delta connected HV winding, star connected LV winding
with neutral brought out; LV is leading HV with 30.
Vector group means it define the primary & secondary side connection type of the transformer
says D for the delta connections & Y for the star connections then the 11 stands for the phase
displacements between the primary side & secondary side. In the sense in a clock while
11oclocks shows the angle between the small needle & big needle will be 30 degree, as the
phase displacement will be 30 degree. Vector group of a transformer describes the relation
between primary voltage vectors and the secondary voltage vectors.