Ref.

LTCG/KAHRAMAA-PH 11SS/LOA/ELEC/001
QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

METHOD STATEMENT
FOR

TRANSFORMER
SWEEP FREQUENCY RESPONSE ANALYSIS AND
CAPACITANCE & TAN DELTA MEASUREMENT

BY
AYT INTERNATIONAL WLL, QATAR

This document is strictly private and confidential. No part of this document may be
circulated, quoted or reproduced for distribution without prior written approval from
AYT International WLL, Qatar

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

INDEX
Sr.
No.

Item

Page
No.

GENERAL SAFETY

INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST

3-8

SWEEP FREQUENCY RESPONSE ANALYSIS

9-12

TAN DELTA AND CAPACITANCE TEST

13-15

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

---

SAFETY

---

REFERNCE

---

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

1.0 GENERAL SAFETY

Safety is right at AYT INTERNATIONAL WLL (AYT), not a privilege ! Comply with
all the safety Regulations and Recommendations of the Equipment manufacturers
and Plant operators. A LIFE LOST HAS UNRECOVERABLE DAMAGES! So take
following Precautions;
1. Ensure that the EQUIPMENT UNDER TEST (EUT) is de-energized from all
sources.
2. Ensure that Safety grounds are put before making any connections to the
EUT.
3. Ensure that connections to the supply sources for tests are tight and
FUSES/MCB of adequate ratings is used. The connection should preferably be
taken from metal clad switches instead of plug points. Supply cables should
not lie on ground but should be suitably supported,
4. Instrument should be arranged at height convenient for operation.
5. EUT and test area should be cordoned off. Only authorized persons should
enter the area.
6. Ensure that necessary authorization for testing the equipment has been
obtained as per Safety Tagging Procedure.
7. Ensure that all connections to the equipment are tight. Ground Connection
should be neat if proper size. Cleaned and properly tightened.

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

2.0 INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST

2.1 Scope:
The insulation resistance test, also called Megger test, is used to determine the
leakage current resistance of the insulation. The resistance is a function of the
moisture and impurity content of the insulation as well as the insulation
temperature. At a constant voltage, the resistance also depends on the strength of
the electric field across the insulation and therefore is a function of the size and
construction of the transformer. This measurement gives information about the
condition of the insulation and insures that the leakage current is adequately small.

2.2 Instruments:
Battery/220V, 50HZ Insulation Tester with a capability to measure resistance 0 to
5T and Polarization Index (PI).

2.3 Preparation, Precautions & Warnings:

Precautions:1. Disconnect the jumpers so that the lightning arresters and associated
equipment are not connected with the Transformers.
2. Clean the bushing porcelains by wiping with a piece of dry cloth. Any dirt on
bushing may result in erroneous results

Warnings:1. The test should be discontinued immediately if the current begins to increase
without stabilizing.
2. Under no conditions should the test be made while the Transformer is under
vacuum.
3. After the test has been completed all the instruments should be grounded for a
period of time sufficient to allow any trapped charges to decay to a negligible
value.
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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

2.4 Test Procedure:

IR measurement shall be taken between collective (i.e. all the windings being
connected together) and the earthed tank (Earth) and between each winding and
the tank, the rest of the windings being earthed. Following combination of
measurements relevant for Auto Transformer, Three winding transformer and
Reactor.
Figure 2.4-1 will give the connection diagram of instrument with Transformer
AT
HV+IV to LV
HV+IV to E
LV to E

SR
HV to E

2 WT
HV to LV
HV to E
LV to E

3 WT
HV+IV to E
HV+LV to IV
HV+IV+LV to E

AT Auto Transformer, SR Shunt Reactor, 2WT Two winding Transformer, 3WT Three winding
Transformer

Record date, time of measurement, Sr. No, Megger, Oil temperature and IR value at
intervals of 15seconds, 1minute and 10minute in the format TS-DT-TR-IR-02-00

Figure 2.4-1
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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

2.5 Evaluation/Interpretation of test Results and Acceptance

limit:
The IEC standard 60076-1 and IEEE standard C57.12.90 provide no limit for IR.
However the following guideline should be referred
The condition of the insulation can be determined by comparing the measured
resistance at 1 minute (R60) a minimum value for the voltage class of the winding.
This comparison is performed only after all the measurements are converted to
their 20C equivalent using the coefficients in table 2.5-1 (2).
The minimum measured resistance corrected to 20C is given by the empirical
relationship;
R60 = CE/KVA,(1)
Where,
R60 = One minute minimum resistance in ML
KVA = is the rated transformer capacity of the winding under test
E = Voltage rating in V, of one of the single-phase windings (Ph-Ph for delta
connection and phase neutral for Wye connected transformers)
For Testing without guard terminal
C: 0.8 for oil filled Transformer at 20C
C: 16 for dry compound filled or untanked oil filled Transformer.
For Testing With Guard Terminal
C: 1.5 for oil filled transformers at 20C
C: 30 for dry, compound filled or untanked oil filled transformer
If the transformer is the three phase type and the three windings are being tested
together

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Temp(
C)
0
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

Coefficient

Temp( Coefficient
C)
24
1.33
25
1.40
26
1.50
27
1.60
28
1.74
29
1.85
30
1.98
31
2.10
32
2.30
33
2.45
34
2.60
35
2.80
36
3.00
37
3.20
38
3.40
39
3.70
40
3.95
Table 2.5-1(2)

0.25
0.36
0.50
0.54
0.59
0.62
0.66
0.70
0.76
0.82
0.86
0.96
1.00
1.08
1.15
1.25
1.33

Temp(
C)
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

Date : 18/06/2014

Coefficient
4.20
4.50
4.80
5.10
5.60
5.95
6.20
6.80
7.20
7.85
11.20
15.85
22.40
31.75
44.70
63.50

IR Test results below this minimum value would indicate probable limitation
breakdowns. A zero or very low value of ohms would indicate a grounded winding,
winding to winding short or heavy carbon tracking.
In case the recommendation from manufacturer is missing, the following IR values
as per engineering practices may be considered as the minimum satisfactory values
(R60). Note even if the limitation is dry, IR values will be low if the resistivity of oil
is poor. Please find the table 2.5-2 (3)

Transformer
Winding
Voltage(KV)
Below 6.6
6.6 19
22 to 45
66 & Above
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20C

Minimum desired IR value at 1minute (M>)

30C
40C
50C

400
800
1,000
1,200

200
400
500
600

100
200
250
300

50
100
125
100

60C
25
50
65
75

Ref. LTCG/KAHRAMAA-PH 11SS/LOA/ELEC/001

QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

Table 2.5-2 (3)

Polarization Index (PI) and Absorption Index (AI)
The conduction process increases for an insulation system that is contaminated with
moisture or impurities, the leakage current will increase at a greater rate than for a
dry, clean insulation. Consequently under the same test configuration, the limitation
resistance of a wet or contaminated insulation system will settle faster and at a
lower value than that for a dry insulation. The result is that the Polarization Index
(PI) which is ratio of (R600/R60) and Absorption ratio (R60/R15) for a wet
insulation will be lower than the dry insulation. Refer to the following Table 2.53(1, 4)
AI = 1.3 to 3 for Dry Insulation
PI
Less than 1
1 1.1
1.1 1.25
1.25 2.0
Above 2

Insulation condition
Wet/ dangerous
Poor/Poor
Questionable
Good/fair
Dry
Table 2.5-3(1, 4)

2.6 References
(1) Transformer maintenance guide by M. Horning
(2) Service Handbook for Transformer by ABB
(3) Electrical equipment testing & maintenance by A.S.Gill
(4) Manual on EHV substation equipment maintenance by Central Board Of Irrigation & Power (CBIP)

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

3.0 FREQUENCY RESPONSE ANALYSIS

3.1 Scope:
Frequency response analysis (FRA) is made to access the mechanical integrity of the
transformer. Transformers while experiencing severity of short circuit losses its
mechanical property by way of deformation of the winding or core. These changes
cannot be detected through conventional condition monitoring technique such as DGA,
winding resistance measurement, Capacitance & Tan Delta measurement etc.
Sometimes even transportation without proper precaution may cause some internal
mechanical damages. FRA measurement, which is signature analysis, provides vital
information of the internal condition of the equipment so that early corrective action
could be initiated.

3.2 Instruments:
1. Supplies:
230 V AC/Battery operated
2. Sweep frequency Response analyzer (FRAX-101, Pax-Diagnostics Sweden)

3.3 Preparation, Precautions & Warnings:

Sweep Frequency Response Analyzer designed to be used for measurements of
power transformers in the field and at manufacturing sites.
1. Always follow local safety regulations.
2. Make certain that all personnel who work with SFRA instrument have been
trained in its use and that all applicable safety precautions are taken.
3. Always connect the instrument to protective earth/ground using the separate
earth/ground cable.
4. The earth/ground cable should be the first connection made and the last
removed.

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

3.4 Procedure
Short circuit forces can cause winding movement and changes in winding inductance or
capacitance in power transformers. Recording the frequency response with these
changes gives information regarding the internal condition of the equipment. FRA has
proved to be an effective tool to detect such changes.
Sinusoidal signal output of approximately 10V RMS from the FRA is applied and one
measuring input (R1) is connected to the end of a winding and the other measuring
input (T1) is connected to the other end of the winding. The voltage is applied and
measured wrt the earthed transformer tank. The voltage transfer function T1/R1 is
measured for each winding for frequency scans from 10Hz to 10MHzand amplitude
and phase shift results are recorded. While the low frequency analysis reveals the
winding movements, the high frequency analysis reveals the condition of joints.
It is ensured that winding which is not under test is terminated in open condition in
order to avoid response difference among the three phases. The same procedure is
followed on subsequent tests on the same or similar transformer, to ensure that
measurements are entirely repeatable.
The voltage transfer function T1/R1 is measured for each winding for frequency scan
from 10Hz to 10MHz and amplitude and phase shift results are recorded for
subsequent analysis.

Figure will give the connection diagram of instrument with Transformer

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

3.5 Evaluation/Interpretation of test Results andAcceptance

limit:
An SFRA analysis permits to predict faults such as

Core fault Low frequency variation

Shorted turn fault Low frequency variation
Open circuit or high impedance winding fault Low frequency variation
Overall radial shift of the winding Mid frequency variation
Axial shift Mid to High frequency variation
Core earthing related faults in transformer/tap changer leads & bushing
lead related faults High frequency variation

As FRA is signature analysis, data of signature of the equipment when in healthy

condition is required for proper analysis. Signatures could also be compared with unit
of same internal design or with other phases of the same unit. Normally measured
responses are analyzed for any of the following
Changes in the response of the winding with earlier signature
Variation in the responses of the three phases of the same transformer
Variation in the responses of transformers of the same design
In all the above cases the appearance of new features or major frequency shifts are
causes for concern. The phase responses are also being recorded but normally it is
sufficient to consider only amplitude responses.
Table will give the relation between Relative factors and degree of transformer
winding deformation
Winding deformation degree
Severe deformation
Obvious deformation
Slight deformation
Normal winding

Relative Factors R
RLF<0.6
1.0>RLF0.6 or RMF<0.6
2.0>RLF1.0 or 0.6RMF<1.0
RLF2.0,RMF1.0 and RHF0.6

Note:RLF represents the Relative Factor when the curve is in Low frequency band (1
KHz to 100 KHz)

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

RMF represents the Relative Factor when the curve is in medium frequency
band (100 KHz to 600 KHz)
RHF represents the Relative Factor when the curve is in high frequency band (600
KHz to 1000 KHz)

References
(1) Manual on EHV substation equipment maintenance by Central Board Of Irrigation & Power
(CBIP)
(2) Seminar on Fault-Finding and Life-Assessment of Power Transformers (V.K.Kanjlia, P.P.Wahi)

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

4.0 TAN DELTA & CAPACITANCE OF WINDING

4.1 Scope:
Dissipation factor/Loss factor and capacitance measurement of winding is carried out to
ascertain the general healthiness of the ground and inter-winding insulation of transformer
and reactors.

4.2 Instruments:
1. Supplies: 230 V AC, 50 HZ
2. Tan& Capacitance Measurement Instrument (ACTS12K Eltel, India)
3. Hygrometer (Eltel, India)

4.3 Preparation, Precautions & Warnings:

Isolation Required

Ensure the isolation of Transformer from High Voltage to Low Voltage side with physical
inspection of open condition of the concerned isolators/disconnectors. This testing shall be
carried out during shut down period and all safety precautions to be undertaken. Test shall
not be carried out when there is condensation on the porcelain. Preferably, tests shall not be
carried out when the relative humidity is in excess of 75%.
Safety precautions as recommended by the manufacturer may be followed. The test set is a
source of high voltage electrical energy and operator must use all practical safety precautions
to prevent contact with energized parts of the test equipment and related circuits.
Effect of Ambient Temperature

At 20oC value of tan delta (Dissipation Factor) should not be more than 0.007. If tan delta
measurement is carried out at temperature other than 20oC then correction factor furnished
by manufacturer are to be applied. As temperature dependence could not be achieved to bring
any common factor especially for Indian manufactured transformers, it is advisable to carry
out the test almost between 20oC to 40oC of winding temperature as in this range the values
are almost constant and do not vary much.
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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

4.4 Procedure
Measurement Combination

The combination for tan measurement of winding is same as that of measurement of IR

value. Combination Table has given below
PF Measurement setup for Two-Winding Transformer
Test Mode

HV
Winding

LV Winding

Tank/Core

Measured
Capacitance

GST

HV lead

Meas.lead

GND lead

CH+CHL

GST/g

HV lead

Meas.lead

GND lead

CH

UST

HV lead

GND lead

CHL

(on guard)
Meas.lead

(on guard)
GST

Meas.lead

HV lead

GND lead

CL+CHL

GST/g

Meas.lead

HV lead

GND lead

CL

HV lead

GND lead (on

guard)

CHL

(on guard)
UST

Meas.lead

Test Voltage

Site test could not be possible to be carried out at rated voltage. Normally C and Tan
measurement can be performed at site about 10 kV to 12 kV. It is a good practice to have tan
and capacitance tested at factory at these voltages to have reference.
Figure will give the connection diagram of instrument with Transformer

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QATAR Power Transmission System
Expansion-PH11-Substations
Package S11
Method Statement.

Date : 18/06/2014

4.5 Evaluation/Interpretation of test Results and Acceptance limit:

An increase of DF accompanied by a marked increase in capacitance usually indicates
excessive moisture in the insulation. Increase of DF alone may be caused by thermal
deterioration or by contamination other than water. The changes in C and Tan values are
caused by determination of the insulation, contamination or physical damage.
Maximum values of Dissipation Factor (Tan delta) of class A insulation, e.g., oil impregnated
insulation is 0.007. Rate of change of tan delta and capacitance is very important. Comparison
of test results with earlier results and that of pre-commissioning test results shall give desired
information for trend analysis. Winding temperature correction to be applied only if indicated
by the manufacturer. It is always desirable to test at about same temperature for better
comparison.
The Table which given below will give the general guidelines in assessing PF results in oil
filled power Transformer
PF Reading
0.5%
>0.5% But 0.7%
>0.7% But 1.0%(& increasing)
>1.0%

Possible Insulation condition

Good
Deteriorated
Investigate
Bad

Power Factor Tip-Up Tests

The PF Tip-up test is performed by applying voltage in equal steps from 0 to the maximum
allowed voltage. The test is performed on the section of insulation with highest PF reading.
For each applied voltage, the current and watts loss through the insulation is measured, and
the PF is calculated. If moisture or other polar contaminants are the cause of high PF, the
measured PF will be essentially the same for all applied voltages. If the PF increases with
voltage, there is likely ionic contamination and / or carbonization of the oil or windings for oilfilled transformers. For dry type transformers, the problem may be due to ionic contaminants
or the presence of voids in the winding insulation.

References
(1) Manual on EHV substation equipment maintenance by Central Board Of Irrigation & Power (CBIP)
(2) Service Handbook for Transformer by ABB
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