CHAPTER 18

INSPECTION
GENERAL
It is essential that inspections of
substation equipment, structures, and other
devices be made periodically. In addition to
this periodic inspection, other inspections
may be required to ascertain the cause of
particular problems, when equipment is
placed in service, or when the substation, or
portions thereof, are taken out of service.
PERIODIC INSPECTIONS

The substation in total and the individual items of

equipment contained therein should be
periodically inspected. The recommended
frequency of these inspections is as follows:
1.Visual inspection of total substation monthly
2. Inspection with diagnostic online test
equipment - annually
3. Detailed inspection of major equipment
annually
4. Internal inspection of transformers and
regulators as required
Visual Inspections
Visual inspections should encompass the
total substation area including the site, the
control house, and all equipment and
structures. Make this inspection with the
substation energized. Therefore, make all
inspections from ground level to ensure
adequate safety clearances from energized
parts
VISUAL INSPECTIONS INCLUDES:
Power Transformers
Voltage Regulators
Oil, Vacuum, SF6 and Air Blast Circuit

Breakers
Fuses
Surge Arresters
Buses and Shield Wire
Capacitors (Series and Shunt)
Reactors (Oil Filled and Air Core)
 Disconnects and Other Switches
Control and Metering Equipment
Structures
Grounding System
Cable
Foundations
Substation Area (General)
Substation Fence
Inspection With Diagnostic
Online Test Equipment
Consider supplementing the visual
inspections with the periodic use of
diagnostic test equipment that allows more
detailed inspection of the equipment while
it is still energized.
Infrared Thermography
Infrared thermography can provide a
non-contact means of online evaluation of
hot spots in an energized system. The
infrared viewer provides a television-like
image of the natural infrared energy being
emitted from the objects in its field of view.
Laboratory Oil Analysis
All oil-filled power transformers and circuit
breakers generate gases during normal operation.
But when the equipment begins to function
abnormally, the rate of gas production increases.
Analyzing these gases and their rate of production
is another valuable tool for evaluating the
condition of an operating transformer or breaker.
Ultrasound
Another method for evaluating a system
that is energized is the use of an ultrasound
detector. Ultrasound is used to detect
inaudible noises on equipment that could
indicate potential problems.
Examples of what ultrasound can
be used to detect.
Bus - When corona is present in medium-
and high-voltage circuits, air is ionized.
Corona emits a high-frequency pitch that
can be heard with the human ear.
Power Transformers - Ultrasound can detect

inaudible noises on transformer internals

that could indicate arcing, sparking, partial
discharge, combustible gases, corona, core
looseness, vibration, or loose parts.
 CoolingPumps and Fan Motors: Ultrasound
can also be used to evaluate the overall
condition, and for cavitation and flow.
Portable Gas in Oil
Analysis
This analysis measures the amount of
dissolved combustive gases in transformer
oil and/or hot metal gases in tap changer
oil, which can be the evidence of arcing,
sparking, partial discharge, corona, and/or
overheating.
Detailed Inspection of Major
Equipment
Annual inspections are recommended for
certain major equipment and portions of the
auxiliary system. These inspections are
detailed and will therefore require that the
piece of equipment being inspected be de-
energized.
Annual inspections are recommended
for the following equipment:

Disconnects and other switches

Metal-clad switchgear
Air circuit breakers
Oil circuit breakers
Air blast and SF6 circuit breakers
Vacuum circuit breakers
Internal Inspection of
Transformers and Regulators
Internal inspections require considerable
time out of service for the equipment
involved. Therefore, they should be
scheduled, whenever possible, to coincide
with planned substation outages.
NON-PERIODIC
INSPECTIONS
Whenever a substation, or any part of it, is de-energized for
any reason, a detailed inspection should be made of those
items of equipment that cannot be observed at close range
when energized. In particular, this includes:
1.Transformers
2. Regulators
3. Fuses
4. Disconnects
5. Air Break Switches
6. Load Interrupter Switches
7. Grounding System
8. Circuit Breakers
9. Oil Circuit Breakers
10. Structures
11. Buses
Inspection of Porcelain
Inspect all insulators and equipment
bushings for chipped petticoats and
fractured or cracked porcelain. Flashovers in
the past may have damaged a portion of
the glazing on the porcelain. Make this
inspection at close range.
Fuses, Disconnects, and Other
Switches
Inspect current-carrying portions to verify
that proper tensions are being maintained.
Inspect contact surfaces for pitting, burning,
alignment, and pressure. Replace badly
pitted or burned contacts. See that all
bolts, nuts, washers, pins, and terminal
connectors are in place and in good
condition.
Buses
Inspect all bus fittings, connectors,
couplers, etc., to verify that all bolts are
tight and that there is no indication of hot
spots, as evidenced by discoloration. Also
verify the integrity of the stranding of
flexible buses at strain clamps.
Transformers
Check open transformers that have not
been internally inspected for at least three
years.
Transformer On-Load Tap
Changers
If the number of operations of the tap
changer contactor is approaching
mandatory inspection and possible
replacement of the contacts in accordance
with the manufacturers recommendations,
this inspection might best be performed at
this time.
Regulators
Check voltage regulators that have not
been internally inspected for at least three
years.
Grounding System
Check all accessible ground connections
for secureness, and measure the overall
ground grid resistance if it has not been
done for a number of years.
Structures
Inspect all structures in close proximity to
buses, energized portions of equipment,
etc., and make necessary repairs to
galvanizing and painted surfaces.
End of chapter 18
Chapter 19
TESTS
GENERAL
Tests of substation equipment are required to
fulfill at least the following functions:
a. To prove the integrity of a piece of
equipment at the time of acceptance.
b. At periodic intervals, to verify the
continued availability of the equipment.
c. At the time of failure of a piece of
equipment, to be able to determine the
specific requirements for repair.
Records
Maintain a records system, for each site. In
addition to the details contained therein, these
records should contain at least the following
information:
a. The name, date, and results of all tests
performed
b. The date when the equipment should again be
tested
c. Any requirements for follow-up or special tests
required as a result of indications of potential
trouble
Safety
Some tests, particularly those requiring
gas or oil samples, may be performed
without removing the equipment from
service. The personnel performing such
tests or obtaining gas or oil samples have to
observe safety regulations at all times.
Acceptance Test
Acceptance tests are performed after
receipt and erection or installation of
equipment at a site. The results of these
tests are compared with the specifications,
where applicable, evaluated, and compared
with acceptable norms and factory test data
and, when found acceptable, recorded for
future reference.
Periodic Tests
Periodic tests, those used to establish the
continuing quality of the equipment, are
conducted at varying intervals, depending
on the type of equipment.
Tests After Failure
Testing conducted after an equipment
failure is performed to determine, to the
greatest extent possible, the location,
magnitude, and cause of the failure. Such
data, when properly obtained, is used in
determining whether the equipment can be
repaired in place or needs to be shipped to
a repair shop.
Insulation Resistance Test
This test is performed to verify the
integrity of the insulation as is used in all
types of electrical equipment. This includes
transformers, circuit breakers, cables,
motors, switches, etc.
Power Factor Test
This test is used to measure the power
factor of the insulation in all types of
electrical equipment and cable. The test
has to be conducted at temperatures above
0C since ice is a relatively good conductor.
This test provides an indication of the
quality of the insulation.
DC High Potential Test
This is a test of the dielectric strength of
insulation. It is used to determine the
quality of the insulation in electrical
equipment, particularly for items with solid
dielectrics such as porcelain, rubber, PVC,
PE, Micarta, etc.
Dielectric Absorption Test
This test is again a test of the quality of
the insulation. It is applicable to
transformers, regulators, and other similar
devices as well as shielded high-voltage
power cable. It is not possible to provide a
range of values for the results of this test.
Its primary function is to provide an
indication of deterioration prior to complete
failure.
AC Over-Potential Test
This test is performed to verify the
integrity of the insulation in low-voltage
devices (600-volt and below) and associated
wiring. Observe specific manufacturers
recommendations before applying this test
to solid-state components.
Contact Resistance Test
This test is used to measure the
resistance of the main contacts of a circuit
breaker. A rise in resistance is an indication
of the need for maintenance or replacement
of the contacts.
Winding Resistance Test
The winding resistance in a motor,
transformer, regulator, etc., is not subject to
change unless turns are open or short-
circuited. An accurate measurement of the
resistance at time of acceptance will thus
permit future assessment of winding faults.
Insulating Oil Tests
A power factor test of the oil is a
somewhat less accurate method of
evaluating the dielectric strength of the oil
than the ASTM standard method. It is a
suitable substitute if suitable facilities for
the ASTM test are not available.
Combustible Gas Analysis
A combustible gas analysis is performed
to determine the amount, if any, of various
types of combustible gases in the
transformer gas cushion. These
combustible gases are produced over time
by small magnitude turn-to-turn or other
internal arcing faults.
SF6 Gas Analyses
SF6 gas used in circuit breakers is subject
to contamination as a result of the products
released during the interruption of current.
This contamination increases with the
severity of the fault and with the
deterioration of the breaker contacts.
Timing Test
A timing test is performed at the time of
acceptance and again after all adjustments
or replacements of contacts in the circuit
breakers. The test is used to verify that all
poles of the circuit breaker and all series
contacts in each pole are operating
simultaneously.
Motion Analyzer Test
The motion analyzer test is conducted to
verify the good condition and proper
adjustment of the mechanical operating
linkages of a circuit breaker. A graphical
representation of the elapsed time versus
distance traveled is plotted.
Series Overcurrent Test
Test all reclosers and low-voltage power
circuit breakers having series trip devices
periodically to verify the calibration and
proper operation of the device.
Turns Ratio Test
Periodically perform a turns ratio test as
an aid in detecting turn-to-turn short circuits
in power and instrument transformers.
When evaluating the initial test results, give
proper consideration to manufacturing
tolerances.
Polarity Test
Perform polarity tests on all power and
instrument transformers after installation
and again after any removal and
replacement of a unit.
Protective Relay System
Tests
Subject all protective relays and each
protective relaying scheme as a whole to
operational tests at least once per year.
The test will vary depending on the
particular scheme and component relays;
however, the test should in all cases be of
the type where actual abnormal operating
conditions are simulated and the proper
operation of all components is checked.
Meter Calibration Tests
Test indicating instruments by
comparison with a portable instrument that
is connected into the same circuit as the
instrument being tested. Test switches are
usually provided for this purpose on the
front of the panel.
Capacitance Test
Verify the capacitance coupling
capacitors, the condenser section of
bushings, and other similar capacitive
devices at time of installation.
Pressure Test
All high-pressure receivers and
associated piping should be subjected to a
pressure test at the time of installation and
any time thereafter when the system has
been subjected to repairs, extensions,
alterations, etc.
Ground Grid Resistance
Measurement
As noted in Chapter 18, Inspections, the
ground grid resistance should be measured
periodically to verify that significant
changes have not occurred as a result of
changes in groundwater levels or other
similar natural phenomena.
End of chapter 19