POWER TRANSFORMERS

Category: Electrical Installations, Power Transformers:

2.1:Introduction
Transformer is the most important unit in an electrical distribution networ! All
transformers are sub"ected to thorou#h tests at the manufacturer$s wors before
dispatch to the destination of erection! %ue to limitations in transport& lar#e capacit'
transformers are dis(assembled into )arious components before dispatch! At site& the
transformers are re(assembled with the )arious components lie bushin#s& coolers&
conser)ator etc! and then the internal bod' is dried out to remo)e the surface
moisture sticin# to the paper insulation durin# e*posure at site! As erection of
transformers in)ol)e assembl' of )arious components& pre(test inspection of
transformers ha)e #reater importance than other parts of an electrical s'stem! The
followin# para#raphs e*plain the pre(test inspections+pre(commission checs and the
pre(commission tests to be conducted on power transformers prior to ener#isation of
the unit!
2.2: Recording the Salient parameters
As the ser)ice life of a transformer is e*pected to co)er )er' man' 'ears& it is
necessar' to record the salient parameters of the transformer for future reference!
Rated capacit'& rated )olta#e ratio& connection& mae& maer$s serial number& 'ear of
manufacture& date of completion of erection& insulation dr' out details at site etc!
ma' be documented in a re#ister as permanent record! It is also necessar' to record
the serial number& ratin# and mae of )arious components lie bushin#s& tap
chan#er& tap chan#er control cubicle& cooler control cubicle& coolin# fans& oil pumps&
,uchholt- rela'& temperature indicators& heat e*chan#ers& oil .ow meter& water .ow
meter& pressure #au#es& oil le)el #au#e etc! For eas' reference& the details of the
main bod' and )arious components ma' be recorded in separate pa#es of a re#ister!
This re#ister will ser)e as a record of the ser)ice of the transformer! %etails of
replacement of components ma' also be recorded in the same re#ister!
2.3 Pre-commission checks
,efore commencin# the pre(commission tests& it is necessar' to )isuall' inspect
)arious parts& components and accessories of the transformer and also to conduct
operational chec for )arious protecti)e de)ices! /hec lists ma' be followed for the
)isual inspection and the operational checs so that the pre(commission checs are
conducted in a s'stematic manner and also that no chec+test is omitted! Model
chec lists for 0eneral checs and Functional checs are #i)en at the end of this
chapter in Appendi* 1!2 and 1!1 respecti)el'!
2.3.1 General checks
3i4 0eneral arran#ement
The 0eneral arran#ement of the electrical installation shall be checed for
concurrence with the
scheme appro)ed b' the %epartment of Electrical Inspectorate! Special emphasis
ma' be #i)en to thepfollowin#5
6 si-e of cables
6 si-e of bus bars
6 si-e of bus trunin#
6 si-e of earthin# conductors
6 ade7uac' of )arious clearances
6 spacin# between supports
6 )entilation
6 oil drain facilities
6 8re protection walls
6 8re 8#htin# arran#ements
3ii4 Terminations
The transformer terminal connections ma' be checed for the followin#5
6 .e*ibilit' and area of cross section of .e*ible connections at bushin#s
6 clearances of li)e "umper connections from transformer tan and accessories
6 socet si-e
6 perfection of crimpin#
6 tinnin# of contact surfaces to pre)ent bimetallic action
6 clearances inside cable end bo*
6 clearances of bus bar trunin#
6 conformit' of cable end bo* with the rele)ant IP3 In#ress Protection4 classi8cation
6 correctness of cable #landin# and ade7uac' of cable #land earthin# or pi# tail
6 support of cables at terminations and unsupported len#ths
3iii4 Perfection of connections
/onnections to the followin# shall be checed for proper surface contact& seatin# and
ti#htness!
6 to bushin#s 6 to the tap chan#er 6 to earth leads 6 to control and protecti)e
cables
6 to thermometers
3i)4 Earthin#
/hec the si-e of earthin# conductors& tinnin# of contact surfaces& area of contact
and seatin#& e9ecti)eness of boltin#& socetin#& ri)etin#& weldin# etc! for the earthin#
of the followin#5
6 %uplicate earthin# for neutral and bod'
6 Main tan and top co)er
6 Fan motors
6 Pumps
6 On :oad Tap /han#er 3O:T/4 chamber
6 Tap chan#er dri)in# #ear
6 %i)ertor switch
6 /able #lands+termination
6 Marshallin# bo*
3)4 /ontrol cable connections
/hec the control cable connections between the followin#
6 transformer accessories and marshallin# bo*
6 marshallin# bo* and sub(station panel
6 tap chan#er control cubicle and sub(station panel
3)i4 Radiator
/hec the radiator for release of air and position of )al)es! The )al)es shall be in
open position!
3)ii4 Main conser)ator and O:T/ conser)ator
/hec the oil le)el in the main conser)ator and O:T/ conser)ator! The conser)ator
shut o9 )al)e in the ,uchholt- rela' pipe line shall be in open position!
3)iii4 ,ushin#s
/hec the oil le)el in the bushin#s if sealed bushin#s are used! Release air from
bushin#s if air release plu#s are pro)ided!
3i*4 ,reather
/hec the oil le)el in the oil seal of the breather! /hec the colour of the silica #el in
the breather !
3*4 /ooler units& fans and pumps
/hec fans and pumps for proper mountin#! The number of fans and their position on
the radiators shall be in conformit' with the #eneral arran#ement drawin#s!
6 /hec the direction of rotation of coolin# fans and pumps
6 /hec the direction of oil .ow
6 /hec .ow of water in heat (e*chan#ers
6 Measure the Insulation Resistance 3IR4 of fans and pumps
6 /hec the settin#s for operation of fan motors and oil pumps
6 /hec the cooler unit for correct indication of oil .ow and settin# of the
thermometer
3*i4 Windin# Temperature Indicator 3WTI4 and Oil Temperature Indicator 3OTI4
6 /hec whether thermometer pocet is 8lled with oil
6 /hec whether the connections of the /T for windin# temperature indicator to the
thermometer pocet is properl' made as per the instructions #i)en on the WTI
terminal bo*!
6 /hec whether the contacts of WTI and OTI for alarm and trip are set at re7uired
temperatures dependin# upon ambient temperature and loadin# conditions! For oil
8lled transformers& the ma*imum permissible temperature rise abo)e the ambient
temperature is usuall' taen as ;<=/ for oil and <<=/ for windin#! In the case of cast
resin transformers& the alarm contact of the windin# temperature rela' is usuall'
desi#ned to operate at 2;== / and trip contact at 2>== / for transformers up to 2===
?@A! For hi#her ratin#s& the Temperatures are 2>== / and 2A==/ respecti)el'!
6 /alibration of the WTI+OTI ma' be checed with hot oil! Worin# of the WTI+RT%
repeaters shall be checed at the control room!
3*ii4 ,uchholt- rela's
6 /hec the an#le of mountin# of the ,uchholt- rela' usin# a spirit le)el
6 /hec the .oats for free mo)ement
6 Release air in the ,uchholt- rela'
6 In the case of forced oil cooled transformers& mae sure that the ,uchholt- rela'
does not operate when the pumps are switched on
*iii4 Ma#netic Oil :e)el 0au#e
Mo)e the .oat le)el of the oil le)el indicator up and down between the end positions
to ensure that the mechanism does not #et stuc at an' point! The low oil le)el alarm
of the #au#e shall be checed!
3*i)4 Arcin# horn #ap
/hec arcin# horn #aps of bushin#s for conformit' with standard )alues! The
standard )alues are #i)en below5
3*)4 Tap chan#er
/hec the se7uence of operation of the tap chan#er for the followin#5
6 manual operation
6 local electrical operation
6 remote electrical operation
6 parallel operation
3*)i4 0eneral inspection
i! Beaters in cubicles& conser)ator& etc! shall be checed
ii! An' other alarm+trip& contacts of .ow meters& di9erential pressure #au#es& etc!
shall be checed
iii! In the case of water cooled transformers& the pressure #au#e readin#s on water
and oil sides shall be checed to ensure that the water pressure is less than the oil
pressure! The 7uantit' of oil and water .ow shall not be less than what is speci8ed
i)! The an#le of protection of the li#htnin# shield pro)ided for outdoor transformers
shall be checed! The an#le shall be less than C= de#rees
)! /hec whether roller blocs are pro)ided for the rollers of the transformer
1!C!1 Functional checs
After the )isual inspection is complete& it is necessar' to test proper functionin# of
)arious protecti)e rela's and instruments! The followin# functional checs ma' be
carried out!
2! /hec the operation of the ,uchholt- alarm and trip b' in"ectin# air throu#h the
test pet coc!
1! Test the OTI for alarm and trip!
C! Test the WTI for alarm and trip!
;! /hec the worin# of the WTI + RT% 3Resistance Temperature %e)ice4 repeaters at
the
control room!
<! Test the O:T/ D Oil sur#e rela' for trip!
>! /hec alarm for low oil le)el!
E! /hec the REF rela' for current settin#
A! /hec the di9erential rela' for main and bias settin#s
F! /hec the bac up o)er current and earth fault rela's for current and time!
2=! /hec the o)er )olta#e rela' for )olta#e and time!
22! /hec the instantaneous o)er )olta#e rela' for )olta#e!
21! /hec the o)er .u*in# rela' for )olta#e& fre7uenc' and time!
2C! /hec the cooler unit for
6 o)er current settin# of fans
6 o)er current settin# of oil pumps
6 cooler suppl' failure alarm
6 fan+pump trip alarm
!an' mal( operation of the transformer ,uchholt- rela' when all the oil pumps are
switched on simultaneousl' in forced oil cooled transformers
2.4 Pre-commissioning tests
1!;!2 Insulation Resistance test
Insulation Resistance test is the simplest and most widel' used test to 8nd out the
soundness of insulation between two windin#s or between windin#s and #round!
Insulation resistance is measured b' means of insulation testers popularl' nown as
GMe##er$! The GMe##er$ consists of a %!/ power source 3hand operated or electricall'
dri)en %!/ #enerator or a batter' source with electronic circuit 4 and a measurin#
s'stem! Microprocessor based insulation testers are also now a)ailable! The
insulation test re)eals the condition of the insulation inside the transformer! The
insulation resistance )alues are a9ected b' temperature& humidit' and presence of
dirt on insulators and bushin#s!
Selection of Insulation Testers
Insulation testers with test )olta#e of <==& 2===& 1<== and <=== @ are a)ailable! The
recommended
ratin#s of the insulation testers are #i)en below5
Factors in.uencin# IR )alue
The IR )alue of transformers are in.uenced b'
2! surface condition of the terminal bushin#
1! 7ualit' of oil
C! 7ualit' of windin# insulation
;! temperature of oil
<! duration of application and )alue of test )olta#e
%i9erent IR )alues monitored in transformers
The followin# IR )alues are monitored in transformers
2! windin# to #round! e#! B@ to :@ and earth connected to#ether :@ to B@ and earth!
1! windin# to windin#! e#! B@ to :@
C! all windin#s to #round !e#! B@ and :@ to earth!
Steps for measurin# the IR
2! Shut down the transformer and disconnect the "umpers and li#htnin# arrestors!
1! %ischar#e the windin# capacitance!
C! Thorou#hl' clean all bushin#s
;! Short circuit the windin#s!
<! 0uard the terminals to eliminate surface leaa#e o)er terminal bushin#s!
>! Record the temperature!
E! /onnect the test leads 3a)oid "oints4!
A! Appl' the test )olta#e and note the readin#! The IR! )alue at >= seconds after
application of the test )olta#e is referred to as the Insulation Resistance of the
transformer at the test temperature!
Minimum )alue of IR
The followin# )alues of IR at C=de#! / can be considered to be the minimum
re7uirement for new oil 8lled transformers!
The transformer IR )alues in oil drained condition will be 2< to 1= times more than in
oil 8lled condition!
In.uence of temperature on IR
IR! )alues decrease sharpl' with the rise in temperature of the oil! The followin#
correction factors ma' be used for arri)in# at the IR )alue with di9erence in
temperature!
Interpretation of Insulation Resistance )alue!
While interpretin# IR )alues& importance shall be #i)en to the )ariation of the )alues
o)er a period of time rather than absolute )alues! For conclusi)e anal'sis& use onl'
results from tests performed at identical conditions as IR )alues are a9ected b' )alue
of test )olta#e& temperature of oil& duration of application of )olta#e& humidit'& e*tent
of stress applied etc! IR )alues recorded o)er a period of time ma' be plotted as a
cur)e to stud' the histor' of the insulation resistance! A cur)e showin# a downward
trend indicates a loss of IR due to unfa)ourable conditions such as oildeterioration&
e*cessi)e moisture in paper& deterioration+dama#e to terminal bushin#s etc! A )er'
sharp drop is a cause for concern and action shall be taen to ascertain the e*act
cause of insulation failure and for correcti)e steps!
Points to note
2! Transformers with O:T/ ha)e lower IR )alues when compared with transformers
with o9 circuit tap chan#er!
1! Auto transformers ha)e lower IR when compared to two windin# transformers!
C! Transformer windin#s with #raded insulation ha)e lower IR when compared to full'
insulated windin#s!
;! If the non(measured windin# terminals are not #uarded& the me##er will #i)e a low
readin#!
<! A)oid me##erin# when the transformer is under )acuum!
2.4.2 Dielectric asorption and polarisation inde! tests
%ielectric absorption and polari-ation inde* tests #i)e a #ood indication of the
condition of the insulation! This test is based on the comparison of absorption
characteristics of #ood insulation )ersus absorption characteristics of humid or
contaminated insulation!
Instruments+materials re7uired
Motorised or electronic insulation testers of appropriate )olta#e
Stop watch
:o#arithmic paper
Procedure for test
In this test& a test )olta#e is applied for an e*tended period of time& usuall' thirt'
minutes& usin# a me##er of appropriate )olta#e! The me##er readin#s are taen
e)er' 2= seconds for the 8rst minute and thereafter e)er' minute D up to C= minutes!
The procedure for measurement of IR under para 1!;!2! is followed here! Band
craned instruments are not suitable as continuous application of )olta#e is not
possible with such instruments! Motori-ed or batter' operated insulation testers are
used for the test! A cur)e is drawn showin# the )ariation in the )alue of IR! a#ainst
time on a lo#arithmic paper! The resultant cur)e is nown as dielectric absorption
cur)e! A t'pical dielectric absorption cur)e is shown in 8#! 1!2!
Polarisation Inde* is the ratio of Insulation Resistance at 2= minutes to Insulation
Resistance at 2 minute of application of test )olta#e!
Polarisation Inde! "Insulation Resistance at 1# minutes$Insulation
Resistance at 1 minute.
Interpretation of Polarisation Inde* and %ielectric Absorption /ur)e
A stead' increase in insulation resistance with continuous application of test )olta#e
indicates that the insulation is clean and dr'! Flat or ambulated cur)es demand
reconditionin# of the insulation! Polarisation inde* is a #ood appraisal of the condition
of the insulation!
The followin# are the #uidelines for e)aluatin# the condition of transformer insulation
with respect to Polarisation Inde* )alues!
Polarisation indices with respect to insulation resistance between B@ and :@ H earth &
:@ and B@H earth & earth and B@H:@ are e)aluated to ascertain the real condition of
the transformer insulation!
2.4.3 %&o 'oltage %est (Step 'oltage %est)
This test is an e*tension of the dielectric absorption test! This has been
recommended as a more conclusi)e indication of presence of moisture! Two separate
dielectric absorption tests made at di9erent )olta#es help to detect moisture in the
windin#! The hi#her test )olta#e should be about ; to < times the lower one&
3e#!1<== @ and <== @4 but should not be so hi#h as to dama#e the insulation! A wide
spread between the two dielectric absorption cur)es indicates presence of moisture!
If the insulation resistance )alue decreases substantiall' at a hi#her )olta#e& sa'
more than 1< percent& it is a reasonable indication of presence of moisture in the
insulation s'stem!
2.4.4 *easurement o+ %an delta
@arious insulation resistance tests e*plained abo)e indicate mainl' the surface
conditions and presence of moisture in the insulation! Measurement of loss factor&
commonl' referred to as tan delta re)eals the internal condition of the insulation!
With alternatin# currents& the absorption of the dielectric is intimatel' connected with
the loss of power in the dielectric! This loss within an insulation structure is
associated with the oscillation of polar molecules tr'in# to orient themsel)es with the
alternatin# electric 8eld! Bence current .owin# throu#h the insulation leads the
)olta#e b' some an#le which is sli#htl' less than F= de#rees! This small an#le
between pure capaciti)e current and actual current represented b' d 3delta4 is nown
as loss an#le! The dielectric loss in an insulation is #i)en b' @1 w / tan d and hence
proportional to tan d! If the insulation is perfect& the characteristic of tan delta )ersus
the applied )olta#e is almost a hori-ontal line! If )oids ha)e crept in the insulation
durin# manufacture or ser)ice& there will be substantial increase in tan delta with the
applied )olta#e! Bence the absolute )alues of tan delta in a commerciall'
manufactured e7uipment ha)e comparati)el' little practical si#ni8cance! ,ut the
)ariation in tan delta D ie! % tan delta D with respect to time is )er' important! The
)alues found durin# maintenance testin# should be compared with the initial )alues
recorded before commissionin# the e7uipment! A stable )alue of tan delta is
indicati)e of insulation stabilit' and small increase is indicati)e of normal a#ein#! Tan
delta is
measured usin# tan delta measurin# e7uipment!
2.4., %rans+ormer Ratio %est
Transformer ratio test is conducted to ensure that the turns ratio tall' with the name
plate details and also that tap chan#er connections are done correctl'! Ratio test is
done usin# a transformer turns ratio tester or with )oltmeters! With the turns ratio
tester& the turns ratio is directl' read on the tester for each tap and for each phase of
the windin#! The turns ratio can also be tested b' appl'in# a sin#le phase ac )olta#e
3appro*imatel' 1C=@4 on the B@ side and measurin# the )olta#e on the low )olta#e
side at all tap positions!
The results of the )olta#e ratio test ma' be recorded in tabular form as #i)en below5
'oltage ratio test ( - .oltmeter )
2.4./ Short circuit current measurement
This test is carried out as a chec for an' loose contact in the tap chan#er& lead
connections etc! In this test& all the C windin#s in the :@ side of the transformer are
short circuited! All contacts in the tap chan#er& lead connections and terminals are
checed for proper contact! From a )ariable )olta#e source& a C phase balanced low
)olta#e a!c suppl' is applied to the B@ windin# at rated tap and the current
measured! The current measured at rated tap should tall' with the calculated )alue
of B@ current at the applied )olta#e!
The )alue of B@ current at the applied )olta#e is calculated as follows5
Repeat the test at di9erent tap positions b' lowerin# and raisin# taps! The current
measured in the B@ windin# should tall' with the calculated )alue of B@ short circuit
current!
Wide di9erence between the measured and calculated )alues of B@ short circuit
current is an indication of loose contact in tap chan#er or lead connections!
2.4.0 *easurement o+ *agnetising current
The ma#netisin# current is measured to test an' fault in the ma#netic circuit and
windin#! The measured )alues are compared with the factor' test )alues! A balanced
three phase ;2<@ ac suppl' is applied to the :@ windin# and the simultaneous current
readin#s of the three phases are taen usin# low ran#e a!c ammeters of the same
accurac' class! For a core t'pe transformer& the middle phase ma#netisin# current
will be appro*imatel' half that in other windin#s! In I'O& %'2 and %'22 connections&
the currents in Gu$ and Gw$ phases will be nearl' double the current in G)$ phase! In a
Id2 connected transformer& currents in G)$ and Gw$ phases will be nearl' e7ual and
the current in Gu$ phase more than that in G)$ and Gw$ phases! In a Id22 connection&
currents in Gu$ and G)$ phases will be nearl' e7ual and the current in Gw$ phase more
than that in Gu$ and G)$ phases! If the measured )alues widel' di9er from the abo)e
)alues or from the factor' test )alues& there is reason to suspect some defect in the
transformer core and the manufacturer ma' be consulted! The
measured )alues of ma#netisin# current ma' be used as bench mars for the ser)ice
life of the transformer! Sample format for recordin# the ma#netisin# current is #i)en
below5
2.4.1 %est +or magnetic alance
This test is done to 8nd out the condition of stacin# of core laminations& ti#htness of
core bolts and perfection of ma#netic circuit! The B@ and :@ sides are isolated b'
remo)in# the bushin# connections! A sin#le phase suppl' of nearl' 1C=@ is applied to
one phase of the star connected windin# and the induced )olta#e in other two phases
are measured! The )olta#e ma' preferabl' be applied on the B@ windin#& as appl'in#
)olta#e to :@ windin# ma' induce )er' hi#h )olta#e in the B@ windin#! If the B@
windin# is connected in delta& the test ma' be conducted on the :@ side after tain#
necessar' precautions a#ainst accidental contact with the B@ bushin#s!
When the )olta#e is applied to the middle phase& the induced )olta#e measured on
the two other phases should be appro*imatel' e7ual! Where the )olta#e is applied to
an e*treme phase& the induced )olta#e on the middle phase should be substantiall'
hi#h when compared to the )olta#e induced in the other e*treme phase! In each test&
the sum of the induced )olta#es in two phases should be nearl' e7ual to the applied
)olta#e!
Tests ma' be carried out b' connectin# a series lamp 3sa' 1< watts4 at suppl' side to
restrict hi#her current& if an'! If the series lamp #lows bri#htl' or the induced )olta#e
readin#s in di9erent phases indicate -ero or )er' low )alue or if the induced )olta#es
show abnormal )ariation from the e*pected )alues& fault in the windin# can be
suspected!
For measurin# the )olta#es& hi#h impedance )oltmeter lie di#ital multimeter should
be used! The test ma' be repeated b' appl'in# )olta#e to the second and third
phases and measurin# the induced )olta#es in other phases! When the ma#netic
circuit is balanced& there would be s'mmetr' in the )alue of measured induced
)olta#es! The measured )olta#es ma' be recorded in the sample format #i)en below5
2.4.2 Phasor Group %est
Phasor relationship between B@ and :@ )olta#es is checed b' this test! Without
earthin# the windin# neutral points& interconnect one phase of B@ windin# D sa' 2J D
to the correspondin# phase of :@ windin# (1J and appl' a balanced C phase low
)olta#e to the B@ windin#! The phase se7uence of the suppl' should be the same as
the speci8ed phase se7uence of the transformer windin#! /onnections for %'22 and
%'2 transformers and the correspondin# )ector #roupin#s are #i)en in 8#ures 1!1
and 1!C! Measure the )olta#e between the primar' and the secondar' terminals! The
followin# re7uirements shall be ful8lled dependin# on the )ector #roup of the
transformers!
If two transformers are a)ailable for test& the phasor #roups can be compared easil'
b' appl'in# )olta#e from same source to identical bushin#s on the B@ side and b'
measurin# the )olta#e between identicall' mared terminals on the :@ sides with
sin#le interconnection between either the neutrals or an' one phase!
2.4.1# %est +or %rans+ormer 3il
Transformer oil is of petroleum ori#in and is used as a coolant and dielectric in
transformers! Transformer oil in #ood condition and conformin# to rele)ant standards
will pre)ent deterioration of transformer insulation! As the transformer oil is& to some
e*tent& e*posed to air at site& it is alwa's necessar' to test the oil for )arious
characteristics before the transformer is put to ser)ice! As the )arious tests for
transformer oil are laborator' tests& details of these tests are be'ond the scope of
this boo! Test procedures for )arious tests are #i)en in the rele)ant standards of ,IS&
list of which are #i)en at the end of this chapter in para 1!>!
From the point of )iew of 8eld tests& what is important is the method of and
precautions for collectin# the transformer oil and the limit )alues of )arious
characteristics! Bowe)er a rou#h test on the moisture content of the oil can be made
at site b' conductin# a simple test& popularl' called the cracle test! In this test& a
piece of steel tube of appro*imatel' 1< mm dia is closed at one end and the closed
end is heated to "ust under red hot ! Now the hot end is plun#ed into the oil sample
with the ear close to the open end! If the oil contains lar#e 7uantit' of moisture& a
sharp cracle will be heard! %r' oil will onl' si--le!
Samplin# of oil D 0eneral precautions
Since the results of the tests prescribed for transformer oil lar#el' depend on the
impurities in the sample sent for testin#& it is essential to eep the oil free from an'
contamination! The followin# precautions shall be taen while collectin# samples of
transformer oil!
2! For collectin# the sample& #lass containers with #lass stoppers are preferred o)er
metal t'pe! Wa* shall not be used for sealin# the containers! The stopper ma' be
co)ered with a piece of cloth paced with silica #el!
1! The container ma' be warmed to abo)e the ambient air temperature in order to
a)oid an' condensation of moisture!
C! ,efore collectin# the sample& all e7uipments used for handlin# the oil must be
washed with clean transformer oil! The oil used for washin# must be discarded!
;! Fle*ible steel hose ma' be used for handlin# the oil! Some inds of s'nthetic hoses
are also suitable! Ordinar' rubber hose should not be used as oil dissol)es the
sulphur in the rubber and thereb' #ets contaminated! The hose used must be clean
and free from dust& rust and scale!
<! The operator shall tae special care to see that his hands do not come in contact
with the sample or the internal surface of the container!
>! The transformer oil shall be protected a#ainst all inds of li#ht radiation durin#
transportation and stora#e!
Samplin# procedure
2! Remo)e the )al)e shield if 8tted!
1! Remo)e all )isible dirt and dust from the )al)e with a lintfree clean cloth!
C! Run o9 suKcient 7uantit' of oil( sa' 2 litre D to eliminate an' contaminant that
mi#ht ha)e accumulated in the drain coc!
;! Rinse the container with the oil bein# sampled!
<! Fill the container b' allowin# the oil to .ow a#ainst the side of the containers to
a)oid air traps!
>! /lose and seal the container and store the samples in a dar place!
E)aluation of test results
Three samples of oil from the top and bottom of the tan are tested for )arious
characteristics! For transformers of capacit' below 2 M@A and where )er' hi#h
reliabilit' is not e*pected the 8)e characteristics #i)en in table 1!2 shall be in)ariabl'
tested and it shall be ensured that the test results are within the minimum+ma*imum
limits!
In the case of transformers where )er' hi#h reliabilit' is re7uired and in all cases
where the capacit' is 2 M@A or abo)e& the additional characteristics #i)en in table 1!1
shall also be tested! The test results shall be within the #i)en limits!
2.4.11 Rela- %ests
All protecti)e rela's & /Ts& PTs and control wirin# shall be tested as e*plained under
the chapter for protecti)e rela's! The rela's shall be set to suit the operatin#
conditions and to coordinate with other sections of the s'stem! The rela' test results
shall be documented for future reference!
2., 4ommissioning
After completin# all the pre(commission tests #i)en under section 1!;& the pre(test
checs under section 1!C are redone once a#ain! All the protecti)e rela's and circuit
breaers are tested for proper worin#! The rela' settin#s are ept at a low )alue so
that the transformer will #et isolated if there is an' internal fault! Allow a settlin#
time of at least 1; hours for oil and then release air from all points! Now the
transformer ma' be test char#ed from the incomin# side on no(load and operated for
about two hours!
Obser)e the transformer hum for an' abnormalit'! An' )ibration or abnormal
ma#neti-in# current ma' also be obser)ed! After continuous operation for about two
hours& isolate the transformer and chec the #as operated ,uchholt- rela' for an'
#as collection! An' dissol)ed air or air bubble that ma' be collected in the ,uchholt-
rela' ma' be released and the transformer char#ed a#ain on no load! All connected
instruments ma' be checed for an' abnormal indication! Now #raduall' load the
transformer to full capacit' and eep it under constant obser)ation for at least 1;
hours of operation! /hec the oil and windin# temperature at full load and compare
with factor' test )alues! After four or 8)e da's of ser)ice& test the oil for )arious
characteristics& especiall' for ,%@! An' #as collection in the ,uchholt- rela' ma' also
be obser)ed! If the test results and obser)ations are found normal& the transformer
ma' be cleared for re#ular ser)ice! After the transformer is put in ser)ice for some
wees with normal worin# temperature& all sealed "oints shall be re (ti#htened!
The results of the )arious tests shall be recorded and ept in the station as a
permanent record for future reference! %etails such as place of erection& date of
commissionin#& protection #i)en to the transformer etc! ma' be furnished to the
manufacturer after commissionin#!