12/25/2018 Performing power factor test on dry-type transformer during commissioning | EEP

Maintenance / Testing and Commissioning / Transformers

Performing power factor test on dry-type

transformer during commissioning
Power factor test
The power factor test is a maintenance test used to determine the
insulation system dielectric power loss by measuring the power angle
between an applied AC voltage and the resultant current.

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Performing
Performing power
power factor
factor test
test on
on dry-type
dry-type transformer
transformer during
during commissioning
commissioning (photo
(photo credit:
credit:
sgb-smit.com)
sgb-smit.com)

Power factor is defined as the ratio of the power dissipated

divided by the input volt-ampere multiplied by 100%.

This test may be required to be performed during the acceptance testing

stage to establish a baseline reading for future test comparison.

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Figure
Figure 11 –– Insulation
Insulation System
System Equivalent
Equivalent Circuit
Circuit and
and Power
Power Factor
Factor Vector
Vector Diagram
Diagram

Dielectric losses in and power factor can be calculated by:

Watts = E × IT × Cosine Ө
Power factor = Cosine Ө = Watts / (E × IT)

Power factor test is performed for detecting insulation deterioration or

degradation usually caused by moisture, carbonization or other forms of
contaminants of the winding and bushing. Winding distortions results in a
change in winding capacitance and short-circuited and partially short-
circuited turns result in abnormally high excitation current.

Types of transformers that are normally subjected to the power factor

test are:

1. Two winding transformers

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2. Three winding transformer

3. Auto-transformers
4. Instrument transformers

Other test names synonymous with the power factor test are
dielectric loss angle, dissipation factor test, tan delta or
doble test.

General conditions required for testing transformers are:

1. The unit must be de-energized and isolated from the power system
including the neutral connection from ground.
2. Transformer enclosure must be properly grounded and applicable to
when testing spare units.
3. All terminal of each winding are short-circuited together including the
neutral terminals. This will minimize the effect of winding inductance
during testing.
4. Load tap changer (LTC) should be set of neutral if it has arrester-type
elements that are not effectively short circuited in the neutral position.

The power factor test typically applies a test voltage less than the stress
working levels of the equipment. Refer to Table 1.

Table 1 – Recommended power factor test voltage for dry-type power

transformer connected in delta and ungrounded-wye

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Winding rating Test Voltage

Line-to-line, kV Line-to-ground, kV
Above 14.4 2 and 10
12 to 14.4 2, 10 and at operating line-to-ground voltage
5.04 to 8.72 2 and 5
2.4 to 4.8 2
Below 2.4 1

Note // Transformer windings provided with neutral insulation rating which

is less than the line insulation rating should be tested below the neutral
insulation rating level.

The required tests are noted in Table 2 and its connection is shown in
Figure 2 and Figure 3. The difference between the high voltage winding
tests and the low voltage winding tests are the placement of the test leads
and the test voltage levels. Test 3 and test 8 of Table 2 should generate
the same value as they both measure the same capacitance between the
windings.

Table 2 – Power Factor test connection for two winding dry-

type transformer

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Test number Test mode Energized winding Ground Guard UST Measure
1 GST High Low – – CH+CHL
2 GST High – Low – CH
3 UST High – – Low CHL
4 Calculate Test 1 minus Test 2 CHL
5 GST Low High – – CL+CHL
6 GST Low – High – CL
7 UST Low – – High CHL
8 Calculate Test 5 minus Test 6 CHL

HV winding power factor test

1. Isolate transformer
2. Isolate Neutral Connection
3. Install shorting jumpers on H1, H2 and H3
4. Install shorting jumpers on X1, X2, X3 and X0
5. Apply Specified test voltage at ramp rate in 15 seconds
6. Test at specified voltage for 1 minute
7. Reduce test voltage to zero at ramp rate in 5 seconds

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Figure
Figure 22 –– Power
Power Factor
Factor High
High Voltage
Voltage Winding
Winding Test
Test Connection
Connection

LV winding power factor test

1. Isolate transformer
2. Isolate Neutral Connection
3. Install shorting jumpers on H1, H2 and H3
4. Install shorting jumpers on X1, X2, X3 and X0
5. Perform a GST test
6. Perform a Guard test
7. Perform an UST test

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8. Confirm capacitance value from GST test minus Guard test equal
UST test

Figure
Figure 33 –– Power
Power Factor
Factor Low
Low Voltage
Voltage Winding
Winding Test
Test Connection
Connection

Caution //
Always ground to the previously energized terminal with a
grounding stick before making any connection changes to
bleed off any electrical charge that may be present. Leave
the grounding connected until connection changes is completed
and before the start of the next test.
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Power factor test procedure (Two winding dry-

type transformer)
1. Isolate the equipment, apply working grounds to all incoming and
outgoing cables and disconnect all incoming and outgoing cables
from the transformer bushing terminals. Disconnected cables should
have sufficient clearance from the switchgear terminals greater that
the phase spacing distance.

Use nylon rope to hold cable away from incoming and

outgoing terminals as required.

2. Isolate the neutral bushing connection if applicable from the

transformer grounding bar.
3. Short-circuit all high voltage bushing terminals together.
4. Short-circuit all low voltage bushing terminals and the neutral
bushing terminal together.
5. Connect the power factor test set. Refer to Table 2 for the test
measuring mode and associated test number.
6. Apply the specified test voltage levels as noted in Table 2.
7. Record power factor and watts loss values.
8. Repeat step 5 to 7 until all tests are completed

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Table 2 -Standard kVA Ratings for Dry-Type Transformers

Single phase Three phase Single phase Three phase

2 6 333 1000
3 9 500 1500
5 15 667 2000
10 30 833 2500
15 45 1000 3000
25 75 1250 3750
37 112 1667 5000
50 150 2500 7500
75 225 3333 open-ended
100 300 5000
— 450 open-ended
167 500 –
250 750 –

Measuring capacitance and power factor or

dissipation factor
The condition of the bushings and the overall insulation of power
transformers can be investigated by measuring the capacitance and
dissipation factor, also known as the tangent delta, or power factor.

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Aging and decomposition of the insulation, or the ingress of water,

increases the losses and thus more energy is turned into heat in the
insulation. The level of this dissipation is expressed by the dissipation
factor or power factor.

Power factor testing

In this video you will learn about means to measure the quality of the
insulation of power transformers and bushings, such as power factor or
dissipation factor measurement, and measuring capacitance.

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Possible causes for a reduction in insulation quality are also

explained.

TanDelta/Power Factor Testing

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Reference // Substation commissioning course – Dry-type transformers by

Raymond Lee, Technical Trainer

Edvard Csanyi
Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for
design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A)

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in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities.

Professional in AutoCAD programming. Present on Google+

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