Capacitance and Tan Delta Testing

What is tan delta?

In an ideal capacitor without any dielectric losses, the insulation current is exactly 90 leading to the applied voltage. For a real insulation with dielectric losses this angle is less than 90. The angle = 90 - is called loss angle. In a simplified diagram of the insulation, Cp represents the loss-free capacitance and Rp the losses. The tan of the loss angle is a measure of the losses in the capacitor and act as a method to evaluate the condition of the capacitor. Parallel Circuit

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Phasor Diagram

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Equivalent Series Circuit

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How losses are generated

The dipoles in the di-electric align along the Electric Field and changes direction in AC. This movement causes the losses. (For example water molecules).

Measurement of tan delta

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Schering Bridge

Testing kit block diagram

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Different Modes of Testing

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A = Yellow(C1), B = Blue(C2) , Ground Capacitance = C3

Omicron Kit
UST-A UST-B UST-A+B GST GSTg-A GSTg-B GSTg-A+B Measure C1, Guards C2, C3 Measure C2, Guards C1, C3 Measure C1+C2, Guards C3 Measure C1+C2+C3 Measure C2+C3, Guards C1 Measure C1+C3, Guards C2 Measure C3, Guards C1,C2

Eltel Kit
1. UST Y 2. UST B 3. UST YB 4. GST YBG 7. GST BG 6. GST YG 5. GST G

Note: For ungrounded objects, use UST-A or UST Y. For simple grounded objects, use GST or GST YBG. In grounded objects, if any other capacitor is connected to HV cable, use GSTg-A+B or GST G with only one cable connected to other end of the capacitor for removing it from the measurement (guarding). Do not connect any LV cable to ground.

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Test on Bushing UST - C1

Bushings are having a capacitor between the central high voltage connection and tan delta test tap (C1). Since, it is possible to disconnect the test tap from earth, we can measure C1 in UST mode. Connect HV lead to High Voltage connection of the bushing. Connect cable A or Yellow cable to tan delta tap. Make the measurement in UST-A or UST Y mode. In this mode, the effect of High Voltage to Ground capacitance is avoided since it is guarded. In a transformer or reactor, the jumpers need not be removed for bushing testing. However, short the bushings of the same winding to avoid effect of winding capacitance(In auto transformer, disconnect neutral, short 400 & 220 KV & N bushings ; short 33KV bushings and earth it while testing 400/220 bushings). Any other winding may be shorted and grounded during the test. While testing one bushing, do not open test tap of other bushings.

Test on Bushing - GSTg - C2

Bushings are having a capacitor between the tan delta test tap and flange (C2). Since, it is not possible to disconnect the earthing of the flange, only a grounded specimen test can be done for C2. To avoid the effect of bushing high voltage to ground, it is to be guarded. Connect HV cable to tan delta tap and Cable A or Yellow cable to Bushing HV. You can make the measurement in GSTg-A (7. GST BG) or GSTg-A+B (5. GST G). Do not exceed 1 KV during the measurement. Since Cable A (Yellow) or Cable A and B (Yellow and Blue) are guarded, the kit will show C2 capacitance ie., from test tap to ground. Do not connect any LV cable to ground.

Test on Auto transformer with tertiary-UST,GST and GSTg

In an auto-transformer, there are two windings effectively, ie., HV+IV+N and Tertiary. Before testing the winding, remove all jumpers, disconnect neutral, and short the bushings of the same winding ie., HV+IV+N. Short the 3 bushings of tertiary. Now there are 3 capacitors to be measured :- HV+IV+N to Earth, Tertiary to Earth and HV+IV+N to Tertiary. Out of these, HV+IV+N to Tertiary is to be measured in UST and other two in GSTg mode. During the test, do not open bushing test tap. 1. HV+IV+N to Tertiary in UST mode Connect HV cable to HV+IV+N. Connect LV cable A or Yellow to Tertiary. Test in UST-A or UST Y. (By interchanging HV and LV cable, the test values remain unchanged). 2. HV+IV+N to Earth in GSTg mode

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Connect HV cable to HV+IV+N. Connect LV cable A or Yellow to Tertiary. Test in GSTg-A(7. GST BG) or GSTg-A+B (5. GST G). Since HV to Tertiary capacitor is guarded in this method, the result will be HV+IV+N to Earth. 3. Tertiary to Earth in GSTg mode Connect HV cable to Tertiary. Connect LV cable A or Yellow to HV+IV+N. Test in GSTg-A(7. GST BG) or GSTg-A+B (5. GST G). Since Tertiary to HV capacitor is guarded in this method, the result will be Tertiary to Earth. Note : 1. If we avoid guarding in step 2, ie., by doing GST test, the total capacitance will be sum of Step 1 and Step 2. 2. If we avoid guarding in step 3, ie., by doing GST test, the total capacitance will be sum of Step 1 and Step 3.

Test on Reactor - GST

Since reactor is having only 1 winding, only the winding to earth capacitance can be measured. Isolate neutral and NGR. Remove jumpers on HV side. Short all HV bushings and neutral. Connect HV lead to the shorted winding. Connect LV lead(A or Yellow) to earth. Measure in GST (4. GST YBG). There is no error even if the LV lead is not connected.

Test on CT with test tap - UST

This test is similar to Bushing C1 test. Connect HV lead to high voltage point of the CT. Connect LV lead to test tap after disconnecting it from earth. Measure in UST.

Test on CT without test tap - GST

This test is similar to Reactor winding test. Connect HV lead to high voltage point of the CT. Connect LV lead to earth. Measure in GST. There is no error even if the LV lead is not connected. In GST measurements, the jumpers may have to be opened if they are leading to other earthed capacitors.

Test on CVT - UST and GST

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1. CVTs where Neutral can be isolated UST In the case of CVTs where neutral of the EMU transformer can be isolated from ground, UST measurements are possible. Isolate HF and Neutral from ground. Connect HV lead to high voltage of the CVT and LV lead to HF point. Measure in UST mode. Individual stack can be measured in UST mode by connecting the test lead to the CVT flanges. For the bottom most unit, connect HV lead to the flange and LV lead to HF point. 2. CVTs where Neutral cannot be isolated UST and GST In the case of CVTs where neutral of the EMU transformer cannot be isolated from ground, UST measurements are not possible for the total capacitor as well as the bottom unit. For measuring total capacitance, do not disconnect HF or Neutral from ground. Connect HV lead to high voltage point. Connect LV lead to ground. Measure in GST mode. It will be required to disconnect the jumpers in GST measurements. Bottom stack also to be measured in GST mode with HV lead to stack flange and LV lead to ground. For top and middle stack, measurement can be done in UST mode. The total capacitance or bottom stack capacitance test may show negative tan delta due to the presence of the EMU transformer. In such cases, the tan delta value may be ignored.

Test on Grading capacitor - UST

This test is similar to Bushing C1 test. Connect HV lead to one end of the grading capacitor. Connect LV lead to middle of the CB. Earth the other grading capacitor. Measure in UST mode.

Acceptable limits
Item Capacitance Tan Delta

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Bushing C1 Winding Grading capacitor CT CVT

+ 10% or -5 % of previous results ---+ - 5% of rated value ---Changes from pre-comm value Up To +- 2% = 3Y +-2% to +-3% = Y Above +- 6% = Alarming

< 0.007 Rate of raise 0.001/year - do- do- doIf value >0.007 upto 0.010 = HY Above 0.010 Replace CT <0.007 Changes from pre-comm value Up To +0.002= 3Y +0.002 to +0.003= Y Above +0.003= Alarming

Factors affecting the test results

The temperature, humidity and test supply frequency affect the reading. Do not apply any correction factor to the reading. Note down the air temperature, OTI / WTI, Relative humidity and test supply frequency for future reference. If the tests are conducted in similar conditions, comparison of test results will be easier.

Best method to keep the test results for trend analysis

The preventive maintenance format generally gives the current value and precommissioning value only. It is better to record all values right from pre-commissioning in an Excel table which should give raise per year and the trend.

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