Diagnostic Insulation

Testing
Predictive Maintenance issues
Basis of Insulation Tests
Spot Tests & Polarisation Index
Dielectric Discharge Test
Power factor testing
AVO Range
 Maintenance Regimes

Corrective maintenance
Preventive (Periodic) Maintenance
Predictive Maintenance
(Record & trend data to determine next
action - variable maintenance periods)

Appropriate regime varies

 Test Techniques - DC
Testing
Total Current has 3 components
Capacitive Current - Charging
Absorbtion Current -Polarisation
Leakage Current

TIME DEPENDENT
Temperature Dependent
 Insulation Test Currents
I/uA 100

Charging
Total

10

Leakage
Absorption

1
0,1 1 10
T
Insulation Equivalent Circuit

Leakage Capacitance Absorption

 Diagnosis from Insulation
Tests
Record & Trend

Spot Tests
- Record conditions as well (Temp, RH)
Time resistance tests
- Polarisation Index Test (PI)
Step Voltage Test (SV)
Dielectric Discharge Tests (DD)
 Insulation Test as a
Go/NoGo Test
Spot Test carried out for given time
(1 minute)
Commissioning
National /Manufacturers Standards
 Time Resistance Tests

Independent of equipment size and

temperature
Some information without past results
Options;
Curves
Time - Resistance Ratios
 Time ResistanceTest
R

Absorbtion current not seen

t1 t2
Time
 Time Resistance Tests
Polarisation Index Insulation Condition
(10 min/1 min ratio)
<1 unsatisfactory
1,0 - 2,0 dubious
2,0 - 4,0 good
>4,0 very good
 Time Resistance Tests
Dielectric Absorption Insulation Condition
Ratio (60 s/30 s)
<1 unsatisfactory
1.0 - 1.4 dubious
1.4 - 1.6 good
>1.6 very good
 Step Voltage Test

Test voltage is increased in 5 steps

Lower insulation resistance values at
higher voltage indicate presence of
cracks/holes
 Step Voltage Test
5000 V
Resistance

2000 V

1000 V

Voltage
 Dielectric Discharge Test

Test is run until currents stabilise

Measurements made on discharge

DD = Current after 1 min
Voltage x Capacitance
 Dielectric Discharge Test
+

- - - - - - + - +
- - - + +
- - + -
+ + + -
+ + - - + +
+ + + ++ - - +

-
Dielectric Discharge Test
DD Value Insulation Condition

>4 unsatisfactory
2.0 - 4.0 dubious
<2.0 good
 Tan Delta Testing

Polarisation and capacitive current

dominate
Aging (moisture/dirt) sensitive
Low voltages can be used
 Perfect Insulation

I (capacitive)

ITOTAL

IR = 0
V (applied)
 Facts about Insulation

In a REAL insulation system

there is also a loss current flowing
in-phase with the voltage

IC // IR = ITOTAL
 REAL Insulation

I (capacitive)

IC ITOTAL

IR
V (applied)
 Facts about Insulation

In practice NO insulation is perfect

Resistive loss current is always
present
Total current leads the voltage by a
phase angle and lags capacitive
current by angle
 REAL Insulation

I (capacitive)

IC ITOTAL

IR
V (applied)
 What is Tan Delta?

Tan Delta is the ratio of in-phase

(resistive) current to the 90-degree
(capacitive) current
Tan Delta equals Dissipation
Factor
 What is Power Factor?

Power factor is the ratio in-phase

(resistive) current to the total
current.
 Tan Delta Testing

I(capacitive) IR
Tan =
IC
IC ITOTAL

IR
Power Factor =
ITOTAL

IR
V(applied)
 Tan Delta v. Power Factor

Both values are similar up to 20%

power factor and tan delta; beyond
20% they diverge.
 Tan Delta 3 Terminal Test
Low voltage High voltage
(L) (H)

CHL

CLG CHG

Ground
Connection (G)
 Tan Delta 3 Terminal Test

Configuration Measures
GST L-GND CHL + CHG
GST L-Guard CHG
UST CHL
GST H-Guard CLG
GST H-GND CHL + CLG
 Why perform the
Tan Delta Test?
Normal insulation resistance testing
limited to 5kV dc
Tan Delta is up to 12kV ac
Most test specimens normally operate
with AC voltage
Much closer resemblance to the normal
operating condition of the insulation
 Tan Delta Testing

Comparison with name -plate values

Very sensitive to small changes
a.c. test at rated voltage
Larger, heavier test equipment
 Insulation Test Diagnosis

Test Type Main Failure Mode

Spot Insulation Test Go/no go
Polarisation Index Moisture/dirt
Step Voltage Cracks/holes
Dielectric Discharge Absorbed
moisture/dirt
Tan-delta Loss measurement
 Tests Performed On
Transformers
Circuit Breakers
Rotating Machinery
Insulating Liquids
High Voltage Bushings
Surge Arrestors
High Voltage Coils
 MEGGER BM11D

Portable, IP54 , large PbAcid battery

Readings to 500 GOhm
Display is large, clear & Easy to Use
Safety features
Automatic discharge, locking test leads,
Hazard display
Integral Timer
 MEGGER BM21

All BM11D features plus;

Readings up to 5TOhm

Selectable Test Voltage

Selectable Test Time

Checks Capacitance at test End

Can show current as well as resistance

Burn mode
 MEGGER BM25

As BM21 features plus;

Automated tests

Polarisation Index
Step Voltage
Dielectric Discharge

RS232 download results every 5 s

Download software & lead
MEGGER S1-5005
As BM25 with 5 mA test
current.
BM25 has 2 mA test
current.
 MEGGER S1-5010

Heavy Duty - Mains & Battery

Automated Tests
Results Storage
RS 232 communications
Graphical Display
MEGGER S1-5010
 MEGGER S1-5010

Memory for 75 sets of results

Windows PC software
remote operation
results storage

External output for HV ON indicator

Switchable digital filter for noise
rejection
IP54 weatherproofing
S1-5010 and S1-S1 software

S1-5010
 S1-S1 software

Duplicates the S1-5010 on your PC screen.

Control the S1-5010 from your PC via an
RS232 link.
Download tests to your PC
in real time.
as a batch at the end of testing.
Annotate the tests results with details of the
test.
Recreate graphs etc. in other software.
 BIDDLE Delta 2000

500 V - 12 kV power factor tester

Automatic bridge operation
High noise immunity
Menu driven display
Measures voltage, current, power (loss),
power factor/tan-delta and capacitance
 BIDDLE Delta 2000

Results storage
Printer for on-site results
Downloading test data
Accessories
Oil test cell
Bushing connectors

Bar code wand

BIDDLE Delta 2000
 BIDDLE 2.5 & 12 kV semi-
automatic units
2.5 kV single unit construction
12 kV control unit and
Measure capacitance, dissipation factor
and Watts
 CB-100 Low Voltage Bridge

28 V test voltage
Safe
Compact
Low cost
Often used on bushings & transformers
 Testing with Safety

How does the electrical risk appears ?

- When an electrical line or conductor is
unexpectedly still live
- When current sources are not properly
isolated
- When power generators are connected to the
network
- When there are atmospheric phenomenons
such as lightning
- Through induced currents
 Testing with Safety
However, it has also been observed that
the most common causes of unexpected
presence of voltage on electrical lines or
installations were due to:
- A mistake in operating a switch
- A mistake in identifying the work to
perform
- A "faulty" switch (one of the links for
example remaining partially engaged)
 Testing with Safety

How does the electrical risk disappear ?

1. By observing Simple Electrical Safety Rules
directed by common Sense
(even if Working Practices vary from a country to
another, GOLDEN RULES always apply).
2. By using Simple, Light and Reliable Electrical
Safety Equipment.
 Testing with Safety

1. SEPARATE THE WORK AREA FROM

ALL POSSIBLE SOURCES OF POWER
SUPPLY
by opening circuit-breakers, switches
AND LOCK THE LINKS IN THE OPEN
POSITION
 Testing with Safety
2. CHECK THE ABSENCE OF VOLTAGE
at source and on site, on each conductor
and apparatus involved.

3. APPLY APPROPRIATE SHORT-

CIRCUIT AND EARTHING SYSTEMS
in sufficient numbers on the conductors of
your network where operation is taking
place.
 Testing with Safety

4. SHOWN, WARN OTHERS AND

LIMIT THE WORK AREA
even during the most simple temporary
maintenance operation
 Testing with Safety

Discharge Sticks
Slowly discharge capacitive items (cables,
capacitors.)
Discharge to a safe level in 5 - 10 times
RC (time constant)
 Discharge Sticks

Voltage Length Resistance Max. cap.

35 kV 50 cm 10 kOhm 6 uF
50 kV 136 cm 100 kOhm 6 uF
75 kV 156 cm 150 kOhm 4 uF
100 kV 176 cm 200 kOhm 3 uF
150 kV 208 cm 300 kOhm 2 uF
 Oil Testing
MEGGER Foster Oil Electric
Strength Testers
 Why test switchgear oil?

Prevent Transformer failure

Principle problems are:
humidity

oxygen

temperature
 Oil Testing Methods

Water content
Acidity

Colour

Flash point

Gas content

Oil provides HV insulation

Electric strength is the most important

test
 Breakdown Testing
Test Voltage

60
40
20
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Time
 Electric Strength Test
Results
Average over six tests
Scatter can be large
Standard deviation calculated
Report breakdown values, date,
temperature
 New Specification EN60156

Replaces IEC156 (1963)

Optional stirring
Current limited breakdown for silicone oils
Gives guidance on scatter of results
 Withstand Testing

Test voltage held at preset level for

1 minute
Quick test of level of contamination
Increase to breakdown to find
headroom?
 Withstand Testing

60
50
Test Voltage

40
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Time
 MEGGER Foster OTSAF/2

Fully automatic, unattended operation

Wide range of tests including five custom
Results include standard deviation, time, date
Results printed or download via RS232
Stirring options for magnetic or propellor
60 kV, 80 kV and 100 kV versions
MEGGER Foster OTSAF/2
 MEGGER Foster OTS60PB

Portable oil test set for on site measurement

Battery powered for two days continuous use
Fully automatic, unattended operation
Pass/fail levels for go/no go testing
Small and lightweight (19 kg = 42 lb)
Complete with battery charger
Variety of electrodes
RS232 interface plus optional printer
 MEGGER Foster OTS60SX

Low cost, Semi automatic set

60 kV maximum output, 0,1 kV resolution
Simple START, STOP & PAUSE control
Weighs only 17,5 kg
Optional vessels for all specifications
Auto 60 second timer for withstand testing
Operates from 110/230 V power supply
 MEGGER KF2000

Karl Fischer moisture in oil test set

Simple to use

Quick results

Low cost

Battery powered, portable

MEGGER KF2000
AVO INTERNATIONAL
Bringing
Reliability to
Amps
Volts
Ohms