(2) D.C.

Resistance or Winding Resistance Test

Test Purpose:

Transformer winding resistance is measured

To check any abnormalities like Loose connections, broken strands and High
contact resistance in tap changers
To Calculation of the I2R losses in transformer.
To Calculation of winding temperature at the end of temperature rise test of
transformer.

Test Instrument:

The Resistance of HV winding LV winding between their terminals are to be

measured with
Precision milliohm meter/ micro ohm meter / Transformer Ohmmeter. OR
Wheatstone bridge or DC resistance meter.

Method No: 1 (Kelvin Bridge Method for measurement of winding resistance)

Test Procedure:

The main principle of bridge method is based on comparing an unknown

resistance with a known resistance.
When electric currents flowing through the arms of bridge circuit become
balanced, the reading of galvanometer shows zero deflection that means at
balanced condition no electric current will flow through the galvanometer.
Very small value of resistance (in milliohms range) can be accurately
measured by Kelvin Bridge method whereas for higher value Wheatstone
bridge method of resistance measurement is applied. In bridge method of
measurement of winding resistance, the error is minimized.
All other steps to be taken during transformer winding resistance measurement
in these methods are similar to that of current voltage method of measurement
of winding resistance of transformer

Method No: 2 (current voltage method of measurement of winding resistance)

Test Procedure:

The resistance of each transformer winding is measured using DC current and

recorded at a ambient temp.
In this test resistance of winding is measurement by applying a small DC
voltage to the winding and measuring the current through the same
The measured resistance should be corrected to a common temperature such as
75C or 85C using the formula: RC=RM x ((CF+CT)/(CF+WT))
where
RC is the corrected resistance, RM is the measured resistance
CF is the correction factor for copper (234.5) or aluminum (225) windings
CT is the corrected temperature (75C or 85C)
WT is the winding temperature (C) at time of test
Before measurement the transformer should be kept in OFF condition at least
for 3 to 4 hours so in this time the winding temperature will become equal to
its oil temperature.
To minimize observation errors, polarity of the core magnetization shall be
kept constant during all resistance readings.
Voltmeter leads shall be independent of the current leads to protect it from
high voltages which may occur during switching on and off the current circuit.
The readings shall be taken after the electric current and voltage have reached
steady state values. In some cases this may take several minutes depending
upon the winding impedance.
The test current shall not exceed 15% of the rated current of the winding.
Large values may cause inaccuracy by heating the winding and thereby
changing its resistance.
For Calculating resistance, the corresponding temperature of the winding at
the time of measurement must be taken along with resistance value.

Required Precaution:

According to IEC 60076-1, in order to reduce measurement errors due to

changes in temperature, some precautions should be taken before the
measurement is made.
For Delta connected Winding: for delta-connected transformer, the
resistance should be measured for each phase (i.e. R-Y , Y-B & B-R) .Delta is
composed of parallel combination of the winding under test and the series

combination of the remaining winding .It is therefore recommended to make

three measurements for each phase to-phase winding in order obtain the most
accurate results.
For Delta connected windings, such tertiary winding of auto-transformers
measurement shall be done between pairs of line terminals and resistance per
winding shall be calculated as per the formula: Resistance per Winding = 1.5
X Measured Value
For Star connected winding: the neutral brought out, the resistance shall be
measured between the line and neutral terminal (i.e. R-N , Y-N,B-N) and
average of three sets of reading shall be the tested value. For Star connected
auto transformers the resistance of the HV side is measured between HV
terminal and IV terminal, then between IV terminal and the neutral.
For Dry type transformers: the transformer shall be at rest in a constant
ambient temperature for at least three hours.
For Oil immersed transformers: the transformers should be under oil and
without excitation for at least three hours. In case of tapped windings, above
readings are recorded at each tap. In addition, it is important to ensure that the
average oil temperature (average of the top and bottom oil temperatures) is
approximately the same as the winding temperature. Average oil temperature
is to be recorded. Measured values are to be corrected to required
temperatures.
As the measurement current increases, the core will be saturated and
inductance will decrease. In this way, the current will reach the saturation
value in a shorter time.
After the current is applied to the circuit, it should be waited until the current
becomes stationary (complete saturation) before taking measurements,
otherwise, there will be measurement errors.
The values shall be compared with original test an result which varies with the
transformer ratings.

Test Acceptance criteria:

DC Resistance Should be<=2% Factory Test.

Test Current <10% Rated Current

Test can detect:

Short Turns
Loose Connection of bushing
Loose Connection or High Contact Resistance on Tap Changer.
Broken winding stands

3) Turns Ratio / Voltage Ratio Test:

Test Purpose:

Turns Ratio Test / Voltage Ratio Test are done in Transformer to find out Open
Circuited turns, Short Circuited turns in Transformer winding.
The voltage ratio is equal to the turns ratio in a transformer (V1/V2=N1/N2).
Using this principle, the turns ratio is measured with the help of a turns ratio
meter. If it is correct , then the voltage ratio is assumed to be correct
This test should be made for any new high-voltage power transformer at the
time it is being installed.
With use of Turns Ratio meter (TTR), turns Ratio between HV & LV windings
at various taps to be measured & recorded.
The turns ratio is measure of the RMS voltage applied to the primary
terminals to the RMS Voltage measured at the secondary terminals.
R= Np / Ns
Where,
R=Voltage ratio
Np=Number of turns at primary winding.
Ns= Number of turns at secondary Winding.
The voltage ratio shall be measured on each tapping in the no-load condition.

Test Instruments:

Turns Ratio meter (TTR) to energies the transformer from a low-voltage

supply and measure the HV and LV voltages.
Wheatstone Bridge Circuit