Partially Graded vs Fully Graded?

Rob M.Substation Engineering Specialist at Trans-Africa Projects (PTY) Ltd

I'm looking for good technical definitions to explain the difference between fully
graded and partially graded, star connected (Y) primary winding of a standard
YNd1 transformer used extensively by the power utility in South Africa. Any
offers?
Shamaun H.
Electrical Engineering Manager at CG Power Systems USA Inc
Star point or neutral of the winding can have one of three type of connections to ground/earth
1. Solidly Grounded (very low, almost zero impedace) : Transformer winding shall withstand full insulation
level at the line end whereas neutral end of the winding can withstand lower insulation level depending on the
applicable standard IEC or IEEE or CSA etc..... Usually insulation level of the neutral is 95 KVp lightning
impulse level and 28 KV rms 1 minute power frequency. The winding can have a graded insulation meaning
insulation level can gradually reduce from full insulation at line end to reduced level at neutral end.
2. Impedance Grounded (with a resistor or reactor) : Neutral end of the winding can have either full insulation as
that at line end or reduced. For insulation level of the neutral, refer applicable standard and customer's
specification. Customer specification can be higher than the standard and overrules. Again, winding can have a
graded insulation meaning insulation level can gradually reduce from full insulation at line end to reduced level
at neutral end.
3. Ungrounded (Open, not connected to ground in any way): Transformer winding shall have uniform insulation
throughout, that of the line. The winding is called to have uniform insulation.
Coming to your question of fully graded or partially graded, general terminology is graded or uniform insulation.
However there is another term called as fully interleaved or partially interleaved types of winding used in
winding typically of 145 KV and above voltage class.

Barend V.
Lecturer at University of Johannesburg
Good day Rob
Just a comment on the partial an fully interleaved terminology; This does not pertain to the insulation grading of
the winding per se, and is more an electromagnetic matter rather than electrostatic. At the end of the day the
grading of your insulation boils down to the basic insulation level BIL at the line end vs. that at the neutral end
of the winding. Shamaun gave a very good example of the reasoning behind this.
Kind regards,
Barend.

Subramoney M.
Director at EMMESS Consultancy Services
I agree with Mr.Hakim that there can be only two type of insulation,uniform or graded.
Wherever star wdg neutral is earthed on 66 K.V.and higher voltage class,graded
insulation is being used.
The advantage of graded wdg in H.V.Star Trs. is that if taps are to be provided on H.V.
wdg, the same can be provided at neutral end which saves cost on OLTC.Also the
neutral bushing will be of a lesser voltage cost than the line.
M.SUBRAMONEY

Rob M.
Substation Engineering Specialist at Trans-Africa Projects (PTY) Ltd
Thanks Shamaun.
You have provided an explanation on the types of grounding that can be applied to the star point of the winding,
but the actual term "partially grade" vs "fully graded" is still ambiguous in my view. Both refer to a grading of
the insulation between the line end and the neutral/star point of any limb in a star connected winding, but in
technical terminology, what does that actually mean, i.e. for "fully graded" does it mean that the insulation
covering at the line end of the winding is sufficient to withstand full line voltage, which is gradually reduced
along the length of the winding limb to such an extent that the insulation covering at the star point end is
sufficient to withstand the virtual zero voltage that would be measured but also for mechanical protection?
Would "fully graded: then apply to your item 1 explanation? If so, where does partially graded fit in and what
does it mean in terms of the insulation covering along the winding limb?
The standard YNd1 transformers used by the power utility in South Africa come with a partially graded Y
winding that is either connected direct to ground or lifted via a neutral point surge arrester, depending on the
protection philosophy applied at any particular installation

Barend V.
Lecturer at University of Johannesburg
Good day Rob.
The problem with these terminologies is that they in essence specify how the insulation should be designed
which is realy a matter to be left to the manufacturer. The 2013 draft of the IEC 60076-3 no longer refers to
graded and partialy graded insulation. It only distinguishes between uniform, and non uniform insulations. This
simplifies matters. Uniform insulation means that the line end and neutral end has the same withstand capability,
non uniform means that your neutral has a lower withstand capability than the line end of the winding. The
utility should only specify the withstand capability of the neutral and does not need to worry about the grading of
the insulation structure since this is driven by the required BIL.

Shamaun H.
Electrical Engineering Manager at CG Power Systems USA Inc
Rob,
I am not familiar with terms fully graded or partially graded in the design of winding. Perhaps, in some regions
or companies, fully graded is used for solidly grounded neutral and partially graded for impedance grounded.
Neutral cannot be lifted (at higher potential) by surge arrestor, it can be protected though, when impedance
grounded or ungrounded.
I am in agreement with Barend.

Rob M.
Substation Engineering Specialist at Trans-Africa Projects (PTY) Ltd
Thanks Barend. I wasn't aware of the proposed changes in the draft spec, IEC 60076-3, which does simplify the
whole matter. Thanks for the feedback, which has clarified the ambiguity inherent with the old terminology in
my view. Much appreciated.

Kevin N.
Senior Expert: Design for Quality at ALSTOM Grid
As far as I can make out the term 'graded' insulation dates back to the days of BS 171. In the 1970 version there
are actually 4 classes of graded insulation. 1 is for when the neutral is solidly grounded with a test voltage of 38
kV (this is the minimum level in the current version of IEC 60076-3). 2 is a special case where the neutral is
connected to a separate regulating transformer, this is obviously only valid for single phase transformers or 3
phase transformers where the neutral is made externally, here the insulation level depends on the insulation level
of the neutral of the regulating transformer, the insulation level of the line end of the main winding and the p.u.
regulation, again with a minimum of 38 kV. 3 is for the neutral grounded through a resistor or other impedance
and protected by a suitable voltage limiting device (surge arrester or similar), here the test voltage is between
36% and 65% of the insulation level of the line end depending on the characteristics of the apparatus and the
system. Lastly 4 is another special case where the neutral is grounded via an arc suppression coil and again
protected by a surge arrester or similar here the range of test voltage is between 58% and 65% presumably this is
because with these types of system phase to earth voltage can exist at the neutral for extended periods and so a
higher rated voltage of surge arrester is required. The terms partially or fully are not used but colloquially full
graded would apply to category 1 and partially to categories 3/4. The term 'graded' disappeared from BS 171
when it was aligned with IEC 76. As stated above we now only have uninform and non-uniform insulation in
IEC. The recommendation for a minimum test level of 38 kV for the solidly grounded case still exists otherwise
it is up to the user to specify the test level for the neutral based on system characteristics. Armed with this
information it is up to the transformer manufacturer to design the transformer accordingly. The user may also
specify an impulse voltage test for the neutral. In uniformly insulated transformers the separate source test
proves the insulation to ground of the whole winding, the induced voltage test proves the turn to turn and phase
to phase insulation ideally at 2x rated. In non-uniformly insulated transformers the separate source test proves
only the insulation of the neutral. Two induced tests are required, one with the neutral grounded at approximately
2x rated to prove turn to turn and phase to phase insulation and a second test to prove the phase to ground
insulation of the line terminal. This is usually done with the neutral terminal raised above ground to reduce the
turn to turn voltage, in some cases the designer may elect to artificially increase the internal withstand of the
transformer (including the tap-changer, if any) beyond what is specified to minimise the turn to turn voltage, this
may also require a temporary test bushing to be fitted to the neutral. In rather latest FDIS of IEC 60076-3 this
test is called the LTAC (line terminal AC) test. For the higher voltages it is replaced by a switching impulse test
unless specified as a special test by the user

Rob M.
Substation Engineering Specialist at Trans-Africa Projects (PTY) Ltd
Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated as it has clarified the issue to a certain extent. Thanks again.
Regards
Rob