Introduction to Doble Testing

for Bushings
Doble Engineering Diagnostics Toolbox

Arturo H. Oropeza

©2013 Doble Engineering Company. All Rights Reserved

Types of Bushings

• Capacitor/Condenser Type:
– Oil-Impregnated Paper Insulation
– Resin Bounded Paper Insulation

• Non-Condenser Type:
– Solid
– Alternate Layers of Solid and Liquid Insulation
– Gas-filled

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Condenser Bushing Construction

Main Insulation C1

Grounded
Center CA = CB = CC = CD = CE = CF= CG = CH = CI = CJ CK Layer/Flange
Conductor

V1 = V2 = V3 = V4 = V5 = V6 = V7 = V8 = V9= V10 Tap

Electrode

Line-to-Ground System Voltage

The Condenser type bushing allows an energized

conductor to penetrate a ground plane
Voltage is stressed equally across each layer of the
Condenser type bushing

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Typical Condenser Bushing
Construction
CA
CB
CC Core Wind
CD
CE
CF
CG
CENTER CONDUCTOR

CH

CI
CJ

CK
Tap Electrode
Foil
Grounded
Layer/Flange
C2 Plate

Grounded
Layer/Flange

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Typical Condenser Type U Bushing
Construction
CA
CB
Herringbone Pattern
CC
CD
CE
Core Wind
CF
CG
CENTER CONDUCTOR
CH

CI
CJ

CK

Tap Electrode

Grounded
Layer/Flange
C2 Plate

Grounded
Layer/Flange Semi-Conducting Paper

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ABB O + C Construction

Unwinding the Main Core oil

C2 Plate impregnated paper insulation

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Components of a Typical Oil-Impregnated
Capacitance-Graded Bushing
Center Conductor
Sight-Glass
Liquid or Compound Filler

Insulating Weather Shed

Main Insulating Core

Tap Insulation
Tap Electrode
Mounting Flange
Ground Sleeve
Tapped Capacitance-Graded Layer
Lower Insulator

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Typical Bushing Potential Tap
Construction
Center Conductor
Tapped Capacitance-Graded Core Layer
Liquid/Compound Filler
Main Insulating Core
Insulating Weathershed
Capacitance Graded
Core Layers
Tap Cover
Filler Plug
Connection to Tapped Core Layer
Tap Electrode
Tap Insulation
Mounting Flange
Permanently Grounded Core Layer
Ground Sleeve

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Typical Bushing Test Tap Construction

Center Conductor
Tapped Capacitance-Graded Core Layer
Liquid/Compound Filler
Main Insulating Core
Insulating Weather shed
Capacitance Graded
Core Layers
Tap-Cover
Tap Insulation

Tap Electrode
Connection to Tapped
Core Layer
Mounting Flange
Ground Sleeve
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Difference Between Power Factor Test
and Potential Taps
• Power Factor test taps • Potential Tap
– Bushings rated = < 69 KV – Bushing Rated > 69 kV
– C2 ~ C1 (except Lapp PRC – C2 ~ C1 x 10 (C2 >> C1)
s.n. > 00-189100)
– In Service: Floating,
– Grounded in Service Supplying Voltage, or
Grounded
– Doble Test Voltage: 500 V
(except Ohio Brass Class L – Doble Test Voltage: 2 KV
Bushing, to which no more (based on type up to 5 KV)
than 250 Volts should be
applied)

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Standard Bushing Tests

• C1 Main Core Insulation (UST)

– Center Conductor to Tap
• C2 Tap Insulation Test (GST-guard)
– Tap to Flange
• Hot Collar Test
– Externally Applied Collar to Center Conductor
• Overall (typically for Spare Bushings)
– Center Conductor to Flange

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Investigative Bushing Tests

• Inverted C1 (UST)
– Tap to Center Conductor
– DO NOT exceed Tap Voltage Rating
• Tip-up Test (for C1 Standard)
– Repeat C1 Test at 2 and 10 kV or 2 and L-G kV if less
than 10kV
• Alternate C2 Test (GST-ground)
– Tap to Center Conductor (C1 + C2)
• Supplemental Hot Collar Tests
– Multiple Collars

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Test Connections for Transformer
Bushing Test

High
Take advantage of the Voltage
Short Circuit in place Windings
for the Overall test
(HV windings, LV
CH
windings, and CHL
Neutral Bushing CL
disconnected from
ground) to complete Low
Bushings tests. Voltage
Windings

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Bushing Test Set-Up

Test Setup example (from our files):

Which set of Bushings is Connected With the
Winding Short-Circuited?
Not shorted Shorted
Phase A 0.60% 0.39%
Phase B 0.65% 0.40%
Phase C 0.56% 0.39%

This is one of the most common sources of error in test results!

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Bushing Test Set-Up

• Short-Circuit Windings (keep if already in place)

• Remove Test Tap cover from Bushing under test only
• Perform C1 (Main Core Insulation) test in UST mode
– Test Voltage 10 KV for ratings 15 KV and above
– Do not exceed line-to-ground Voltage for less 15 KV rating
• Perform C2 (Tap Insulation) test in GST-guard mode
– Test Voltage according to Tap type
• Use Test Tap adapters
• Replace Test Tap Cover
• If results are questionable clean Bushings to minimize
surface leakage

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Main-Insulation C1 Test
Standard Method
High-Voltage Cable

Test Includes
•Main C1 Core Insulation

Test Mode: UST

Guard Low Voltage Lead

Ground Lead

Bushing and
Apparatus Ground

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Main Insulation C1 Test
Dielectric Circuit

High Voltage Lead

Center Conductor
Test Tap
Low-Voltage Lead
C1
C2

Test Mode: UST

Ground Lead
IC1
Guard

I & W Meter
Test Ground

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C1 Test Result Analysis

Power Factor
• Modern Condenser Type Bushings in Acceptable condition
– Will depend on the manufacturer and type
– Generally the order of 0.5%
– Temperature correction to 20°C
• Deteriorated Bushings
– Generally Between 0.5% to 1.0%
• Investigate Bushings
– Above 1.0%
Current/Capacitance
• Recommended Limits
– + 5% - Investigate
– + 10% - Investigate/Remove From Service

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Typical C1 Test Data

Description Current (mA) Watts %PF

Typical Good 1.08 0.03 .28

Bushing

Same Bushing 1.09 0.06 .55

Contaminated

Same Bushing 1.19 0.04 .34

Shorted
Condenser
layers

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Tap-Insulation - C2 Test
Standard Method
Low Voltage Lead

Test Includes
• Tap Insulator
• Core Insulation between tapped layer and
Bushing ground sleeve
• Portion of liquid or compound filler
• Portion of Weather shed near flange
High Voltage Lead

Test Mode: GST-Guard

IC2
Guard

I & W Meter
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Tap Insulation C2 Test
Dielectric Circuit
Low Voltage Lead

Center Conductor
High Voltage Lead
C1
C2

Test Mode: GST-Guard

IC2
Guard Test Ground

I & W Meter

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C2 Tap Adapters

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C2 Test Tap Adapter Westinghouse type O

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C2 Test Tap Adapter
Westinghouse type O+

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C2 Test Result Analysis

C2 Test results are heavily influenced by test conditions

Power Factor
• Modern Condenser Type Bushings in Acceptable condition
– Will depend on the manufacturer and type
– Generally the order of 0.5% – 1.0%
– No correction factors available
• Deteriorated Bushings
– Generally Between 1.0% to 2.0%
• Investigate Bushings
– Above 2.0%
Current/Capacitance
• Varies according to Bushing manufacturer and type, recommendations:
– + 5% - + 10% Investigate
– Greater than + 10% - Investigate/Remove From Service

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Bushings Hot-Collar Tests
When to perform Bushings Hot-Collar Tests
• Compound-Filled Bushings
• Solid Porcelain Bushings
• Gas-Filled Bushings
• Oil Filled Bushings not equipped with taps and Overall Test cannot be
performed
– Single Hot-Collar Test on small Bushings 15 KV and below
– Several single Hot-Collar Tests for Bushings rated above 15 KV
• To check Oil level on all liquid filled Bushings without liquid level
gauges or sight glass
• To check Bushings with liquid level gauges whenever the gauge is
suspect
• As supplementary tests when Overall, C1, C2 Tests indicate possible
problem

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Single Hot Collar Test GST-Ground Mode

Low Voltage Lead

High Voltage Lead

Test Mode: GST-Ground

Ground Lead

Guard

Test Includes
• Portion of insulating Weather shed
• Sight-glass Bushing and
• Core insulation in upper area Apparatus Ground
• Liquid or compound filler in the upper area
• Surface leakage from Collar to LV lead and to
bushing flange

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Single Hot Collar Test UST Mode
Low Voltage Lead

High Voltage Lead

Test Mode: UST

Ground Lead

Guard

Test Includes
• Core Insulation in Upper Area
• Liquid or Compound Filler in the Bushing and
Upper Area Apparatus Ground

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Single Hot Collar Test GST-Guard Mode

Low Voltage Lead

High Voltage Lead

Test Mode: GST-Guard

Guard Ground Lead

Test Includes
• Portion of insulating Weather
shed sight-glass Bushing and
• Surface leakage from Collar to LV Apparatus Ground
lead and to Bushing flange

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Doble Hot Collar Test

• Test Voltage 10 KV
• Recommended Acceptable Limits:
– Watts < = 0.1 Watts (100 mW)
– Current: similar for same type Bushings

Hot Collar Test Results Analysis

• Increased Watts
– Contamination of the Insulation

• Decreased Current (Amperes)

– Low liquid or compound level

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Typical Hot-Collar Test Data

Description Current (mA) Watts

Typical Good Bushing .090 0.02

Same Bushings,
Contaminated .095 0.31

Same Bushing,
Low Liquid Level .070 0.02

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Client Recommended Bushing Cleaners

• Dry Clean Cloth

• Water & Soap
• Colonite
• Windex with Ammonia
• Apply Heat to Fully Dry all Surfaces

Do Not Use Evaporative Materials

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Hot Collar Test Results Westinghouse,
Type “S”
Good Condition General Contamination
Bushing Current Watts Bushing Current Watts

X1 110 A 0.06 X1 110 A 0.16

X2 110 A 0.04 X2 110 A 0.18
X3 110 A 0.05 X3 110 A 0.17

Physical Changes (X2) Defective Bushing (X3)

Bushing Current Watts Bushing Current Watts

X1 110 A 0.06 X1 110 A 0.06

X2 80 A 0.05 X2 110 A 0.05
X3 110 A 0.05 X3 120 A 0.20

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SPARE Bushings Testing

Why?
• Bushings acceptance (in combination with the other
Standard tests C1, C2, Hot-Collar)
• Overall test in GST-Ground will provide a quick test
reference
• Spares need to be ready at a moment notice
• Benchmarking for future reference
• Quick check on quality of manufacturing

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Bushing Overall Test
High-Voltage Cable

Test Includes
• Main C1 Core Insulation
• Insulating Weather shed
• Sight-glass
• Lower insulator
• Portion of liquid or compound filler

Guard

Ground Lead

Test Mode: GST-Ground

Bushing and
Apparatus Ground

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SPARE Bushings Testing

• DO NOT test Bushings in wooden crate or stand

• Support Bushing on a metal stand if possible
• Slings may be used for tests, observe the following:
– Cleanliness of sling may affect test results
– Sling should be kept clear of energized points
• Connect ground lead directly to Bushing flange
• Ground both test set and specimen to substation ground
• Clean upper and lower surfaces before testing

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When Bushing Tests Are Doubtful

• Re-Check All Connections, Including Ground Lead

and Bushing Flange Ground

• Check Test Circuit Used

• Check Test Set and Test Set Leads

• Visually Inspect Bushing Sheds and Oil

• Clean and Dry All Surfaces

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When Bushing Tests Are Doubtful

• Check all connections including ground lead and

Bushing flange ground

• Check test circuit used

• Check test set and test set leads

• Visually inspect Bushing and Oil (sight glass)

• Clean and dry all surfaces

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When Bushing Tests Are Doubtful

• Compare and analyze results of identical Bushings

• Research Bushing history of flashovers or line Surges
• Verify temperature correction factor was used for C1
and Overall Tests *
• Verify the necessary fields in the nameplate were used
in order for DTA to identify the correct limit file

* Note: C2 Power factors are not temperature corrected

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Bushing Temperature Correction

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Bushing Temperature Correction

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Diagnostic Field Testing Standards

• IEEE Std. C57.152 – 2013

(Revision of IEEE 62 – 1995)
– Guide for Diagnostic Field Testing of Electric Power
Apparatus – Part 1: Oil Filled Power Transformers,
Regulators, and Reactors
• Section 3 Definitions
– 3.2 Bushing - power and distribution transformer
– 3.6 Power Factor - Dielectric
• Section 6 Tests and test techniques
– 6.2 Bushings
– 6.2.2 Visual Inspection
– 6.2.3 Oil Level
– 6.2.4 Capacitance, Power Factor, and Dissipation Factor
– Annex B (informative): Bushings Power Factor
measurements

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DTA Bushing Information

• DTAF fields required To Activate temperature

Correction Factor
– Manufacturer
– Type
– Ambient Temperature (Probe)
– Apparatus Temperature
– Transformer - Oil Temperature
– Oil Circuit Breaker - Ambient Temperature

• DTA - Fields Required To Identify Correct Limit File

– Manufacturer
– Type
– KV rating

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Information on Bushings

• The following pages provide information about

different Bushing Manufacturers and different types
of Bushings
• Use as Guidelines for test results analysis
• Please send your tests results to Doble for further
compilation and enhancement of Bushings Database

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General Electric Company

Type Description Typical PF Questionable PF

A* Through Porcelain 3.0% 5.0%
A** High Current 1.0% 2.0%
B* Flexible Cable, Compound Filled 5.0% 12.0%
D Oil Filled Upper Portion, Sealed 1.0% 2.0%
F Oil Filled, Sealed 0.7% 1.5%
L Oil Filled Upper Portion, Sealed 1.5% 3.0%
LC Oil Filled Upper Portion, Sealed 0.8% 2.0%
OF Oil Filled Expansion Chamber 0.8% 2.0%
S* Force C & CG, Rigid Core, 1.5% 6.0%
Compound Filled

* Type S, Form F, DF & EF (flexible cable) redesigned as Types B, BD, and BE,
respectively. Type S, no Form letter (through porcelain) redesigned as Type A

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LAPP Insulator Division

Typical Questionable
C1 C1
PF PF

Type ERC (Epoxy-Resin-Core, Plastic or Oil Filled) 0.8% 1.5%

Type PRC and PRC-A (Paper-Resin-Condenser Core) 0.8% 1.5%

Typical C2 power factors for older PRC design range from 4-15% due to injected
compound used
during manufacturing.

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Ohio Brass Company

Types Typical %PF Questionable %PF

Class LK-Type A, 23 to 69 kV 0.4 1.0

ODOF, Class G, and Class L Oil-Filled:

Prior to 1926 and 1.0-5.0 Change of 22%
after 1938 from initial
Between 1926 and 2.0-4.0 Change of 16%
1938 from initial

Type S, OS, and FS 0.8 2.0

On OCB and Inst. Trans. 69 kV and below 1.5 3.0

(except Types S, OS, and FS)

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Westinghouse

Typical %PF Questionable %PF

On OCB and Inst. Trans. 92 kV to 139 kV 1.5 3.0

(except Types O, O-A1, OC and O Plus)

On Power and Dist Trans of all rating, 1.0 2.0

and OCB & Inst. Trans. 161 kV to 288 kV
(except Types O, O-A1, OC, and O Plus)

All Type D Transformer Bushings 1.5 3.0

( Semi-Condenser)

Type RJ
(Solid Porcelain) 1.0 2.0

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Proprietary Information

Arturo H. Oropeza
Principal Engineer
Doble Engineering Company

Doble Engineering Company (“Doble®”), has full title, right and interest to all subject matter contained in this presentation
(“Proprietary Information”) regardless of the medium. You have been provided a copy of this Proprietary Information for private
reference purposes only. Doble’s delivery to you of Doble® Proprietary Information does not constitute in any way whatsoever a
license of any kind or vests any interest in Doble’s Proprietary Information (other than private reference use), including, without
limitation, the rights to copy, disseminate, distribute, transmit, display or perform in public (or to third parties), reproduce, edit,
translate or reformat. You, as recipient, acknowledge and agree to these terms by your first viewing of this Proprietary Information.
You further acknowledge and agree that Doble® shall not have an adequate remedy at law in the event of your breach of the
conditions hereunder, that Doble® will suffer irreparable damage and injury if you breach any of the conditions stated above, and that
such breach occurs, Doble®, in addition to any other rights and remedies available herein or otherwise, shall be entitled to seek an
injunction to be issued by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction restricting the recipient from committing or continuing any breach of
these conditions.

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