STL

GUIDE TO THE INTERPRETATION OF

IEC 60076-1: Ed. 3.0 (2011)
IEC 60076-2: Ed. 3.0 (2011)
IEC 60076-3: Ed. 3.0 (2013)
IEC 60076-5: Ed. 3.0 (2006)
and
IEC 60076-11: 1st edition (2004)

by Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL)

Hilton House, Corporation Street
Rugby, CV21 2DN
ENGLAND

Partial or complete reproduction of this STL Guide is permitted provided that an acknowledgement to
Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL) is included with the reproduction.
© 2017 STL - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide by STL

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1 GENERAL

Information concerning Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL), its membership and

objectives can be found in the General STL Guide.

This publication is a guide to the interpretation of the technical requirements of IEC

60076-1: Ed. 3.0 (2011), IEC 60076-2: Ed. 3.0 (2011), IEC 60076-3: Ed. 3.0 (2013),
IEC 60076-5: Ed. 3.0 (2006) and IEC 60076-11: 1st edition (2004).

This Guide supersedes the STL Guide (issue 4 of May 1, 2010) to the Interpretation of
IEC 60076-1: 2nd edition: 1993, IEC 60076-2: 2nd edition: 1993, IEC 60076-3: 1st
edition: 1980, IEC 60076-3-1: 1st edition: 1987, IEC 60076-5: 2nd edition: 2000 and
IEC 60076-11 Ed.1.0 (2004).

The General STL Guide is applicable except as amended by this publication.

For what concerns this Guide, tests to demonstrate ability to withstand short circuit is
considered as a type test although in IEC 60076-1 is defined as special test.

5 CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

When a transformer has satisfied the specific requirements the STL member will, upon
request, issue one of the following types of Certificate:

5.1 Type Test Certificate of complete Type Tests

When a transformer has satisfied the specific requirements according to items 5.2, 5.3
and 5.4, and all other type tests acc. 60076-1 (following sub-clause 5.1 of the STL
General Guide) the STL-member will, upon request, issue a Type Test Certificate of
complete Type Tests.

5.2 Type Test Certificate of Dielectric Performance

When a transformer has satisfied the specific requirements as described in IEC 60076-
3 and IEC 60076-11 Clauses 19, 20, 21 and 22 (22.4.1.1), the STL-member will, upon
request, issue a Certificate of Dielectric Performance: this Certificate provides
verification of the insulation requirements for power transformers.

5.3 Type Test Certificate of Temperature Rise Performance

When a transformer has satisfied the specific requirements as described in IEC 60076-
2 and IEC 60076-11 Clause 23, the STL-member will, upon request, issue a Certificate
of Temperature Rise Performance: this Certificate provides verification of the cooling
methods and defines temperature-rise limits.

5.4 Type Test Certificate of Short-Circuit Performance

When a transformer has satisfied the specific requirements as described in IEC 60076-
5 and IEC 60076-11 Clause 25, the STL-member will, upon request, issue a Certificate
of Short-Circuit Performance: this certificate provides verification of the ability to
withstand the dynamic effect of short circuit by tests in accordance with sub-clause 4.2
of IEC 60076-5 or clause 25 of IEC 60076-11. It should be noted that the thermal ability
to withstand short circuit is demonstrated by calculation according to the Standard (see
sub-clause 4.1.1) and therefore excluded from certification. In case thermal ability to
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withstand short circuit by test is requested, this test has to be carried out on the
transformer to be tested at ambient temperature, as a separate test using the tap
position that provides the highest current and can be included in the certificate of Short-
Circuit Performance as an additional test only.

Transformers having more than two windings need special attention to be certified as
the most severe conditions have to be covered. According to IEC 60076-5 the
conditions of tests on transformers with more than two windings are always subject to
agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.

A transformer with more than one voltage rating for the primary and/or secondary
windings, if of Category I or II, can be certified only if this transformer has been fully
certified for each of its ratings, in accordance to IEC 60076-5.

If the transformer is only tested for one rating, this must be noted on the front page and
the rating page of the certificate.

Note

IEC 60076-1 defines determination of sound level as type test so, when a transformer
has satisfied the specific requirements as described in IEC 60076-10 and IEC 60076-
11 Clause 24, the STL-member can, upon request, add it to any of certificate listed
above.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFORMER

General

A complete guarantee that the transformer presented for test compares in all details to
the drawings and data schedules submitted to the laboratory can be given only by the
manufacturer.

The manufacturer shall submit the identification drawings and data schedules prior to
the test.

The testing laboratory is responsible for checking that the drawings and data schedules
submitted adequately represent the transformer under tests, but is not responsible for
the accuracy of detailed drawings.

After the test specimen is checked by the testing laboratory and the drawings and data
schedules submitted are finally approved, each drawing and data schedule shall be
suitably marked as representing the test object. A sufficient number of drawings and
data schedules shall be reduced to size and incorporated in the Certificate, or
alternatively, shall be incorporated in their original size in a separate folder forming a
second part to the Certificate, or alternatively, be returned to the manufacturer for
storage.

Information for identification of specimens

The manufacture's description of the transformer shall contain all information

necessary to carry out the tests and the identification, especially the following ones:

a) Manufacturers design reference

b) Serial number
c) Rated power
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d) Ratio and tapping voltages/percentages
e) Design impedance voltage at tappings to be tested
f) Design reactance voltage
g) Vector groups
h) Winding conductor sizes
i) Winding insulation
j) Winding terminations
k) Size and cross-section of core
l) Method of supporting the windings onto the core
m) Tap changer details
n) Main insulation medium
o) Weight of core and windings / total
p) Rating plate details
q) General layout drawing
r) Core and coil drawings

Note. Any components not fitted for the tests, e.g. separately mounted cooling radiators
etc., should be identified as such.

SUB-CLAUSE 4.2 ABILITY TO WITHSTAND DYNAMIC EFFECTS OF SHORT

CIRCUIT

According to the Standard the ability to withstand the dynamic effects of short circuit
can be demonstrated either by tests or by calculation and design considerations. A
Type Test Certificate can be issued only on basis of testing.

As fluids other than transformer oil are tending to be used in modern designs of tanked
transformers, such designs should be treated as oil-immersed for the purposes of the
short-circuit tests. As such, they are referred to here-in-after as liquid-immersed
transformers.

Sub-Clause 4.2.2 - Condition of the transformer before the short-circuit tests

As it is important to establish that no apparent defects have occurred after completion

of the short-circuit test, it is recommended that in the case of liquid immersed
transformers, the core and coil assembly is inspected and photographed prior to
assembly into the tank before the test. Such photographs can then be used to provide
a comparison with the condition after test.

Prior to the short-circuit tests, the transformer shall be subjected to the routine tests
specified in IEC 60076-1 and value of short-circuit impedance has to be measured on
nominal tapping and also on the extreme tappings. According to IEC cl. 4.1.2 b) the
values of measured short-circuit impedance for tappings other than principal tapping
should be taken for short-circuit current calculation. As the short-circuit test values are
determined from the results of the routine tests, it is important that the quality of the
measurements made are appropriate to the quantity being measured. In addition, as
specialised testing techniques utilise facilities that are not always available at short-
circuit testing laboratories, it is acceptable to use in this case routine tests and
inspection made at the transformer manufacturers works. Such inspections and tests
may be witnessed by an inspector from the testing laboratory. The measurements
made shall be traceable to National Standards of Measurement and the details of the
instrumentation used shall be recorded to enable the measurement uncertainty to be
evaluated for compliance with the STL requirements.

In view of the importance attached to the change of reactance during and after the
tests, it is essential that prior to commencing the tests and after each test, a reference
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measurement shall be taken at the testing laboratory with the transformer set up for
test. This reference measurement of the reactance will be used as an indicator to
provide confidence in the performance of the transformer during successive tests.

Sub-Clause 4.2.5 - Short-circuit testing procedure for transformers with two

windings

In some circumstances, the test current as calculated in accordance with sub-clause

4.1.2 is obtained on test at a voltage lower than the rated voltage of the energised
winding of the transformer. This is due to the fact that the calculated values of
impedance, reactance and resistance as derived from the routine tests in accordance
with this sub-clause are corrected for the reference temperature (see table IV of IEC
60076-1: 1993) whereas the short-circuit tests are made with the transformer initially at
ambient temperature.

To compensate for the resulting increase in X/R ratio, it is permissible to insert a small
value of resistance in series with each phase of the transformer, the value of which
being equivalent to the difference between the calculated resistance value of the
transformer at the reference temperature and that at the actual temperature of the
windings. However, it should be noted that some increase in the temperature of the
windings will occur during the period of the tests and therefore any compensation of
resistance should take this aspect into account.

For three-phase transformers, the total number of tests is specified as 9, i.e. 3 on each
phase winding (limb). For each test on each limb, the peak and r.m.s. currents shall be
achieved within the tolerances specified in sub-clause 4.2.4 in the phase winding on
that limb. It should be noted that the phase windings on the remaining two limbs will be
stressed to a lesser extent during this procedure and therefore do not constitute a valid
test on these limbs.

No time intervals between successive tests are specified in the Standard however, the
interval will largely be governed by the procedures involved in performing the tests e.g.
measurement of reactance etc. In the event of the test evidence indicating that the test
parameters are not being achieved due to the temperature rise of the windings from
previous tests e.g. peak factor being reduced, it is recommended that the minimum
time interval be agreed between the laboratory and the manufacturer. It is likely in the
case of liquid immersed transformers that a time interval in the order of 5 to 10 minutes
between tests will ensure that the winding conductors have returned to the surrounding
insulation temperature before the next test is commenced.

As a function of the connection of the transformer (star or delta), it will be necessary to

ensure that the currents recorded in each phase are representative of the stresses on
the winding. It will therefore be necessary to make a choice concerning the recording
of the (HV and/or LV) currents or to resort to an adequate arrangement to obtain the
image of the winding currents from the line currents. Depending on the facilities of the
laboratory, these winding currents may be determined digitally by a calculation program
using the same principle.

Sub-Clause 4.2.7 - Detection of faults and the evaluation of the results of short-
circuit tests

Sub-clause 4.2.7.2, Note 1 enables additional means of detection to be used to

establish internal changes that may have taken place in the transformer. Such methods
except recording of current between Tank (insulated) and ground, are of diagnostic
nature and as such cannot be relied upon to provide satisfactory compliance with the
requirements of the standard, but may be used as an indicator to provide confidence in
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the performance of the transformer during successive tests. Any recording of current
between tank and ground may indicate the presence of a fault and requires
investigation.

With regard to Sub-clause 4.2.7.3, Note 2, a tendency towards stabilisation of the

reactance measured, for example, if the variations in reactance after successive tests
are tending to reduce it to a negligible value, could be indicative of satisfactory
performance. This is provided that the total change in reactance at the end of the tests
from that measured prior to commencing the tests does not exceed the value specified
in sub-clause 4.2.7.4. If the reactance continues to rise, special attention shall be paid
to the active part of the transformer on inspection after the tests. In any case, for a
three-phase transformer, the reactance measured shall be evaluated on a ‘per limb'
basis either by direct measurement of the phase to neutral reactance of a star winding
or derived from a delta or mesh winding configuration by a suitable method.

IEC requires measurement of reactance. For convenience of testing the inductance

may be measured.

Note: With regard to Sub-clause 4.2.7.4, item a) 5 (relevant to category I and II

transformers), a coil is considered to be circular if the ratio of its maximum diameter to
its minimum diameter is less than 1.1, based on the design drawing.

The repetition of routine tests after the short-circuit test shall be performed before the
out-of-tank inspection of the transformer. Disassembling of the transformer for out-of-
tank inspection and re-assembling it afterwards will influence the internal condition of
the transformer after test and possibly lead to unsatisfactory results during the
repetition of routine tests.

The standard recognises that at the out-of-tank inspection certain defects might be
revealed that do not endanger the safe operation of the transformer. In practice, some
slight movement or loosening of packers, wedges and other components used for the
purposes of supporting transformer windings may occur. Such movement is deemed to
be acceptable provided that, to the satisfaction of the testing laboratory, the
components are still performing to their intended function at the completion of the test
series and there is no possibility of any such component ceasing to do so if the
transformer was to be subjected subsequently to the conditions associated with normal
service. In any case, photographs of the observed changes shall be included in the
Certificate or Report and it is recommended that photographs taken before tests be
also included to provide a comparison with the state after test.

As for the routine tests and the out-of-tank inspection after to the short-circuit tests, it is
permissible to perform these after the short-circuit tests at the manufacturers
laboratory. However, for certification purposes, in the latter case the routine tests and
the out-of-tank inspection have to be witnessed by an inspector from the testing
organisation. Among routine tests, a tightness test is not considered to be applicable
before and after short circuit tests; performance of tests on on-load tap-changer may
be omitted with the exception of those ones at clause 11.7 a) and b) of IEC 60076-1, to
be performed after short circuit test.

If during the repetition of routine tests after the short-circuit tests a failure occurred in
one of the bushings it is considered that the transformer failed the short-circuit tests.

If the results of the measurements and tests deviate from those prior to the short-circuit
tests and the explanation of the cause of such deviation does not satisfy the inspector,
the transformer will be disqualified for a certificate.

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 Annex A
(informative)

Short-circuit test circuit on tertiary winding

4.2.6 Short-circuit testing procedure for transformers with more than two windings and
auto-transformers

The test circuit and procedure are subjected to agreement between the manufacturer
and the purchaser. For the short circuit testing of a tertiary winding, the circuits below
are given as examples of possible test circuits only, there being other types of test
circuits that may be used.

Figure 1: Example of test circuit with three-phase supply

Figure 2: Example of test circuit for auto-connected transformer with single-phase

supply

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Keys and components
Zs test system impedance
S synchronous switch for a post-set short circuit or rigid connection bar for a pre-set short circuit
Zn neutral impedance on secondary winding if applicable
I0p zero sequence current on primary winding
I0s zero sequence current on secondary winding
I0t zero sequence current on tertiary winding

Figure 3: Example of test circuit with single-phase supply and single-phase fault on
secondary winding

The single-phase supply voltage shall be equal to √3⁄2 times the voltage between
phases in order to not exceed the phase-to-ground voltage in service.
Zero sequence current on each winding can be calculated as follows;

Where is rated current on each winding, and are percent leakage

impedance between windings.

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Keys and components
Zs test system impedance
S synchronous switch for a post-set short circuit or rigid connection bar for a pre-set short circuit
Zn neutral impedance on secondary winding if applicable
I0p zero sequence current on primary winding
I0s zero sequence current on secondary winding
I0t zero sequence current on tertiary winding

Figure 4: Example of test circuit with three-phase supply and single-phase fault on
secondary winding

The three-phase supply is provided on primary side, at rated voltage.

Zero sequence current on each winding can be calculated as follows;

Where is rated current on each winding, and are percent leakage

impedance between windings.

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