TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF A DISTRIBUTION

TRANSFORMER
AT
G.S.ELECTRICALS, VIJAYAWADA
PROJECT ASSOCIATE
A.JAGADEESH
10101382

UNIVERSITY GUIDE
M. ANIL KUMAR
VIJAYAWADA.

COMPANY GUIDE
K.VENKATESWARA RAO
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.

ABSTRACT
The main goal of the project is to Perform different types of tests on a
distribution transformer and reduce the losses present in it by following the
maintenance procedure by time to time and provide the transformer according
to the customer need as to get more power with less reduction of loss. The
main advantage of transformer is more efficient with less losses as the
transformer has no rotating parts in it and is a static device, which works on
the principle of electro- magnetic induction. Basing on the design of the
transformer there are of two types distribution transformer and power

transformer.

Contd
Distribution transformers are used in local areas as to reduce the voltage from

11kv to 433/250 volts and power transformers which are used in substation
which reduces the high incoming voltage of 132kv from the power grid to
33kv and in turn to local 11kv feeder.

In this project we are going to discuss mainly about the types

of tests that are held on the transformer for knowing the different losses in
present and to reduce them before it has been placed in the field, the

maintenance procedure of a transformer.

Key words:- Distribution transformer, electro-magnetic induction principle,

power transformer.

Forth night work.

Forth night duration.

Work done.

Remarks.

Forth night -1.

17-12-2013 to 04-01-2014.

Basics of transformer.

No remarks.

Forth night -2.

05-01-2014 to 18-01-2014.

Description of windings.

No remarks.

Forth night-3.
19-01-2014 to 01-02-2014.

Core design.

No remarks.

Contd
Forth night duration.

Work done.

Remarks.

Forth night -4.

02-02-2014 to 15-02-2014.

Different types of tests

conducted.

No remarks.

Forth night -5.

16-02-2014 to 01-03-2014.

Different types of tests

conducted.

No remarks.

Forth night -6.

02-03-2014 to 15-03-2014.

Different types of tests

conducted.

No remarks.

Contd

Forth night duration.

Work done.

Remarks.

Forth night -7.

16-03-2014 to 29-03-2014.

Maintenance
procedure.

No remarks.

Forth night-8.
30-03-2014 to 12-04-2014.

Reasons for failure

and their remedial
measures.

No remarks.

Forth night-9.
13-04-2014 to 25-04-2014.

Total maintenance.

No remarks.

Transformer:-

It is an electro- magnetic device, which transfer electrical energy from one electrical
circuit to another electrical circuit without change in frequency through medium of
magnetic field. In practical, transformer is a device which is magnetically coupled and
electrically isolated which works on the principle of Mutual induction.

Distribution transformer:-

A transformer which is used for the distribution of the power is called the distribution

transformer. A distribution transformer is a transformer that provides the final voltage

transformation in the electric power distribution system, stepping down the voltage
used in the distribution lines to the level used by the customer.

Parts of transformer:-

Main tank.

Radiators.

Conservator.

Contd.

Explosion vent.

Lifting lugs.

Air release plug.

Oil level indicator.

Tap changer.

Wheels.

HV/LV bushings.

Filter valves.

Oil filling plug.

Drain plug.

Cable box.

CORE AND WINDING DESIGN:CORE DESIGN:In three phase transformer the core consists of mainly three parts they are:-

a. Side limbs.

b. Yoke.

c. Centre.

WINDING DESIGN:

Windings are mainly of two types. They are:- LV winding and HV winding.

HV winding is the primary winding where high voltage, low current is flown
through it.

LV winding is the secondary winding where low voltage, high current is flown
through it.

Winding design is mainly based upon the core design.

Other types of windings are:-

a. Disc winding.

b. Layer winding.

c. Square winding. d. Circular winding.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TESTS CONDUCTED ARE:-

Open circuit test.

Short circuit test.

Transformer winding resistance measurement.
Voltage and turns ratio test.
Dielectric test.
Transformer oil and winding temperature rise test.
Vector group test of transformer.
Induced voltage test of a transformer.
Transformer impulse test.
Electrical insulator testing.

Open and short circuit test on transformer:These two tests are performed on a transformer to determine:- Equivalent circuit and voltage
regulation and efficiency of a transformer.
The power required for these open circuit test and short circuit test on transformer is equal to

the power loss occurring in the transformer.

Open circuit test on transformer is used to determine core losses in transformer and
parameters of shunt branch of the equivalent circuit of transformer. Short circuit test on
transformer is used to determine copper loss in transformer at full load and parameters of
approximate equivalent circuit of transformer.

Transformer winding resistance measurement:It is used to determine the following:- Calculation of the I2R losses in transformer,

calculation of winding temperature at the end of temperature rise test of transformer.

It is done at site in order to check for abnormalities due to loose connections, broken
strands of conductor, high contact resistance in tap changers, high voltage leads and
bushings.

Contd
Dielectric test of transformer:- The dielectric test of transformer is generally
performed in two different steps. They are:- separate source voltage withstand test and
induced voltage withstand test of transformer.
Separate source voltage withstand test of transformer:- This dielectric test is intended
to check the ability of main insulation to earth and between winding.
Voltage and turns ratio testing of a transformer:- The performance of a transformer
largely depends upon perfection of specific turns or voltage ratio of transformer. So
transformer ration test is an essential type test of transformer. The voltage should be
applied only in the high voltage winding in order to avoid unsafe voltage.

Contd

Transformer oil and winding temperature rise test:- Temperature rise test of
transformer is included in type test of transformer. In this test we check whether the

temperature rising limit of transformer winding and oil as per specification or not.
Induced voltage test:The induced voltage test of transformer is intended to check the inter turn and line end
insulation as well as main insulation to earth and between windings.
Sweep Frequency Response Analysis Test | SFRA Test:This is very reliable and sensitive method or tool for condition monitoring of the
physical condition of transformer windings.

Sweep Frequency Response Analysis Test or in short SFRA Test can detect efficiently,
displacement of transformer core, deformation and displacement of winding, faulty
core grounds, collapse of partial winding, broken or loosen clamp connections, short
circuited turns, open winding conditions etc.

MAINTENANCE OF A DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER:-

BUSHINGS:- Bushings should be cleaned and inspected for any cracks.

Dust & dirt deposition, Salt or chemical deposition, cement or acid fumes
depositions should be carefully noted and rectified.

Periodic checking of any loose connections of the terminations of HV & LV side.

Breather examination. Dehydration of Silica gel if necessary.

Explosion vent diaphragm examination.

Conservator to be cleaned from inside after every three years.

Regular inspection of OIL & WINDING TEMPERATURE METER readings.

Cleanliness in the Substation yard with all nets, vines, shrubs removed.

OIL :- Oil level checking. Leakages to be attended.

Oil BDV & acidity checking at regular intervals. If acidity is between 0.5 to 1mg
KOH, oil should be kept under observation.

BDV, Color and smell of oil are indicative.

Sludge, dust, dirt, moisture can be removed by filtration.

Contd

Oil when topped up shall be of the same make. It may lead to sludge formation
and acidic contents.

Insulation resistance of the transformer should be checked once in 6 months.

Megger values along with oil values indicate the condition of transformer.

Periodic Dissolved Gas Analysis can be carried out.

The main factors which contribute to Distribution Transformer failure are:

1. Non implementation of the construction standards.

2. Absence of records on number of consumers, loading and history of the substation.

3. Absence of a well prepared action plan for distribution transformer failure

reduction.

4. Absence of inspection, testing and maintenance schedule and nonimplementation thereof.

5. Absence of inspection, testing and maintenance record on every sub-station.

Contd

6. Irresponsibility and carelessness on the part of some personnel.

7. Absence of proper reporting and clear guidelines at different levels.

8. Shortage of staff.
The reasons for failure of Distribution Transformers in both urban and rural areas are
the following:

Over loading.

Imbalance loading.

Low transformer oil level.

Low break Down Value (BDV) of the transformer oil and poor insulation resistance
(IR) Value.

Poor earthing or absence of earthing.

Lightning.

Improper or poor cable terminal.

Contd

Burning of transformer.

External short circuit.

Overrated fuses.

Flash over.

Lack of testing of transformer and sub-station equipments.

Inspection and maintenance schedule:

Fortnightly.

Monthly.

Quaterly.

Half-yearly.

Yearly.

CONCLUSION:

As, India is developing country where supply of electricity is a big challenge for
huge population to use as many transformers for supplying the required amount of
electricity with accurate power factor.

There are many transformers such as power and distribution but in those we have
done testing and maintenance on a three phase distribution transformer.

Here our main project demonstrates that the transformer should have less losses and
less power consuming in order to distribute pure power to the substation and also to
avoid more power losses, this is possible only with the frequent maintenance of a

transformer.

The transformer should maintain less maintains cost and should be economical to
the customer and working of transformer should have more life span with low
power consumption.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Industrial practice school at G.S.ELECTRICALS, VIJAYAWADA. I was

exposed to industrial atmosphere for better understanding of the basic

structure of the organization and prevailing working environment in the
industry.

We got practical application of our theoretical knowledge.

I conclude that this industrial training helped me a lot by providing a very
good platform in developing and building my technical knowledge, self-

confidence and moral strength which can brighten my future.

THANK YOU