J.M.

PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 1

The Measurement of Dissipation Chapter

Factor for the Detection of the
Deterioration of Electrical
Insulation in Transformers, Motors
3
and Cables

M
any failures of electrical equipment like transformers, cables, motors, switchgears are due to the
deterioration of the electrical insulation. A large number of these insulation failures can be
anticipated by the regular application of nondestructive measurements, one of which is the
measurement of the dissipation factor of the insulation. Figure 3.1 is the equivalent circuit of an electrical
insulator.

When an AC voltage is applied across an insulator, the current from the source consists of two
components, IC, the current through the capacitor and IR, the current through the resistor. An ideal
insulator will have I = IC, which means that the source voltage is 90 degrees lagging to the source current.
A very good electrical insulator will have the angle between the source voltage and source current very close
to 90 degrees. Any deterioration of the insulation will result in an angle deviation from the 90 degree angle
difference, ‘G’, as shown in Figure 3.1.

Dissipation factor is defined as the tangent of the angle deviation, ‘G’. Another common name for
dissipation factor is tangent delta.

Dissipation factor = tan G

= IR

IC

V/R
=
VZC

= 1

ZRC

An increasing trend in the value of the dissipation factor is an accurate indication of the
deterioration of the insulation of the electrical equipment.
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 2

I IC I

Dissipation factor = tan G

= IR
IC
IC IR = V/R
V VZ C
~
AC
Voltage C R = 1
Source Z RC

C - Capacitance IR
R - Resistance V
V - Source Voltage
I - Source Current

FIGURE 3.1 : Equivalent Circuit of an Electrical Insulator

Temperature Dependence
The dissipation factor is very temperature dependent. Figure 3.2 illustrates the relationship between
dissipation factor and the temperature of measurement. Care must be taken not to conclude a deterioration
of the electrical insulation because of the high temperature of measurement. Such mistake has occurred
when measuring the dissipation factor of cables immediately after the completion of the heat shrink cable
termination. The cable must be allowed to cool down to the ambient temperature, otherwise the difference
in value of dissipation factor between the hot state and cold state will be very significant. The measurement
of dissipation factor at the factory is a routine test for cables, transformers, and motors. For comparison of
the values between the factory and site measurement, the temperature of measurement at the factory must
be considered to draw an accurate conclusion of the insulation condition of the electrical equipment at the
site.

Dissipation factor (%)

0.4 u u u u u u at 80 deg. C

0.1 u u u u u u at 20 deg. C

2 4 6 8 10 12 Voltage in kV

FIGURE 3.2 : Temperature Dependence

 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 3

Voltage Dependence
The measurement of dissipation factor will need the application of AC voltage at power frequency
to the measured electrical equipment. If an increasing trend in the value of the dissipation factor should
occur below the rated voltage of the electrical equipment, then it is an indication of possible deterioration in
the electrical insulation. Figure 3.3 illustrates the “tip up” of the value of dissipation factor with increasing
test voltage. Care must be taken not to apply the test voltage well in excess of the rated voltage of the
electrical equipment. A “tip up” occurring well above the rated voltage of the electrical equipment is not a
concern. However if the “tip-up” occurs below the rated voltage of the electrical equipment then it will be
a concern. The measurement of the dissipation factor will have maximum accuracy when the test voltage is
close to rated voltage of the electrical equipment. Sometimes this is not possible when the measured
electrical equipment has large capacitance value, which will result in an overcurrent trip of the measurement
equipment. In such a situation, a lower test voltage shall be used.

Dissipation factor (%)

0.4 u

0.3 u

0.2 u
u
u u
0.1 u

2 4 6 8 1 12 Voltage in kV

FIGURE 3.3 : Tip Up Curve

Applications
The measurement of dissipation factor can be applied to almost all types of electrical equipment.
This article shall be confined to transformers, motors and cables.

Transformers

Figure 3.4 is the equivalent circuit of the insulation of two winding transformers. There are many
modes of connection for the measurement of dissipation factor. A common connection is connect the
high voltage terminal of the measurement set to the high voltage winding of the transformer, and to connect
the low voltage terminal of the measurement set to the low voltage winding of the transformer. The
dissipation factor value corresponding to CHE, CHL and (CHE + CHL) will be measured. The measurement is
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 4

repeated with the high voltage terminal of the measurement set connected to the low voltage winding of the
transformer, and the low voltage terminal of the measurement set connected to the high voltage winding of
the transformer. The dissipation factor value corresponding to CLE, CHL and (CLE + CHL) will be measured.

Care must be taken to ensure that the high voltage bushings of the transformers are free of
moisture, dust or sand, so as to minimize surface leakage. Any surface leakage will increase the value of
dissipation factor. Typical values of dissipation factor measured at site are in Table 3.1.

Analysis of the dissipation factor measurement on different combinations of winding can show in
which area the problem ties. For example, if a measurement between the two windings has high value of
dissipation factor, and the value dissipation factor for each winding to earth is normal, then the problem lies
between the windings.

C HE - capacitance between
HV LV HV windings to earth
windings windings
C LE - capacitance between
LV windings to earth
C HL
C HL - capacitance between
HV & LV windings

C HE C LE

FIGURE 3.4 : Equivalent Circuit of the Electrical Insulation of Two Winding Transformer

Motors
The measurement of the dissipation factor for motors relates to the insulation health of the stator
windings with respect to earth. All terminals of the stator windings are shorted together and a power
frequency AC voltage is applied. A single lumped capacitance to earth will represent the electrical
insulation of the stator windings with respect to earth. Typical values of dissipation factor measured at site
are in Table 3.2.

Cables
The measurement for single core cables is similar to that of motors, where a single lumped
capacitance to earth will represent the electrical insulation of the cable. The measurement for multi core
cables will be more complicated. Figure 3.5 illustrates the various capacitance of a multi core cables.
There will be six values of dissipation factors associated with the relevant capacitance. However, a more
practical and common measurement is to short together all the phase conductors and to apply a power
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 5

frequency AC voltage to the shorted phase conductors. A single lumped capacitance of the shorted phase
conductors will represent the electrical insulation of the phase conductors with respect to earth. This
method of connection is only valid for cables with individual earth screen for each phase conductor.

Care must be taken to ensure the cable ends are properly terminated before any measurement of the
dissipation factor. The cable end terminations will create an uniform stress distribution at the interface of
the cable insulation and cable shield. The absence of such cable end terminations will affect the
measurement of the dissipation factor.

CRE CBE CRE, CYE, CBE - capacitance

CRB between conductor to earth
Re Blu
d e

CRY, CYB, CRB - capacitance

between conductors
CRY CYB
Yell
ow

CYE

FIGURE 3.5 : Equivalent Circuit of the Electrical Insulation of Multi-Core Cables

Voltage Test Voltage Dissipation Factor (%) Dissipation Factor (%) Dissipation Factor
MVA Age Vender for CH for CL (%) for CHL
(kV) in KV

0.0 New 22/6.6 Meiden 10 0.13 0.21 0.15

15.0 New 22/6.9 Toshiba 12 0.19 0.29 0.20

12.5 3.5 Years 22/6.6 Toshiba 10 0.34 0.11 0.17

10.0 3 Years 22/6.6 ABB 5 0.3 0.3 0.31

6.3 New 22/6.9 Tira Thai 10 0.19 0.29 0.20

4.0 3 Years 22/6.6 ABB 5 0.4 0.23 0.37

2.5 3 Years 6.6/415V Toshiba 5 0.56 0.05 0.13

2.0 New 6.6/415V Tira Thai 4 0.43 0.30 0.30

1.5 New 22/433V May & Christe 10 0.1 0.6 0.21

1.2 4 Years 6.6/415V Meiden 4 0.4 0.39 0.4

1.0 4 Years 6.6/400V ABB 4 1.85 1.55 1.85

225 New 230/66 ABB 7.5 0.16 0.13 0.13

5 0.16 0.13 0.13

2.5 0.16 0.13 0.13

TABLE 3.1 : Typical Values of Dissipation Factor for Transformers Measured at Site

Why Measure Dissipation Factor ?

In the measurement of dissipation factor for AC electrical equipment, the test voltage and the
operating voltage of the measured electrical equipment are both the same in AC. It is a more representative
measure of the insulation health than when the test voltage is DC and the operating voltage is AC, as in the
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 6

case of a megger on AC electrical equipment. The use of values of dissipation factor to detect the
deterioration of electrical insulation is most powerful on a comparative basis. For example, comparing site
values with factory values, comparing values with other identical equipment, or comparing with past
historical values. An increasing trend in values of dissipation factor over time or in the form of the “tip-
up” curve is an accurate indication of the deterioration in electrical insulation.

Limitations
Size (kW) Age Voltage (kV) Vendor Test Voltage in KV Dissipation Factor (%)

3150 4 Years 6.6 Fuji 2.5 0.42

1. The value of dissipation factor
1390 4 Years 6.6 Fuji 2 0.83 provides the averaged value of the
370 New 6.6 Toshiba 2.5 0.23
total health of the electrical
230 4 Years 6.6 Hitachi 4 0.34
insulation. Hence, it is possible
230 4 Years 6.6 Meiden 4 0.21

200 4 Years 6.6 Meiden 4 0.19 for a localized area of deteriorated

180 4 Years 6.6 Meiden 4 0.31 electrical insulation to be averaged
out by the electrical insulation of
TABLE 3.2 : Typical Values of Dissipation Factor for Motors Measured at Site
other healthy areas. Furthermore,

the increase in values of dissipation factor may not be large enough to alert the user. Therefore, partial
discharge measurement will be more suitable for the detection of localized area of deteriorated
insulation.

2. The measurement of dissipation factor will require the de-energization of the measured electrical
equipment.
3. The large capacitance of some electrical equipment, like long length of cables, will require input current
in excess of the rating of the measurement set. Although this problem can often be solved by using a
lower test voltage, there will be a loss in accuracy in the measurement of the dissipation factor.

Conclusions
1. The measurement of dissipation factor is a routine nondestructive test at the factory for transformers,
motors and cables. Hence the site measurement and comparison with factory measurement will
provide the means for a safer first time energization of transformers, motors and cables.

2. The trending of the values of dissipation factor either in the form of the tip-up curve or over a period of
time is a powerful tool for preventive maintenance.

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