CHAPTER-V

COMMISSIONING TETS OF 33KV FEEDER

Pre commissioning tests such as Insulation Resistance Test, High Pot test, etc are
essential for any system for checking the healthiness of equipment before taking to service for
the first time. Apart from checking the fitness of equipment for energisation, the test results
obtained at the time of commissioning are used as reference for the test results obtained in the
later period.
The commissioning tests are conducted for following equipment of a 33KV feeder:
(5.1).Current Transformers.
(5.2).Circuit Breaker.
(5.3).Over current & Earth Fault Relays.
(5.1) Commissioning tests of Current Transformers:
The Current transformer used for a 33KV feeder consists of two cores of secondary
winding used for Metering & Protection, which are insulated among the cores of secondary
winding as well as insulated from the Primary winding which is at high potential. The Current
Transformers are adopted with 400/1 ratio. The various test conducted on a Current Transformer
at the time of commissioning are:
(5.1.1)Insulation Resistance test.
(5.1.2)Ratio Test/Primary Injection Test.
(5.1.3)Polarity Test.
(5.1.4)Zigzag Test
(5.1.1)Insulation Resistance Test:
The primary reason for conducting the Insulation resistance test is to assess the healthiness of
Insulation of the winding. As the life of equipment depends on the insulation, the condition of the
insulation should be ascertained at regular intervals. Insulation Resistance (IR) and Polarization Index
(PI) are two universally accepted diagnostic tests for insulation tests.
The main factor that affects the insulation are:
(i)Excessive heating of insulation, due to continuous Resistive Leakage current through the insulation.
(ii)Exposure of insulation to moisture content, dust, etc.

[53]

The IR test measures the resistance of the electrical insulation between the copper conductors and
the body of the equipment. Ideally the value of this resistance is infinite, since the purpose of the
Insulation is to behave as a capacitor & block current flow between the conductor and the body. But in
practice, it is not possible.However; the resistance should have a high value to avoid any appreciable
leakage current. Lower value of IR indicates that the insulation has been deteriorated.
Polarization Index (PI) is a variation of the IR test. It is the ratio of IR measured after voltage has
been applied for 10minutes (R10) to the IR measured after one minute (R1), i.e.
Polarization Index PI = R10
R1
Low value of PI indicates that the winding may have e been contaminated with oil, dirt etc or absorbed
moisture.
Table(5.1) : Interpretation of Polarization Index of the insulation

In the test, a relatively high DC voltage is applied between the winding and the ground. By
applying Ohms law, IR (Rt) at time t is then, Rt =V/It .
where V is the DC Voltage applied and It is the current flowing in the circuit.
The characteristics of the insulation are such that the current is not constant and it varies with
time. The purpose of measuring PI can be understood by knowing the flow of the different currents in the
Insulator. There are three currents in the insulator that may flow when a DC voltage is applied to the
winding.
(a) Capacitive Current(IC):
Insulator behaves as a capacitor when a DC voltage is applied to a capacitor, a high charging
current first flows and then it decays exponentially. The size of the capacitor and the internal resistance of
the Voltage supply, typically a few hundred kilo ohms, set the currents decay. Since the capacitive current
contains little diagnostic information, the initial IR is measured once the capacitive current has decayed.
Hence the first IR measurement has been set as one minute to ensure that this current does not distort the
IR calculation.

[54]

(b) Surface leakage Current (IL):

This is constant DC current that flows over the surface of the insulation. It is caused by
conductive Contamination (oil or moisture mixed with dust, dirt, insects, chemicals etc) on the surface of
the Windings. This current is also constant with time.
(c) Polarization Current(IA):
Electrical insulation is hygroscopic in nature and presence of moisture will be there either in low
Quantity or in excess. Water molecules are very pol ar. When an electric field is applied across the
Insulation starts absorbing electrons from the hydrogen molecules causing ionization of hydrogen. In
other words, the molecules constituting water align in the electric field, just as magnetic field. The energy
required to align the molecules comes from the current in the DC test voltage supply. This current is
called polarization current. The water becomes completely polarized when the absorption of electron from
hydrogen merging with oxygen is completed. Once the molecules are all aligned, the current stops. The
approximate time for complete polarization is 10 minutes. That is why the IR is measured after 10
minutes of applying voltage.

Fig ( 5.1): Variation of currents during Insulation Resistance Test.

Effect of Temperature on IR:

Winding temperature affects the Insulation Resistance value test result. As temperature increases,
insulation Resistance decreases. The cause is not winding degradation with temperature but is a physical
property of the insulation. The insulation resistance reading must, therefore, be corrected for temperature.
The temperature correction, as per IEEE 43 should be to 40 C, and the correction factor for temperature
is such that the minimum insulation resistance value is doubled for every 10 C decrease in winding
temperature.

[55]

Test Arrangement:
The test voltage should be well below the rated peak line-to-ground voltage of the winding as it is
not a high potential test. But the voltage should be high enough to find defects such as cuts though the
Insulation in the windings.
Generally selectable DC Voltage between 0.5-5KV is being applied between the each core of
secondary winding and Primary winding of current transformer, Primary winding of CT to the body and
between the windings of Current Transformer using a direct indicating, motor driven mega-ohmmeter for
10 minutes. Measure the insulation resistance after 1 minute and 10 minutes. Switch off supply to the test
equipment and completely discharge the windings to the ground. The temperature of the winding under
test must be noted:
Insulation Resistance test of a 33KV Current Transformer @ Temp=______0C.
Readings of Insulation Resistance test
Insulation Under
Test
IR value at
IR Value at
Test
Voltage
PI=IR(10sec)/IR(1sec)

1min

Primary winding to
Body
Sec-C1 to body
Sec-C2 to body
Sec-C1 to Sec-C2

Remarks

10min

5KV
0.5KV
0.5KV
0.5KV

(5.1.2)Primary Injection test:

Primary Injection test is used to ensure for correctness of the adopted ratio of the current
Transformers. It is conducted after the terminal connections of each core of secondary winding
are connected to the respective Protection Relays & Metering instruments of Control & Relay
panel of feeder to ensure the correctness of the terminal connections of CT.
Test Arrangement:
The testing kit consists of a current injecting Transformer with selectable turns. The required
current ranges to be injected are selected by the selector switch (1-4) & at each switch position current
can be varied (from Min to Max) by varying the dimmerstat which varies the applied voltage to the
testing kit as shown in Figure(5.2 ).

[56]

Fig(5.2).Primary Injection Test

Fig(5.2).Primary Injection testing Kit

The current output from the injection transformer is applied to the Primary winding of Current
Transformer and corresponding current is each measured at each core of the secondary winding of the CT
using a Clamp meter.
Primary Injection Test for a CT of ratio:_______
Current Applied to the
Secondary measured current
Core-I
Core-II
Primary
------------------------------------(5.1.3)Polarity Test:
The Polarity test of a Current Transformer is conducted to ensure the Polarity of the one end
secondary winding with respect to the one end of Primary winding. The Current Transformer Primary
winding terminals marked as P1,P2 & The secondary winding terminals for each core are marked as
1S1-1S2-1S3 for Core-I,2S1-2S2-2S3 for Core-II.
For checking the polarity of Current Transformer, a small DC Voltage Source is momentarily
applied to the primary winding of the CT & a meter having Center zero is connected to the secondary
winding to measure the direction of deflection for an applied DC voltage at primary as shown in
Figure(5.3 ).

[57]

Fig(5.3).Polarity Test for Current Transformer.

Generally If the +ve & -Ve terminals of a Battery are connected to the P1,P2 terminals of Current
Transformer respectivley,current in the secondary flows from S3 to S1 with in the secondary winding &
from S1 to S3 externally through the measuring instruments, thus defecting the ammeter in +ve direction.
(5.1.4)Zig Zag Test:
Generally each core of the secondary winding of each phase is connected in star as show in
Figure (5.3).Under healthy condition, the resultant current in the neutral is zero, but in faulty condition
the current flowing the neutral initiates operation of earth fault relay.

Fig(5.3):Terminal connections at Current Transformer

Thus neutral current will be zero in healthy condition, if the star is formed with correct polarity.
To ensure this formation of star with correct polarity Zigzag test is conducted on Current Transformers.
Test Arrangement:
In this test, P2 terminal of CT of one phase is connected to the P1 terminal of CT of other phase,
i.e., the primary windings of the CT of three phases are connected in series, with star formed at the
secondary winding terminals with S2 terminal as neutral as shown in figure(5.4).
If a current is injected into the current transformers, the secondary current in the neutral will be
three times the phase current in the secondary winding if the star is formed with correct polarity as shown
in figure( 5.4 )(a).
[58]

Fig (5.4): Zig Zag Test star formation(a) with Correct Polarity(b)With Reversed Polarity.

But if one of the Secondary winding of one phase is connected with reverse polarity, the Neutral
current will be equal to the phase current as shown in Figure(5.4)(b) and the necessary corrections are to
be done for correct polarity.

(5.2)Commissioning tests for a Circuit Breaker:

For a circuit Breaker the tripping/closing of the circuit breaker from TNC switch in
Control& Relay Panel, Protection tripping, Indication of Trip Circuit Healthy Bulbs, Breaker
ON/OFF, Spring Charge Indications

are to be checked for functioning at the time of

commissioning. Apart from these the following tests are conducted on the Circuit Breaker at the
time of commissioning:
(5.2.1)Insulation Resistance Test.
(5.2.2)High Voltage Test.
(5.2.3)Breaker Timings Test.
(5.2.1)Insulation Resistance Test:
The significance of Insulation Resistance test is already mentioned at Commissioning
tests of Current transformers. The insulation resistance test of Circuit Breaker is conducted between
following terminals follows:

[59]

Insulation Resistance of Circuit Breaker

Insulation Under
Test

Test
Voltage

Top to Bottom
Top to body
Bottom to body

5KV
5KV
5KV

IR Value

(5.2.2)High Voltage Test:

High Voltage test is conducted to ensure that the circuit breaker designed for 36KV
Voltage level should be able to withstand the 36KV/3 i.e, 20.7KV across the Interrupting chamber.
The High voltage testing kit consists of a insulated step-up transformer which can induce
high voltages up to 36KV.The High voltage is applied across the Interrupting Chamber and the leakage
current measured during the test should be within limits, failing which the test voltage is stopped by
tripping the Supply to the Testing kit.
High Voltage Test of Circuit Breaker
Applied High
Voltage

Voltage Applied
across terminals

Leakage current
under test(mA)

21KV
21KV
21KV

Top-Bottom
Top-Body
Bottom-Body

----------------

Remarks

(5.2.3)Circuit Breaker Timings Test:

The circuit Breaker timings test of circuit Breaker is to be conducted at the time of
commissioning of Circuit Breaker to ensure that the Tripping/closing time of the circuit breaker is within
limits to ensure the reliable operation of circuit breaker. The important characteristic of a breaker

from a protection point of view is the speed with which the main contacts are opened after a
tripping pulse is received.
The tripping time of a Circuit Breaker is expressed in cycles. Modern high-speed circuit
breakers have tripping times between two to four cycles. The tripping or total clearing or break
time is made up as follows:
Opening time: The time between instant of application of tripping power to the instant of
separation of the main contacts.
Arcing time: The time between the instant of separation of the main circuit breaker contacts to
the instant of arc extinction of short-circuit current.
Total break or clearing time: The sum of the Opening time& Arcing time.

[60]

Test Arrangement:
The Breaker timing testing kit calculates the breaker tripping/closing time starting from
the initiation of trip/close pulse to the breaker trip coil/close coil to the Breaker Contacts operation. Hence
for this operation the feedback contacts are to be taken from Breaker main contacts for evaluation of
breaker timings. Breaker timings can be obtained using Digital counter, which counts the elapsed time
from initiation of trip/close pulse to breaker contacts operating time.
Measurement of circuit breaker closing time:

To measure the closing time of circuit breaker (that is the time elapsed from the
movement of the extending control supply to the closing coil to the movement of actual closing
of the circuit breaker), the following circuit is made use of.
In this mode, NC/NO (normally close/normally open) of start and NC/NO of
stop button should be in NO position. The counter starts, when the two terminals of start
button are shorted by closing button. Simultaneously the dc supply is extended to the closing coil
of the breaker. The counter stops when the two terminals of stop button are shorted through the
main contact of the circuit breaker, as soon as it closes and the timer displays the time interval,
which is the closing time of circuit breaker.
The timer interval displays the time interval which is closing time of circuit
breaker.
Measurement of circuit breaker opening time:

To measure the opening time of circuit breaker, (that is the elapsed from
the movement of extending control supply to the trip coil of circuit breaker to the movement of
actual tripping of circuit breaker) the following circuit is made use of.
In this mode NC/NO start button should be in NO position and NC/NO
stop switch should be in NC position. The counter starts when the two terminals of start
buttons are shorted by closing the button. Simultaneously the DC supply is extended to the trip
coil of the breaker. The counter stops counting when the two terminals of STOP button are
opened with the opening of the circuit breaker MAIN CONTACTS.

[61]

The time interval displays the displays the time interval which is opening time
of circuit breaker.

Fig ( 5.5 ): Terminal connections for Circuit Breaker Timings Test

Table( ) :Circuit Breaker Timings test.
OpeartingTime of
Opening
Closing Time(ms)
each Phase
Time(ms)
R-Ph
Y-Ph
B-Ph

(5.3)Commissioning tests of Over Current and Earth Fault Relays:

[62]

Commissioning of over current Relays & Earth Fault Relays includes the selection of
Pick Up current, Time settings, High Set Settings, Tripping relay characteristics, CT Ratio.
Hence the available ranges are mentioned for over current & Earth fault relays:
Selection Ranges of Over current & Earth Fault Relays
Relay

Pickup Current
Settings

Over current
Relay

Earth Fault
Relay

Time Settings

High Set Settings

(50-200)%

0.1-1.0

(200-3200)%

(5-80)%

0.1-1.0

(50-800)%

Relay Operating Characteristics

3.0 Sec Normal Inverse,

1.3 Sec Normal Inverse,
Very Normal Inverse,
Extreme Inverse.
3.0 Sec Normal Inverse,
1.3 Sec Normal Inverse,
Very Normal Inverse,
Extreme Inverse.

Hence amongst the ranges available, the required settings are to be chosen properly for
the relay, considering the adopted settings for the relays in the adjacent sections for proper coordination.
After adopting the chosen settings for the relay, the relay testing is to be done for
checking the relay operating time for different fault currents.
Test Arrangement:
The Over current & Earth fault Relay testing kit consists of a Current Injection unit &
Control unit. The testing equipment consists of selector switches and dimmerstat for selecting the
required fault currents to be injected into the relay & timer to measure the relay operating time from the
fault inception to the relay operating time.
Hence two terminals are used to inject current into the relay and two terminals for
feedback contacts from the relay NO contacts to the Testing kit for checking the Relay operating time in
timer. The relay operating time for different fault currents are noted as below:

Testing of Relay Operating characteristics

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O/C Relay:PS=---------%,TSM=--------,HS=----------

Settings Adopted:
Pick Up Current(Amps)
Current
Injected
---------

Theoretical
Timings as
per TSM
---------

-----

E/F Relay: PS=--------%,TSM=---------,HS=------------------Pickup Current(Amps):

Measured Operating Time

R-Ph
O/C Relay
---------

Y-Ph
O/C Relay
-------

B-Ph
O/C Relay
-------

[64]

Current
Injected

Theoretica
l

-------

Timings as
per TSM
-------

-----Measured
Operating
Time
E/F Relay
-------