IS 2026 ( Part 6 ) : 1994

( Reaffirmed 2004 )

Indian Standard
POWERTRANSFORMERS
PART 5 TRANSFORMER/REACTOR BUSHINGS - MINIMUM EXTERNAL
CLEARANCE IN AIR - SPECIFICATION

( Second Reprint OCTOBER 1997 )

UDC 621*315*626*042*4 : 621*314.212+621-318.43

Q BIS 1994

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SljAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

May 1994 Price Group 4

Transformers Sectional Committee, ETD 16

FOREWORD

This Ir,dian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the
Transformers Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electrotechnical Division Council.
In the preparation of this standard considerable assistance has been derived from IEC Pub 76-3-l
( 1987 ) ‘Power Transformer : Part 3 lnsulation levels and dielectric tests External clearances in air’
issued by the International Electrotechninal Commission ( IEC ).
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied wilh, the final
value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analvsis shall be rounded off in accordance
with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised )‘. The number of significant places
retained in the rounded off value shall be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
 IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

Indian Standard
POWERTRANSFORMERS
PART 5 TRANSFORMER/REACTOR BUSHINGS-MINIMUM EXTERNAL
CLEARANCE IN AIR - SPECIFICATION

P SCOPE rounded electrodes. It is assumed that conduc-

tor clamps with their associated shield electrodes
This Indian Standard specifies clearances in air are suitably shaped so that they do not reduce
between live paIts of bushings on oil-immer;sed the flashover voltage. It is also assumed that the
power transformers and reactors and to object at arrangement of incoming conductors does not
earth potential. reduce the effective clearances provided by the
NOTE - Wherever the word ‘transformer’ appears transformer itself.
in the text, read as ‘transformer/reactor’.
NOTE - If the user intends to make his connection
in a particular way which is likely to reduce the
2 REFERENCES effective clearances, this should be mentioned in the
enquiry.
The Indian Standards listed in Annex A are
necessary adjuncts to this standard. 3.5 In general, the provision of adequate
clearances in air becomes technically difficult
3 GENERAL mainly at high system voltages, particularly for
3.1 Clearances m air are understood to mean, in relatively small units, or when the installation
this standard, distances where the electrostatic space is restricted. The principle follo\bed in the
field is free from disturbance by insulator recommendations of this standard is to provide
bodies. The standard does not deal with the ample, non-critical clearances which are satis-
requirements of effective flashover distance or factory without further discussion or proof
creepage distance along the bushing insulators under various system conditions and in different
nor does it consider the risk From intrusion of climates. Where extensive previous experience
birds or animals. has indicated that smaller clearances are
adequate, there is obviously no need to change.
3.2 The insulation levels and dielectric tests
which are specified in IS 2026 ( Part 3 ) : 1981 3.6 The recommended clearances are referred
shall apply for oil immersed transformers to the to the rated withstand voltage values of the
internal insulation only. internal insulation of the transformer, unless
otherwise specified in the enquiry and order.
3.3 It is reasonable that the rated withstand When the clearances of the transformer are
voltage values which are specified for the inter- equal to or larger than the values specified in
nal insulation of the transformer should also be this standard and the bushings have properly
taken as a reference for its external insulation. selected ratings according to IS 2099 : 1986
This may, however, not be true in all cases. A then the external insulation of the transformer
failure of the non-self-restoring internal insula- shall be regarded satisfactory without further
tion is catastrophic and normally leads to the testing.
transformer being out of service for a long
period, while an external flashover may involve NOTES
only a short interruption of service without 1 The impulse withstand strength of the external
causing lasting damage. Therefore, it may be insulation is polarity dependent, in contract to what
that, for increased safety, higher test voltages is assumed for the internal insulation. The tests
are specified by the user for the internal insula- prescribed for the internal insulation of the trans-
former do not automatically verify that the external
tion of the transformer than for the external insulation is satisfactory. The recommended
insulation of other components in the system. clearances are dimensioned for the more onerous
If such a distinction is made, the external polarity ( positive ).
clearances on the transformer should be referred 2 It is recognised that in some cases’good experience
instead to those specified for external insulation with well documented national practice allows the
withstand voltages. continuing use of established smaller clearances with-
out further discussion or testing.
3.4 When establishing the requirements of the
present standard in the higher voltage ranges, it 3.7 If a clearance smaller than that according
has been recognised that the bushing ends to the paragraph above has been used for a
normally have a rounded electrode shape. The contract, a type test may be required on an
clearance requirements are valid between such arrangement simulating the actual clearance, or

1
IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : i994

on the transformer itself. Recommended test the standard voltages which appear in Table 2
procedures for such cases are given. of IS 2026 ( Part 3 ) : 1981.
3.8 If the transformer is specified for operation If a type test on a reduced clearance is to be
at an altitude higher than 1000 m, the clearance conducted this shall be lightning impulse test,
requirements have to be increased by 1 percent dry with positive impulse, three shots, with the
for every 100 m by which the altitude exceeds test voltage according to Table 1.
1 000 m. Requirements are given for the follow-
ing clearances: 4.2 Windings with CT, 3 300 kV - Transformer
- clearance phase-to-earth and phase-to- Specified According to Method 1
neutral;
For equipment with U, in this range, IS 2165
- clearance *phase-to-phase between phases ( Part 2 ) : 1977 specifies different requirements
of the same winding; and for phase-to-earth and phase-to-phase insulation.
- Air insulation clearances are referred to
clearance between a line terminal of the switching impulse conditions. Transformers
high voltage winding and a line terminal which are specified according to Method 1 in
of a lower voltage winding. IS 2026 (Part 3 ) : 1981 have, however, no
3.9 It follows from the above that the rated switching impulse withstand level.
‘recommended’ values are in effect <minimum’ The recommended minimum distances in
values. The design clearances shall be stated on Table 2 have been chosen, directly on the basis
the outline drawing. These are nominal values of U, values, from the selection of standard
subject to normal manufacturing tolerances and clearances appearing in Table 3. This is because
they have to be selected so that the actual it is assumed that the requirements for external
clearances will be at least equal to the specified insulation should be the same, irrespective of
values. These statements shall be taken as proof the use of Method 1 or Method 2 as described
that the transformer complies with the in IS 2026 ( Part 3 ) : 1981 for the tests on the
recommendations of the standard, or with the internal insulation.
modified values which may have been agreed for
the particular contract. The phase-to-earth clearances in Table 2 also
apply for clearances towards the terminals of a
4 BUSHING CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS lower voltage winding. ( An unusual voltage
AS DETERMINED BY TRANSFORMER ratio or connection may, however, require
INSULATION WITHSTAND VOLTAGES special consideration of the clearances. )
4.0 The requirements are formulated as descri-
bed below, depending on the U, voltage value 4.2.1 Type Test Procedure
of the winding, and on the method of specifying If a type test on a reduced clearance is to be
the transformer insulation. conducted this shall be carried out as described
Indian Standards IS 2165 ( Part 1 ) : 1977 deals in 4.3.3. The test voltage is selected as follows:
with phase-to-earth insulation co-ordination - determine the standard clearance value;
and IS 2165 ( Part 2) : 1983 deals with phase-to-
phase insulation co-ordination, principles and - by reference to the appropriate curve of
rules. The above two Indian Standards make Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, establish the switchmg
use of different reference withstand voltage for impulse voltage correspondjng to this
different ranges of Urn voltages. In the ranges standard clearance. This is the test
,4 and B ( U, ( 300 kV ) the reference voltages voltage to be used.
are power frequency voltage and lightining
impulse voltage. In range C ( U, > 300 kV ) 4.3 Windings with [lnr > 300 kV - Transformer
the reference voltage for external CiearanCe iS Specified According to Method 2
a switching impulse voltage. For further details,
see 3. The conversion from rated with- Transformers specified according to Method 2
stand voltages to clearances in this standard is have a rated switching impulse withstand
generally along the lines of 1’S2165 ( Part 1 ) : voltage assigned to the highest voltage winding.
197; and IS 2165 ( Part 2 ) : 1983. This value, which applies bttween phase and
earth, is also used as a reference for the external
. . .
4.1 Wmdlags with U, < 300 kV insulation. The internal insulation is verified b\
a test with negative test voltage on the tested
The same distance shall apply for clearances phase, and with I.5 times test voltage between
phase-to-earth, phase-to-neutral, phase-to- the phases on three-phase transformers.
phase, and towards terminals of a lower Voltage
winding. The recommended minimum clea- For thk external insulation the phase-to-phahe
rances are given in Table 1 with reference to withstand voltage is defined differently according

2
 IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

Table 1 Recommeded Minimum Clearances from Bushing Live Parts on Power Transformers
Having Windings witb Highest Voltage for Equipment U, <’ 300 kV
( Altitude Up to 1 000 m )
( Clause 4.1 )

Highest Voltage Rated Short Rated Lighthing Impulse Withstand Minimum Clearance
for Equipment Duration Voltage r_--_---_- h_-- _-__ __~
Power Fre- ( peak ) With Reference Wit:oRgr$ernce
Crms ) quency With- r---- ----_h_--_--_.-_ to Distribution
stand Voltage Distribution Other Trans- Transformers Transformers
( rms ) Transformers formers
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
kV kV kV kV mm mm

< 1’1 3 - - - -

3’6 10 20 40 - 60
7’2 20 40 60 60 90

12 28 60 75 90 125

17.5 38 1.5 95 125 170

24 50 95 125 170 225

36 70 145 170 275 315

52 95 0
I
L15t3

72’5 140 325 630

165
450 830
123

230 550 1 050

650 1 250
275

750 1 450
325

245
850 1 600
360

395 950 1 800

Table 2 Recommended Minimum Clearances from Bushing Live Parts on Power Transformers
Having Windings with Highest Voltage for Equipment U, > 300 kV, Specified
According to Method 1 ( Altitude Up to 1 000 m )
( Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 )
Highest Voltage Rated Short Dura- Rated Lightn- Minimum Clearance
for EF;pment tion Power Fre- ing Impulse r------- h-_-----~
quency Withstand Withstand Phase-to- Phase-to-
( rms ) Voltage Voltage Earth Earth
( rms )
(1) (2) (p3) (4) (5)
kV kV . kV mm mm
9.50 1 900 2 250

460 1 050 2 300 2 650

1 050 2 300 2 650

1 175 2 700 3 100

1 300 2 700 3 100

1 425 3 100 3 500

3
IS 2025 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

Table 3 Recommended Minimum Clearances from Bushing Live Parts on Power Transformers
Having Windings with Highest Voltage for Equipment iJ, > 300 kV, Specified
According to Method 2 ( Altitude Up to 1 000 m )
( Clauses 4.3, 4.3.1.3.~ and-4.3.2 )
Highest Voltage Rated Switching Rated Lightning LMinimum Clearance
for Eq;i;ment Impulse Withstand Impulse With- ~---_-----_----h ---------7
Voltage stand Voltage Phase-to-Earth, Phase-to-Phase, To Other
(rms) ( peak ) ( peak 1 Based on Swit- Based on Swit- Winding,
thing Impulse thing Impulse Based on
Withstand Withstand Lightning
Vojtage Voltage Impulse
Withstand
Voltage
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
kV kV kV mm mm mm
650 1600
750
300
1 900 2 250
950 1 750
650
362 2 300 2 650
1050 1 950
950
420
2 700 3 100
1175 2200

1300 2400
1050
3 100 3 5co
525 1425 2 650
1175
3 700 4 200
1550 2 850
5 000 5 800
765
1800 3 300
5 800 6700
1950 3 600

Dm
1

I i i i i i i i kV

500 1000 1500 2ooq

Fan. I CLEARANCE PHASE-TO-EARTH BASEDON RATED SWITCHING IMPULSE
WITHSTANDVOLTAGE
4
 IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

Om

1000 1500 2000 2500

FIG. 2 CLEARANCE
PHASE-TO-PHASEBASEDON SWITCHING IMPULSEVOLTAGE APPEARING
BETWEENPHASE

to IS 2165 ( Part 2 ) : 1983 ( see Table 4 ). An between the two terminals under consideration
appropriate test procedure involves positive during the switching impulse test [ see 14 of
polarity impulses for a configuration phase-to- IS 2026 ( Part 3 ) : 1981 ] according to the turns
earth, and opposite polarity impulses for phase- ratio between the windings. This voltage.value
to-phase clearances ( see 4.3.3 ). This has been gives the clearance which is required with regard
considered for the clearance values given in to the switching impulse condition. Fig. 2 is
Table 3. used to find the recommended clearance if the
terminals receive opposite polarity voltages and
4.3.1 Clearance Phase-to-Earth, Phase-to-Neutral the ratio between their voltage amplitudes is 2
and Phase-to-Phase Between Phases of the Same or less. In other cases, Fig. 1 applies.
Winding
NOTE;If Fig. 1and Fig. 2 are compared, it appenrs
The clearance from the high voltage bushing that a phase-to-phase clearance withstands a higher
top to earth ( tank, conservator, cooling equip- voltage difference than the same.distance would do
in a phase-to-earth configuration. The reason is that
ment, switchyard structures ) or to the neutral in the phase-to-phase configuration the two terminals
terminal is determined from column 4 of are supposed to have opposite polarity, and the
Table 3. The clearance between bushing caps of maximum dielectric gradient at either of them ( which
difference phases is determined from column 5 is largely determined by the voltage to earth ) is
relatively lower.
of Table 3.
It is assumed also that the electrodes have a
4.3.2 Clearance Between Terminals of Different
rounded shape. The clearance however,
shall,
Windings also fulfil the lightning impulse withstand
The clearance between terminals of different requirement, which presupposes that the lower
windings of the transformer shall be checked voltage winding terminal is at earth potential
with regard to both switching, impulse and when rated lightning impulse withstand voltage is
lightning impulse conditions. The switching applied to the high voltage terminal. The dis-
impulse withstand requirement is based on the tance requirement in column 6 of Table 3 and
precalculated difference voltage which appears Fig. 3 corresponding to this rated lightning

5
 ----

IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

FIG. 3 CLEARANCE BASEDON LIGHTNING IMPULSEVOLTAGE

impulse voltage, has therefore, to be fulfilled test voltage, positive, on one line terminal, the
between the two terminals. The higher of the other half, negative on another line terminal,
two clearance estimates shall apply. The and the third terminal earth [ see 10, 12 and 14
s\\,itching impulse test on the transformer will of IS 2165 ( Part 2 ) : 1983 ] The combinations
induce voltages between phases of other star- of phase-to-earth and phase-to-phase test volt-
connected windings as well. It shall be checked ages, according to IS 2165 ( Part 2 ) : 1983 are
wliether this condition requires a larger phase- reproduced in Table 4. The values for
to-phase clearance in such a winding than as U, = 525 kV and 800 kV are subject to
prescribed for this \vinding alone such as in 4.1. review.
4.3.3 Type Test Procedure
If a tape test on a reduce clearance is to be When the outer phases are placed symmetrically
conducted, the test procedure shall be as with respect to the middle phase, it is sufficient
foilows: to make two separate tests, one with positive
polarity on the middle phase, and the other
A test on a configuration phase-to-earth or with positive polarity on an outer phase, the
phase-to-netural, or towards a terminal of a middle phase having negative polarity. If the
lower voltage winding shall consist of a line terminal arrangement is asymmetrical, it
switching impulse test, dry, with positive may be necessary to perform more than two
polarity on the line terminal of the winding tests.
( the higher voltage winding ). The counter
electrode shall be earthed. If the tested
terminal belongs to a three-phase winding, Each test shall consist of 15 applications of
the other line terminals shall also be impulse voltage with wave shape 250/2 500 in
earthed. accordance with IS 2071 ( Part 1 ) : 1993.
NOTE - This test ih not generally feasible on
complete three-phase transformers and may, thcre- NOTE - The above test procedure for phase-to-
for-e, have to be conducted on ;I model simulating the phase external clearances, which follows IS 2165
actual configuration of the transformer. ( Part 2 ) : 1983 differs in several’ respects from the
Tests on the phase-to-phase clearances of a switching impulse test procedure specified for the
internal insulation of the transformer in 14 of
three-phase transformer shall consist of switch- IS 2165 ( Part 2 ) . 1983. The two test procedures do
ing impulse tests, dry, with half of the specified not replace each other.

6
 IS 2026 ( Part 5 ) : 1994

Table 4 Combinations of Switching Impulse Test Voltages Phase-to-Earth

and Phase-to-Phase for Different Values of U,. The Phase-to-Phase
Voltage Value for a Type Test According to 4.3.3 is Selected
According to the Rated Switching Impulse Withstand Voltage,
Phase-to-Earth Assigned to the Transformer
( Clauses 4.3 and 4.3.3 )

Highest Voltage Rated Switching Rated Switching

for Eqc:yment Impulse Withstaud Impulse With-
zI:11 Voltage Phase-to- stand Voltage
(ims 1 Earth Phase-to-Phase
(peak 1 ( peak )
kV kV kV
(1) (2) (3)
1 175

1 300

1 300

1 425

I 425

1800

2 400

2 550

ANNEX A
( Clause 2 )

LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS

IS No. Tiile IS No. Title

2026 Power transformers: Part 3
( Part 3 ) : 1981 Insulation levels and dielectric 2165 Insulation co-ordination:
tests ( second revision ) ( Part 2 ) : 1983 Part 2 Phase-to-Dhase insula-
tion co-ordination, principles
2099 : 1986 Bushing for alternating
and rules
voltages above 1 000 V ($rst
revision )
2165 Insulation cordination:Part 1 2071 High voltage test techniques;
( Part 1 ) : 1977 Phase-to-earth insulation ( Part 1 ) : 1993 Part 1 General definition and
coordination ( second test requirements ( second
revision ) revision )

7
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Review of Indian Standards

Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue
of ‘BIS Handbook’ and ‘Standards Monthly Additions’.
This Indian Standard has been developed from Dot: No. ETD 16 ( 3486 J

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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