Transformer

Excitation-Current Test
 Excitation Current Principles
No Load
Iexcitation = Imag f mag

+ +
V1 ~ V2
- -

1) When an AC Voltage Source, such as a Doble Test Set, is placed on a

transformer, a small current will flow.
2) This small current is the Magnetizing Current: the current required to
magnetize the Transformer core with the Magnetic Flux fmag. This
Magnetizing Current is the Excitation Current we measure and record.
3) This Magnetic Flux will induce a voltage across the secondary windings: V 2
 Excitation Current Principles
Load Added
Iexcitation = Imag f + f2
mag
f2 I2
+ I2
+ +
V1 ~ V2 R2
- -

1) When a Load is placed on the secondary windings a current

will flow
I2=V2/R2 [ Ohm’s Law ]

2) The Current I2 will in-turn create an Opposing Magnetic Flux

f2.
3) The Generator, which regulates voltage at a set level, will
provide more current to maintain the core magnetized equal to the
opposing flux

Iexcitation =Imag + I2
 Excitation Current Principles

Turn to Turn Fault

fmag+ ffault
HV
Imag+ If ffault X1
UST H1
E1 + Ifault
- LV
H0 X0

1) If a fault develops in the secondary windings, this fault will act as a load across
the faulted windings drawing a current Ifault.

2) As a result, the Excitation Current will go up due to the opposing flux created by
the fault [ffault].

Result: A Fault will cause Excitation Current to Increase

 Excitation Current Principles
Grounded Winding
Iexcitation=Imag+ Ifault
fmag+ ffault
ffault X1 Ground Fault
UST HV H1
+
Ifault
-
LV H0 Xo
Neutral Ground

1)If the secondary winding has a grounded neutral and one of the windings
develops a fault to ground, grounded windings will draw a fault current.

2) As a result, the Excitation Current will go up due to the opposing flux

created by the fault [ffault].

Result: A grounded winding on a transformer with a grounded

neutral will cause the Excitation Current increase.
 Excitation Current Principles
Preventative Autotransformer
Iexcitation=Imag+ IAT
fmag+ fAT
fAT X1
UST HV H1
+ IA

-
LV H0 Xo

When an autotransformer is connected across two taps it acts as a load and the
primary current goes up.

Result: When the Autotransformer is in the bridging position

the Excitation Current increase.
Transformer Excitation Current Test
Procedure - Single Phase

Test Set
UST
Ground Lead
IEC
Low Voltage Lead
Guard
I & W Meter

Test Test
No. Measures Mode Energize UST Ground Float
1 H1-H0* UST H1 H0* X1 X2

*H0 may be designated as H2

Transformer Excitation Current Test
Procedure - Single Phase

Test Set
UST
Ground Lead
IEC
Low Voltage Lead
Guard
I & W Meter

Test Test
No. Measures Mode Energize UST Ground Float
2 H0*-H1 UST H0* H1 X1 X2

*H0 may be designated as H2.

 Transformer Excitation Current
Test Procedure - Single Phase

Note :

It is recommended to ground one terminal of each

low voltage winding so that excessive voltage in the
winding will not be developed from electrostatic
coupling.
Transformer Excitation Current Test

Test Voltage Guidelines

• Do Not Exceed Test Voltages Recommended For
Over-All Winding Test Procedures

• Use the Highest, Whole Number, Voltage in kV,

That the Test Set Can Deliver Up To the Maximum
Recommended Test Voltage
 Transformer Excitation Current Test

Test Voltage Guidelines

•The Relationship Between Excitation Current and

Applied Test Voltage is Non-Linear

•For Historical Comparisons it is Necessary to Use the

Same Test Voltage For Each Test on a Given
Transformer
Transformer Excitation Current Test
 Wye Winding
Excitation Current
Tests
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings
Winding Configuration Group 1, Angular Displacement 0º

Reference IEEE C57.12.70

Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings

Winding Configuration Group 2, Angular Displacement 30º

Reference IEEE C57.12.70

Transformer Nameplate
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
Test 1: Measure H1 to H0
Energize: H1, UST: H0, Float: H2,H3,X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable
H2
Test Set
H0
UST
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC
Guard Low Voltage Lead
I & W Meter
 Test 2: Measure H2 to H0
Energize:H2, UST: H0, Float: H1,H3,X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable
H2
Test Set
H0
UST
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC
Guard Low Voltage Lead
I &W Meter
 Test 3: Measure H3 to H0

Energize: H3, UST: H0, Float: H1,H2,X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
H0
UST
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
 Transformer Excitation Current Test

Summary

Test Test
No. Measures Mode Energize UST Ground Float
1 H1-H0 UST H1 H0 * H2,H3,X1,X2,X3
2 H2-H0 UST H2 H0 * H1,H3,X1,X2,X3
3 H3-H0 UST H3 H0 * H1,H2,X1,X2,X3

•If Low-Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected, Ground X0

•This Procedure is for Transformers With H2 and H0 Bushings

Associated With Center Leg of Core
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings

H1 H2 H3 H0
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings

H1 H2 H3 H0
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings

H1 H2 H3 H0
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Wye Connected Windings

H1 H2 H3 H0
 Current and Watts Pattern
- HLH - Why?

•Test Voltage, E, Applied to Winding - Same For Each

Test

• E = 4.44 f N 

• f = Alternating Current Frequency (Constant)

• N= Number of Turns of Conductor (Constant)

• The Magnetic Flux  In the Core Within the

Conductor Coils - Same for Each Test
 Current and Watts Pattern
- HLH - Why?

•Magnetic flux,  - Same for Each Test

•NI = 
•N = Number of Turns of Conductor (Constant)
•Current, I, Through the Conductor - Affected Only by
, Reluctance of the Core
•Larger Reluctance, , Larger Current
•Smaller Reluctance, , Smaller Current
 Current and Watts Pattern
- HLH - Why?
Summary

•E =4.44 f N 
–Must Keep E Constant to Keep  in the
Core Constant

•NI = 
–N and  Are Constant,
–I (current) Will Vary With 
(Reluctance)
–Higher  Then Higher I
–Lower  Then Lower I
 Delta Winding
Excitation Current Tests
Transformer Excitation Current Test
3-Phase Delta Connected Windings
Transformer Winding Configuration Group 1 Angular
Displacement 0º

Reference IEEE C57.12.70

Transformer Winding Configuration
Group 2 Angular Displacement 30º

Reference IEEE C57.12.70

 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

Test 1: Measure H3 to H1
Energize: H3, UST: H1, Ground: H2, Float: X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC
Guard Low Voltage Lead
I & W Meter
 Test 2: Measure H1 to H2

Energize: H1, UST: H2, Ground: H3, Float: X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
 Test 3: Measure H2 to H3

Energize: H2, UST: H3, Ground: H1, Float: X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

Summary

Test Test
No. Measures Mode Energize UST Ground Float
1 H3-H1 UST H3 H1 H2 * X1,X2,X3
2 H1-H2 UST H1 H2 H3 * X1,X2,X3
3 H2-H3 UST H2 H3 H1 * X1,X2,X3

•This Procedure is For Transformers That Have H1 and H2

Bushings Associated With the Center Leg of Core

•Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

H1 H2 H3

H L H
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
 ALTERNATE Test Procedure

Pattern with two high and one low but

dissimilar
Good or Bad?
Lower impedance windings cause shunting effect
by grounded leg
Shorted winding test eliminates shunting effect
Individual excitation currents can be calculated
using the following procedure
Add any two excitation currents
Subtract the third from the total
Divide answer by 2
If currents are the same as in regular test windings
are OK. If not a problem exists.
 ALTERNATE Test Procedure
Test 1: Measure H3 to H1 and H3 to H2
Energize: H3, UST: H1 and H2, Float: X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
Test 2: Measure: H1 to H2 and H1 to H3

Energize: H1, UST: H2 and H3, Float: X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
Test 3: Measure H2 to H3 and H2 to H1
Energize: H2, UST: H1 and H3, Float: X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set
L H
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
 Transformer Excitation Current Test
3 Phase, Delta Connected, H1-H2 in Center Phase

Summary

Test Test
No. Measures Mode Energize UST Float
1 H3-H1, H3-H2 UST H3 H1,H2 X1,X2,X3
2 H1-H2, H1-H3 UST H1 H2,H3 X1,X2,X3
3 H2-H3, H2-H1 UST H2 H1,H3 X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

 ALTERNATE Test Procedures

Summary
Test Current Effective
No. Measures Measured Current
1 H3-H1, H3-H2 (High+High) High
2 H1-H2, H1-H3 (Low+High) Low
3 H2-H3, H2-H1 (High+Low) Low

HLL Pattern

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

 ALTERNATE Test Procedure
3 Phase, Delta Connected Windings, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
 ALTERNATE Test Procedure
3 Phase, Delta Connected Windings, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
 ALTERNATE Test Procedure
3 Phase, Delta Connected Windings, H1-H2 in Center Phase

LVL
H1 H2 H3

H L H
Application of Excitation Current Test

For New or Questionable Transformers

•Test Positions of the LTC:
All positions
or
1-16R, N, 1L
or
1-16L, N, 1R

•Test Each Position of the DETC:

A,B,C,D,E with the LTC in Neutral
Application of Excitation Current Test

On a Routine Basis

•Test Positions of the LTC

16R, 1R, N, 1L, 16R

•Leave the DETC in the Nominal Position or the

Position to be left on for operation.
 Analysis, Excitation Current and
Watts Phase Patterns

Two Similar (SS)

Single Phase Transformers
Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns
 Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns

Two Similar and One Lower (HLH)

Most Common.
Three Legged Core.
Shell Form with Delta Secondary Winding.
Regular Test Procedure.
Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns
Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns
Explanation Phase A Phase B Phase C
(H3-H1) (H1-H2) (H2-H3)
mA mA mA

Typical pattern 70 50 70
Phases A and C don’t match. 70 50 60
Could be a magnetized core, bad
tap, or defective core.
Seems like the test data was entered 50 70 70
in the wrong columns
Test set limit exceeded. Try at a Trips 50 150
lower voltage
Highest test current times two Trips 50 70
doesn’t exceed test set limit of 300
mA. Possible turn-to-turn short,
bad tap, or core damage.
 Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns

Determining Phase Patterns:

•The Doble Test Assistant Considered Measurements
similar if:
(1) Currents are between 0 and 50 mA and are
within 10% of each value
(2) Currents are greater than 50 mA and are
within 5% of each value
 Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns

•Three Similar Phase Currents (SSS)

–4 or 5 Legged Cores
–Shell Form with Non Delta Connected
Secondary
–3 Single Phase Transformers Connected as a
Three Phase Transformer.
 Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns
Five Legged Core
Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns

Two Similar and One Higher (LHL)

•Delta Connected Primary Performed Using the

Alternate Method

•Wye Connected Primary, Neutral is Not Accessible,

Measuring Two Phases in Series

•High Capacitance Windings and Low Loss Core

 Analysis, Excitation Current and Watts
Phase Patterns

Transformer Excitation Current Test Procedure 3 Phase, Wye

Connected Windings Without an Accessible H0 Bushing

Test Test
No. Measure Mode Energize UST Float
1 H3-H0+H0-H1 UST H3 H1 H2,X1,X2,X3
2 H1-H0+H0-H2 UST H1 H2 H3,X1,X2,X3
2 H2-H0+H0-H3 UST H2 H3 H1,X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

 Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
Test 1: Measure H3 to H1
Energize: H3, UST: H1, Float: H2,X1,X2,X3
Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable
H2
Test Set L
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H H3
IEC
Guard Low Voltage Lead
I & W Meter
 Test 2: Measure H1 to H2

Energize H1, UST H2, Float H3,X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set L
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H H3
IEC
Guard Low Voltage Lead
I & W Meter
 Test 3: Measure H2 to H3

Energize: H2, UST: H3, Float: H1,X1,X2,X3

Note: If Low Voltage Winding is Wye-Connected - Ground X0

HV Cable

H2
Test Set L
UST H
Ground Lead H1 H H3
IEC

Guard Low Voltage Lead

I & W Meter
Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing

L L H
Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
Prolec G697-01 Exciting Currents
H3-H1 H1-H2
400 H2-H3 H3-H1 w
H1-H2 w H2-H3 w
350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
R16
R15
R14

R13

R12
R11

R10
R9

R8
R7
R6
R5

R4
R3

R2
R1
N
Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
 Wye Connected Windings Without
Accessible H0 Bushing
Southwest Electric 9908401203 Exciting Currents
H3-H1 H1-H2
450 H2-H3 H3-H1 w
H1-H2 w H2-H3 w
400
350

300

250
200

150

100
50

0
N
L1

L2
L3

L4
L5

L6
L7

L8
L9
L10

L11
L12

L13
L14

L15
L16
 Analysis - Problems
That Can Be Detected
Windings

Turn-To-Turn Winding Insulation Failure Causing

a Short Circuit or Resistive Connection

Winding to Ground Short for a Grounded Winding

Open Windings (Main, Tap, Reactor)

High Resistance Conductor Connections

Phase-To-Phase Electrical Tracking

 Analysis - Problems
That Can Be Detected
Tap Changer
Misalignment
Mechanical Problems
Coking and Wear of LTC and DETC Contacts

Core
Abnormal Circulating Currents in the Core From:
Clamping Components
Multiple Core Grounds
Core Lamination Insulation Damage
Core Joint Dislocations
Transformer Core Magnetization

Partial
Hysteresis
Loop

Br = Residual
Flux Density
H = Magnetic Field
Strength
H = NI/2R
Demagnetizing By Voltage Reversals

H is the flux produced

by the current applied
to the windings

H = NI/2R
 Transformer Core Demagnetization
Procedure
 Wear protective eye wear, gloves and clothing.
 Identify which pair of bushings have the highest
excitation current value.
 Connect jumpers to the battery first, then to the
appropriate bushings. Do not short circuit the
cables.
 Connect the 12 VDC to the pair of bushings that
exhibit the highest excitation current.
 Demagnetization is performed by successively
applying the DC voltage with a different polarity at
each connection.
 Transformer Core Demagnetization
Procedure
 Disconnect one cable at the bushing to release the
connection. An arc may be produced.
 Reverse the polarity at the battery or the bushings
after the circuit has been disconnected.
 Use diminishing amounts of time for each
connection. Start at 120 seconds, then reduce by 15
seconds down to 15 seconds, then reduce time to 10
and 5 seconds.
 Perform the excitation current tests again after
completing the demagnetization procedure.
Transformer Core Demagnetization
Procedure

Double
Pole
H1 H2 H3 Circuit
breaker

Double Pole
Double Throw
X1 X2 X3 Switch

X0
+ 12V
_
Successful Transformer Core
Demagnetization