Dynamic testing of on-load tap changer switching

On-load Tap Changer Designs

A typical diverter switch type OLTC showing both tap selector switch and diverter switch (MR)

A typical OLTC with selector switch (17 taps linear) (ABB)

WRM/tap, diverter design Old/aged condition

WRM/tap , selector type OLTC As new

Dynamic measurements during tap switching

Continuity/break-before-make testing
Shut-off if current path is interrupted Current change detection

Dynamic measurements (DRM)

Dynamic current/ripple Dynamic voltage Dynamic resistance

Considerations/issues when performing dynamic testing

Transformer winding inductance is not constant
Low or high test current (saturation or not) Open or shorted secondary (assuming LTC on primary)

Measurement data is pending power source

Constant current source Constant voltage source Source impedance

Dynamic current measurements at different test current 30 MVA, YNyn0, open LV

20A, 38% current drop 10A, 27% current drop

5A, 14% current drop

1A, 4% current drop

AM Forum workshop, Madrid 2011

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Dynamic current measurements at different test current 30 MVA, YNyn0, shorted LV

20A, 64% current drop 10A, 67% current drop

5A, 67% current drop

1A, 50% current drop

AM Forum workshop, Madrid 2011

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Dynamic Resistance Measurements on a load tap-changer (direct method)

Computer for detailed analysis and reporting DC test current

LTC135 (PS)

TM1800/1700/1600/EGIL (CBA) DC test current

LV windings shorted

Measure test current and voltage over the winding Calculate R (source impedance >> resistor value)

Tap transition Selector + diverter typ LTC

Typical LTC sequence of events when tap is switched from one position to next.

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Tap transition - Selector switch LTC

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OLTC DRM measurements, Uppsala

Transformer data:
20 MVA, 20/10 kV, YNyn, (spare unit in good condition) OLTC on HV with 17 taps (selector switch type LTC)

Test equipment:
TM1800 CB-DRM analyzer
Multi-channel voltage and current measurements OLTC control Static and dynamic resistance measurements

LTC135 DC source for load-tap changer testing

48 V compliance voltage 1 x 5A (10 output impedance) 3 x 1A (48 output impedance) 3 x 0.1A (480 output impedance) Safe discharge of windings after measurement

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DRM with LV shorted

Resistance

Time

DRM with constant current source Blue Voltage/Resistance, Red Test current. H1 1-2 tap change with LV shorted. Transition times and resistor values easily recognized

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Transition time measurements

H1 OLTC transition times. 1-2 to 16-17 tap change (ms)

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Resistor values, H1

R1 and R2 transition resistance values per tap (value/10). All within spec ( 10%)

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Static and Dynamic Resistance Measurements on a load tap-changer in one operation (patent pending)
Computer for detailed analysis and reporting DC test current

LTC135 (PS)

TM1800/1700/1600/EGIL (CBA) DC test current

LV windings NOT shorted!

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Dynamic measurements, current (5A) + HV and LV voltage - 20 MVA, YNyn0, open LV

Current HV voltage LV voltage

R1 and R2 transition resistor values per tap (value/10). All within spec ( 10%)

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Dynamic analysis, utilizing new method (patent pending) for calculating resistance

Test current HV voltage Resistance LV voltage T1 T1//2 T2 Tswitch Rwinding R1 R// R2 70 ms 8 ms 56 ms 134 ms 0.52 2.94 1.42 2.83

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OLTC DRM measurements, Stockholm

Transformer data:
ASEA-Lepper 6 MVA, 21/11 kV, Dyn11, 1973 OLTC ASEA ASEA UZEDT , 17 taps

Test equipment:
TM1700 CB-DRM analyzer
Multi-channel voltage and current measurements OLTC control Static and dynamic resistance measurements

LTC135 DC source for load-tap changer testing

48 V compliance voltage 1 x 5A (10 output impedance) 3 x 1A (48 output impedance) 3 x 0.1A (480 output impedance) Safe discharge of windings after measurement

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Dynamic analysis, ASEA Lepper 6 MVA with LTC ASEA UZEDT, start time

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Dynamic analysis, ASEA Lepper 6 MVA with LTC ASEA UZEDT, switch time

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Dynamic analysis, ASEA Lepper 6 MVA with LTC ASEA UZEDT, start time
Start time, ms
3000

2500

2000

1500 Start time, ms 1000

500

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Dynamic analysis, ASEA Lepper 6 MVA with LTC ASEA UZEDT, switch time
60 50

40

30

R1 time, ms R// time, ms R2 time, ms Total swithc time, ms

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10

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OLTC DRM measurements, Belgrade

Transformer data:
ELTA 16 MVA, 110/36.75/10.5 kV, YNynd5, 1973 OLTC ELIN on HV with 27 taps (23 effective)

Test equipment:
TM1700 CB-DRM analyzer
Multi-channel voltage and current measurements OLTC control Static and dynamic resistance measurements

LTC135 DC source for load-tap changer testing

48 V compliance voltage 1 x 5A (10 output impedance) 3 x 1A (48 output impedance) 3 x 0.1A (480 output impedance) Safe discharge of windings after measurement

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ELTA, tap 1-7, up

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ELTA, tap 4-5 transition, 1A

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ELTA, tap 2-3 transition, 1A

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Summary and conclusions

A CB analyzer/signal recorder with analog inputs together with suitable power supply is a good tool for performing various DRM measurements e.g. on load tap-changers To measure dynamic properties in a tap changer (HV), several methods are possible:
Measure dynamic current/ripple on primary with a constant voltage source and secondary open
Current drop value is strongly pending test current/winding inductance and can only be used as fingerprint Contact switching/timing may be measured (difficult) Diverter resistor values cannot be measured

Measure dynamic current/ripple on primary with a constant voltage source and secondary shortcircuited
Current drop value is slightly pending test current/winding inductance Contact switching/timing can be measured Diverter resistor values cannot be measured

Measure dynamic resistance on primary with a constant current source and secondary shortcircuited
Contact switching/timing can be measured Actual diverter resistor values can be measured (high impedance source)

Measure dynamic voltage on secondary

Contact switching/timing can be measured Actual diverter resistor values cannot be measured

Measure dynamic resistance by measuring dynamic voltage on primary and secondary windings
Contact switching/timing can be measured Actual diverter resistor values can be measured (patent pending)

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The doctor is in...

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