FAQ on OLTC

Design and Engineering:

1. What are the selection parameters of a tapchanger?
2. What are the advantages of vacuum type OLTC?
3. Whether OLTC conservator can be at a different height compared to main
conservator of transformer?
4. What is the basic difference between Transition Resistance and Reactor type
OLTC?
5. What is the need for Tie in Resistors?
6. Does the OLTC used in the HVDC network transformer needs special care?
7. Does the Buchholz relay and Oil surge relay works in a same principle?
Erection, Commissioning and Service issues:
1. What preventive maintenance measures can be used for improvement in life
performance of tapchanger?

Design and Engineering:

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1. What are the selection parameters of a tapchanger?

MVA rating of transformer, voltage class, Vector group, Location of tapping,
Rated current and step voltage, number of steps, winding configuration, voltage
variation, overloading requirements and application are some of the major
parameters for selection of a tapchanger.

2. What are the advantages of vacuum type OLTC?

New generation tap changers utilize vacuum technology. Unlike traditional
solutions, electrical arc quenching takes place in a vacuum environment and not
in oil. This substantially reduces contact wear, thereby increasing life of
contacts. Also arcing does not pollute the insulating oil as the arcing takes place
in vacuum bottles. The benefits of using the vacuum tap-changer are:

Lower life cycle costs, less maintenance needs, and increased time in
operation because of a radical reduction in contact wear.

Routine inspection takes place in a cleaner environment which reduces

downtime.

Reduced sensitivity to moisture in the insulating oil due to the absence of

polluting by products such as carbon.

Switching characteristics of the tap-changer does not depend on the

status of the insulating oil.

Reliable due to redundant contact system.

Fully interchangeable with existing installations.

Possible to use alternative insulating fluids.

3. Whether OLTC conservator can be at a different height compared to
main conservator of transformer?
Many utilities have a practice of keeping height difference between main
conservator and OLTC conservator.
With this practice OLTC conservator is kept near to OLTC at reduced height than
the main conservator. A pressure difference depending upon the height
difference appears on OLTC diverter and all sealing joints of OLTC for its life time
when conservators are placed at different heights, which OLTC is supposed to
withstand (design pressure of diverter cylinder and such sealing joint is higher)
To avoid pressure differential, OLTC conservator may be placed at the same
height as of main conservator. In case the OLTC conservator is at a lower height,
any possible leakage into the OLTC diverter switch, through sealing gaskets will
lead to flow of oil from main tank to OLTC which will eventually lead to over flow
of OLTC conservator indicating leakage in OLTC, a blessing in disguise!
The choice of location of OLTC conservator should be left to manufacturers
standard practice.
4. What is the basic difference between Transition Resistance and
Reactor type OLTC?
The difference depends on which one is used as transition impedance to control
the circulating current during the tap change operation i.e. in Resistance type
OLTC, a resistor with suitable ohmic values are used as transition impedance
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where in the reactor type OLTC a preventive auto transformer will be used as
transition impedance.

5. What is the need for Tie in Resistors?

In a Reversing / Coarse-fine tapping arrangement, during the tap selector
change over operation the tap winding will temporarily disconnected from the
main winding and the potential of the tap winding floats. The floating potential
of tap winding is determined by the voltages of the adjacent winding and as
well as the coupling capacitance to these windings and to the ground parts.
In such a case, discharge between the opening and closing contacts occur
during the operation of change-over selector. In order to avoid the difficulties in
regard to the dielectric stress and formation of gases which could arise if the
values reach the admissible limits, one of the methods to overcome the problem
is to use Tie in Resistor.

6. Does the OLTC used in the HVDC network transformer needs special
care?
Yes, the OLTC needs a special care because the transformer in the HVDC station
including the OLTC is subjected to winding currents that more resemble square
waves than sinusoidal waves due to the effect of converter system. These
square waves have a large impact on the switching stress which has to be
controlled by diverter switch.
7. Does the Buchholz relay and Oil surge relay works in a same principle?
No, Buchholz relay and Oil surge relay works in a different principle. Buchholz
relay is gas operated relay which is actuated by the gases flowing through and
accumulated in buchholz relay. Oil surge relay is actuated when the flow rate of
oil exceeds the preset value.

Erection and Commissioning:

1. What preventive maintenance measures can be used for improvement
in life performance of tapchanger?
Relevant OLTC manufacturers documents should be referred for the
maintenance schedule. Transformer oil in diverter switch is contaminated by
electrical arc during OLTC operation and therefore depending upon number of
operations one has to carefully decide on period of oil sample testing. Filtration
of oil or replacement is to be decided based on test results. BDV, PPM Tandelta
and sludge content value shall be guiding factor to take decision. Tapchanger oil
can be filtered with the use of on line filtration device when shutdown is not
possible.
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