Tan Delta Test for Transformer

In a pure capacitor current leads the voltage by 90 degrees. When a

r e s i s t o r i s introduced in between the current leads an angle less than 90 degrees.
Similarly in a Dielectric material when a cavity or deterioration starts,
the life of them a t e r i a l s t a r t s d e t e r i o r a t i n g , a s t h e r e i s a r e s i s t a n c e g
e t t i n g a d d e d a n d h e n c e leakage current increases.In tan Delta we find the difference in the
angle and periodically note down the pace at whichdeterioration takes place.Tan Delta is also known
as the 'loss angle' or 'dissipation factor'.It is used to test the level of degradation in insulation
materials of electrical machines and power cables.Tan Delta, also called Loss Angle or
Dissipation Factor testing, is a diagnostic method of testing electrical equipment to
determine the integrity of the insulation. This is done to try topredict the remaining life expectancy of the
equipment
.
The winding insulation of an electrical machine, or a cable free from defects, will act
as aperfect capacitor, that is, it will only store energy and not dissipate it.In an ideal capacitor, the
voltage and current are out of phase by 90 degrees and the currentflowing through the insulation is
purely capacitive Ic.However, dielectric losses within the insulation due to deterioration or other
factors, will resultin the reduction of the resistance in the insulation. This will in turn
increase the resistivecurrent Ir.The phase angle between the current and voltage is now
less than 90 degrees, and the extent to which this is less than 90 degrees gives the level of
degradation in the insulation.So this 'loss angle' is required to be measured.If the angle is Delta, then
the tangent of Delta can be calculated by dividing is 'opposite over adjacent', which is Ir/Ic.There are
various methods of how this is tested and industrial standards, such as the IEC provide
acceptable values of Tan-delta for different types of insulation.
Tan Delta, also called Loss Angle or Dissipation Factor testing, is a diagnostic method
of testing electrical equipment to determine the integrity of the insulation. This is done to try to predict
the remaining life expectancy of the equipment.If the insulation free from defects, it approaches the properties
of a perfect capacitor. It is very similar to a parallel plate capacitor with the conductor and the neutral
being the two platesseparated by the insulation material.In a perfect capacitor, the voltage and current
are
phase
shifted
90
degrees
and
the
current through the
insulation is capacitive. If there are impurities in the insulation,for example,moisture,
the resistance of the insulation decreases, resulting in an increase in resistive current
through the insulation. It is no longer a perfect capacitor. The current and voltage will no longer be
shifted 90 degrees. It will be something less than 90 degrees. The extent to w h i c h t h e
phase shift is less than 90 degrees is indicative of the
level
o f i n s u l a t i o n contamination, hence quality/reliability. This "Loss Angle" is measured and
analyzed.Below is a representation of an insulation. The tangent of the angle is measured. This
will indicate the level of resistance in the insulation. By measuring IR/IC (opposite over adjacent
the tangent), we can determine the quality of the insulation. In a perfect insulation, the anglewould be
nearly zero. An increasing angle indicates an increase in the resistive
current through the insulation, meaning contamination. The greater the angle, the
worse is the insulation.

Insulation power factor is the angle

90 . I f t h e i n s u l a t i o n i s e x c e l l e n t , t h e t a n d e l t a o r dissipation factor is equal to the
power factor. Essentially, both tan delta and power factor are just the same.

Method
of Testing
The cable
or winding
whose
insulation
is to be
tested is
first

disconnected
and
isolated.
The
test
voltagei s a p p l i e d
f r o m t h e Ver y L o w
Frequency power source and
t h e T a n d e l t a c o n t r o l l e r t a k e s t h e measurements.
The test voltage is increased in steps upto the rated voltage of the cable. The readingsare plotted in
a graph against the applied voltage and the trend is studied. A healthy insulation
wouldproduce a straight line.The test should be continued only if the graph is a straight
line. A rising trend would indicate weak i n s u l a t i o n w h i c h m a y
fail if the
test voltage is increased beyond the rated voltage of the cable.

Interpretation of the test data

There are not standard formulae or benchmarks to ascertain the success of a tan delta test. The
healthof the insulation which is measured is obtained by observing the nature of the trend which is
plotted.
As t e a d y, s t r a i g h t t r e n d w o u l d i n d i c a t e a h e a l t h y i n s u l a t i o n , w h i l e a r i s i n g t r
e n d w o u l d i n d i c a t e a n insulation that has been contaminated with water and other impurities