Design of High Voltage Filter for Power
Transformer Testing
Bharat D. Kadam Rakesh Patil
Student Manager
A.C.Patil College of Engineering, SIEMENS Ltd.(Transformer),
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai Airoli, Navi Mumbai
bharat.k021 @gmail.com rakesh.patil@siemens.com
ABSTRACT
Transformer is very important equipment in power
transmission system. The quality of a transformer is of
utmost importance for safety, industrial and financial
reasons. To check the quality of transformer and its
healthiness, complete testing is essential. For checking
design, quality of insulation used and processes
followed during manufacturing, dielectric tests are
carried out on transformer before dispatch. Induced
Over Voltage (IOV) test with Partial Discharge (PD)
measurement is carried out to verify the high frequency
Partial Discharge pulses appearing in high voltage
dielectrics. The measurement of partial discharge is
very important test which proves the adequacy of
design, material and process and is very sensitive as the
values measured are in pico-coulombs (pC). For
conducting this test, a good shielded laboratory is
required with accurate and sensitive measuring
instruments. Though good test lab is available, if the
partial discharges from the source are more, then the
proper measurement becomes difficult or not possible.
Now days, customers specifications are stringent and
the limits set by them are lesser than the national or
international standards (IS / IEC). Then it becomes
utmost necessary to reduce the partial discharges from
source or background noise due to connections to the
transformer. The noise can be reduced by means of
filters to get reliable measurements. Different types of
filters can be used based on the application and purpose.
Keywords
pC, PD, RIV
1. INTRODUCTION
Partial Discharge (PD) is a localized dielectric
breakdown of a small portion of a solid or fluid
electrical insulation system under high voltage stress.
Partial discharges may be due to faulty insulation, bad
contact, and sharp edges or di-electrically over stressed
areas. PD cause electrical ageing of insulation and oil
and may lead to complete failure of the equipment.
A PD measurement is a nondestructive tool used to
establish the condition of a transformer insulation
system. The goal of PD measurement is to certify that
no harmful PD-sources exist. A PD-measurement makes
it possible to detect and localize areas within the
S. R. Deore
H.O.D. of Electrical
A.C.Patil College of Engineering,
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
srdeore@ee.iitb.ac.in
transformer which are exposed to elevated dielectric
stresses, i.e. stresses which in the long run can be
harmful to safe transformer operation.
Partial discharge measurements are explicitly specified
in standards or in customer specifications. They are to
be carried out in conjunction with dielectric tests in
high voltage laboratories using AC-voltage in the power
frequency range. For HVDC transformers PD
measurements are also carried out on dielectric tests
with DC-voltages. For on-site PD measurements (for
example on repaired transformers) other types of PD-
free excitation may also be carried out [14]. Partial
discharge measurement should generally be the last
dielectric test conducted on the transformer.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
At the very beginning of the last century, when the high
voltage technology was introduced for electrical power
generation and transmission systems, partial discharges
have already been recognized as a harmful source for
the insulation ageing in the high voltage power
apparatus [1-7]. Throughout the decades different
techniques are developed for detection, measurement
and behavior study of PDs inside the insulation model.
Many authors are presented their work about the
detection and measurement of PD as well as study the
characteristic of PDs. Van Brunt has presented his work
on the role of memory effects in the PD behavior in
1994 [2]. Paithankar and Mokashi have proposed a
defect identification technique based on chaos
mathematics in 1997 [4]. Nikolay Kolev, Peter
Darjanova, Elissareta ,Gadjev, Denitza Darjanova
highlighted their work in 1997 and found out some
important parameter (i.e., radius, height, volume of the
void) relations which are responsible of occurrence of
PD [7]. According to authors, PD phenomenon is a
chaotic process. This means that PD is a nonlinear
dynamical system. According to the authors Nikolay
Kolev, Peter Darjanova, Elissareta Gadjeva, Denitza
Darjanova, PD measurement method is the important
test method for protecting the high voltage equipment
from insulation damage and presence of PD is the main
cause for degradation of insulation dielectric.
1
3. UTILIZATION OF HIGH VOLTAGE
FILTER FOR PD MEASUREMENT
Basic Idea
A basic measuring circuit for partial discharge test is
shown in figure 3.1, IEC Standards 60726. The low-
voltage windings shall be supplied from an alternate
100 Hz voltage source. The voltage shape shall be as
nearly as possible of the sine-wave. Unless otherwise
specified, a pre-stress voltage of 1.5 U m shall be
induced for 30 s, followed without interruption by a
voltage of 1,1 U m for three minutes, during which
the partial discharge level shall be measured. The
calibration of the measuring circuit is carried out by
injecting simulated discharge pulses of 100pC at
transformer terminals.
These HV-Filters will give considerable reduction in
background noise / PD values and make measurements
reliable and accurate.
The main aim of the project is to design & make a
working model of HV filter suit to the requirement
which will help Transformer Manufacturing Companies
to test transformer with required reduction in
background noise/PD Values.
Approach
The flow chart in Figure 3.2 shows the program routine
seen by the user. The user interface is the input window,
where all the data needed for computation are entered.
At first the core material, core geometry and the
winding configuration are chosen. Three databases
containing the possible materials, geometries
respectively windings to chose between are included in
the program. At the moment only a small number of
items are included in the different databases but new
can be added.

When selecting a material a window showing the dc

Fig
ure 3.1:- General Connection Scheme for PD
Measurement
Partial discharge measurement shall be carried out by
use of an oscilloscope, in order to analyze the
developing of the ongoing phenomena. Test procedures
must be in accordance with IEC Standards 60726/ IEEE
C57.
hysteresis loop together with the bulk resistivity,
coercivity and remanence appears to give an idea of the
magnetic and electric behavior of the selected material.
These parameters with the addition of e.g. the
permeability curve, thermal conductivity, density and
core loss coefficients of the selected material is also
loaded from the database into the program for use in the
subsequent calculations.

The test is successful if the partial discharge level is

lower than 30 pC unless otherwise agreed between
manufacturer and purchaser. This paper is dedicated to
design High Voltage Filter for Transformer to reduce
background PD level during dielectric test on
transformer. Test procedure and Test set up for
dielectric test is described under next chapter. For
Transformer testing, during PD test, HV Filters are best Figure 3.2: Flow Chart of the inductor design program
suitable for getting the desired reduction in noise or outline
background PD. These filters can be used for high
voltage and high current applications. HV filter consists 3.1. Symmetrical Networks
of inductors and Capacitor.
The network shown in figure 3.3 is terminated by load
Typical arrangement of HV Filter Z 0 and is symmetrical. We have,

Main
Main Transform
Transform Z1
Power
Power Generator
Generator HV Filter
HV Filter erer Under
Under
E=I 1 ( 2 )
+ Z 2 I 2 Z 2
Supply
Supply Test
Test (1)

2
 Z1
I 1 2 +Z 2 + Z0
I2
=
Z2
=e

Z1
4 Z2
..(6)

Z
Z 0 =Z 2 ( e 1 ) 1
2

e =1+
Z1
2 Z2
+
( Z1 2 Z1
)
2 Z2
+ .
Z2

But, the Characteristic Impedance, is given by

[ ( ]
2
Z1 Z1 Z

Z 20 =
Z1
2
+ Z1 Z 2
=log e 1+
2 Z2
+ )
2 Z2
+ 1 (7)
Z2
4
In a T network terminated by impedance Z R , input
impedance may be written as

Z 12
Z =Z11
Z 22

In figure 3.3 Z 0 is replaced by Z R

Figure. 3.3 Symmetrical network with generator E and Z1 Z

2

load Z 0 Z = + Z 2
2 Z1
+ Z2 + Z R
Eliminating Z0 2

Z 21 Z
[
Z 2 ( e 1 )
Z1
2
Z1
]
2

= +2 j Z 2 . (2)
4
2

4 (
+Z 1 Z 2 + 1 +Z 2 Z R
2 )
Z1
Z1 +Z 2 + Z R
2
e 2 2e +1= e
Z2
Using equation 2 and 5 we get

e +e Z ZR Z0
=1+ 1 2
Z0+
2 2 Z2 tanh
Z =
i.e. Z0
+ ZR
Z1 tanh
cosh =1+ (3)
2 Z2
Z R cosh + Z 0 sinh
Z0 .(8)
Since 2 2
cosh sinh =1 , it can be shown that Z 0 cosh +Z R sinh

Z0 This gives the input impedance of a symmetrical T

sinh = (4 ) network ending with load Z R in terms of and
Z2
Z 0 of the network. If the network is short-circuited
Z0 Z R=0 .
tanh = (5)
Z1
+ Z2 9
2 )
Z sc =Z 0 tanh ..
u Z R= in the limit and hence,
Using equation for sinh , we have For open circuit,
2
Z0

(
Z Z oc =

sinh =
2
1
2
1+ 1 1
2 Z2 ) tanh

3
 Z R This filter is a low-pass filter

tan =
Z sc
Z oc
And

sinh =
2
Z1
4 Z2
Z 0 = Z sc Z oc . ( 10)
This has already provided for characteristics

2 LC
4
impedance. j LC

3.2 Constant K Low Pass (T) Filter 2

If Z 1 and Z 2 , in reactance network, are unlike, f

sin = j (13)
2
Z 1 Z 2=R K , where R K is independent of the 2 fc
frequency and is a constant. Filters for which above
relationship holds well are called constant K filters.For f
If <1 (i.e. f is in the pass band)
figure 3.4 fc
Z 1= jL Z1
1< <0
4 Z2
j
Z 2=
C f f
L 2
Z 1 Z 2= =R K Con stant (11)
Hence,
fc
<1 , =0 and =2 sin1
fc ( )
C
Characteristic impedance of a T section is
If Z 1 and Z 2 are of opposite types, R K is
real figure 3.3 represents a T section of this type.
Z 1 and 4 Z 2 vary with the frequency as shown
in figure 3.3 pass-band starts from Z 1=0 and runs

Z OT = Z 1 Z 2 1+ ( Z1
4 Z2 )
up to Z =4 Z , i.e. it starts at f =0 and This becomes;
1 2
goes up to f c . Above f c the frequencies are
stopped or attenuated. Z OT =
L
C
1+
2 LC
4( .(18) )
Using equation 13 this becomes,

[ ( )]
2
L f
Z OT = 1 (19)
C fc

[ ( ) ]
2
f
RK 1 (20)
fc
Figure 3.4:- Reactance Curves
Z OT becomes zero at f =f c , varying
Z 1=4 Z 2 ..at cut off frequency throughout the band and in the band and in the
attenuation band it becomes imaginary reaching finally
4j infinite reactance at infinite frequency. Knowing the
j c L= ( c =2 f C ) f c required and the load resistance Z O should
c C
preferably match the load. This is possible at only one
1 frequency and the most favorable frequency is selected.
f C= (12)
LC

4
Load is such that

Z 1=4 Z 2 , i.e.
RK =
L
C
. At cutoff frequency,

4
C L=
C C

2 f 2c LC =1

Since R=R K =
L
C
, Picture 4.2:- PD patterns without filter in circuit

This is window shown by ICMSys in which PD patterns

1 we can easily see in respective window. Picture 4.2
C= (21) shows the PD pattern without filter in circuit. As shown
f CR in figure that background noise is increased to 279.45
pC .
Similarly;

R
L= (22)
fc
The matching at zero frequency and power transfer
decreases with increase in frequency.

4. RESULTS

PD measurement using filter and without filter is

carried out on 390MVA; 440/24kV capacity transformer
at SIEMENS testing. Testing setup with filter is as
shown in following picture. Picture 4.3:- PD patterns with filter in circuit

This is window shown by ICMSys in which PD patterns

we can easily see in respective window. Picture 4.3
shows the PD pattern with filter in circuit. As shown in
figure that background noise is reduced to 9.6 pC .

Picture 4.1.Excitation from LV side through 3 Line
source PD filters
In this case LV side of transformer is excited through
high voltage filter as shown in picture 4.1. and HV side
kept open with HV neutral ground. Level of background
noise is reduced due to filter can be observed in
following pictures 4.2 and 4.3.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The prime objective of this study is to design & make a
working model of HV filter suit to the requirement
which will help Transformer Manufacturing Companies
to test transformer with required reduction in
background noise/PD Values.
These results will ensure the power engineers to predict
the quality of the insulation used for high voltage power
equipment. The present work is to be extended for
further study in different high voltage power equipment
such as Current Transformer (CT), Potential
Transformer (PT), switch gear and circuit breaker.
Localization of PD is also easily done by using such
high voltage filter for high current and high voltage
equipments.

5
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