PRE-LAB: High Voltage AC Generation and Breakdown 1) The Construction of a Test Transformer Typical AC Test Transformer and Its

Connections

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a typical AC test transformer and its connections In the design on the right, an insulated tank (a resin impregnated paper cylinder) is used and a bushing is not required.

Figure 2: Typical designs of AC test transformers Each unit has 3 windings: a primary (low voltage), a secondary (high voltage) and a tertiary (low voltage) winding. The tertiary has the same rating as the primary winding; however, it is insulated for high voltage. The tertiary winding is used to supply the primary of the next unit. The tanks of the second and third units are insulated for high voltage and are mounted on

insulators. The application for this test transformer is coupling winding for cascade connections to produce Ac, DC and voltages.

The Construction of a Power Transformer Power transformers construction involves units to be configured as either a single-phase primary configuration or a three-phase configuration. The size and cost of power transformers construction increases when you move down the listing of primary windings. Single-phase primary configurations include single, dual, quad (2+2), 5-lead, and ladder. A 5-Lead primary requires more copper than a Quad (2+2) primary. A Ladder is the least economical primary configuration. Three-phase transformers are connected in delta or wye configurations. A wyedelta power transformer has its primary winding connected in a wye and its secondary winding connected in a delta. A delta-wye transformer has its primary winding connected in delta and its secondary winding connected in a wye. Three phase configuration choices include delta - delta, delta - wye (Y), wye (Y) wye (Y), wye (Y) delta, wye (Y) single-phase, delta single phase, and international. Primary frequencies of incoming voltage signal to primaries available for power transformers include 50 Hz, 60 Hz, and 400 Hz. 50 Hz is common for European power. 60 Hz is common in North American power. 400 Hz is most widely used in aerospace applications. The maximum primary voltage rating is another important parameter to consider. Power transformers should be provided with more than one primary winding if it is to be used for several nominal voltages.

Figure 3 : Power Transformer

2)

The Term Discharge Partial discharge: Partial discharge is a localized electrical discharge that only partially bridges the insulation between conductors and which may or may not occur adjacent to a conductor . In general partial discharges are a consequence of local electrical stress concentrations in insulation or on the surface of insulation. Such electrical discharges are appeared as impulses i.e., various forms of voltage impulse and current impulse having duration of much less than 1sec . PD activity usually observed in high voltage power equipment like transformer, cable, bushings etc. Partial discharge phenomena include several types of discharge, which is surface discharge, cavity discharge, corona discharge, Treeing channel. 1. Corona Discharge: Corona discharge takes place due to non-uniformity of electric field on sharp edges of conductor subjected to high voltage. The insulation supplied for such type of discharge is gas or air or liquid. Such type of discharges appears for a long duration around the bare conductor. They are not attacking directly to the insulation system like internal and surface discharge. Only by the indirect action of ozone formed by corona deteriorates insulating materials used.

2. Surface discharge: Surface discharges takes place on interfaces of dielectric material such as gas/solid interface as is over stressed times the stress on the solid material. This may occur in bushing, end of cable, any point on insulator surface between electrodes (high voltage terminal & ground). The occurrence of such discharge depends on various factors such as:

a) Permittivity of the dielectric material used b) Voltage distribution between the conductors c) Properties of the insulating medium where PD occurs

3. Treeing Channel: High intensity fields are produced in an insulating material at its sharp edges and it deteriorates the insulating material .That is responsible for production of continuous partial discharge, called as Treeing channel.

4. Cavity Discharge: The cavities are generally formed in solid or liquid insulating materials. The cavity is generally filled with gas or air. When the gas in the cavity is over stressed such discharges are taking place.

3) The Terms Breakdown The term electrical breakdown or electric breakdown has several similar but distinctly different meanings. For example, the term can apply to the failure of an electric circuit. Alternatively, it may refer to a rapid reduction in the resistance of an electrical insulator that can lead to a spark jumping around or through the insulator. This may be a momentary event (as in an electrostatic discharge), or may lead to a continuous arc discharge if protective devices fail to interrupt the current in a high power circuit.

The Difference between Sparking Voltage And Withstand Voltage

Sparking Voltage Withstand Voltage Found to be independent of external A vacuum gap bridged by a solid series resistance in the range of 101 insulator is considerably less than that 9 10 ohm provided that the voltage drop of the vacuum gap with the absence of across the external resistance arising the insulator. from the pre-breakdown current is taken into account. Sparking voltages of back discharge Can withstand for one minute without were measured for a wide range of gas showing evidence for electrical mean free path, which constitutes two breakdown when the voltage is applied different curves according to the between conductor and grounding discharge mode. devices of the connectors in various combinations.