Chapter 5

Experimental Procedure

5.1 Introduction
The experimental procedure has been maintained, followed and observed very carefully and specifically in
this thesis work. The guideline of experimental set up, equipment, and precaution has been monitored
each and every moment of experiment for testing dielectric strength of different insulation materials
(transformer oil and insulation paper) and testing of corona effect of different types of wire.

5.2 Pre-conditioning of the transformer oil samples for transformer oil testing
Before starting the process of dielectric strength testing of transformer oil (paraffin oil), the oil samples
are preconditioned. First, the sample bottles are cleaned before they are filled with oil (500ml). After
taking some samples from the oil container, sunlight is used to increase the temperature of the oil. After
that temperature meter (HTC-2) is used to measure the temperature and humidity of the oil. At first, the
temperature and humidity of the laboratory room was measured by the meter.

Figure 5.1: Transformer oil temperature measured by temperature meter.

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After measuring the temperature of the transformer oil, the oil has placed into the container or vessel
(made by transparent insulation board) that has been used for the experiment. The air gap between two
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connector (electrodes) inside the vessel was kept 2.5mm (as standard rule) and this measurement was
checked manually.

Figure 5.2: Vessel for containing transformer oil.

5.2.1 Connection procedure for transformer oil testing

At first the AC/DC Hipot Tester is connected to step up transformer. The oil filled container/vessel is
placed on an insulator, and then the connection between the step-up transformer and the oil filled
container is made with the help of alligator clips. The oil level is kept in such way that the electrodes of
the vessel is remained inside the oil level. The AC/DC Hipot tester has been used to control the test. The
AC/DC Hipot tester has been connected and synchronized with the step up transformer to control the
voltage supply and get the value accordingly.

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 Figure 5.3: Transformer oil filled container on an insulator
The following figure shows the full connection set up for dielectric strength testing experiment of
transformer oil.

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 Figure 5.4: Complete connection for dialectic strength testing of transformer oil

5.2.2 Testing procedure for transformer oil

The connection has been completed according to the guideline; the grounding/earthing has been checked
carefully. The supply voltage has been increased until a spark/arc happened between the air-gap of two-
electrode inside the oil level in the vessel. Values has been taken at the time of sparking from the AC/DC
Hipot tester display. After taking the value, AC/DC Hipot tester was turned off carefully and discharge
tube/rod was used to discharge the electrostatic charge of electrodes, transformer and connection.

Transformer oil testing procedure using Insulator Oil Tester

To assess the insulating property of dielectric transformer oil, a sample of the transformer oil is taken and
its breakdown voltage is measured.
 The transformer oil is filled in the vessel of the testing device. Two standard-compliant test
electrodes with a typical clearance of 2.5 mm are surrounded by the dielectric oil.

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  A test voltage is applied to the electrodes and is continuously increased up to the breakdown
voltage with a constant, standard-compliant slew rate of e.g. 2 kV/s.
 At a certain voltage level breakdown occurs in an electric arc, leading to a collapse of the test
voltage.
 An instant after ignition of the arc, the test voltage is switched off automatically by the a highly as
the carbonization due to the testing device. Ultra-fast switch off is desirable, electric arc must be
limited to keep the additional pollution as low as possible.
 The transformer oil testing device measures and reports the root mean square value of the
breakdown voltage.
 After the transformer oil test is completed, the insulation oil is stirred automatically and the test
sequence is performed repeatedly. (Typically, 3 Repetitions, depending on the standard)
 As a result, the breakdown voltage is calculated as mean value of the individual measurements.

Testing of the transformer oil

The poorer oil contains plenty of water and impurity, whose dielectric strength is mostly under 12KV
(kilovolt). Certain client wants to know how bad the oil is he also tests it with the instrument which tests
the high dielectric strength.

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The dielectric strength of this kind of oil is usually between 15KV to 35K V. The instrument can test
normally even if the oil contains a few water and impurity. It is just because during the process of the
pressure's ascending, several air bubbles (or impurity) will be absorbed between the iwo hemispheres to
cause the discharge, then the bubbles will be pile out to the air and the space left will be supplied by the

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oil nearby. Therefore, the voltage can continue to ascend to breakdown the oil on the maximum endure
point.

5.5 Conditions and limitations

At the time of experiment and result analyzing, the following conditions has been maintained and some
limitations has been listed.
Condition:
1. Inside laboratory, dry condition has been assured for every person and experimental space.
2. Everyone has worn shoes at laboratory.
3. Everyone has used lab spectacles to protect eye.
4. Movement of persons has been restricted.
5. Necessary distance has been kept from the test element and step up transformer.
6. Room temperature has been collected 23oC -24oC.
7. Fire extinguisher has been kept always ready to prevent fire.
8. The voltage variation knob has been regulated in slow motion.
9. Grounding/earthing has been checked carefully before starting the machine for experiment.
10. Always the electrostatic charge has been discharged using discharge tube after each experiment.
11. To avoid upper arcing or sparking of the vessel the oil has been filled up properly to kept
electrodes under the oil level.
12. Connection to the machines has been made using matching color wire.
13. Machine operating guideline has been followed.
14. SDB, MCB and emergency switch was checked carefully before starting the machine for
experiment.
Limitation:
1. Transformer oil was heated using sunlight in approximately cold weather, so the high range
temperature (such as 50oC -100oC) has not been collected.
2. Insulation paper thickness has been reduced by separating its layers.
3. Any leakage of the wire has not been investigated.
4. Leakage current, flashover voltage of the wires has not been measured.
5. The special security insulation box has not been used due to unavailability in the laboratory.

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5.6 Summary
In this chapter the experiment procedures used in thesis work has been discussed step by step with figures,
working procedure of the testing of dielectric strength of different insulation materials (transformer oil and
insulation paper) and testing of corona effect of different types of wire using high voltage lab equipment
(AC/DC Hipot Tester, step up transformer, insulator). The condition and limitation have also been listed.

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