Insulation Resistance Test and Polarization Index Test
Insulation Resistance Test and Polarization Index Test
Insulation Resistance Test and Polarization Index Test
Index Test
Both Insulation Resistance Test (IR Value Test)
and Polarization Index Test (PI Value Test) are conducted on HV
machine to determine service condition of the insulation. In HV
machines and winding are likely to be affected by moisture and
contamination. IP test is conducted especially to determine the
dryness and cleanliness of winding insulation.In
insulation resistance test, a high DC voltage is applied across,
conductor and ground more specifically. The voltage is applied
across the insulator. Due to this applied high DC voltage there will
be a current through the electrical insulator. Dividing the applied
voltage by this current we get the actual resistive value of the
insulator.
1. Capacitive component.
2. Resistive or conductive component.
3. Surface leakage component.
4. Polarization component.
Let us discuss one by one.
Capacitive Component
When we apply a DC voltage across in insulator, because of its
dielectric nature, there will be an initial high charging current
through the insulator from line to ground. This current decays
exponentially and becomes zero after some time. This current exists
for initial 10 seconds of the test. But it takes nearly 60 seconds to
decay totally.
When the testing device is applied to an insulation system, there are generally three types of
current flow:
Leakage current is the resistive current that flows through the insulation and is
what is being measured by the IR tester. Obviously, a lower leakage current implies
an insulation system in better condition. The leakage current should stay more or less
constant over the test period.
Capacitive charging current is the current that flows upon application of the DC
voltage to charge the capacitance between insulation system under test and earth.
This will draw a high current in the first instance before dropping off quickly to zero as
the capacitor is charged (i.e. within 1s)
insulation system (dielectric) to align the dipoles within the dielectric with the applied
electric field. This current draws a high current initially but then gradually drops off as
the dipoles in the dipole become increasingly polarised (i.e. in the order of 5 to 10
minutes).
In this test, the testing device is applied and IR measurements are taken after 30
seconds and 60 seconds. The dielectric absorption ratio (DAR) is calculated as:
<1.25 Questionable
1.6 Adequate
>1.6 Good
In this test, the testing device is applied and IR measurements are taken at
1 minute and 10 minutes. The polarisation index (PI) is calculated as:
PI Insulation Condition
<1 Dangerous
<2 Questionable
<4 Good
>4 Excellent