Insulation Resistance Testing (IR)INTRODUCTION his module covers the theory, application and test procedure for performing an Insule- tion Resistance Test (IR) on medium voltage cable. The Polarization Index test will be covered and how to use the values calculated wil be analyzed. Includedis the proper sot-up and use ofthe megohimoter. We will also review industry standards, test voltages, test procedures, evaluation of test results and the safety precautions utilized in performing insulation resistance tests, OBJECTIVES [pon completion ofthis module and lab, the participant will e able to perform insulation resistance tests on medium voltage cable, as demonstrated by successfully answering review questions and demonstrating competence during lab practice, and will be able to: 1. Perform insulation resistance tests and follow proper safety procedures. 2. Analyze insulation resistance (IR) and polarization index (PI) tests. 3. Demonstrate the application of temperature correction principles. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS cchaiiancecpraontas dered sly pokes ad mocates trate whe Ferimereracuntprenaharavoucnapren avec, antroare dar romereauoizton ror i npr a eth prorat ent vinantchous seater pesto ples nce Pet Sip. Pata stron Sd tegen pcs goer cane gen. 39 Si sutt eta exagmot oe novon ough enc) oganzten ees ses (Choe wore toe tars aba Sok, teensy fe wea voting one endpato osese vg cons esttochas ro wat parsed uneven edepanon' esucan (PR) arse ea coat ck ataInsulation Resistance Testing (IR) Where Automatic External Defitilators (AEDs) are available, the training should also include ‘the operation of AEDs. The safety precautions mentioned above are general safety precautions that apply when working on or around potentially dangerous equipment, The following safety precautions have been developed snecificaly for work performed in conjunction wit testing of power cabie. Grounowa Asaiely policy widely practiced in the industry is the grounding of power cable before and after testing. This practice was developed to prevent electrical shack to personnel performing tosis. on power cable, An additional safety measure commonly practiced is the use of insulated rubber gloves with leather protectors when handling power cablo. The folowing steps serve as a guide to grounding power cable before testing: 41. Always verity that the cicult to be tosted Is deenergized. This Is accomplished with the use of @ high voltage indicator. The high voltage indicator should be checked for proper operation with a known source before and after checking cable for vat age. Ona of the lethal hazards, which still occurs among test technicians, is accidentally ‘grounding an energized circuit. The power arc is nearly always fatal at close range. ‘The temperature of such an arc is about 95,000" F, about four times as hot as the surface of the sun. It will bum flesh and ignite clothing at distances of up to about 10° by radiant eneray alone, so the probability of serious injury or death is great. 2. Alter the citcult is vertied deenergized, a ground cable of suitable size is frst ‘connected tothe ground bus or metal ciad switchgear and then to the conductor. 8, After each of the conductors are properly grounded, they can be disconnected and separated tor testing, 4. The conductors should remain grounded at all times except when an individual ‘conductor is under test. The ground cable should first be removed from the cable and then from ground.Disctancina Castes Due to the high capacitance property of cable insulation, it is a good practice to discharge power cable before physically disconnecting from the clrult and after testing, Most cable test sels are equipped with intemal resistors for discharging the cable. After the voltage drops ‘near zero, a resistance ground stick can be used to further clssipate the charge. Finally, a grounding cable is solidly connected to completely discharge the cable. A good rule of thumb Js to discharge the cable for a poriod of four times the duration ofthe test or until reconnected to the equipment. THEORY OF TEST sulation resisianco tests are concuctod to evaluate the condition of cable insulation. Insulation resistance readings may be used to rend any changes inthe insulation valuos in subsequent tests, This test is designed to indicate serious problems such as low resistance faults and ‘extremely wet, diy or deteriorated insulation. The level of test voltage is depenciont upon the rating ot the power cable to be tested. For cable in the 5 kV ~25 kV range, the voltage level Is generally 1,000 to 6,000 volts DC or higher. Dic.ectaic Assonprion Errecr In order to understand the principles of the time resistance or dielectric absorption test, the three components of total current that cause the response of the megohmmeter should be defined. Figure 1 ilustrates these components and the definitions are as follows: CCepecitance Charging Current ~The current required to charge the capacitance characteristics of the cabie insulation. This current starts aut high but decreases rapidly as the test voltage 's appliog ‘Absorption Current ~ Current resulting from charge absorbed in the dielectric as 2 result of polarization. This current starts out high and decreases slowly with time. Leakage Current The current that actualy flows through or across the surface of the insulation, ‘Tho currents fairy constant throughout the test. This components the current thet determines insulation resistance. The lower the leakage, tno better the insulation,Insulation Resistance Testing (IR) ‘Total Current ~ The sum of the three components listed above, This is the current that is rune 10 ’ 7 typical Results ofa Dielectric Absorption {Mpa and Ratio Test 0 somes wo Swcones alas ae short puns give clore fo #@ne, Megan: FIGURE 11 Typical Resuts of a Polarization Index Test Neisure ara Orriey8e | Present ot Minctes TO Minutesion Resistance Testing (IR) Table 1 is guide in evaluating insulation condition using the D.A.R. or Pi ime resistance test RAK fag lo (D/ek) p 'OOOHAG EC Kans 9 £0 08 TABLE 1 Kpoper > 2400 Dielectric Absorption Ratios Insulation | 60/30-Second Ratio | 10/i-Minute Ratio Condition Polarization index Danese ; Tester ussonatie Tes toe Good iaw 16 zoe Breen moove 18 Aone EVALUATING RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT "he absolute resistance ofthe cable insulation is relatively unimportant, since the insulation of the same type may vary widely in resistance between different manufacturers, AL the same time, some guidance in this aspect may be obtaned from Table 2 below: TABLE 2 Resistance Evaluation EPR Cable, 100% IL Thousands of ‘Megohms for 1000 ft. at 60°F, 15.6°C RTG.| POOR | FAIR | GOOD | EXCELLENT kv, 3 tes | 300 | west ward ove | i204 | «wie | 2040 22 ard over 2 | 2s | 62 | 200m ‘oad over 36 | 8010 | 10630 | avi0 100 100 ad over MULTIPLIERS FOR OTHER INSULATION TYPES. TRE PE.CLPE | Butt | EPR | OlSase | PaperOl MULTIPLIER 3 7 7 Yet 0‘Actually, comparison of the resistance of the three conductors of a single circuit is one of the best indicators. Good conditions are indicated when the three “lines” are almost same. Variations of over 5 to 1 in shorter circuits (under 1000) and 8 to 1 for longer lenaths indicate Ikely problems. Teuperatue ConRECTION Cable insulation resistance varies with temperature being higher at lower temperatures and vice versa, The standard for temperature is 60°F, (15.6°C), so corrections ofthe previous and new resistance figures should be made, using multipliers from Figure 12. Obviously, itis the temperature of the cablo that must be used. The summer temperature will probably be about 25°C in mid and northern latitudes in the U.S.A., 30°C in southern and desert like locations. Cables in air and conduit, exposed to sunlight, are likely to be 13°C, 25°F hotter than the alr temperature. Note: Standard for temperature is 60°F (16.6°C) as stated in “A Stitch in Time” Page 22. Temperate ~ FIGURE 12 Resistance - Temperature Correction Chart = 0% wm mw 100 10 1mInsulation Resistance Testing (IR) SUMMARY his module has presented techniques used in the performance of insulation resistance tests. General safety precautions and safety precautions developed specifically for use when testing power cable were also covered. The test voltage used in performing an insulation resistance testis 2,500 volts OG or higher, but it is not to exceed the cable rating Prior to disconnecting power cable for testing all safety precautions must be followed. The cables are disconnected and spaced for testing; ionization control hoods should bo installed. ‘The insulation resistance test sel is then connected to the cable. The test votage is appliod to the cable and readings are taken over a period of time. The results ofthe test are evaluated by plotting insulation resistance versus time. The curve should slope upward over the duration of the test. Amore precise method of evaluating insulation resistance test results isto take two readings over aperiod of time and divide the second reading by the first reading, When readings are taken at 30 seconds and 60 seconds, the process is callod the dielectric absorption ratio (D.A.R.). When the readings are taken at 1 minute and 10 minutes, the process is called the polaization index (PI,). The test voltage for is determined by using industry standards and cable users! past experience, Insulation Resistance test results should be adjusted using the temperature correction factor for the type of insulation. This is vary important when comparing previous tests for trending purposes. Insulation resistance values may be used to trend the condition of the insulation ‘over the fe span of the eable, Down turns in insulation value indicate impending fale of the insulation. Other diagnostic tests such as the Tan Delta could be used to increase the accuracy ofthe diagnosis. The Partial Discharge could be used to pinpoint the location ofthe reason for the decline in insulation value indicated by the IR test. November 2017REVIEW QUESTIONS Objective 1 ~Perform insulation resistance tests and follow proper safely procedures. 1. Always vont tha th ckouitobo tested is le cag neck 2. Alter the cuits verted doonersized, 0. grovel cakd of suitable size is rst conaced tothe ground bus or metal swtongoar and ten tore conduto, 3. Due to the high capacitance property of cable insulation, it is a good practice to ise power cable before physically disconnecting from the circuit and attor testing, 4, Insulation resistance readings may be used to Freme( any changes in the insulation values in subsequent test. 5. The current required to charge the capacitance characteristics ofthe cable insuiaton is ited ashe peed Shey —elansgi 8, Tho total of the capacitive, abeorption, and leakage cvrronts are indicated on the Cagabaceiee ee Objective 2— Analyze insulation resistance (IR) and polarization index (P) tests. 7. Watree-phase cable boing tostod, be sue to grownal both ends ofthe ‘hase conductors that are not under test 8. The condition of he cabie insulation is evaliatod by the slope ofthe pack Curse and by the cCikeuled ze? delete absorption ratio or polenzaton index 9. The _palactzation jel I caloulated by dividing the 10-minute reading by the t-minute reading Object 10. Cabi ravation resistance vanes wth emerstre being jh tormpoaturos and ie vere. 3— Demonstrate the application of temperature correction principles. atte wer 11. Itisnecessary to__sufpenel and __sgolaé._ tester duting the test the leads of an insulation resistance 12. I the Polarization Index Is calculated at 1.0, the cable insulation is suspect