Evaluating the Influence of External Compensators on Chopped Impulse Waves in Power Transformer Testing

Applying lightning impulse tests on high-voltage transformers plays a crucial role in evaluating their insulation system. The performance of the dielectric system in newly produced power transformers must satisfy the requirements of both full and chopped wave tests. To conduct these tests, standard full and chopped impulses are generated using the well-known Marx generator. The wave shape parameters of these impulses must fulfil the requirements that are specified in international standards such as IEC 60076. The excessive voltage collapse rate as well as the high amplitude of the first peak of the resulting overswing following the chopping time, highly stress the dielectric system of the power transformers. To resolve these issues, external elements may be added to the chopping circuit. These additional elements are essential in stabilizing the waveform by preventing excessive voltage collapse rate and controlling the peak of the first swing after chopping. Furthermore, some transformers with high power ratings may possess windings with very low inductance or high capacitance, which can undesirably impact the shape and parameters of the resulting full wave. To address these critical situations and bring the full wave parameters within the allowed limits, engineers in high-voltage laboratories employ some compensators like the Glaninger circuit in impulse circuits. It is important to study the effects of such compensators on chopped impulse parameters. This paper aims to investigate the impact of the mentioned external elements and compensators on the parameters of the chopped wave impulses. Specifically, the study focuses on assessing the influence of these compensators on voltage collapse and the peak amplitude of the first swing after chopping. By analyzing and understanding these effects, researchers and engineers can gain valuable insights into the performance and optimization of lightning impulse tests on power transformers, ultimately contributing to the advancement of high-voltage laboratory practices.