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Active Contributor

Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11

Delta-delta secondary L-G measurements

03/17/2011 10:57 AM

This is a problem of one of our customers and hope someone can give me direction.

The customer is a water utlity company with several pumping and purification stations spread all over the city. They use 460 Volt 3-phase supply from a 13.2 kv-460/230v delta-delta connected distribution transformers. In all but two of the stations you can measure using a voltmeter, with test leads at one phase and ground, values between 220 to 230V in all three lines. But in the two mentioned station the voltage of 76v, 460v and 470v had been measured.

How could this happen? Any comment would be appreciated.

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Guru

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Liverpool, NY
Posts: 961
Good Answers: 131
#1

Re: Delta-delta secondary L-G measurements

03/18/2011 9:13 AM

In a delta system, there is no "real" reference of the transformer windings & phases to ground other than how good the insulation is in the system. Therefore, the 3 phases are only approximately the phase V divided by √3 to ground. If the insulation is fairly good in all 3 phases, you will see the voltages about equal when measured to ground. If one phase has poorer insulation (= a high-resistance connection to ground) you see a lower voltage than the other 2, and the others are relatively higher due to the vector relationship of the phases.

That's one reason that delta is used with a system that is predominantly motor loads - you can have an actual ground fault of one phase, and since the phase relationship doesn't depend on ground for reference, you can keep running. There needs to be ground fault monitoring, so that you can diagnose & repair the ground fault, but it doesn't actually shut you down until you have a second fault on another phase.

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Active Contributor

Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Delta-delta secondary L-G measurements

03/18/2011 9:30 PM

In the case mentioned would you agree that a problem in the insulation maybe developing and may need megger testing of cables and motors to ascertain their condition?

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Guru

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Liverpool, NY
Posts: 961
Good Answers: 131
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Delta-delta secondary L-G measurements

03/25/2011 3:24 PM

It would not be a bad idea, just to determine IF a problem is developing. However, it may just be due to variations caused by other factors including different types of insulation or environmental issues (humidity, dirt/contamination, etc.). It may not be something "failing," only that it needs some maintenance or cleaning.

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Active Contributor

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Delta-delta secondary L-G measurements

03/26/2011 7:05 AM

Thanks very much.

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