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Practical Guide to Inspection, Testing & Certication of Electrical Installations

Now join the ends of the primary winding together and join the ends
of the secondary winding together.
Use an insulation resistance meter set on 500v d.c. to test between
the joined ends.
Now test between the joined ends and earth.
The maximum insulation value permissible in both cases is 1M. If
the resistance is less then the transformer is faulty.

Isolation transformer
Carry out the test in the same manner as the double wound
transformer. The minimum acceptable value for insulation resistance
is 1M.

Separated extra low voltage transformers

(SELV and PELV)
These transformers are tested using the same procedure as for the
step up or down transformer. The insulation resistance test values are
different for this test. If the SELV or PELV circuits from the secondary
side of the transformer are being tested, then the test voltage must
be 250v d.c. and the maximum resistance value is 0.5M although
this would be considered a very low value and any value below 5M
must be investigated.
For a test between the actual transformer windings the test voltage is
increased to 500 volts d.c. The minimum insulation resistance value is
1M although any value below 5M should be investigated.

Testing a three phase motor

There are many types of three phase motor but by far the most
common is the induction motor, it is quite useful to be able to test
them for serviceability.
Before carrying out electrical tests it is a good idea to ensure that
the rotor turns freely. This may involve disconnecting any mechanical
loads. The rotor should rotate easily and you should not be able to
hear any rumbling from the motor bearings.
Next if the motor has a fan on the outside of it, check that it is clear of
any debris which may have been sucked in to it, also check that any
air vents into the motor are not blocked.

Correct selection of protective devicess

Generally if the motor windings are burnt out there will be an
unmistakable smell of burnt varnish, however it is still a good idea
to test the windings as the smell could be from the motor being
overloaded.
Three phase motors are made up of three separate windings. In
the terminal box there will be six terminals as each motor winding
will have two ends. The ends of the motor windings will usually be
identied as W1, W2, U1, U2. V1, V2.
The rst part of the test is carried out using a low resistance ohm
meter. Test each winding end to end W1 to W2, U1 to U2 and V1
to V2. The resistance of each winding should be approximately
the same and the resistance value will depend on the size of the
motor. If the resistance values are different then the motor will not be
electrically balanced and it should be sent for rewinding.
Provided the resistance values are the same then the next test is
carried out using an insulation resistance tester. Join W1 and W2
together, U1 and U2 together and V1 and V2 together. Carry out an
insulation resistance test between the joined ends i.e.: W to U then W
to V and then between U and V then repeat the test between joined
ends and the case, or the earthing terminal of the motor (these tests
can be in any order to suit you).
Providing the insulation resistance is 2M or greater then the motor is
ne. If the insulation resistance is above 0.5M then it could just be
dampness and it is often a good idea to run the motor for a while and
then carry out the insulation test again as the motor may dry out with
use.
To reconnect the motor windings in star, join W2, U2 and V2 together
and connect the three phase motor supply to W1, U1 and V1. If the
motor rotates in the wrong direction swop two of the phases of the
motor supply.
To reconnect the motor windings in delta, join W1 to U2, U1 to V2
and V1 to W2 and then connect the three phase motor supply one to
each of the joined ends. If the motor rotates in the wrong direction,
swop two phases of the motor supply.

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