PROTECTION CONTROL AND METERING DEPARTMENT

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA, EGBIN SUB-REGION

TECHNICAL PRESENTATION
Topic:

Magnetic Core Balance Test

Date:

25th February 2015

Presented by: Ukelabuchi Adikema

BACKGROUND
A power transformer is a critical equipment in a power system and its correct operation is
immensely vital hence many tests have been designed to ascertain the integrity of its components.
Since the internal components of a power transformer are not easily accessible, most of these tests
are conducted externally but are indicative of aspects of the transformer performance involving the
relatively inaccessible internal components.
The aspect of the transformer which the Magnetic core Balance Test examines is the magnetic circuit
(magnetic flux path in the core) of the transformer which determines how the voltages on all three
limbs of the core will interact. Therefore, by conducting this test, it is possible to identify magnetic
imbalance (imbalance in the magnetic circuit) and inter turn faults in the transformer. Fault
conditions presenting very high currents can damage the transformer windings.
Note, however, that this test is only conducted for poly winding transformers and not for the single
phase ones.
THEORY
MAGNETIC FLUX
Since a power transformer consists of windings around a core, a magnetic flux path (created by the
interaction of the current flowing through the windings of the transformer) will exist within the core
when a significant potential difference exists between two or more phases of the transformer.
The test is based on the principle of flux linkage. It is expected that since the windings of the
transformer are on separate limbs of a common core, the flux resulting from an applied voltage will
be distributed across all three limbs of the transformer core even if this voltage is not applied on all
3 phases.
Star Winding
For the star side of a transformer, for instance, the theory means that if one phase of the
transformer is open-circuited, and a phase-neutral voltage is applied, only one limb of the
transformer core (either R, Y or B) will produce flux and the remaining two limbs will provide return
path for that flux as shown in the Fig. 1. [1].

Fig 1. Magnetic Flux in Transformer Core during Magnetic core Balance test in Star Windings [1]
The main aim of the test is to prove that flux produced by one limb is the sum of the fluxes on the
other two limbs so that it can be said that the core is okay (i.e.,
(i.e., it presents no problem for flux path)
[1]. However, we do not have access to the core of the transformer to directly determine the flux
flow and magnitude but we know that the flux on each limb is directly proportional to the induced
voltage on the respective
ective windings (in
( agreement to Faradays law) hence we can logically expect the
sum of voltages induced on the remaining limbs to be equal to the one applied.
For the example above, we can write;

 
 


Eqn. (1a)

Where,

 ,
 , 
 correspond to fluxes  , ,   respectively.
Similarly, if the voltage is applied across Y-N,
Y we will have

 
 


Eqn. (1b)

And across B-N, we have

 
 


Eqn. (1c)

Delta Winding
phase voltage is used instead of phase-neutral
phase neutral (delta windings have no
For a delta winding, phase-phase
neutral). In this case, the theory means that if one phase of the transformer is open-circuited,
open
and a
1
phase-phase voltage is applied
lied between the other two phases,
phases only one limb of the transformer
core will produce flux and the remaining two limbs will provide return path for that flux as shown in
the Fig. 2. [1].
This will mean that, if the voltage was applied across R-Y,
R Y, it can be expected the voltage sum of
voltages Y-B and R-B
B will be equal to R-Y
R Y which was applied. If, however, the voltage was applied
across a different set of phases, say Y-B
Y (with R open-circuited),
ited), then the sum of the voltages Y-R and
R-B
B will be equal to the one applied across Y-B.
Y

Fig 2. Magnetic Flux in Transformer Core during Magnetic core Balance test in Delta windings [1]
For the DELTA example above, we can write;

 , 
 


Eqn (2a)

Where,

 ,
 , 
 correspond to fluxes  , ,   respectively.
Similarly, if the voltage is applied across Y-B,
Y we will have

The limb of the transformer considered to be the source of the flux is the one through which current enters
the transformer winding circuit. This is because flux production is
is dependent on the direction of current flow.

 Eqn (2b)

 
 

And across B-R, we have

Eqn (2c)

 
 

TEST PROCEEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.

Tap changer should be kept in the normal position (nominal tap).

Remove transformer neutral should be disconnected from ground.
Remove all external connections.
Apply AC supply;
a. 230 V across any one phase and the neutral ,e.g.
 , with the other two phases
open (for  winding) OR
b. 415V across any two phases, e.g.
 , with the third phase open (for  winding)
5. Measure and record the voltage;
a. across each of the other two open phases with respect to neutral e.g.

 and
 (for  winding) OR
b. across each of the other phase-phase combinations, e.g.
 and
 (for 
winding).
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice with the voltage applied across the other two combinations (phph for  or ph-n for ) depending on winding type as earlier described.

CONNECTION ILLUSTRATION
*Please see white board for drawing
RESULT FORMAT

PHASE

SUPPLY
(V)
AB

SIDE

VOLTAGE

BC

CA

ab

bc

ca

MEASURED VOLTAGE (V)

REMARK

A-B

423

265.4

166.3

104.6

17.4

89.1

OK

B-C

298.7

423

127.1

109.5

83.3

26.5

OK

C-A

135.2

283.2

422

22.3

107.4

85.6

OK

RESULT ANALYSIS
When analyzing the results obtained the test, it is important to note the following;

When a transformer core is magnetically balanced the relationship expressed in Eqn. 1 and
Eqn. 2 will be true from the measurements obtained.
The voltage obtained on the other side of the transformer (to which the voltage was not
applied) will be proportional to those measured on the tested side according to the turns
ratio of the transformer.

Although the induced voltages in a balanced core will sum up as earlier described, it is
important to note their expected relative values as tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. In case 1 of
Table 1, for instance, as the voltage is applied on R-N as in Fig 1, the flux in limb B, B which
corresponds to
 will be 60% - 80% of A while that in limb C, C corresponding to

 will be 40% - 20% of A. Thus  =  +  = 100 % = 230 V. A similar result will be
obtained if
 is the applied voltage as can be seen from case 3. Notice however, that this
is not the same for Case 2 where the induced voltage will be 50-50 unlike cases 1 and 3. This
is because the voltage induced in different phases depends upon the respective position2 of
the corresponding limb in the core [3]. Table 2 illustrates similar cases for magnetic for a
delta connection.

Star Winding
Applied
(230 V)

Case
1

Main
Flux

R-N

Y-N

B-N

Phase
Return % Share
measured flux
of and V
Y-N
60% - 80%

B-N
40% - 20%

B-N
50%

Y-N
50%

Y-N
60% - 80%

R-N
40% - 20%


Expected
V range
138V - 184V
92V - 46V
115 V
115 V
138V - 184V
92V - 46V

Phase
measured
Y-B
B-R
B-R
R-Y
Y-N
R-N

Expected
V
SUM
range
249V - 332V
100%
415V
115V - 83V
208 V
100%
415V
208 V
249V - 332V
100%
=415V
115V - 83V

SUM
100%
230V
100%
230V
100%
230V

=
=
=

Table 1.
Delta Winding
Applied
(415 V)

Case
1

V Main
Flux

R-Y

Y-B

B-R

Return
flux







% Share
of and V
60% - 80%
40% - 20%
50%
50%
60% - 80%
40% - 20%

=
=

Table 2.

If the results deviate significantly from the above then further testing is recommended 3 (
other tests like open circuit test with rated voltage) should be performed to be sure about
core and winding.
o Measuring and noting down the current of each injected phase can give a significant
idea about the state of the windings. If an inter-turn short circuit exists then the
faulty phase will draw comparatively large magnetizing current (like 3A or 5A

Notice that in case 2 there is almost equal reluctance path for the left side (limb A) and the right side (limb C).
But in case 1 and 3 the reluctance paths differ for the middle and outer limbs hence the flux and induced
voltage on the corresponding phases can be expected to be unequal (40-20% on one and 60-80% on the other.
3

The magnetic core balance test is only an indicative test for the transformer. Its results are not
absolute. It needs to be used in conjunction with other tests.

whereas other phases will draw 60mA to 100mA) which will oppose the magnetic
fluxes and will result in a very low induced voltage (tending to zero) in the
faulty phase [4]
Also note that it better for this test to be performed after properly demagnetising
the transformer as slightly magnetised transformer (like after insulation test) can give an
unexpected and distorted result for magnetic balance test.

CASE STUDIES
*Please refer to attached CASE STUDY sheet.
GENERAL NOTES

In case of autotransformers, the magnetic core balance test of transformer should be

repeated for LV winding also [2].

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.

415V AC (Ph-Ph) or 230V AC (ph-N) supply

Functional Multimeter
Appropriately rated MCB for supply side voltage.
Suitably rated cable of at least 2 core

REFERENCES
[1] Electricity4u. Internet Blog. Retrieved Feb 2015. url:
http://electricity4you.blogspot.com/2013/05/magnetic-balance-test.htmlElectrotechnik. Online
[2] Electrical4u.com. Web page. Retrieved Feb. 2015. url: http://electrical4u.com/transformertesting-type-test-and-routine-test-of-transformer/
[3] Magazine. Retrieved Feb. 2015. url: http://www.electrotechnik.net/2010/08/magnetic-balancetest-on-transformers.html
[4] Ziaul Ashraf Shafi. Allinterview.com; Retrieved Feb. 2015. url:
http://www.allinterview.com/showanswers/70196/core-magnetic-balance-test-transformerthree-phase-star-delta-lv-hv-measure-rega.html