Megger IDAX, IDAX-300 User Manual

IDAX User's Manual

IDAX User's Manual2

Table of Contents

Part I

Part II

Part III

Foreword

IDAX

Overview Instrument Panels Software Installation Measurement Technique Getting Started with IDAX IDAX System Control

................................................................................................................................... 31

................................................................................................................................... 72

................................................................................................................................... 93

................................................................................................................................... 94

................................................................................................................................... 125

................................................................................................................................... 216

Results User Interface

Results Menus and Commands Test Browser

................................................................................................................................... 261

................................................................................................................................... 632

IDAX Error Messages

(347) Output voltage is not within specified limits (361) Overvoltage (364) Measured capacitances don't match (365) Specimen capacitance below limit (366) Specimen capacitance above limit (367) Measured DC current > MaxDCCurrent (368) Measured hum current > MaxHumCurrent

................................................................................................................................... 701

................................................................................................................................... 702

................................................................................................................................... 703

................................................................................................................................... 704

................................................................................................................................... 715

................................................................................................................................... 716

................................................................................................................................... 717

Index

IDAX 3

1.1

IDAX

Overview

IDAX is an insulation diagnostic system for investigations/analysis of dielectric materials, normally insulators. The measurement method used is dielectric spectroscopy, i.e. measurement of the dielectric properties of the material as a function of the frequency, and in some cases also as a function of the voltage. By studying the dielectric material properties as functions of frequency it is possible to make a distinction between different types of phenomena. For example, it is possible to separate polarization loss from leakage currents.

The system applies a sinusoidal voltage with desired frequency over the sample. This voltage will generate a current in the sample. By accurately measuring the voltage and the current, the sample impedance can be calculated. Depending upon the actual sample model, various parameters can be calculated from the impedance, such as capacitance, loss, resistance etc. This procedure can then be repeated at the specified frequencies and voltage levels and even more information on the sample can be revealed. More information can be found in the chapter "Measurement technique".

The system is fully computerized and most of the measurements can be performed automatically.

More technical and safety details are given in sections:

Specifications System and accessories Safety precautions

1.1.1

1.1.1.1

Specifications

The Insulation Diagnostic System IDAX measures the insulation impedance, at different frequencies, for insulation materials present in high and medium voltage transmission and distribution networks. The measurement results are used for insulation diagnosis.

The IDAX uses voltages up to 200 Vpeak (~140 V RMS). The voltage range can be increased by adding an external high voltage unit (the high voltage unit is specified separately).

IDAX-300 Specifications

General

The Insulation Diagnostic System IDAX-300 measures the insulation impedance, at different frequencies, for insulation materials present in high and medium voltage transmission and distribution networks. The measurement results are used for insulation diagnosis.

The IDAX-300 uses voltages up to 200 Vpeak (~140 V RMS). The voltage range can be increased by adding an external high voltage unit (the high voltage unit is specified separately). The IDAX-300 is operated using an external laptop/PC.

The IDAX-300 uses a three electrode set-up, which allows for measurements of non-grounded as well as grounded objects with and without guard.

The IDAX-300 system applies sinusoidal shaped voltages at different frequencies across the test object and simultaneously measures the current through it. The output voltage is either taken from a 10 V

generator.

arbitrary waveform generator or from a 200 V

peak

arbitrary waveform

peak

IDAX User's Manual4

Voltage/current range, 10V:

0 - 10 V

peak

, 0 - 50 mA

peak

Voltage/current range, 200V:

0 - 200 V

peak

, 0 - 50 mA

peak

Frequency range:

0.1 mHz - 10 kHz

Inputs:

Channel 1, channel 2, ground

Capacitance Range:

10 pF - 100 uF

Accuracy:

0.5% + 1 pF

Dissipation Factor Range:

0 - 10 (with retained accuracy of capacitance; otherwise higher)

Accuracy:

>1% +0.0003, 1 mHz - 100 Hz, C > 1 nF >2% +0.0005, 100 Hz - 1 kHz, C > 1 nF

Noise Level:

Max 500 uA at 50 Hz/60 Hz

Test Modes, 2 Channels:

UST-1, UST-2, UST-1+2, GST, GST-Guard-1, GST-Guard-2, GST-Guard-1+2 With 2-ch measurement option additionally UST-1+UST-2, UST-1+GST-Guard-2, UST-2+GST-Guard-1, UST-1+2+GST

Calibration:

Calibration box allows field calibration, recommended interval 2 years

Mains Input (nominal):

90 - 265 V ac, 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption (max):

250 VA

Communication Ports:

USB 2.0 and LAN

Instrument Weight:

4.9 kg/11 lbs

Case and Instrument Weight:

9.9 kg/22 lbs

Accessories Weight:

8.5 kg/18 lbs (soft bag)

Dimensions:

335 x 300 x 99 mm

17.7 x 6.3 x 16.1 in

Dimensions with Case:

520 x 430 x 220 mm

20.5 x 17 x 8.7 in.

Operating Ambient Temp:

0°C to +50°C /-32°F to +122°F

Storage Ambient Temp:

-40°C to 70°C / -40°F to +158°F

Humidity:

20% - 95% RH, non-condensing

CE Standards:

IEC61010 (LVD) EN61326 (EMC)

Operating System:

Windows 2000/ XP / Vista

CPU/RAM:

Pentium 500 MHz/512 Mb or better

Interface:

USB 2.0

Output

Measurements

General

Physical

Environmental

PC Requirements

IDAX 5

IDAX-300

Transport case

Cables

1.1.2

1.1.2.1

System and Accessories

IDAX-300 System and Accessories

IDAX User's Manual6

1.1.3

Safety Precautions

A " Warning" statement denotes hazardous conditions and actions that can cause bodily harm or death.

A "Caution!" statement denotes conditions and actions that can damage the IDAX or the equipment being tested.

Warning!

Always follow local safety regulations when working on high voltage equipment.

Make certain all personnel working with IDAX have been trained in its correct use and that all applicable safety precautions are taken.

BEFORE connecting this unit to the mains outlet user must verify that only a single protective ground systems exists AND no measurable voltage potential exists between the mains outlet protective ground and the test object protective ground. If a voltage potential is found between mains outlet protective ground and the test object protective ground then additional measures described in local safety standards should be applied to ensure personal safety.

The measurement system can generate hazardous and even lethal voltages.

Do not attempt to service the IDAX yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage.

Do not use any accessories that are not intended for use together with the IDAX.

Unplug the IDAX from the mains supply when it is left unattended or not in use.

Before cleaning, unplug the IDAX from the mains supply. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

Caution!

Make sure that the mains voltage selected on the selector switch located on the back panel corresponds to the voltage level before connecting the mains.

Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

If you need to return your IDAX, please use either the original crate or one of equivalent strength.

IDAX 7

a) Power ON/OFF switch

Turns unit on and off.

b) Mains connector

For connecting to mains outlet.

c) Fuse

Use small screwdriver to gently pry out to change the fuse, F1, 2A slow blow.

d) USB Port

for connecting computer

e) ETHERNET

RJ45 connector for Ethernet connection via twisted pair cable.

1.2

1.2.1

Instrument Panels

IDAX-300 Front Panel

Overview

Power

Interface

IDAX User's Manual8

f) Enable switch

1 for activating the output of voltage.

0 for deactivating the output of voltage.

g) Generator

Generator output connector.

h) Active

Red high intensity LED. Is lit when the output is switched on, dark when the output is switched off.

i) AMPLIFIER

Connector for external amplifier

j) Input 1 and Sense 1

First input channels.

k) Input 2 and Sense 2

Second input channels.

l) Protective ground

Connector for connection to station ground.

m) Test

Test inputs.

Output

External

Input

IDAX 9

1.3

1.4

1.4.1

Software Installation

The IDAX-206 come with the measurement and display software already installed on the internal computer. On the IDAX-300 and if you want to use the IDAX-206 with an external PC you have to install the software.

To start installing the software insert the USB memory stick and run the program IDAXInstall XXXX.exe from it.

When first starting the IDAX software after installing it make sure the IDAX206/300 is connected and turned on. For the IDAX-206 also check that the switch in the rear panel is set to EXT USB. When the software starts it will look for the IDAX hardware and connect to it automatically.

Measurement Technique

Short overview of measurement principle is given in this section.

How impedance is measured Gives basic principle of IDAX operation Sample modeling Describes theoretical models used for presenting measurement

results

How Impedance is Measured

IDAX measures impedance. By measuring the impedance at one point, i,e, at a specific frequency and amplitude, parameters such as resistance, capacitance and loss can be calculated.

The impedance of a sample is measured by applying a voltage across the sample. This voltage will generate a current through the sample. By accurately measuring the voltage and the current, the impedance can be calculated, see illustration below.

Computer with DSP-board

Voltage source

Control voltage

Sample

Measured voltage

ElectrometerVoltmeter

Measured current

Fig.1. Measurement of electrical impedance.

The impedance is calculated using Ohm's law:

where Z, U and I are complex entities.

The voltage (and the current) is generated by a voltage source. There are currently two internal voltage sources available in the IDAX system, which can deliver a maximum peak output of 10 Vpeak and 200 Vpeak, respectively. The voltage is measured by means of a voltmeter and

IDAX User's Manual10

the current is measured by an ammeter or electrometer which acts as a current-to-voltage converter. The analogue signals (voltages) are then converted to digital samples of the signals that are used in subsequent calculations.

1.4.2

Sample Modelling

The impedance, Z, can be presented directly or by using different impedance models. Two ways of presenting Z directly are the polar and the rectangular, as follows:

Polar:

Rectangular:

Two simple models which are usually used in circuit analysis, although more seldom in insulation analysis, are capacitance, C, and resistance, R. The equivalent RC circuit models available are series and parallel models (see Fig.1) calculated as follows:

a) b)

Fig.1. Equivalent circuit models: a) series RC circuit, b) parallel RC circuit.

Parallel:

Series:

where w = 2pf and f is frequency.

Another model, more often used in insulation diagnostics, is the complex capacitance model describing the insulation impedance as a complex capacitance, where the imaginary part of the capacitance represents the losses. The complex capacitance model is defined as follows:

where

IDAX 11

Complex C:

The DC' is defined as the capacitance, C', with an arbitrary constant k (usually negative) added. The aim of this parameter is to make it possible to distinguish between small changes in capacitance in graphical presentation.

A model, very often used in insulation diagnostics, is a description of the insulation impedance as a capacitance combined with a dissipation factor, tand, or a power factor (PF or cosj). The capacitance, tand and cosj/PF are defined as follows:

C, PF, Tan-Delta:

If tand and cosj (PF) are small, then tand » cosj = PF (E.g. tand=0.1 corresponds to PF=0.0995)

Insulation diagnostics is based on material characterization and therefore material models are often used. To be able to define material parameters from measured impedance Z the geometry of the sample, described in terms of the geometrical capacitance C0, has to be

defined. In the illustration below, a vacuum (or air-filled) capacitor of defined geometry is shown. Since no "material" is between the electrodes, the capacitance of a) is the geometrical capacitance.

U C

a) b) c)

Material parameter models based on a geometrical capacitance C0 and material parameters.

In the above illustration b) and c) a material is inserted between the electrodes and it will influence the current, I, flowing in the circuit. The influence of the material can be described by different parameters using either a dielectric model or a conductive model. In the dielectric model the "material capacitance", the permittivity, is a complex function describing both the capacitance and the loss. Whereas in the conductive model the capacitance is described by a permittivity and the loss by a conductivity (or resistivity). The dielectric and resistive models are derived as follows:

U CIU C

e e

’& ’’

e s,r

’&

IDAX User's Manual12

Dielectric:

Resistive:

1.5

If geometrical capacitance, C0, is unknown it can be set by the user by entering a permittivity (dielectric constant), e', for the material. Entering a permittivity, e', will let the system calculate

an approximate C0 making use of the material models available. Yet, one must be aware that the accuracy of the absolute values are limited by the accuracy of the entered permittivity. If

the geometrical capacitance is unknown and an approximate permittivity is given, the geometrical capacitance is calculated as follows:

The impedance value, Z, used in the calculation is the first measurement point in the actual measurement.

Getting Started with IDAX

This describes how to perform a diagnostic measurement on a specific test specimen. More details about the software functions can be found in IDAX System Control and IDAX Results.

It is recommended to start using IDAX by going through the procedure in this section in order to become familiar with the instrument and the software. This procedure is also a good test to perform whenever a confirmation of the proper functioning of the instrument is required. This test is executed using the standard equipment delivered with IDAX.

Before starting to use IDAX certain preparatory procedures must be followed.

IDAX 13

Preparatory Procedure: IDAX instrument

1. Before connecting IDAX instrument power cord to the mains outlet: read the safety precautions

connect the transparent ground lead to a protective earth (ground) close to measurement

specimen and to panel of instrument.

2. Connect IDAX instrument to a mains outlet which meets the requirements in User's Manual

and local safety regulations, and switch on IDAX instrument using the mains switch POWER on the front panel.

Preparatory Procedure: Specimen

1. All specimen capacitances must be discharged before connecting IDAX leads. This means that

all specimen electrodes must be short circuited and grounded. The electrodes must remain grounded until IDAX leads are connected. Below a general picture of ground connections is shown.

1.5.1

2. In the case of Test Capacitor, keeping the electrodes grounded while connecting IDAX leads

is complicated. Therefore, in this particular case with Test Capacitor, it is permitted to remove the ground connections before connecting IDAX.

Measurement

Make sure that IDAX is properly connected to mains outlet.

Turn on IDAX using the mains switch POWER on the front panel. The IDAX performs a

self-test and start-up procedure.

Activate the Results window if not active after start-up.

In Results create new object selecting Object from menu File / New. Click "Browse" and

select !!Test Capacitor.obj template and enter arbitrary name as Object Name, for example "Test" and click OK.

By default all measurement templates listed as Associated Measurement Templates will be

available for performing the measurements. It is possible to deselect one or more measurement templates from Associated Measurement Templates. As shown in picture below, four Measurement Templates !!C10 (GST-Guard), !!C12 (UST), !!C12, C10, C10+C12 and !!C20 (GST-Guard) are associated with the object "Test" for IDAX-206, similar procedure as IDAX-300.

Fill in available fields with relevant information.

Create new measurement sequence selecting Measurement Sequence from menu File / New. Arbitrary name can be entered as Measurement Sequence, for example "Getting

Started" and press OK. New measurement sequence with corresponding Measurement Plan files will appear in Test Browser.

IDAX User's Manual14

Fill in available fields with relevant information.

1.5.1.1

Test Sequence for IDAX-300

This is Getting Started test sequence when using IDAX-300

The specimen to be measured using the built-in capacitance box built into the system that terminates at the front panel. The respective capacitances are:

C10 = ~2.5 nF C12 = ~4.7 nF

Warning!

The measurement system can generate hazardous and even lethal voltages.

Carefully read "Safety precautions".

Ungrounded Specimen Test (UST) Measurement

IDAX 15

In Test Browser select Measurement Plan file !!C12 (UST), carefully read and follow the instructions. Or follow the instructions below.

Make sure that preparation procedures (both IDAX and Specimen) have been followed.

Connect the output to the lower capacitance connector.

Connect Current 1 and Sense 1 to the top capacitance connector.

Remove possible ground connections from somewhere.

Turn on the output switch activate the output and then start the measurement.

Wait until measurement is finished or abort earlier by stopping the measurement.

Grounded Specimen Test (GST) Measurement

IDAX User's Manual16

Test no.

Measure

Configuration

Energize (Gen, Yellow)

Channel 1 (Red)

Channel 2 (blue) 1CHGST-Guard-1+2

HLNC2CHL

UST-1

HLNC3CL

GST-Guard-1+2

LHNC

Test no.

Measure

Configuration

Energize (Hi, Red)

Channel 1 (Lo, Blue)

1CHGST-Guard

HL2

CHL

USTHL3CL

GST-Guard

Test no.

Measure

Configuration

Energize

Channel 1

Channel 2

In Test Browser select Measurement Plan file !!C10 (GST-Guard), carefully read and follow the instructions. Alternatively, follow the instructions below.

Make sure that preparation procedures have been followed (see also "Ungrounded Specimen

Test (UST) Measurement").

1.5.1.2

Connect the generator output to the upper capacitance connector.

Connect Current 1 and Sense 1 to the lower capacitance connector.

Remove possible ground connections from the connection pins.

Turn on the output switch activate the output and then start the measurement.

Wait until measurement is finished or abort earlier by stopping the measurement.

Comparing 1-ch IDAX-206 and 2-ch IDAX-300

IDAX-300 (two winding transformer)

IDAX-206 (two winding transformer)

IDAX-300 (three winding transformer)

(Gen, Yellow)

(Red)

(blue) 1CHGST-Guard-1+2

HLT2CHL

UST-1

HLT3CL

GST-Guard-1+2

LHT4CLT

UST-2

LHT5CT

GST-Guard-1+2

THL6CTH

UST-1

THL

IDAX-206 (three winding transformer)

Test no.

Measure

Configuratio n

Energize (Hi, Red)

Channel 1 (Lo, Blue)

1CHGST-Guard

HLT shorted to L

CHL

USTHL

T shorted to tank

3CLGST-Guard

LHT shorted to H

CLT

USTLH

T shorted to tank

5CTGST-Guard

THL shorted to H

CTH

USTTH

L shorted to tank

IDAX 17

1.5.2

In case of a two winding transformer the set-up of IDAX-206 (IDA 200) and IDAX-300 are very similar; the leads need to be moved between test 2 and test 3.

In case of a three winding transformer the IDAX-300 second input channel is utilized (standard); the leads need to be moved between test 2 and test 3, between test 4 and test 5. If use IDAX-206 (IDA 200) on a three winding transformer, the leads need to be moved between every test.

If using IDAX-300 with two electrometers (option), the two set-ups using same cable set-up can be measured simultaneously, e.g. test 1 and test 2 (test 3 and test4; test 5 and test 6).

Note that Test 6, CTH (Energize T and measure H), in many cases are replaced by CHT (Energize H and Measure T):

· IDAX-300: CHT, UST-2, H, L, T (same cable set-up as Test 1 and Test 2)

· IDAX-206: CHT, UST, H, T, L shorted to tank

During Measurement

When the measurement has been started the measurement file icon changes to an icon corresponding to the data file.

1. By pressing <F4> on the keyboard, Results window can be activated if not already active and

the measurement progress can be viewed when selecting Graph tab. The graph shows the

dissipation factor for the Test Capacitor in the frequency range 0.1 - 1000 Hz .

IDAX User's Manual18

2. By pressing <F5> on the keyboard, an oscilloscope will be displayed on the screen. The Ch 0

(red) signal in the oscilloscope displays the applied voltage over the sample, Ch 1 (white) is the output voltage from the first electrometer and Ch 2 (blue) is the output voltage from the second electrometer. The output voltage from the electrometer is a function of the current through the sample.

3. The instrument stops automatically after the last measurement point is completed, however,

the measurement can be interrupted earlier by a stop command. You can press stop button or, on the IDAX-206, the OUTPUT OFF button. On the IDAX-206 a lit green READY LED on the front panel indicates that the measurement is stopped or finished.

IDAX 19

1.5.3

Presenting Results

By default the measurement data is presented using a model defined in the measurement plan. However, additional models can be added while inspecting the results (see Selecting Models for details).

Depending on which parameters are of interest to the user, the measurement data can be presented using different models. E.g. in the tand model the dissipation and/or power factor as well as capacitance can be displayed in the graph as a function of frequency. See also how to select models in sections "Configuration / Models" and "Sample Modelling".

The results can be viewed using three additional tabs: Graph, Table and 50/60 Hz data as shown in pictures below.

Graph tab is active

IDAX User's Manual20

Table tab is active

50/60 Hz Data tab is active

1.5.4

Selecting Models

1. Select Configuration / Models in Results window and all available models will be presented

as shown below. In this picture, both the "Dielectric" and "C, PF, Tan-delta" models are ticked. Select the desired models and click OK.

IDAX 21

1.6

2. In the Graph tab you can select the desired parameters. For example, the dielectric

parameter e'.

3. In Results window menu the choices File / Export, File / Print and File / Report allow for

exporting the measurement data and creation of reports.

All measurements are stored on the IDAX 206 system hard disk or the measurement computer's hard disk on an IDAX-300 system and can be opened and analysed at any time. For comparison purposes, many measurements can be loaded into the same Results window.

IDAX System Control

The IDAX System Control performs a measurement according to commands pre-arranged in a Measurement plan or command file (C-file), using programming syntax described in IDAX Command and Variable References. The Measurement plan used is available in Results tab Measurement plan.

IDAX User's Manual22

Window

Functions

Results

Editing of measurement plans and displaying the results.

Window is activated after up-start by default

Comments

Adding comments to the actual measurement.

Messages

Displaying messages from the software during a measurement.

Oscilloscope

Viewing the actual voltage and current curve forms.

In addition to the IDAX System Control program window, a few more windows are accessible from here.

1.6.1

1.6.2

1.6.3

Message Window

Messages from IDAX system to the user will be displayed in the Messages window. For example, if a measurement was aborted prematurely by the program, the reason for it will be displayed here.

Connect and Disconnect

In the File menu you have the choice to connect (if not connected) and disconnect (if connected) to the IDAX unit. If you are not connected and the software needs to connect to the IDAX unit it will be done automatically.

Oscilloscope

The Oscilloscope displays the signals present on channel 0 (white, Ch0) and channel 1 (red, Ch1) inputs of the analogue IO unit.

IDAX 23

Ch0 and Ch1 and their check boxes

The Ch0 and Ch1 check boxes select the channels that are displayed. Trace 0, white, is proportional to the sample voltage. Trace 1, red, shows the electrometer output voltage, which is a function of the input current.

1.6.4

Horizontal control

The oscilloscope time base can be set either on auto scale or manual. On auto scale, the time base is set from the generator signal from the DSP. In the manual mode, the time base is set by the Time/div slide bar. The time above the slide bar refers to the time per division, the full oscilloscope window width consists of ten divisions.

Roll

The Roll check box can be used for slow signals that the oscilloscope may otherwise have difficulties to accurately lock.

Vertical control

The gain of the input channels can be adjusted with the two vertical slide bars next to the Grid check box at the oscilloscope window. The voltage range is displayed beside the Ch0 and Ch1 check boxes. The offset of the displayed signals can be adjusted by placing the mouse pointer inside the oscilloscope window and dragging it up and down while holding the mouse button.

Grid

The Grid check box displays or hides the grid.

Changing Language

The language in which IDAX user interface (IDAX software) is displayed can be changed. The following languages are available:

English

Swedish

German

French

Spanish

Language is changed selecting menu Configuration / Change Language in IDAX System Control, which opens a file opening dialog. The selected language file, *.lng, is loaded and it will be used after restarting the IDAX program. Each language has its own language file, *.lng, and all language files are located in the directory D:\IDA\Language files\.

+ 51 hidden pages

Megger IDAX, IDAX-300 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

IDAX

Overview

Specifications

IDAX-300 Specifications

System and Accessories

IDAX-300 System and Accessories

Safety Precautions

Instrument Panels

IDAX-300 Front Panel

Software Installation

Measurement Technique

How Impedance is Measured

Sample Modelling

Getting Started with IDAX

Measurement

Test Sequence for IDAX-300

Comparing 1-ch IDAX-206 and 2-ch IDAX-300

During Measurement

Presenting Results

Selecting Models

IDAX System Control

Oscilloscope

Message Window

Connect and Disconnect

Changing Language