A Validity Analysis of Extending Front Time in Lightning Impulse Tests for Ultrahigh-Voltage Transformers

High entrance capacitances of ultrahigh-voltage (UHV) transformers make it difficult to generate impulses with standard front time during the lightning impulse tests. In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of examining the longitudinal insulation design of a transformer via impulses with a front time longer than the standard value. We consider the following features: transient voltage distributions and insulation characteristics of longitudinal insulation. The transient voltages of two UHV windings are measured with a capacitive voltage sensor under impulses with different front times. The results demonstrate that the front time of the applied impulse has little effect on the gradient voltage distributions and the oscillatory component of the transient voltage, but it determines the front time of transient voltages. Therefore, the relationship between breakdown characteristics of the turn-to-turn insulation and the front time is studied. Experimental results revealed that whatever the insulation thickness, an increase in the front time of the applied impulse decreases the breakdown voltage, but this variation is within acceptable tolerance when the front time changes from 1.2 mu s to 6 mu s. Thus, as long as the front time is restricted within 6 mu s, we can ensure the validity of lightning impulse tests on the examination of longitudinal insulation designs.