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Paper number
Study Committee B3: PS2

CIGRE 2012

Condition assessment of instrument transformers using

Dielectric Response Analysis
STEPHANIE RAETZKE1, MAIK KOCH1, MICHAEL KRUEGER1, AIZAM TALIB2
1
OMICRON electronics
Austria
2
TNB Research Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia

SUMMARY
Dielectric response analysis is an advanced technique, providing information about the
insulation condition of the measured test object. It is typically used for power transformers,
where the water content in the solid cellulosic insulation can be assessed. Water in oilpaper/pressboard insulations is decreasing the dielectric strength, accelerating the ageing and
causing the bubble effect at high temperatures. Also instrument transformers are oil-paper
insulated and therefore exposed to the harming effects of water. The condition assessment of
the insulation system of instrument transformers did not play an important role up to now
since typical measurement methods, which might be used for power transformers are not
applicable here. For example oil sampling is often avoided due to the small oil volume.
However, the increasing age is leading to a higher risk of explosions, which can damage
surrounding parts and cause high follow-up costs. This paper introduces a new approach to
use the dielectric response analysis for condition assessment of instrument transformers.
The measurement of the dielectric response in a wide frequency range (e.g. 100 Hz up to
5 kHz) provides information about the insulation condition and especially for oilpaper/pressboard insulations about the water content in the solid insulation. The measured
curve is formed by the superposition of the dielectric response of the cellulosic material and
the oil. It is reflecting the conductivity and polarization effects of each material. Due to the
high content of cellulosic material, the oil has a minor impact on the dielectric response of an
instrument transformer and the curve is highly determined by the behavior of the cellulosic
material.
The resulting curve can be used for the assessment of the insulation condition in various
ways. Qualitative comparisons, e.g. between instrument transformers of the same type and
age, might give general information which of these is in better condition. The dissipation
factor and the capacitance trend can also deliver valuable data. Furthermore the water content
in the solid insulation can be assessed. An automatic analysis algorithm compares the
measured dielectric properties of the actual instrument transformer with modeled dielectric
stephanie.raetzke@omicron.at

properties to calculate the water content in the solid insulation. This paper describes the
modeling in concerns of water content, oil conductivity and geometry. Furthermore the
influences of temperature and ageing products are explained.
To confirm the validity of this assessment, measurements on several instrument transformers
in service were performed. Dielectric response curves and the trend of the capacitances for
new and aged instrument transformers with different water contents are discussed. Selected
examples presented in this paper show, that the dielectric response is well modeled and the
water content can be derived. Also ageing effects can be observed. To avoid explosions of
their instrument transformers, this method is now regularly used by TNB.
KEYWORDS
Current Transformer Voltage Transformer Instrument Transformer Condition
Dielectric Response Analysis Dielectric Frequency Response

1. INTRODUCTION
Instrument transformers are important apparatuses used in transmission and distribution
networks all over the world. Being not as expensive as e.g. power transformers, instrument
transformers were rather replaced than repaired. However, a defect instrument transformer
can explode, what may cause extensive damages of surrounding plant sections.
Nearly 50% of all major failures are caused by an internal dielectric failure [1]. Since the
majority of instrument transformers is oil-paper insulated, ageing of the paper material is a
crucial factor for the lifetime. Paper is made of cellulose. Its ageing might lower the dielectric
strength and will lead to a decreased degree of polymerization in paper. It is depending on
some influencing factors, like the temperature, present oxygen, water or acids. Especially
water in the cellulosic insulation can be critical [2]. Existing water causes hydrolysis, which is
producing more water as a product of this chemical reaction. Therefore water is an accelerator
for ageing of the solid insulation.
Typically, new oil-paper insulations have a very low water content of about 0.5% in the solid
insulation. During service the water content is increasing due to e.g. leakages and hydrolysis.
Above 2.2% water content the solid insulation is called moderately wet [3], what is typical for
instrument transformers being in service for several years. At the physically end of life, the
insulation is often wet having a water content of 3.5% or above. Even though water content in
the solid insulation is no direct measurand for ageing, it is a strong indicator for the condition
of the solid insulation.
To avoid failures with expensive secondary damages, several tests can be performed to
determine the condition of instrument transformers. The choice of tests and the testing
frequency is widely varying from utility to utility. Typical are for example visual inspection,
oil analysis and DGA, insulation resistance measurement, high voltage withstand tests, partial
discharge measurement or ratio checks [4]. Unfortunately the gained information about the
insulation condition is limited. Oil sampling is often avoided due to the small volume. The
partial discharge measurement detects weak points in the insulation and can not give
information about the overall condition. Finally the insulation resistance is helpful to find
already defective insulations, but is limited for lifetime estimation.
The measurement of dielectric properties, like the dissipation factor (tan or DF) or
capacitance at mains frequency (50/60 Hz) is often used to gain information about the
insulation condition. However, several factors are influencing the dissipation factor reading at
mains frequency, what causes uncertainties in the assessment. The measurement over a wide
frequency range can help to distinguish between different effects for a more detailed analysis
of the insulation condition.
2. DIELECTRIC RESPONSE OF INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS
Dielectric response methods have been developed to deduce water content in paper and
pressboard from dielectric properties like polarization currents and dissipation factor [5].
They are typically used to assess the condition of power transformers, but can also be applied
to other oil-paper insulations like bushings, cables or instrument transformers. Due to the
wide frequency range of the dielectric response measurement it is possible to distinguish
between different effects and gain information about the insulation condition itself, water
content in the solid insulation or oil conductivity [3].
The setup for the dielectric response measurement is the same as for traditional dissipation
factor measurement at mains frequencies (Figure 1). The resulting curves are similar to the
single response of cellulosic material without any oil (Figure 2) [6], since the insulation itself
consists mainly of paper material. The dielectric dissipation factor is decreasing with
2

increasing frequency, usually having a minimum around 1-100 Hz. Especially at low
frequencies, the slope of the curves seems to be linear. As for other oil-paper insulations, the
temperature as well as the oil conductivity is influencing the dielectric response. Higher
temperatures and higher oil conductivities are shifting the curves towards higher frequencies
[7].
DF

1%@20C

1.000
0.500
3

0.200

0.100
0.050

1
0.020
0.010
0.005
0.001

Figure 1: Measurement of the dielectric

response on a current transformer

0.01

0.1

1.0

10.0

100

f/Hz

Figure 2: Dielectric response of paper at 20C

with 1% (2% and 3%) water content

3. ASSESSMENT OF THE DIELECTRIC RESPONSE

3.1 Qualitative Comparison
A measured dielectric response curve can be assessed using different methods. Like shown in
Figure 3 and Figure 4, a comparison between instrument transformers of the same type can
give information, whether the overall condition in the solid insulation is similar or if one of
them shows a stronger deterioration of the insulation. Typically the one with a worse
insulation condition shows a higher dissipation factor. Reason for a worse insulation
condition could be e.g. a defect sealing and resulting water ingress or a higher workload.
1
phase A
phase B
phase C
phase A-2

0,1

phase A

Dissipation Factor

Dissipation Factor

0,01

0,001
0,01

0,1

1
10
100
Frequency / Hz

1000

Figure 3: Dielectric response of four current

transformers of the same type

phase B
0,1

0,01

0,001
0,01

0,1

1
10
100
Frequency / Hz

1000

Figure 4: Dielectric response of two current

transformers of the same type

Figure 3 shows the dielectric response curves of four current transformers of the same type.
All of them were manufactured in 1963 and having nearly identical slopes, suggesting a
similar ageing behavior. The curve shape itself is very similar to the one of paper material
3

only (Figure 2). According to the analysis (chapter 3.2), the insulations have a water content
of 1.8 1.9% and an oil conductivity of 3 6 pS/m.
Figure 4 shows another example of two current transformers of the same type. They are
having different curve shapes. Like mentioned above, the curve with a higher DF is typically
in a worse condition, in this case it is having a water content of 2% in the solid insulation
according to the analysis. The other current transformer has a significant lower water content
of 0.6% in the solid insulation.
10
Dissipation Factor

new, 0.6% wc, Cratio=1.01

medium, 2.1% wc, Cratio=1.08
1

old, 3.0% wc, Cratio=1.35

old, 3,5% wc, Cratio=1.55

0,1

0,01

0,001
0,001

0,01

0,1

10

100

1000

10000

Frequency / Hz

Figure 5: Dielectric response of instrument transformers of different age and condition

The principle changes of the dielectric response curves due to ageing and/or moisture ingress
can be understood by comparing instrument transformers of different age and condition
(Figure 5). Newly manufactured and very dry instrument transformers have a very flat
response. Both, water content and ageing result in a steeper slope at lower frequencies.
However, the values for the dissipation factor at mains frequencies are in the same range as
for new ones. Only for the heavily aged and wet instrument transformer the dissipation factor
at mains frequency is significantly enhanced.
3.2 Moisture Determination
The moisture determination using the dielectric response curves is based on a comparison
between the measured curve and a modeled curve (Figure 6). The curve modeling is done
with help of a data base including material properties of cellulosic materials with different
water contents and temperatures. Using the so called XY-model [7], a dielectric response is
calculated under consideration of the insulation geometry, temperature, oil and moisture
content. A fitting algorithm aligns the modeled response of the data base to the measured
curve of the real insulation and automatically delivers the water content of the cellulose
material as well as the water saturation or the oil conductivity.
The used XY-model is developed to model the properties of oil-paper insulations, initially for
power transformers. The model takes into account the amount of barriers and spacers of the
insulation. Instrument transformers consist as well of a cylindrical insulation, similar to power
transformers. The main part of the insulation (70% - 90%) is consisting of paper, enwrapping
the inner conductor and therefore having similar behavior as barriers. Also oil gaps exist, as
between spacers of power transformer insulations. Therefore it is assumed, that the XY-model
can be applied to instrument transformers as well. However, the insulation of instrument
4

transformers is not as ideal cylindrical as power transformers. Therefore the uncertainty of the
assessment of the water content will be higher compared to power transformers. Several
measurements on instrument transformers were done and the analysis algorithm was able to
get a proper fitting and reasonable results, leading to the presumption that this approach is
adequate for the dielectric response analysis on instrument transformers.
Dissipation factor

Measurement

Data base
Temperature

Insulation geometry

XY-model

(Oil)

10
2,1% aged
1,2% aged
2,0% new
0,8% new

0,1

0,01

Comparison
moisture content,
(oil conductivity)

0,001
1E-04 0,001 0,01

Figure 6: Calculation of the water content

based on comparison of the measured
dielectric response to a modeled curve

0,1

10
100 1000
Frequency / Hz

Figure 7: Dissipation factor for new and aged

pressboard samples at 20C, having similar
water contents

Aging of cellulose and oil causes conductive byproducts as carboxylic acids. These acids are
deposited in the insulation and influence the resulting dielectric response. Figure 7 compares
the dissipation factor of aged material to that of new material at similar water contents. The
conductive ageing products have a similar effect as higher water contents. Accordingly, this
might lead to an overestimation of the water content. To avoid such an overestimation, the
analysis algorithm compensates for the influence of conductive aging byproducts, resulting in
a more reliable result for aged insulations.
3.3 Analysis of Dissipation Factor at Different Frequencies
Besides the water content the dielectric response delivers more valuable data. If single values
are needed, e.g. for an asset management software, information about the dissipation factor or
capacitance trend might be used. To visualize the general influence of water content and
10,00
DF at 10 mHz

DF at 50 Hz

0,100

0,010

0,001

1,00

0,10

0,01
0

water content in %

Figure 8: DF at 50 Hz and water content for

various instrument transformers of different
condition (temperature: 25C..30C)

water content in %

Figure 9: DF at 10 mHz and water content for

various instrument transformers of different
condition (temperature: 25C..30C)

ageing, the results of more than 30 instrument transformers of different types and designs
were analyzed. The condition varies from newly manufactured, medium aged in service, to
heavily aged and out of service. Unfortunately no direct quantification for ageing is possible
without dismantling. For measuring the degree of polymerization a paper sampling would be
necessary. Since the water content in paper is increased during lifetime due to the hydrolysis,
it is used as an indicator for the insulation condition.
A typical measurement providing information about the insulation condition of high voltage
assets is the dissipation factor measurement at mains frequency. For all investigated
instrument transformers, the dissipation factor at 50 Hz is shown in Figure 8. This value tends
to increase for higher moisture contents in the solid insulation and is strongly influenced by
the insulation temperature. However, the dissipation factor at 50 Hz is having very similar
values (0.002 0.004) for dry insulations and insulations with a water content up to about
3%. This is reasonable, since the slope of the dissipation factor has the smallest steepness and
its minimum around mains frequencies. A high measured dissipation factor of more than 0.01
would therefore indicate a high water content, what is usually a sign for bad insulation
condition.
The dielectric response enables to analyze also lower frequencies, e.g. the dissipation factor at
10 mHz. This value also tends to increase with increasing water content in the solid insulation
(Figure 9). As it can be seen in Figure 5 as well, water content and ageing is increasing the
slope of the dissipation factor curve leading to wider range of the values at 10 mHz.
3.4 Analysis of Capacitance Trend
An ideal insulation has a frequency independent capacitance. However, the capacitance of a
real insulation is slightly increasing towards low frequencies (Figure 10). This trend is more
pronounced for aged insulations compared to new ones. The capacitance trend can be
visualized in the ratio of the capacitances, e.g. at 10 mHz and 50 Hz (Figure 11). This value is
independent of capacitance and insulation temperature. A clear tendency can be observed, that
the ratio is increasing with increasing water content (wc). This finding suggests the
capacitance ratio as a good value, which can be used for assessment decisions.

1,0

0,1
0,001

0,1
10
Frequency / Hz

1000

new, 0.6% wc, Cratio=1.01

medium, 2.1% wc, Cratio=1.08
old, 3.0% wc, Cratio=1.35
old, 3,5% wc, Cratio=1.55

Figure 10: Frequency dependent capacitances

of various instrument transformers depending
on frequency

C10 mHz / C50 Hz

C in nF

1,6

1,4

1,2

1,0
0

water content in %

Figure 11: Ratio of capacitance values between

10 mHz and 50 Hz for investigated instrument
transformers

4. FIELD EXPERIENCES USING DIELECTRIC RESPONSE ANALYSIS

TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) is the largest utility in Malaysia. After a series of instrument
transformer failures it was looking for a new method for condition assessment. During a test
6

in 2009 it was using the dielectric response analysis for an instrument transformer, being out
of service for more than 5 years. This instrument transformer should replace a defective
component. Performing the normal test procedure according to established criteria, no
anomaly was noticed. However, due to the experiences of the past a dielectric response
analysis was done additionally. The dielectric response curve did not show anything critical at
50 Hz, but below 100 mHz and above 100 Hz significant deviations from the typical curves
were observed. The analysis showed that the insulation was moderately wet and the
instrument transformer was therefore dried before service.
The dielectric response analysis is now regularly done at TNB. Furthermore it is considered to
use the method also for other high voltage equipments.
5. CONCLUSION
The dielectric response analysis, typically used for power transformer can also be applied to
oil-paper insulated instrument transformers. The measurement of the dielectric properties over
a wide frequency range enables a detailed analysis of the insulation condition, amongst others
delivering information about ageing and water content:
A qualitative comparison between instrument transformers of the same type can easily
be used for identifying defect units.
Using the described algorithm it is possible to estimate the water content from the
dielectric response curve. The water content is typically a good indicator for ageing,
since the dominant ageing mechanism in the solid insulation is hydrolysis.
The dissipation factor at 50 Hz is typically increasing with increasing water content.
Also the dissipation factor at low frequencies, for example 10 mHz can be used. It is
also increasing with increasing water content.
There is a trend of an increasing capacitance at low frequencies. This trend is stronger
with increasing age and/or water content. A ratio, formed of capacitances between
10 mHz and 50 Hz, can visualize the increase.
The mentioned results of the dielectric response analysis provide single values, which might
be helpful for asset management or lifetime estimation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1]
[2]
[3]

[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

Cigr WG A3-06. "Tutorial on Reliability of High Voltage Equipment" (held during the
SC A3 High Voltage Equipment Symposium, Vienna, Austria, September 7, 2011)
Sokolov et al. Moisture Equilibrium and Moisture Migration within Transformer
Insulation Systems (Cigr Working Group A2.30, Technical Brochure 359, Paris 2008)
M. Koch, M. Krueger. A Fast and Reliable Dielectric Diagnostic Method to Determine
Moisture in Power Transformers (International Conference on Condition Monitoring
and Diagnosis CMD, Peking, China, 21 - 24 April 2008)
CIGR Study Committee A3. "State of the Art of Instrument Transformers" (Technical
Brochure 394, Paris, 2009)
S. M. Gubanski, et al. Dielectric Response Diagnoses for Transformer Windings
(CIGR Task Force D1.1.14, Technical Brochure 414, Paris, 2010)
M. Koch, M. Krueger, M. Puetter. "Advanced Insulation Diagnostic by Dielectric
Spectroscopy" (TechCon Asia Pacific, Sydney, Australia, May 2009)
M. Koch. "Reliable Moisture Determination in Power Transformers (PhD thesis,
Institute of Energy Transmission and High Voltage Engineering, University of Stuttgart,
Sierke Verlag Gttingen, Germany, 2008)

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