Publication No. 317 Editors M. Vijayakumaran, V.K. Lakhiani, V.K. Kanjlia, P.P. Wahi CENTRAL BOARD OF IRRIGATION & POWER Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 April 2013380 Manual on Transformers 7.2 Sprinkler and Hydrant System This system is similar to the mulsifire system but water in this ease is sprayed on the transformer body at lower pressure, Hence the name sprinkler. This system is normally not capable of extinguishing large fire. For this reason, it is desirable to connect an alarm to the sprinkler system, Whenever the sprinkler operates an alarm is given to signal requirement of additional fire fighting arrangement. The auto-starting pump valves and alarm must be periodically checked. 7.3 Foam System This system is used to cut off the oxygen supply to the burning parts and thereby extinguish the fire. For this itis essential that the entire surface of the burning part or oil be covered with foam, ‘The system includes a foam compound chamber, which contains the compound. In the event of a fire, this compound comes in contact with water and air to form foam. This foam is then sprayed onto the burning parts. The compound chamber should be corrosion proof and the valves should be periodically tested to ensure their healthiness. 74 Nitrogen Injection System for Transformers /Reactors 10 MVA and above Nitrogen injection system shall be used to prevent the transformer explosion and possible fire, in the case of internal fault and as such acts as fire preventer. In certain cases, tank explosion cannot be prevented and transformer oil catches fire. In such cases and also in the event of fire by external causes, it shall act as firefighting system. In either way it shall protect the transformer and eliminate or minimize the post fire damages. Thus, System shall be suitable for protecting the transformer tank from explosion and also transformer, OLTC and cable box from fire. The system operation shall be automatic and also he made to operate with remote control from control box and manually from extinguishing cubicle in the event of power loss. 7.4.1.1 Operation On receipt of signals, e.g Differential protection parallel with Fire detector, Buchholz (surge) parallel with PRV and transformer/reactor isolation signals, a predetermined quantity of oil drain shall commence and simultaneously Nitrogen shall be injected at a pre-determined flow rate to create stirring action and to bring down temperature of top oil surface below ignition point and shall extinguish fire within shortest possible time, say, 30 seconds, Transformer Conservator Isolation Valve (TCIV) shall block oil passage and isolate conservator tank oil and shall prevent escalation of fire. System shall have following characteristics: + System shall operate in automatic, remote and manual mode in the event of power failure, + System shall have provision of testing on live transformers to ensure healthiness at all times, + System shall have interlock to ensure operation of system only after transformer electrical isolation to avoid nitrogen injection in energized transformer.Guidelines for Five Protection of Power Transformer 381 System shall have mechanical locking arrangement for nitrogen release system as well as oil drain to avoid unnecessary operation during maintenance and /or testing of the transformer and /or system. System shall have provision to monitor nitrogen injection pressure as well as cylinder pressure, Pressure monitoring switch for back-up protection for nitrogen release as redundancy to first signal of oil draining commencement for Nitrogen release shall preferably be provided System shall have individual mechanical release devices and provision for oil drain and nitrogen release to operate manually in case of operation DC supply failure, Nitrogen release scheme shall be designed in such a way that the nitrogen gas shall not enter the energised transformer/reactor tank even in case of passing/leakage of valve. Individual system component/equipment should preferably not have working voltage other than Station DC Voltage.AC-DC/DC-DC converter shall not be used for reliable operation, All outdoor panels / equipment shall be of IPSS protection class. Schematic diagram of typical Nitrogen Injection system, is shown in Fig.1 Figt382 Manual on Transformers Pipe layout of Nitrogen Injection system as suggested by Supplier of Nitrogen injection system shall be provided by transformer manufacturer typically shown in Fig.2 Fig.2 ‘© Major System components Nitrogen injection system shall broadly consist ofthe following components, However, all other components which are necessary for fast reliable and effective working of the fire protective system are also provided (a) Fire Extinguishing Cubicle (FEC) : shall be mounted 5-7 m away from transformer / reactor or placed next to the fire wall if fire wall exists. Cubicle shall be suitable for outdoor as well as indoor installation. It shall have hugged split doors fitted with high quality tamper proof lock. Cubicle shall contain nitrogen gas cylinder, mechanism for oil drain and nitrogen release with essential back up of pressure switch for operation alongwith control unit (b) Contro! box : shall be placed in the control room for monitoring system of operation, automatic control and remote operation. All individual components,instruments shall work on station DC supply. Following alarms, indications, switches, push buttons, audio signals etc. shall be provided : System on, Oil drain valve closed, Gas inlet valve closed, TCIV(see below) closed, OLTC oil surge relay trip, Oil drain valve open, Extinction in progress, Cylinder pressure low, Differentialfire detector, Buchholz relay /PRV / RPRR trip, Master relay of transformer / reactor trip, System out of service, Auto/ Manual /fo Gldetines for Fite Protection of Power Transformers 383 Off, Extinetion release on/off, Lamp test, Visual/ Audio alarm, Visual/ Audio alarm for DC supply fail, Fault in cable connecting fault: fire detector, differential relay, Buchholz relay, PRV / RPRR, transformer /reactor trip, TCIV alarm ete. (©) Transformer Conservator Isolation Valve : (TCIV) shall be fitted in the conservator pipe line, between conservator and Buchholz relay shall operate for isolating the conservator during abnormal flow of oil due to rupture / explosion of tank or bursting of bushing including tank depressurization during system operation. The valve will not isolate conservator during normal flow of oil during filtration or filling or refilling, locking plates shall be provided with handle for pad locking to ensure no movement of valve position during service and filter position. It shall have proximity switch for remote alarm and indication glass window for visual inspection similar to Buchholz. glass inspection window for physical checking of the status of valve. The TCIV shall be of the best quality as malfunctioning of TCIV could lead to serious consequence. The closing of TCLV means stoppage of breathing of transformerireactor. Fire survival cable connecting TCIV shall be terminated in transformer marshalling box. (@) Fire detectors : shall be specially designed to generate signals after sensing higher temperature (©) Piping : Heavy duty pipe connecting the transformer/reactor tank for oil drain, and for nitrogen injection shall be provided. Pipes connecting oil tank laid underground, shall be preferably be galvanized, medium duty. () Cables:Fire survival, copper cables (capable to withstand 750° C.),Fire Retardant Low Smoke (FRLS), copper cable of 12 core x 1.5 sq. mm and 4 core x 1.5 sq.mm size shall preferably. be used for interconnection. 1 Transformer/reactor manufacturer shall provide following provisions : (a) Oil drain opening with gate valves on transformer / reactor tank at upper portion at ~120 ‘mm from top cover. (b) Nitrogen injection openings with gate valves on transformer / reactor tank at bottom side of tank, (©) Flanges with dummy piece in conservator pipe between Buchholz relay and conservator tank for fixing TCIV (a) _ Fire detector brackets on transformer / reactor tank top cover,Pe 384 Manual om Transformers (e) Mounting support’ frame on tank side wall for signal box, 7.4.1.2 Technical particulars ‘Typical technical parameters of a Nitrogen injection system are as follows Fire extinction period from commencement of | 30 $(Max.) nitrogen injection “Total time duration to bring oil temperate | 30 minutes (Max) below ash point Fire detector’ (quartz bulb) beat sensing [141 dex.C femperature Transformer Conservator Isolation valve | 4017 min setting for normal operation (valve should not lose) to ensure no obstacle for transformer breathing “Transformer Conservator Isolation valve | 601/ min (Minimum) setting for operation during abnormal low fof ol. dae to rupture / explosion of tank or bursting of bushing oi drain during system operation Capacity oF irogen eylinder TO mv gas at pressure of 150 kg/em™ upto {60000 Titres oil capacity of transformer ‘reactor tank and 20-m gas at pressure ‘of 150. kuem above 60000 lites. oi ‘capacity of transformer / reactor tank Power supply ‘As per substation DC vollage For Control Box For Fite extinguishing cubicle for lighting _| 230V ACPo Guidelines for Fire Protection of Power Transformers 385 Information shall be provided to system equipment manufacturer in the following typical format Cusomer End User ‘Work Order Ne Tender NrPraject details ‘Quant Manufacturer SENG MVA Rating Vollage rat ‘il Gay in tank Trees Oil Qay in Conservator Lites Power Supply (Pltick Susan Coa om 0 Spy: 2200 —Tnnovl aww I aev [J one A.C. Supply available: Conteo oom L__] Marshatng box L__] single pase, 240V, 50 Hz ae i eee Come eet aoe ———s Seal oy Tp Decne p i cmapin— Noval ine en eae a ional No poem os fine I fee oUt Lene ey me Tip nav mayeyie tipi NNO INNO pal cba Noval fe poem fe = TNreatne omen 0 :Nemaly Os, NC:Namaly Co, PRR: apd om Ris Ry yftank fa ——— | be wt | oH 7 ; : es Buin Onn open: Ye] erence ma 3 ml ———————— Seaagee tottee nnor rus = Pw une EAC ROW WHEN ruMPswreH ore: un toni: New = Diss rT cet rem rag ee = een = ‘Aditonal information386 Manual on Transformers 7.8 Other Systems and Selection Various other systems are also available for fire fighting of transformers notable among them being: Carbon dioxide and clean gas agent system for indoor or enclosed installations. However imited experience of these systems exists. 8.0. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES RELEVANT TO TRANSFORMER FIRE PROTECTION : (a) IS: 10028 (Part II) (b) Tariff Advisory Committee (c) BS 5306 Part 4 (d) NFPA-IS (©) NFPAT0 (1) Central Electricity Authority, The Gazette of India, Extraordinary 2010 Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of transformer. Regulations for the electrical equipment of buildings, Carbon dioxide fire fighting systems. Water spray fixed systems. Fire protection of transformers and transformer vaults, Technical standards for constructions of sub stations and switchyards, Technical standards for construction of ‘Thermal Generating Stations, Safety provisions for electrical installations and apparatus of voltage exceeding 650 volts