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Vibration Analysis of Power Transformers

Conference Paper · January 2013

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 OF3-05

VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF POWER TRANSFORMERS

1* 1
M. Beltle and S. Tenbohlen
1
University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
*Email: michael.beltle@ieh.uni-stuttgart.de

Abstract: Power transformers are the equipment being critical for the availability of
electrical energy networks. Prevention of failures gains importance considering outage
time and resulting subsequent costs. Therefore permanent monitoring of power
transformer is used. This contribution discusses the abilities of long-term surveillance of
power transformers using vibration measurement. Initially, the physical background of
transformer vibrations is introduced. The origin of mechanical oscillations is explained
discussing voltage dependent magnetostriction and current driven magnetic forces. The
resulting correlation between electric excitation and mechanical oscillation defines the
frequency range of interest for vibrations. Long term measurements from a use case on a
step-up unit for several years are used for statistical analysis of vibrations. Correlations
are made connecting vibration frequencies with load current and temperature.

1 INTRODUCTION The orientation of the Weiss domains in step one

and three at the positive and negative maximum of
The surveillance of electric resources gains the magnetic flux density is the same. Hence, two
importance. E.g. in the European grid the increase maxima of material expansion appear during one
of renewable energies during the last years causes electrical period. The basic oscillation is doubled
operational states where gird sections reach electrical frequency. In European Network of
capacity limits. Additionally, many power Transmission System Operators for Electricity
transformers in service suffer from obsolescence. (ENTSOE), the 50 Hz electric frequency leads to
In this contribution long-term measurement and 100 Hz of mechanical basic oscillation.
evaluation of vibrations is discussed considering its
suitability for transformer monitoring. B
1.1 Physical origin of mechanical 1. N S N S N S
oscillations
Vibrations are caused by voltage-dependent and
load-dependent effects, which lead to oscillations
in mechanical structures of power transformers [1]. l l
S
N

2 2
1.1.1 Voltage-dependent vibrations 2.
N
S

The voltage-dependent vibration is originated by

magnetostriction leading to oscillations of the core
(e.g. lamination sheets). The Weiss domains in B
metal align themselves along the time-varying
magnetic main flux induced by applied voltage [2]. 3.
S N S N S N

Figure 1 illustrates the process. Weiss domains are

represented by elementary magnets. At step one
the magnetic flux density is at its maximum and
left-orientated. All Weiss domains are orientated
accordingly. The oscillating magnetic flux density
changes the Weiss domains orientation. They
follow the flux as shown in step two. Because
every Weiss domain covers a certain volume within
the material, its movement results in a changing
expansion of the entire metal. Periodically
expanding and tightening lamination sheets cause
mechanical vibration. In step three, all Weiss
domains are aligned along the flux density at its
opposite maximum to the right. The arising change
of length in one direction following the flux density
orientation is ΔL.
Figure 1: Deformation of ferromagnetic materials
caused by magnetic fields [3]
1.1.2 Current-dependent vibrations
At load condition, current-related effects
superimpose magnetostriction. Forces of the
alternating magnetic field take effect on current-
carrying windings leading to an oscillation with
doubled electrical frequency. Additionally, the
magnetic leakage flux increases with load, which
causes magnetostriction and hence vibrations in
leakage flux traps. The frequency spectrum of a

1816

transformer therefore consists of superimposed
frequencies originated by different mechanics.
An easy electric model for vibration characteristics
delivers the transformer’s simplified single-phase
equivalent circuit shown in Figure 2 [4].
Lσ Isec = Iload
Vprim
Vsec
LM
Figure 2: Simplified single-phase electrical circuit
of a transformer [3]
Lσ represents the inductivity caused by magnetic
stray flux. LM represents the inductivity of magnetic
main flux. Primary and secondary side are coupled
by an ideal transformer. With rising load the
voltage drop over LM decreases. Thus, magnetic
main flux decreases (according to law of
induction). It yields through core of the active part
and its complex mechanical structure. Because
magnetostriction is not linear [5], LM is also causing
harmonics. Accordingly, harmonics rise with
decreasing load. Stray flux directly depends on the
load. It is causing vibrations of windings and flux
shunts. Both influence mainly basic frequency.
Therefore basic frequency rises with load. The
influence of temperature is not included in this
consideration yet but will be proven important in
the following.
1.1.3 Frequency Spectrum of Vibrations
A transformer oscillates with double electric
frequency and superimposed harmonics.
Therefore, mechanical structures of active part and
tank lead to a spectrum containing harmonics of
significant amplitude up to approx. 1 kHz, see
Figure 3. The y-axis amplitude signal in mV has a
linear dependency (linear sensor sensitivity and
amplification) to the acceleration force in Newton.
300
250
amplitude / mV
200
150
100
50
0
0 200 400 600 800
frequency / Hz
Figure 3: Example spectrum from an outside tank
wall acceleration measurement of a 120 MVA step-
up transformer from the use-case
OF3-05
2 MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
Vibrations are usually measured on the outside
tank wall using accelerometers. Vibrations
originated within the transformer travel through oil
and couple into the transformer’s metal tank. Its
longitudinal component can be measured as
acceleration on tank. The method provides low
cost sensors and easy applicability. The main
disadvantage is the influence of the tank wall in the
signal path. Its influence is not determined yet.
Zload
Basic research using simple tank geometry
indicates the damping being little [5]. Evidence for
tank structures of power transformers showing the
same influence hasn’t been yielded yet. There are
on-going investigations for vibration measurements
directly in-oil [6]. For this, not acceleration is
measured but pressure changes in the fluid by the
help of piezoelectric effects. Sensor technology
applicable for transformers is being developed and
further measurements in- and outside tank will
enable determination of tank influences.
3 LONG TERM MEASUREMENT
3.1 Use Case
Vibrations are measured at a 120 MVA power
transformer using one acceleration sensor
positioned at the middle of the transformer tank
wall, see Figure 4. The system was installed in
2009 [3]. The transformer is an OFAF cooled
system operating only at cos ϕ=1 (it does not
contribute to reactive power compensation).
At times the transformer is online, vibration
recording is performed every 3 minutes with
sampling rate at 44.1 kHz. Signals are transformed
in frequency domain using Fast Fourier
Transformation (FFT). Because vibrations only
occur at defined frequencies with relatively sharp
peaks, see Figure 3, discrete frequencies (100 Hz
and harmonics) are considered at a frequency
band ± 5 Hz.
1000
Figure 4: Accelerometer sensor position outside
tank wall on a transformer positioned approx.
centred at the middle limb of the active part
1817

To be able to correlate vibrations and the
transformer condition, the load current (RMS
value) and the transformers top-oil temperature is
also constantly recorded.
The considered unit generator transformer is
connected to a small coal power station which is
not online permanently. Therefore, vibrations
analysis needs detailed examination. Start-up and
continuous operation has to be threatened
separately.
th
Figure 5 shows a start-up at the 18 of February
2013 and 5 days of service with changing load
currents. The entire signal power as well as its
composition of harmonics is displayed (including
other frequencies, e.g. noise). For vibration
evaluation, the start-up has to be threatened
separately to continuous operation because of
core remanence [7]. Remanence lasts for several
hours after start-up and changing oil temperature
both leading to a transient behaviour. Therefore,
only vibrations are taken into consideration
1000 minutes (~16.7 h) after start-up.
As Figure 5 illustrates, the entire signal power
depends on the load condition. Load changes lead
to an alternating behaviour of vibrations over time
which affirms the physical model. Comparing the
derivative of vibrations after load changes a
temperature correlation seems also possible. Also,
vibrations change significantly at times of constant
load current and only slightly changing
temperature. This could be caused by the tap-load
changer. To maintain the desired reactive factor
cos ϕ = 1, the tap load changer is switched.
Figure 5: Frequency components of vibrations
over time at changing load conditions. Left axis:
current (multiplication factor 20) in blue,
temperature in red. Right axis: signal power,
100 Hz (blue), 200 Hz (green), 300 Hz (black),
400 Hz (brown), 500 Hz (yellow), higher harmonics
(light grey) and other frequencies (dark grey). The
envelope represents the entire signal power
1818
OF3-05
3.2 Correlation between vibrations and
current
Measurement data is available from approx. two
and three quarter years of service (from 2010 until
March 2013). It is separated into to periods: before
and after June 2013. Reasons will be explained
later on, see chapter 3.4. The first period from
early 2010 until June 2012 represents a data base
of ~ 49.000 measurements of outside tank wall
acceleration (vibration), load current and top-oil
temperature. As Figure 5 indicates, the correlation
between vibrations and load current is a likely
approach. In this contribution, the position of the
tap load changer is not considered separately.
Therefore, rapid changes during constant load and
temperature are not included into the consideration
and result in a higher variance at the determined
correlations to current (and temperature in chapter
3.3).
In Figure 6 the amplitude (being proportional to the
acceleration) of the basic (100 Hz) component is
plotted vs. the load current. The main operational
states of nominal load at 600 A and partial load at
300 A become apparent. Although literature
describes basic frequency as main indicator for
mechanical surveillance [5], a correlation to the
load condition becomes not obvious:
Measurements taken at nominal load cover the full
amplitude range. At partial load, the average
amplitude is smaller but the variance is
considerable.
Figure 6: 100 Hz component of vibrations over
load (~ 49.000 measurements from 2010 to middle
of 2012)
The 300 Hz component shows largest absolute
amplitude (see Figure 5) and is therefore plotted
against load current, see Figure 7. Again,
correlation is not possible. In this case, the
average amplitude of partial and nominal load is
approx. the same with comparable variances.
Generally, the average amplitude is slightly smaller
at nominal load than partial load.

Figure 7: 300 Hz component of vibrations over
load (~ 49.000 measurements from 2010 to middle
of 2012)
An explanation could be provided by the different
sources of vibrations. At partial load harmonics,
mainly the 300 Hz, are dominant, see Figure 5 and
Figure 7. But additional influences at constant
nominal load do have an impact of the same
magnitude. Other frequencies not being plotted do
also show no obvious correlation to load current.
Therefore, an exclusive determination of load is not
sufficient. Temperature is considered in the next
approach.
3.3 Correlation between vibrations and
temperature
The dataset used for load correlation for basic
100 Hz is now plotted against the measured top-oil
temperature, see Figure 8. At first glance, a linear
coherence (quadratic if signal power is considered)
becomes apparent. Thus, the basic frequency in
this use case is mainly driven by the temperature
of the active part, not the load. It can also be
observed, that the variance is approx. constant
over the considered temperature range.
Figure 8: 100 Hz component of vibrations over
temperature (same dataset as current related
Figures before)
1819
OF3-05
In Figure 9 the 300 Hz and the 500 Hz component
is plotted over temperature. Like at current
depending correlation a definite correlation is not
obvious for 300 Hz. A slight rise can be observed
at temperatures above 42 °C. Also the 500 Hz
component does not show a distinct temperature
dependent behaviour. In comparison to 300 Hz, it
shows a slight decrease at temperatures above
42 °C.
Figure 9: 300 Hz and 500 Hz component of
vibrations vs. temperature
Figure 10 show temperature behaviour of 200 Hz,
nd th
400 Hz. Both, 2 and 4 harmonic show
nd
temperature dependencies. The 2 harmonic has
th
a V-shape with a minimum at approx. 20 °C. 4
harmonic has higher amplitude and constantly
decreases with load. Compared to basic frequency
the coherence is not as bold but observable
nevertheless. Higher harmonics than 500 Hz are
not considered due to small amplitudes
Figure 10: 200 Hz (green) and 400 Hz (brown)
components of vibrations vs. temperature
nd th
Amplitudes lie in between 2 and 4 harmonic.
The quality of the correlation to temperature
depends on the specific frequency. The basic
frequency is significant, higher harmonics do have
a weaker or no coherence at all.
 OF3-05

3.4 Changes of vibrations during service conclusion, the reported subjective increase of
noise cannot be drawn to the entire signal power.
Taking the previous observations into
Therefore, vibration components are considered
consideration, the 100 Hz component, if correlated
again starting with basic 100 Hz.
with top-oil temperature, is the most suited for long
term monitoring interests and is considered in the
following evaluation.

After two and a half years of service, the utility staff

reported an alternation in the noise emission of the
step-up unit. Changes were observed for the first
time is terminated at the end of June 2012. They
stated a considerable increase of noise. The
subjective report is determined using vibration
analysis.First of all, the entire signal power
(defined by the square of the measured voltage
signal) of vibrations in time domain is evaluated.
Figure 11 shows the signal power vs. the load
current. Colour indicates the time period the
measurement took place: Black marks all
measurements after June 2012. Again a large
variance can be observed but no correlation to
load. Also, comparison between the different
periods of time does not reveal any changes.
Amplitudes before and after June 2012 are within
the same magnitude. Yet it can be stated, that
amplitudes in the current range between 200 and
500 A are slightly higher after the end of June
2012. Nevertheless, a statistic statement is difficult
to achieve.
2
Figure 12: signal power (in V ) comparison vs.
temperature. Red: data in 2010, green: 2011, blue:
2012 until June, black data July 2012 until March
2013
Figure 13 shows the basic frequency vs.
temperature. The plots of 2010 (red), 2011 (green)
and 2012 data (blue until June) represent the
same data base and hence the same plot like
Figure 8. Compared to new data (black) the
differences to previous years become evident.
Over the entire temperature range new data shows
increased amplitudes of approx. 0.8 V, meaning
80 % higher acceleration on the outside tank wall.
Because some measurements of the basic
frequency do show amplitudes within the range
from previous years the variance of the basic
frequency increased. Therefore, an erroneous
offset in the measurement system is not
considered probable. Also, the constant overall
signal power (Figure 12) does not indicate
incorrect measurement.

2
Figure 11: signal power (in V ) comparison vs.
load current. Red: data in 2010, green: 2011, blue:
2012 until June, black data July 2012 until March
2013

Figure 12 shows the same measurements of the

signal power vs. top-oil temperature. The colouring
is the same as in the previous picture. Changes
between the different periods of time are hardly
apparent. At temperatures below 30 °C, signal
power was higher in previous years comparing
2010 measurements (red) and new measurements
(black). At higher temperatures, comparison
between available data from early 2012 (blue) and Figure 13: 100 Hz component comparison vs.
new data does not provide clear differences. In temperature. Red: data in 2010, green: 2011, blue:
comparison to the current dependent correlation, 2012 until June, black data July 2012 until March
temperature does not provide any advantage. In 2013

1820

rd
Figure 14 shows the same plot for the 3
harmonic. It represents the main contribution to the
signal power it looks similar to Figure 12.
An obvious change between the different periods
of time cannot be made. Other harmonics not
plotted show slight changes but no trend as the
basic frequency. The subjective noise variation
therefore does not affect the entire vibration signal
but only specific frequencies, namely 100 Hz.
Because the changes can be detected constantly
over the entire temperature range it seems
probable that this effect can be associated with the
mechanical structure of the active part. Further
examinations of the step-up unit are yet to come.
Figure 14: 300 Hz component comparison vs.
temperature. Red: data in 2010, green: 2011, blue:
2012 until June, black data July 2012 -March 2013
4 CONCLUSION
In theory, transformers’ vibrations should mainly
depend on the actual load condition and the
voltage. Long term measurements at a 120 MVA
step-up unit with over 49.000 measurements taken
in two and a half years indicate this model as being
too simple. Comparison between basic mechanical
frequency (100 Hz for 50 ) and load condition of
the setup-up unit do not yield direct correlation.
Load changes do provoke vibration changes but
superimposing effects which occur also at constant
load act in the same magnitude range. Hence,
statistical evaluation over the entire load range is
improper for the use case.
However, the correlation with measured top-oil
temperature represents a more promising
approach. Depending on the frequency component
coherence can be made. Namely the amplitude of
the basic frequency, which is considered to
depend closely on the mechanic condition of the
active part, provides a linear dependency. Long
term measurements of the presented use case
show this dependency being constant for about
two and a half years. Therefore, statistical validity
is considered confirmed. The reported changes in
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OF3-05
the noise emission after two and a half years of
service can be associated to the basic frequency
whereas the entire signal power is not affected.
Because changes do affect the entire temperature
range a correlation to the mechanical condition of
the active part is likely. Further investigations will
have to provide proof.
5 OUTLOOK
Statistical evaluation has to be extended to more
transformers in service including a differentiation
between transformer types. So far, vibrations
measurements are only taken outside tank-wall.
The actual influence of the tank on vibrations in
unknown yet. Therefore, future investigations have
to define the model of the signal path more explicit
including the transformer tank wall. In-oil
measurement using pressure-sensitive sensors are
one promising approach but still have to be proven
to work for real transformers and tank walls. For
the presented use case investigations of the
changes in the 100 Hz range has to be evaluated
with further methods.
REFERENCES
[1] B. Weiser, H. Pfützner and J. Anger,
„Relevance of Magnetostriction and Forces for
the Generation of Audible Noises of
Transformer Cores,“ in IEEE Transactions on
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[2] T. Hilgert, L. Vandevelde and J. Melkebeek,
Comparison of Magnetostriction Models for Use
in Calculations of Vibrations in Magnetic Cores,
IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Voll 44, No.
6, 2008.
[3] M. Beltle, S. Tenbohlen, „Usability of Vibration
Measurement for Power Transformer Diagnosis
and Monitoring,“ in CMD, Bali, Indonesia, 2012.
[4] M. Beltle, S. Tenbohlen, „Investigations on
Vibrations of Power Transformers,“ in ISH,
Hannover, 2011.
[5] B. García, J. Burgo, and Á. Alonso,
„Transformer Tank Vibration Modeling as a
Methodof Detecting Winding Deformations—
Part I:Theoretical Foundation,“ IEEE
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[6] M. Beltle, M. Siegel, S. Tenbohlen, „Analysis of
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[7] R. Küchler, Die Transformatoren, 2. Auflage,
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[8] M. Beltle, S. Tenbohlen, „Determination of
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Diagnosis and Monitoring,“ in Diagnostik
Elektrischer Betriebsmittel, Fulda, 15-16
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