P R A CTICING DGA The Key to Transformer Management

DGA GASES DIAGNOSIS

DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS
Gas CARBON DIOXIDE Gas ETHYLENE Gas ACETYLENE CIGRE SC15 BASIC GAS RATIOS (IEC 60599-1999) IEC 60599 (1999-03 Annex B.2 Basic Gas Ratios)
(DGA) is the single most comprehensive asset condition assessment CO2 C 2H 4 C 2H2
Formula Formula Formula New Guidelines for Interpretation of Dissoved Gas Analysis in Oil-Filled Transformers, (ELECTRA No. 186 October 1999)
and management tool for oil-filled transformers. DGA offers C 2H2/C 2H4 CH4/H2 C 2H4/C 2H6
SUGGESTED
FAULT TYPE
advanced detection of incipient fault conditions leading to almost
VALUE
all of the failure modes listed below. Structure Structure Structure NAME RATIO INDICATION
SIGNIFICANCE
Partial
NS1 <0.1 <0.2 Discharge
Molecular Weight 44.010 Molecular Weight 28.054 Molecular Weight 26.038 (PD)
��
�� Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 1:1.17 Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 1:1.76 Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 1:1.22
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KEY RATIO #1 C2H2 /C24 >1 Discharge
Discharge of

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Lightning Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 1:1.02 Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 1:1.47 Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 1.08:1 >1.0 0.1 - 0.5 >1.0 low energy

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Through Faults (D1)
�� Temperature at which Temperature at which Temperature at which

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��� �� Insulation Deterioration Gas forms significant 105˚ - 300˚C Gas forms significant 300˚ - 700˚C Gas forms significant >700˚C
KEY RATIO #2 Discharge of

Inadequate Maintenance amount amount amount H2 /CH4 >10 Partial Discharge
��� 0.6 - 2.5 0.1 - 1.0 >2.0 high energy

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Moisture Normal aging (accelerated (D2)

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��� Loose Connections by amount of O2-in-oil Very hot spot;
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& H2O-in-paper); thermal low- energy discharge

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Workmanship High-temperature Graphical Representation Applicable to IEEE PC57.104 D11d Rogers Ratios
��� Source of Gas fault involving cellulose Source of Gas Source of Gas (spitting from Thermal fault,
thermal fault KEY RATIO #3 C2H4 /C2H6 >1 Thermal Fault in Oil

Overloading (paper, pressboard, wood floating part); high- NS1 >1.0 <1.0
<300ºC (T1)
All Others blocks); accumulation energy discharge (arc) ROGERS RATIOS (IEEE PC57.104 D11d)
from oil oxidation
>10 indicates overheating Thermal fault, Ratio 2 Ratio 1 Ratio 3 SUGGESTED
Chart Source: William H. Bartley, P.E.
of cellulose <3 indicates Cellulosic <0.1 >1.0 1.0 - 4.0 <300ºC – FAULT TYPE
The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. Gas ETHANE KEY RATIO #4 CO2 /CO <700ºC (T2) C2H2/C2H4 CH4/H2 C2H4/C2H6
degradation of cellulose Degradation
������������������������������������������������ by electrical fault <0.01 <0.1 <1.0 Case 0: Normal
Formula C 2H 6

>2 (>30 ppm) indicates Thermal fault, Case 1: Discharge

<0.2 >1.0 >4.0 ≥1.0 ≥0.1, <0.5 ≥1.0

METHODS
diffusion from OLTC In Tank Load >700ºC (T3) of low energy
��������� KEY RATIO #5 C2H2 /H2

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Structure or through a common Tap Changer
conservator Case 2: Discharge
1
Non-significant regardless of value ≥.0.6, <3.0 ≥0.1, <1.0 ≥2.0 of high energy

Molecular Weight 30.069 Case 3: Thermal fault,

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<0.01 ≥1.0 <1.0

low temp <300ºC
OIL COLLECTION
Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 1:2.59 INDICATION / FAULT GAS H2 CO CO2 CH 4 C2H2 C2H4 C2H6 O2 H 2O
Manual Collection - A small volume of oil is collected for laboratory Case 4: Thermal fault,

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Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 1:2.09 <0.1 ≥1.0 ≥1.0, <4.0 <700ºC
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analysis and transferred into a gas-tight container from a dedicated Cellulose aging
Temperature at
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fitting and then transported to the laboratory. ASTM method D3613 Case 5: Thermal fault,
which Gas forms 200˚ - 400˚C <0.2 ≥1.0 ≥4.0 >700ºC

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details procedures for oil sample handling. significant amount

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Low & medium
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On-Line Collection - In the case of On-Line Transfomer Monitors Source of Gas temperature
Mineral oil decomposition DUVAL TRIANGLE (IEC 60599-1999-03 Annex B.3)
a small volume of oil is continuously circulated through the monitor thermal faults
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and then returned to the transformer. The circulating oil is sampled
Leaks in oil expansion systems,
and analyzed for gas content. On-Line Monitors offer a closed-loop Gas HYDROGEN gaskets, welds, etc.
repeatable oil collection process. Formula H2

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Structure Thermal faults – Cellulose
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GAS EXTRACTION �������������� Molecular Weight 2.016

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Dissolved gases are present in transformer oil at concentrations from Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 17.92:1 Thermal faults in Oil
@ 150°C - 300°C
TRACE
less than 1 part-per-million (ppm) up to a few percent of oil volume. Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 13.51:1
ASTM method D3612 specifies three ways to separate the relatively

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ANALYSIS <150˚C for “cold
small amount of dissolved gases from the oil. Temperature at plasma” ionization; Thermal faults in Oil
ASTM method D3612 and IEC 60567, specifies gas chromatography (GC) as the analysis method. which Gas forms (corona in oil) @ 300°C - 700°C
TRACE
METHOD A – Introduce the oil sample into a pre-evacuated known The GC results are calibrated to known gas standards and normalized to standard temperature and significant amount >250˚C for thermal
& electrical faults

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volume. The evolved gases are compressed to atmospheric pressure pressure levels so that data obtained under different conditions may be compared meaningfully.
Partial-discharge; Thermal faults in Oil
and the total volume measured. The gases are then analyzed by gas Gas chromatography separates each gas from the others and directly measures their concentrations thermal faults; power @ >700°C
chromatography. individually. When recorded over time, the resulting detector signal is called a chromatogram. Source of Gas discharges; rust, galva-
nized parts; stainless

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METHOD B – Sparging the oil with a carrier gas on a stripper column steel; sunlight This method uses three ratios to locate the point within the triangle.
containing a high surface area bead. The gases are then flushed Partial Discharge TRACE
%CH4 = (CH4/CH4 +C 2H4 +C 2H2) x 100
from the stripper column into a gas chromatograph for analysis. Gas CARBON MONOXIDE Gas METHANE Gas OXYGEN
%C 2H4 = (C 2H4/CH4 +C 2H4 +C 2H2) x 100

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METHOD C – Bring an oil sample in contact with a gas phase Formula CO Formula CH4 Formula O2
Arcing %C 2H2 = (C 2H2/CH4 +C 2H4 +C 2H2) x 100
(headspace) in a closed vessel purged with argon. The dissolved
Sections within the triangle designate:
gases contained in the oil are then equilibrated in the two phases in
Structure Structure Structure
contact under controlled conditions (in accordance with Henry’s law). Guidelines for surveillance N <100 N <350 N <120 N <2 N <50 N <65 Zone INDICATION
range1 for Type 1 transformers C 100 - 700 C 350 - 570 C 120 - 400 C2-5 C 50 - 100 C 65 - 100
At equilibrium, the headspace is over pressurized with argon and the (IEEE PC57.104 D11d) W >700 W >570 W >400 W >5 W >100 W >100 T1 Thermal fault ≤300˚C
content of a loop is filled by the depressurization of the headspace Molecular Weight 28.010 Molecular Weight 16.043 Molecular Weight 31.999 T2 Thermal fault >300˚C, ≤700˚C
ppm for Normal (N), Caution (C), Warning (W) – alarm thresholds
1

against the ambient atmospheric pressure. The gases contained in Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 7.52:1 Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 2.28:1 Solubility in Oil @ 25˚C 5.59:1 T3 Thermal fault >700˚C
the loop are then introduced into a gas chromatograph. Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 8.33:1 Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 2.27:1 Solubility in Oil @ 100˚C 5.88:1 D1 Discharges of low-energy
KEY GAS METHOD (IEEE PC57.104 D11d) TDCG METHOD (IEEE PC57.104 D11d)
105˚ - 300˚C D2 Discharges of high-energy
Temperature at which Temperature at which Temperature at which
(complete decomposi- Following drop in oil SUGGESTED OPERATOR
Gas forms significant Gas forms significant 150˚ - 300˚ C Gas forms significant TYPICAL PROPORTIONS OF GENERATED DT Combination of thermal faults and discharges
tion & carbonization temperature (vacuum) KEY GAS FAULT TYPE GUIDELINES
amount amount amount COMBUSTIBLE GASES SURVEILLANCE TDCG DAILY RATE
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES GOVERNING occurs > 300˚C)
RANGE LEVEL IN PPM OF CHANGE1 PD Partial discharge
DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS SAMPLING OPERATING
Thermal fault involving Exposure to atmosphere
Partial-discharge; low INTERVAL PROCEDURE
REFERENCE DESCRIPTION cellulose (paper, press- (air); leaky gasket (under Mainly C2H4
Source of Gas Source of Gas & medium temperature Source of Gas
board, wood blocks); vacuum); air-breathing C 2H4 Thermal oil Smaller proportions of C2H6, CH4, and H2 C 2H 2 /H 2 RATIO (IEC 60599-1999)
IEEE Std. C57.104.1991 IEEE Guide for the Interpretation of Gases Generated thermal faults Continue normal
slowly from oil oxidation conservator; leaky bladder Traces of C2H2 at very high fault temperatures <0.3% Normal
in Oil Immersed Transformers operation OLTC’s (On-Load Tap Changers) produce gases corresponding to discharges
Normal <700 of low energy. The pattern of oil decomposition in the OLTC differs from the
IEEE PC57.104 Draft 11d Draft Guide for the Interpretation of Gases in Oil
Mainly CO Caution: Check pattern of oil decomposition in the main tank resulting from low energy
Immersed Transformers ≥0.3%, ≤0.5% Monthly
load dependence discharges. If oil or gas contamination (communication) exists between the
Thermal oil Much smaller quantities of hydrocarbon OLTC and the main tank, an incorrect diagnosis of the main tank may result.
IEEE Std. C57.12.80-2002 Terminology for Power and Distribution Transformers CO
and cellulose gases in same proportions as thermal faults
IEC 60599-1999 Mineral Oil Impregnated Electrical Equipment in ���������������������������������� in oil alone. >0.5%, ≤3% Monthly
Caution: Check
PARTITIONING A C2H2 /H2 ratio ≥3.0 in the main tank indicates possible OLTC contamination.
Service: Guide to the Interpretation of Dissolved and 700 to load dependence;
Free Gas Analysis Caution ≥3%, <7% Weekly
����� 1,900 advise manufacturer
Each gas has a temperature-dependent affinity (solubility) for the Electrical Low Mainly H2 or insurer
IEC 60599-1999-03 Reference to Duval Triangle Diagnostic Model and >7% Daily IEEE PC57.104 D11d
oil; the hydrocarbon gases such as methane and ethane are more H2 Energy Partial Small quantities of CH4
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C2H2 /H2 Ratio Interpretation
Discarge Traces of C2H4 and C2H6 VALUE
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strongly dissolved in oil while fixed gases such as hydrogen or Extreme caution: NAME RATIO INDICATION
<7% Weekly SIGNIFICANCE
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES GOVERNING ��������������
���� ��������� nitrogen are less strongly dissolved. As temperatures increase, the Plan outage; advise
GAS EXTRACTION FROM OIL Warning >1,900 <3 Excessive
manufacturer or CO2 vs. CO Thermal Cellulosic
������� fixed gases are more strongly dissolved while the hydrocarbon gases Mainly H2 and C2H2 CO2 /CO >7 - <10 Normal
REFERENCE DESCRIPTION Electrical High >7% Daily insurer Ratio Degradation
H2 & C 2H2 Minor traces of CH4, C2H4, and C2H6 >10 Excessive
are less strongly dissolved. Energy (arcing)
ASTM D2945-90 (2003) Standard Test Method for Gas Content of Insulating Oils Also CO if cellulose is involved
������ 1
2% of change from initial sample, per day Note: Ratio valid when levels exceed minimums: CO >500 ppm; CO2 >5,000 ppm
ASTM D3305-95 (1999) Standard Practice for Sampling Small Gas Volume in
���� ��������������� The process of reaching equilibrium is called partitioning, and the
a Transformer
�������� final gas-to-oil concentration ratio is called the solubility coefficient.
ASTM D3612-2002 Standard Test Method for Analysis of Gases Dissolved
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This ratio must be known accurately at the temperature of the oil
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in Electrical Insulating Oil by Gas Chromatography

ASTM D3613-1998 Standard practice for sampling Insulating Liquids for sample undergoing analysis. Once the gases are analyzed by gas
Gas Analysis and determination of Water Content ���� chromatography the original gas-in-oil concentrations are calculated

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ASTM D2759-2000 Standard Practice for Sampling Gas from a Transformer � �� �� �� �� ���
under Positive Pressure
from the gas solubility coefficients in the table to the left.
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