21, rue d’Artois, F-75008 PARIS A2 – 201 CIGRE 2018

http : //www.cigre.org

Development of Power Transformer Defect Location Detection Technology

using UHF Partial Discharge Monitoring System

B. W. Min*, J. B. Lee, C. H. Cho, J. S. Park

Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems Co., Ltd.
Republic of KOREA

SUMMARY

Partial discharge (PD) is the most important condition monitoring item of a power transformer.
Since partial discharge is closely related to the condition of an insulation system, it should be
monitored accurately with high reliability in order to prevent failure and maintain normal condition.
In this study, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) measurement is chosen for the method of detecting the
electromagnetic waves radiated by partial discharge. Using the UHF method, accurate and reliable PD
monitoring system for power transformers has been developed.
The UHF method has many advantages compared to conventional PD detection methods. Since the
UHF method detects signals in UHF band (0.3 GHz ~ 3.0 GHz) and UHF sensors are mounted on tank
walls which act as faraday cages, it is robust against external noise unlike the conventional PD
detection methods.
To detect the PD signatures, phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) and phase resolved pulse signal
(PRPS) method were used. These two methods allow us to analyse a mechanism of a phenomenon
through its patterns. Then, PD sources were localized using FDTD technique which is a newly
developed accurate method introduced in the CIGRE 2016 [2]. The FDTD technique utilizes time-
difference look-up table, which is a map of arrival time from PD sources to each sensor. Since the EM
wave propagation is strongly influenced by core, winding, and so on, such factors should be
considered in order to accurately localize the PD sources. That’s why a map of time delay is used for
PD localization in the FDTD technique. Using FDTD technique, to reflect the time-delay by the inside
structures of the transformer, the time-differences arriving at the UHF sensors located on different
positions is simulated. Then, direct comparison between the measured and simulated values was
performed for PD source localization. The results show small localization error (less than 371 mm
with experiment configuration as presented in CIGRE 2016).
To enhance the measurement flexibility and convenience, both online and portable PD measurement
systems were developed. To evaluate the performance of the system, the system was tested on both the
in-factory transformer and on-site transformer. Through the field application test, the developed UHF
measurement system has been proved to be accurate and applicable in the field.

KEYWORDS

Partial Discharge(PD), Power Transformers, UHF, PD Location , Online Monitoring System

Min.byoungwoon@hyundai-electric.com
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I. INTRODUCTION

As the electric power consumption increases and the miniaturization of a power transformer is being
demanded, the capacity of one power transformer unit is being increased along with the operation
voltage. In this sense, a problem occurring in a transformer may cause more serious problems in the
power system as well as the consumers. In addition, increase in the operation voltage and reduction in
volume of a transformer increase the risk of problems related to insulation performance. As a result, it
is becoming increasingly important to monitor the transformer to prevent insulation failures. Most of
the electrical equipment generate partial discharge in the process of insulation deterioration before a
failure occurs. Accordingly, the analysis of the size / frequency / pattern of the partial discharge signal
may provide a basis for preventing the insulation failures of the electrical equipment and determining
the insulation lifetime.
The power transformer is a complex insulation device composed of solid insulation by pressboard
and insulating paper and liquid insulation by mineral oil. If the solid insulation is deteriorated or
impurities like moisture gets in the insulation oil, the insulation performance is degraded. At this time,
a partial discharge occurs when an inception voltage is generated due to a degraded insulation
performance. Methods for partial discharge detection of transformers include dissolved gas analysis
method, ultrasonic measurement method and current/voltage measurement method. It is impossible to
have accurate analysis results with dissolved gas analysis method, because gas can be generated by
various phenomena other than partial discharge. The ultrasonic measurement method has problems
that the signal generated deep inside a transformer can not be detected due to a sensitivity problem.
The current measurement method is vulnerable to ambient noise. The voltage measurement method
using the bushing tap is difficult to measure the partial discharge due to the limitation of the
surrounding environment and possibility of failure. Therefore, the UHF measuring method is being
studied. It is less influenced by ambient noise and environmental limitations. Also, this method can
analyze the type and location of defects as well as the detecting the defects in a power transformer.
In this paper, development of UHF partial discharge monitoring system that measures partial
discharge of a power transformer operating in the field is dealt. To evaluate the performance of the
system, it was tested on both the in-factory transformer and on-site transformer.

II. UHF PARTIAL DISCHARGE MONITORING SYSTEM

1. Monitoring System

The monitoring system monitors the partial discharge signal using four different types of real-time
sensors including flange and drain valve UHF sensors, high frequency current transformer(HFCT) and
external UHF sensor. This system is capable of measuring the partial discharge based on the operation
voltage of a transformer and determining the type and location of the fault when a partial discharge
event occurs. In addition, to enhance the measurement flexibility and convenience, both online and
portable PD measurement systems were developed.

2. System Configuration

Fig. 1 shows the configuration of the UHF partial discharge monitoring system. The system consists
of three parts. First, sensor part has 4 types of sensors which are installed directly to a transformer for
partial discharge measurement. Secondly, DAS (Data Acquisition System) parts acquire signals from

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sensors and eliminate noise. Finally, a diagnosis system part judges the cause of an insulation defect of
a transformer and the defect location by receiving information from DAS.

Fig. 1 System Configuration Diagram

The specifications of monitoring sensors are given in table 1. Drain value type UHF sensor and Man
hole type UHF sensor measure partial discharge inside a transformer. Since drain valve type UHF sens
or can be installed at the drain valve of an operating transformer, it is capable of measuring partial
discharge of a transformer without any structral change. Manhole type UHF sensor can be installed at
the manhole of a transformer. It can be used not only in monitoring partial discharge but also in
estimating defect position. The external noise sensor is used to remove external noise entering through
the bushings and the other compents of a transformer. In addition, The HFCT mounted on the ground
wire can measure the dischrage single flowing from the earthing and cable side.
These measured partial discharge are converted to PRPS(Phase Reserved Pulse Signal) in accordanc
e with the voltage phase by DAS. While PRPS is being converted, ambient noise is removed through
the external noise sensor and noise filter. When signals are detected above the user-set threshold, DAS
generates an event signal and transmits the event data to the server. Server automatically determines
the 4 types of partial discharge defects(void, floating, corona, particle) and noise.
The diagnostic system constructs the data trend that can determine the insulation life using PPS(Pulse
Per Second), PD value, PD count and so on. It also presents the PRPD using the PRPS. Therefore, the
user can judge the cause of the insulation defect through this system.

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Table. 1 Sensor Specifications
Sensors Frequency Range
Drain Valve Type UHF Sensor 300MHz ~ 1.8GHz

Manhole Type UHF Sensor 300MHz ~ 1.8GHz

Noise Sensor 300MHz ~ 2GHz

HFCT Sensor 2MHz ~ 300MHz

3. Diagnosis System

The diagnostic system is configured so that the user is able to see through the PRPS/PRPD the real
time partial discharge signal transmitted from the DAS. The data of the partial discharge amount /
frequency transmitted from the DAS every 15 minutes is stored in a database to analyze the tendency
of the partial discharge.

Fig. 2 Diagnosis System

III. APPLICATION OF UHF PARTIAL DISCHARGE MONITORING SYSTEM

1. Partial Discharge Analysis Sequence

The performance of the developed system is verified through the partial discharge measurement and
source position estimation of a power transformer in factory and on-site. The developed system has
online and portable monitoring systems. The online monitoring system monitors a partial discharge of
a transformer on-site in real time and the portable system measures and analyzes a partial discharge
signal of a transformer in operation whenever a problem arises.

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 Fig. 3 shows the problem-solving algorithm of the system. The following cases are the results of the
test done on in-factory transformer and on-site transformer.

Fig. 3 Flow Chart of PD Analysis

2. Application of UHF PD System in a Factory Test

A. 3 Phase, 225kV, 150MVA Transformer

During the test of a transformer in factory, partial discharge was generated as shown in Fig. 4. In
order to estimate the position of the defect source, UHF sensors were installed in the lower drain valve,
the top man hole and the wall manhole to measure the partial discharge signal. Through the UHF
sensor installed in the top manhole, the UHF partial discharge monitoring system obtained a small
floating signal as shown in Fig. 5. It can be confirmed that the signal of the partial discharge signal is
more reduced even when the signal attenuation (-2dBm/m) in the insulation oil is taken into
consideration. The results showed that the defect position is at a lead wire wrapped in an insulation
paper. In this test, an insulation defect trace was found as shown in Fig. 6.[1]

B. 3 Phase, 500kV, 750MVA Transformer

During the factory test, as shown in Fig. 7, the partial discharge was measured from X2 and H2
bushing tap. The PRPD pattern is a typical bad contact signal, which is a signal disappearing at 90 °
and 270° (voltage maximum point) when 100% voltage is applied. The X2 signal is larger than the H2
signal. Therefore, it is presumed that the signal generation due to the bad contact around X2 bushing
was induced to the H2 side. In case of a bad contact, the signal becomes smaller when the voltage is
increased (because the phenomenon of electric conduction (bridge effect) occurs when the voltage is
increased). As the voltage increased from 100% to 150%, it was confirmed that the pattern of the bad
contact gradually disappears. Therefore, the defect source was presumed to be the bad contact and

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moisture on the X2 side. The UHF sensor was mounted on the drain valve near the expected position
of a partial discharge source, and the signal was measured and analyzed by synchronizing the voltage
with the X2 phase. As Fig. 8 shows, it was verified that the signal measurement of the UHF method is
effective. As a result of internal inspection, we found that the fastening condition of the bushing
terminal is somewhat loose, which is a factor leading to the bad contact.

Fig. 4 PRPD(IEC60270) Fig. 5 PRPS(Mobile UHF PD System)

Fig. 6 PD Defect

- X2 : Bushing Tap Signal

(100% - Bad Contact) (120% - Moisture) (150% - Moisture)

- H2 : Bushing Tap Signal

(100% - Bad Contact) (120% - None) (150% - None)

Fig. 7 Bushing Tap Signal(PRPD)

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 Fig. 8 Drain Valve UHF Sensor Signals (PRPD)

3. Application of UHF PD System On Site

A. 3 Phase, 13.8kV, 1.5MVA Transformer

Table. 2 shows DGA result of the operating transformer on-site. DGA result shows that fault type is a
typical partial discharge. This transformer was not equipped with on-line partial discharge monitoring
system. Therefore, the partial discharge was diagnosed with the developed portable UHF partial
discharge system. As shown in Fig. 9, the PRPD pattern is displayed as a particle in oil, and it was
judged to be a signal generated at the bottom of the transformer as a result of performing the position
estimation through the AE sensor. Finally, the transformer was disassembled and checked. It was
confirmed that metal particles are present under the transformer as shown in Fig. 10. This verification
confirmed the performance of a portable UHF PD system.

Table. 2 Dissolved key gas concentration (in PPM)

H2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2 CO CO2 Diagnosis
918 42 11 0.63 0 122 1021 PD

Fig. 9 PRPD Fig. 10 Metal Particle

B. 1 Phase, 800kV Transformer

Partial discharge detection was performed for a large capacity transformer operating in a power plant.
Fig. 11 shows the on-line UHF PD system equipped with two UHF sensors on drain valve and six
UHF sensors on manhole.
The result of PRPD analysis of the recorded partial discharge event showed a floating pattern. The
position of the partial discharge source was estimated by using the measured signal. As a result, the
position of the partial discharge source was found to be the connection part of the low voltage bushing.

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 Fig. 11 Mahole Type UHF Sensor and Drain Valve Type UHF Sensor

PD source is localized using FDTD technique which is an accurate method as already presented at
CIGRE 2016. FDTD technique uses time-difference look-up table, which is a map of arrival time from
PD source to each sensor. Since the EM wave propagation is strongly influenced by core, winding and
so on, such factors should be considered in order to accurately localize the PD sources. Using FDTD
technique, to reflect the time-delay by the inside structures of the transformer, the time-differences
arriving at the UHF sensors located on different positions is simulated. Then, direct comparison
between the measured and simulated values was performed for PD source localization. The results
show small localization error (less than 371 mm with experiment configuration as presented in CIGRE
2016). [2]
In Fig. 12, the flow of the time-difference look table method using FDTD technique to localize the
PD sources is summarized. Firstly, in order to make the time difference look-up table, FDTD
simulation is performed at the predefined PD locations, and then the simulated PD signals are recorded
by each sensor. From the recorded PD signals, time difference in arrival time with a reference sensor
is calculated. With the calculated time difference look-up table, the measurement data is compared
using root-mean-square-error (RMSE) method.

Fig. 12 Location of the partial discharge using FDTD technique

After repair, partial discharge (Floating) no longer occurred in the transformer. Fig. 13 shows the
difference between PRPD before and after the repair. The UHF Partial discharge monitoring system is
operating to continuously monitor the partial discharge of this power transformer unit.

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 Fig. 12 original PRPD and PRPD After repair

IV. CONCLUSION

In this study, partial discharge monitoring system using UHF method was developed. Moreover, in
order to enhance the measurement flexibility and convenience, functions for online and portable PD
measurement were integrated. To evaluate the performance of the system, tests were performed in a
test laboratory in a factory and site with transformer in operation. Through the field tests, the
developed UHF PD monitoring system has been proved to be accurate and applicable in the field.
Additionally, the integration of the system with other PD monitoring systems such as AE, HFCT, H2
and so on has been implemented along with the commercialization.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] S. Tenbohlen, "Partial Discharge Measurement in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Range",
IEEE 2008
[2] W. H. Choi, “Denoising of UHF Signals based on RBPF and the Localization of PD Sources
using FDTD Method in Power Transformer”, CIGRE 2016, A2-105, 2016