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Abstract. In a power network installed transformers are among the most expensive equipment.
Outage of a transformer causes substantial financial loss not only due to the cost involved in
repair or replacement, but also due to loss of revenue until corrective action is taken. To avoid
the financial and reliability loss in the past two decades the monitoring of in-service transformer
health has become obligatory for the utilities. The tests that were earlier done were to assess the
dame of permanent nature. However, it has been known for quite some time that system
abnormalities, switching. Loading, ambient conditions contribute to accelerated aging that
results in sudden failure or incipient faults. Monitoring the condition of in-service equipment can
always reduce failure risk. For early detection of fault dissolved gas analysis, furan analysis and
degree of polymerization are the recent techniques that are becoming prevalent. A real-time
assessment of the transformer condition using these techniques is an important tool for enhancing
system reliability.
Index Terms— Power Transformer, Sweep Frequency Response Analysis (SFRA), degree of
polymerization (DP), Furan analysis.
1. Introduction
Transformer manufacturers have keen interest in the available best practices for the design and users are
keen that the transformer is effectively managed throughout its life, giving good performance, there are
no costly outrages, operating losses are minimum, so that there is a respectable return on investment and
considerable revenue generated from the costly asset. A considerable amount of the initial cost of power
system is spent on a transformer and it is critical component from the reliability point of view. The
expected life of the transformer is totally dependent on the life of its insulation. The operating conditions
and climatic factors have a considerable impact on the life of a transformer irrespective of how well it
is designed for normal operation. As the load increases on an installed transformer its insulation degrades
substantially. This degradation needs a regular assessment of the health of the transformer. In-order to
increase the life expectancy of a transformer that has a compromised condition of its insulation dr-rating
of the transformer is a general practice. The failure of power transformers could be due to the asymmetry
caused due to tap-changer, imbalanced electromagnetic forces in winding, core heating, bushing failure.
Chemical, electrical, mechanical, optical and thermal diagnostic methods have been developed and are
available for assessment of the transformer condition. Large rating power transformers can be made
available and reliable through indexing of the operating condition so as to take the additional risk [1].
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
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Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd 1
3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
life of the transformer is equal to the life of its insulation; this is in turn depends upon the electrical
integrity and mechanical strength of the insulation. The degradation of the insulation is due to one or
more of these three reasons: namely thermal, oxidative and hydrolytic degradation. The life of the paper
used in the transformer insulation decides upon the age and life of the transformer [4]. Electromagnetic
forces during operation, chemical reactions due to temperature increase, stresses due to voltage levels
and contamination of oil or solid particle during manufacturing process are some of the prominent
reasons that come under the ageing mechanisms.
Figure 1: Failure statistics for large transformers in service between 15 and 25year [5].
Failure statistics for large transformers is shown in figure 1 shows that the large magnitude of
electromagnetic forces during short-circuit faults cause 35% failures, insulation contamination cause
30% failure. 53% failures are due to mechanical reasons and 31% due to dielectric failure. Another
survey conducted on the reasons for failure of large power transformers by CIGRE working group as
shown in figure 2, concluded that 41% of the failures are caused due to on-load tap changers (OLTC),
19% are due to windings. For transformers that do not have OLTC; 33.3 % failure are at the terminals,
26.6 % failure at the windings, 11% due to accessories, 6.4 % due to the magnetic circuit, and the rest
due to miscellaneous reasons.
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
The frequency band for probable fault for diagnosis of power transformer faults is give in table 1.
400kHz - 2MHz Movement of main and tap winding leads, axial shift
The SFRA is a major advancement in the field of condition monitoring of a transformer. It is not only
an accurate method but also reliable on account of repeatable measurements. To carry out the condition
assessment, first the initial record is obtained and stored, this is referred to as the initial signature, and
is used for future reference when comparison is to be done. From the maintenance view point the test is
carried out once in two years; the comparison with the initial signature is done for condition monitoring
purpose. In event of a major external short-circuit, in the vicinity of the transformer the test is carried
out immediately. The test is carried out even after transportation or re-location, and in event of an
earthquake.
5. Furan analysis
The condition of paper insulation in a transformer that has been in operation for a while can be
assessed by analysis of furanic compound. In the presence of transformer mineral oil, the chain scission
of cellulosic insulating paper results in furan derivatives, which are degradation products. The ability of
paper to effectively operate as an insulator can be assessed by its degradation. Paper insulation of a
transformer in operation cannot be assessed; a convenient approach is to analyse the oil sample to assess
the furanic compounds [13,14]. Figure 6 shows the degradation mechanism in a transformer.
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
During service the paper cellulose degrades slowly as the polymer chains break, and products are
released into the oil. The degradation of paper is a result of heating, presence of moisture, oxidation. As
the paper ages, cellulose chains break leading the change in the glucose molecules. This degradation
reduces the mechanical strength of the paper, and the possibility of mechanical damage to the insulating
paper increases, this results in putting the transformer to a risk of internal short-circuit faults. The
electrical integrity is at risk as the paper in addition to insulation provides mechanical strength to the
winding.
The condition of paper is assessed by measuring the concentration of furanic compounds or furans in
the mineral oil [17]. The furans are partially soluble in mineral oil hence they are present not only in the
paper but also in the oil. The degradation of insulation paper chemically changes the glucose molecules;
the glucose monomer molecules are removed from the polymer chain and one of a series of related
furanic compound [18]. There are five type of furanic compounds: Oxidation of the paper results in the
formation of 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5H2F), High moisture content results in formation of 2-
Furfuryl alcohol (2FOL), Overheating and aging results in formation of 2-Furfural (2FAL), overheating
results in formation of 5-Methyl-2-furfural (5M2F), and, electrical stresses result in formation of 2-
Acetylfuran (2ACF). Degradation of paper insulation can lead to premature failure of the transformer.
The rate of aging of the paper is indicated by the rate of change of furan concentration.
6. Degree of Polymerization
The degree of polymerization (DP) is the measurement of the tensile strength of insulating kraft paper,
its required value is one of the key properties that the insulating paper need to possess. DP provides
information of the average condition of the paper used in the transformer, this is used to assess the ageing
in mechanical properties. For the purpose of interpreting the DP it is taken that the fresh/new kraft paper
has DP value of 1200, when the value falls 250 and lower it is unfit for providing the required mechanical
strength needed for electrical insulation. The values can be optimistic if the oil has been regenerated
within the last two years [16,19] DP conveys that information need to evaluate the reliable life of kraft
paper. For assessment 1200-700 DP value indicates healthy condition, 700-450 DP indicates moderate
deterioration, 450- 250 DP indicates extensive deterioration, and any value less than 250 DP indicates
end of life.
The average value of DP and the interaction between adjacent chains convey the physical strength of
the paper insulation. The ageing reduces the burst strength of cellulose of the kraft paper. There occurs
breakage of linkage by hydrolytic decomposition, the ring structure breaks and the end products are CO,
CO2 and H2O [22]. CO2 is also produced when the transformer oil is heated in presence of oxygen.
Thus, CO2 is produced both when oil is heated in presence of oxygen and cellulose degenerates. The
ratio of CO2/CO, and the level of CO and CO2 are indicator for deciding further cellulose condition
investigation [23]. Extensive research has been carried out based on it. A composite of cellulose, mineral
oil and water nano particles were analysed for ac conductivity [24]. A relationship between DP and
furan compounds for wet and dry insulation was developed [25]. The water content distribution along
the windings of a transformer was investigated [26]. For improvement of the accuracy of the available
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
methods, at a reference temperature of 20°C, the dependence of the degree of polymerization of Kraft
paper to 2-FAL content in the oil, a method was developed [27]. The method converting experimental
frequency dependence of the loss angle tangent measured by the FDS to the reference temperature is
available [28-29]. The best method for determining the lifetime of cellulose is DP [4].
The microscopic image of DP of new kraft paper is shown in figure 7. In service the paper will
detoriated, the microscopic image of paper with low DP is shown in figure 8, such a condition of the
paper indicates the end of the service life of the transformer [20]. Extensive study has been carried out
for the DP based assessment of end of life and the value varies from 300 to 200 DP. Based on the
accelerated ageing of paper immersed in oil, end of life is take as 50% of the original tensile strength.
Different ranges of DP are given in table 2 [21]. The extent of cellulose degradation is a critical factor
in estimating the condition and life expectancy of solid insulation. DP value indicates the mechanical
ability to resist an electric short-circuit.
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3rd International Conference on Future of Engineering Systems and Technologies IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1228 (2022) 012030 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1228/1/012030
200-250 The paper is near or at the critical condition. Recommend that the transformer
be taken out of service as soon as possible and thoroughly inspected. Paper
samples can be taken for direct DP testing.
260-350 The paper is approaching the critical condition. Suggest inspection be scheduled
and/or re-sample within 1 year to reassess condition.
360-450 The paper is starting to approach the critical condition. Suggest a re-sample in
1-2 years time.
460-600 Significant paper deterioration but still well away from the critical point.
610-900 Mild to minimal paper ageing.
>900 No detectable paper degradation
7. Conclusion
The life expectancy of a transformer along with the reliability of power system can be met with if the
condition of the transformer insulation health is assessed regularly. Natural aging occurs, however,
accelerated aging due to unfavorable ambient conditions, ingress of moisture, oxidation and high
operating temperatures can damage the transformer faster that it normally would outlive its life. This
paper explains the various prevalent techniques used for condition assessment. Sweep frequency
response analysis is an electrical method for condition assessment, by doing careful comparison with an
benchmark, and degree of polymerization and furan analysis are powerful and dependable tools that can
be applied to transformers of all size and construction type that are oil immersed. These techniques are
reliable and can avoid the need of loss of assent and subsequent replacement.
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