x Glue, Epoxy

x Paint
x Zinc
x Stainless steel
- Phenomenon
x Transport in and out of insulation: It has been shown that the solubility of
carbon oxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is temperature dependent.
This means that the content of these gases will change when the
temperature changes. These gases will go out into the oil to a certain
extent when the oil gets colder.
x “Sweating”: If the level of a particular gas in the solid insulation is high, it
could take a substantial amount of time before the gas in the insulation is
in equilibrium with the gas in the oil.

3.2.2.12 DGA INTERPRETATION METHODS

3.2.2.12.1 Key Gas Method of Interpreting DGA

In this method, one looks for the most prominent gas - the one which differs most from
an expected "normal" level (or change). For example, during overheating of cellulose
the main decomposition gases are CO and CO2. During a partial discharge or corona
activity, H2 is formed. If the partial discharges involve cellulose, carbon oxides will be
present as well. During a more severe electric discharge, for example arcing, C2H2 will
be produced. Normally H2 and smaller amounts of CH4 and C2H6 will also be produced
during arcing discharges. Further, if cellulose is involved in the fault, CO will be
produced. If oil is overheated, the hydrocarbons are the main gases produced –
normally the saturated hydrocarbons such as C2H6 at lower temperatures and
unsaturated hydrocarbons such as C2H4 at higher temperatures. At very high
temperatures, overheated oil will produce C2H2.

CO2, O2 and N2 can also be absorbed from the air if there is an oil/air interface or if there
is a leak in the tank. For Type I preservation systems that have a nitrogen blanket,
nitrogen in the oil may be near saturation. As described above, each key gas is
identified with a certain type of fault. There are four fault patterns that can be associated
with key gases as shown in Table 3-12. The key gas is frequently the predominant gas
in the mixture of generated gases in the oil, but occasionally another gas could be in
high concentration. Such variations are possible, because over a wide range of
temperatures each gas attains a maximum generation rate at a certain temperature.
Depending on the temperature present at the fault site, one gas or the other may be in
larger proportion.

It should be noted that small amounts of H2, CH4, CO2, and CO are produced by normal
ageing. Thermal decomposition of oil-impregnated cellulose produces CO, CO2, H2,
CH4, and O2. Substantial decomposition of cellulose insulation begins at only about
100°C or less. Faults will produce internal hotspots of far higher temperatures than
these, and the resultant gases show up in the DGA.

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 Table 3-12: Key Gas and Fault Type Guide

Fault Pattern Key Gas Secondary Gases Possible Findings

Discoloration of paper insulation.
CH4 and C2H4 if the fault Overloading and/or cooling
Conductor CO2/CO (Carbon
involves an oil-impregnated problem. Bad connection in leads
Overheating Oxides) or tap changer. Stray current path
structure
and/or stray magnetic flux.
CH4 and smaller quantities of
Metal discoloration. Paper
H2 and C2H6. Traces of C2H2 if
Oil Overheating C2H4 (Ethylene) insulation destroyed. Oil heavily
fault is severe or involves carbonized.
electrical contacts.
Weakened insulation from ageing
and electrical stress. Pinhole
punctures in paper insulation with
CH4 and minor quantities of
Partial Discharge H2 (Hydrogen) carbon and carbon tracking.
C2H6 and C2H4 Possible carbon particles in oil.
Possible loose shield, poor
grounding of metal objects.
Metal fusion, (poor contacts in tap
changer or lead connections).
H2, and minor quantities of Weakened insulation from ageing
Arcing C2H2 (Acetylene) and electrical stress. Carbonized
CH4, C2H4
oil. Paper destruction if it is in the
arc path or is overheated.

3.2.2.12.2 Individual and Total Dissolved Key-Gas Concentration Method

A four-condition DGA guide to classify risks to transformers with no previous problems
has been developed in IEEE C57.104 [61]. The guide uses combinations of individual
gases and total combustible gas concentration. This guide is not universally accepted
and is only one of many tools used to evaluate transformers. The four conditions are
defined below:

Condition 1: Total dissolved combustible gas (TDCG) below this level indicates the
transformer is operating satisfactorily. Any individual combustible gas exceeding
specified levels in Table 3-13 should have additional investigation.
Condition 2: TDCG within this range indicates greater than normal combustible gas
level. Any individual combustible gas exceeding specified levels in Table 3-13 should
have additional investigation. A fault may be present. Take DGA samples at least often
enough to calculate the amount of gas generation per day for each gas (see Table 3-14
for recommended sampling frequency and actions).
Condition 3: TDCG within this range indicates a high level of decomposition of
cellulose insulation and/or oil. Any individual combustible gas exceeding specified levels
in Table 3-13 should have additional investigation. A fault or faults are probably present.
Take DGA samples at least often enough to calculate the amount of gas generation per
day for each gas (see Table 3-14).
Condition 4: TDCG within this range indicates excessive decomposition of cellulose
insulation and/or oil. Continued operation could result in failure of the transformer (see
Table 3-14).

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