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Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

    1. INTRODUCTION

    The main function of a power system is to supply electrical energy to its

    customers with an acceptable degree of reliability and quality. Among many

    other things, the reliability of a power system depends on trouble free

    transformer operation. Now, in the electricity utilities around the world, a

    significant number of power transformers are operating beyond their design life.

    Most of these transformers are operating without evidence of distress. In Power

    Link Queensland (PLQ), 25% of the power transformers were more than 25 years

    old in 1991. So priority attention should be directed to research into improved

    diagnostic techniques for determining the condition of the insulation in aged

    transformers.

    The insulation system in a power transformer consists of cellulosic

    materials (paper, pressboard and transformerboard) and processed mineral oil.

    The cellulosic materials and oil insulation used in transformer degrade with time.

    The degradation depends on thermal, oxidative, hydrolytic, electrical and

    mechanical conditions which the transformer experienced during its lifetime.

    The condition of the paper and pressboard insulation has been monitored

    by (a) bulk measurements (dissolved gas analysis (DGA) insulation resistance

    (IR), tan and furans and (b) measurements on samples removed from the

    transformer (degree of polymerization (DP) tensile strength). At the interface

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    between the paper and oil in the transformer, interfacial polarization may occur,

    resulting in an increase in the loss tangent and dielectric loss. A DC method was

    developed for measuring the interfacial polarization spectrum for the

    determination of insulation condition in aged transformers.

    This paper makes contributions to the determination of the insulation

    condition of transformers by bulk measurements and measurements on samples

    removed from the transformer.

    In this research project, thorough investigations were also undertaken of

    the conventional electrical properties, along with interfacial polarization

    parameters of the cellulosic insulation materials. The interfacial phenomena are

    strongly influenced by insulation degradation products, such as polar

    functionalities, water etc. The condition of the dielectric and its degradation due

    to ageing can be monitored by studying the rate and process of polarization and

    can be studied using a DC field. Furthermore, this is a non-destructive diagnostic

    test.

    A retired power transformer (25 MVA, l1/132 kV) and several distribution

    transformers were used for the experimental work. The results from these

    transformers will be presented and an attempt will be made to correlate the

    electrical and chemical test results. The variation of the results through the

    different locations in a power transformer will be discussed with reference to

    their thermal stress distribution.

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    2. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES

    Experimental techniques used for the assessment of insulation condition in

    aged transformers are described in the following section.

    2.1 Conventional Electric Tests

    The dissipation factor and capacitance were measured at 50 Hz using a

    Schering bridge. Power frequency breakdown strength was measured by using

    the step by step method. The standard wave shape of l. was used for determining

    the negative lightning impulse breakdown strength.

    2.2 Interfacial Polarization Spectra (IPS) Measurements

    When a direct voltage is applied to a dielectric for a long period of time,

    and it is then short circuited for a short period, after opening the short circuit, the

    charge bounded by the polarization will turn into free charges i.e, a voltage will

    build up between the electrodes on the dielectric. This phenomena is called the

    return voltage. After applying the field for a time t, the polarization is expressed

    by P(t) = P0 F(t), where P0 = E is the steady state value of the polarization, is a

    proportionality factor between the polarization and the field strength (E), called

    the polarizabiity, F(t) is the relaxation function of the polarization describing the

    development of polarization in time and P is the bound charge density.

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    Polarizabiity will increase when polarization increases. So the maximum

    return voltage can be correlated with the polarizability of the material.

    With the development of polarization, the charge bounded on the

    electrodes tends to grow. In the external circuit maintaining the field, this growth

    will cause an absorption current given by Ja(t) = P(t) = d/dt P (t). With

    polarization approaching a steady state value, the current decays in time to zero.

    As for polarization, the absorption current is proportional to the field strength. So

    the initial value can be written as Ja (0) = E, where is the proportionality factor

    between absorption cur rent and field strength, and is called polarization

    conductivity. It can be shown that the initial slope of the return voltage is

    proportional to the polarization conductivity. When the return voltage approaches

    its maximum value quickly, the initial slope of the return voltage is larger.

    Another parameter termed as central time constant, i.e. the time at which the

    return voltage is maximum, is also dependent on the polarization conductivity.

    Hence the fundamental characteristics of the dielectric can be measured by return

    voltage measurements.

    An experimental set up with an IBM PC and a programmable electrometer

    was developed and implemented to measure the return voltage of a two terminal

    dielectric system. The charging voltage was 100 volt DC for the retired

    transformer insulation samples. The developed software was used to control the

    electrometer. Adsorbed moisture and temperature of the oil-paper insulation

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    adversely affects the return voltage measurement. So the return voltage

    measurement was always conducted at a known and low oil-paper moisture

    content and at ambient environmental conditions (20 25 C).

    Figure 1: A typical return voltage wave shape of a specimen from the retired

    transformer

    A typical return voltage wave shape of a specimen from the retired

    transformer is shown in Fig. 1. The relevant parameters (maximum return

    voltage, initial slope and central time constant) are identified in Fig. 1. Initial

    slope is the slope of the return voltage graph (with linear approximation) for first

    few seconds. As interfacial polarization is predominant at longer time constants,

    the spectrum of the return voltage was investigated by changing the charging and

    discharging time over a range of times greater than 1 second until the peak value

    of the maximum return voltage was obtained. The ratio of charging and

    discharging time was two. Then the spectra of maximum return voltage and

    initial slope were plotted versus the central time constant (the time at which the

    return voltage is maximum). The peak value of the maximum return voltage

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    (from the return voltage spectrum) and the corresponding initial slope (from the

    initial slope spectrum), along With central time constant (from either of the

    spectrum), are the parameters used to assess the insulation condition from the

    return voltage measurements.

    2.3 GPC Analysis

    Gel permeation chromatography provides a detailed molecular weight

    distribution of the polymer. GPC is a chromatographic technique which uses

    highly porous, non-ionic gel beads for the separation of polydispersed polymers

    in solution. GPC separates polymer molecules on the basis of their hydrodynamic

    volume. Cellulose is not soluble in any common GPC solvents. Hence, for GPC

    measurements the cellulosic materials had to be derivatized to enhance their

    solubility in these solvents. For this purpose, a cellulose tricarbanilate derivative

    was prepared.

    The molecular weight distribution of the cellulose tricarbanilate was

    measured using a Waters Chromatograph equipped with a variable wavelength

    tunable absorbance detector. Four ultrastyragel columns were used in series in

    the Chromatograph, with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the eluent. The elution profile

    was acquired by interfacing to an IBM computer.

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    3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

    Paper wrapped insulated conductor specimens 200 mm long and

    pressboard samples of dimension 80*80 mm were collected from an aged power

    transformer. Several distribution transformers were also tested.

    3.1 Case Study 1: Kareeya Transformer

    A 25 year old, 25 MVA, 132/11 kV transformer from Kareeya power

    station, was used to investigate the quality of the insulation using electrical and

    chemical testing techniques. Since the aged transformer had been exposed to air

    after dismantling, the samples had to be processed. The moisture content of

    processed samples varied in the range 0.5 to 1.3%.

    To examine the differences that exist between the high stress and low

    stress insulation samples, the samples were collected from top, middle and

    bottom coils of low voltage and high voltage windings of the transformer. The

    schematic diagram of a low voltage winding is shown in Fig. 2.

    There were 90 coils/phase and 18 turns or layers of conductor/coil in the

    low voltage windings. There were 60 coils/phase and 19 turns or layers of

    conductors/coil in the high voltage winding. The HV and LV conductors were of

    rectangular cross section 13.9 and 12 mm wide respectively and 2.6 mm thick

    with rounded corners. The test specimens for insulated conductor samples were

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    made up by placing two samples side by side in a Perspex assembly, so that they

    overlapped each other for a length of 100 mm. With two insulated conductors

    placed side by side to form the specimen, the thickness of paper insulation

    between them was 1.0 mm and 0.8 mm for the HV and LV specimens

    respectively. Pressboard (of 0.2 mm thickness) samples were collected from the

    main bulk insulation between the high voltage and low voltage winding is shown

    in Fig.2.

    Figure 2: Schematic diagram of one phase of LV winding of 25 MVA Kareeya

    transformer

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    3.1.1 Conventional Electrical Test Results

    To obtain an understanding of the effects of varying stresses along

    complete windings, samples were taken from various locations of the LV A and

    HV B phase windings and were tested. Two sizes of new (unaged) paper

    wrapped conductors (New1 and New2) and new pressboard samples of similar

    composition and thickness were obtained from the transformer manufacturer.

    Conventional electrical test results on paper wrapped insulated conductor

    specimens from the LV A phase and HV B phase windings are presented in

    Tables 1 and 2 respectively.

    Table 1: Results of conventional electrical tests on samples from LV A

    phase winding of Kareeya transformer

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    Table 2: Results of conventional electrical tests on samples from HV B phase of

    Kareeya transformer.

    In LV A phase, coils 1,2/44,45/89,90 are from top/middle/ bottom

    locations respectively and layers 12/18 are from outer and inner locations. In HV

    B phase, coils 1/12/19 are the outer/medium/ inner locations.

    The following comparison can be made between the results of the aged

    insulation samples and those of the new insulation.

    1. The average dissipation factor of LV A phase samples is 0.017 and that of

    the New1 sample is 0.008. The average dissipation factor of HV B phase

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    samples is 0.015 and that of the New2 (similar to HV B phase) sample is

    0.009. The dissipation factor of aged samples is significantly different from

    that of new insulation.

    2. The average power frequency dielectric strength of the LVA phase

    samples is 48.4 kVp/mm (with a SD= 3.16) and that of the New1 sample is

    50.0 kVp/mm. The average power frequency dielectric strength of the HV B

    phase samples is 41.6 kVp/mm (with a SD=3.5) and that of the New2

    samples is 45.0 kVp/mm. The difference between the average value of the

    power frequency breakdown strength of the LV A phase and the new samples

    is not significant, whereas the variation of the HV B phase samples is 7.5%

    lower than the corresponding new samples.

    3. The average lightning impulse breakdown strength of the LV A phase

    samples is 77.0 kVp/mm (with a SD=7) and that of the New1 samples is 81

    kVp/mm. The average lightning impulse strength of the HV B phase is 68.5

    kV/mm (with a SD=8.1) and that of the New2 samples is 84 kVp/mm. Again

    the variation is not very significant for the LV A phase samples. The LI

    strength of HV B phase sample is about 18% lower than the corresponding

    new sample strength.

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    3.1.2 Interfacial Polarization Spectra Results

    The same aged insulation specimens from LV A and HV B phase and

    unaged insulation samples (New1and New2) were tested using interfacial

    polarization spectra (IPS) measurements. The results from the IPS measurements

    are presented in Tables 3 and 4.

    Table 3: Results of IPS measurements on samples from LV A phase winding of

    Kareeya transformer

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    Table 4: Results of IPS measurements on samples from HV B phase winding of

    Kareeya transformer

    In Table 3 all the samples from the aged transformer show large peak

    maximum voltages, short central time constants and large initial slopes by

    comparison with the values for new samples. There are significant variations

    between the aged samples from different locations. For example, we see the

    maximum return voltage of top coil 1-1 (1st coil from top, 1st outside layer)

    reached its peak at 31 s, whereas 89-1 reached its peak value at 75 s, which is

    more than twice the time constant of 1-1. The dissipation factor for sample 1-1 is

    fifty percent larger than the 89-1 sample (Table 1). It is also observed that 45-1,

    45-18, 90-2 and 90-18 samples have maximum return voltages at very small

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    (low) central time constants and large values of initial slope and dissipation

    factor. The variation of insulation status between top, middle and bottom coils of

    LV A phase, observed from the conventional tests is consistent with the data

    from IPS measurements. It suggests that degradation due to ageing is

    characterised by higher dissipation factor and consistent changes in IPS e.g.

    higher return voltage and initial slope, and low central time constant.

    In Table 4 for HV B phase, the peak maximum values of return voltage

    are somewhat lower than for the LV A phase. The variation of the peak

    maximum return voltage for the HV B phase is not as significant as LV A phase

    by comparison with the corresponding new samples. For example, the mean of

    the peak maximum return voltage of LV A phase is 3.2 volt and that for the

    New1sample is 1.6 volt, whereas, the mean of the peak maximum return voltage

    of HV B phase is 2.0 volt and that for the New2 sample is 1.8 volt. There are

    large variations in central time constant. The maximum return voltage of 1-12

    reached its peak value at 43 s, where as 1-1 and 1-19 reached their peak values at

    94 s. The dissipation factor for sample 1-12 is at least fifty percent larger than

    that for the 1-1 and 1-19 samples. This again illustrates consistency between

    dissipation factor and IPS characteristics. Also, for HV B phase samples, it was

    found that the condition of the insulation varies even between the layers. It is

    generally correct to say that whenever samples have peak values of maximum

    return voltage with a fast (low) central time constant, the associated values of the

    initial slope and dissipation factor are large. This is illustrated by the examples of

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    samples 60-1, 60-12, 60-19 and samples 29-1, 29-12, 29-19. Although there are

    significant differences of insulation characteristics between top, middle and

    bottom coils, it is not possible to draw any conclusion about the trend of variation

    of insulation status between the coil locations.

    3.1.3 GPC Test Results

    The GPC chromatograms of typical new and aged (from Kareeya

    transformer insulation papers) cellulose are shown in Fig.3. The chromatogram

    of new paper shows the presence of two components. The major component at

    lower elution volume, high molecular weight, is due to cellulose, while the

    smaller, lower molecular weight component is due to hemi-cellulose. The peak

    molecular weight of the cellulose is 1.5 * 106 g/mol, while that of the hemi-

    cellulose is 5.8 * 104 g/mol.

    The chromatogram of the cellulose paper taken from the aged transformer

    shows that the molecular weight of the cellulose component has decreased

    significantly, with the peak molecular weight falling to approximately 2 * 105

    g/mol. The molecular weight distribution of the cellulose has also broadened

    considerably, and the peak due to the hemi-cellulose has become barely

    discernible, suggesting that the hemi-cellulose component of the paper may have

    been largely degraded.

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    Figure 3: GPC chromatogram of insulating paper samples obtained from new

    stock and aged transformer

    Figure 4: The simulation chromatogram of the new insulating paper

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    The simulated chromatograms of the new paper are shown in Fig. 4. The x

    axis and y axis of Fig. 4 are in elution volume (ml) and in absorbance

    respectively. This profile can be simulated reasonably well by a combination of

    three components with three peaks, using the computer program. Of the three

    components used, two may be attributed to the cellulose component of the paper,

    and the third may be attributed to the hemi-cellulose component. The molecular

    weight at the peaks were calculated by employing the universal calibration

    procedure to correct the polystyrene calibration curve. Similar simulations were

    made for the transformer aged insulations, and the results of some selected

    samples have been summarised in Tables 5 and 6.

    In Tables 5 and 6, the molecular weights of the peaks P1 and P2 of the

    insulating paper in the LV A phase and in the HV B phase of the transformer fall

    to about one half to one third of the molecular weights at the corresponding peaks

    for P1 and P2 of new insulating paper. A comparison between the LV A phase

    and the HV B phase papers indicates that the largest change in molecular weight

    occurs in the outermost layers (1-1,45-1,89-1) of the LV A phase conductors.

    The paper near the top of the transformer, where the temperature is greatest,

    shows the greatest decrease in molecular weight.

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    Table 5: Results from GPC analysis on samples from LV A phase of Kareeya

    transformer

    3.1.4 Results From Pressboard Samples

    The conventional electrical test IPS measurements and GPC analysis is

    performed on new and aged transformers sample. The results are presented in

    tables 7, 8 and 9.

    The results show that the dissipation factor of aged transformer pressboard

    is much higher than that for new pressboard sample. It is also observed that the

    electric breakdown strength of aged sample is considerably reduced from new

    sample.

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    Table 6: Results from GPC analysis on samples from HV B phase of Kareeya

    transformer

    Table 7: Results obtained from aged and new press board: Unequal Electrodes

    (ASTM D 149)

    The IPS results are shown in Table 8. The maximum return voltage of

    aged pressboard reached it peak value at 21 s, whereas for new sample it is 360 s.

    The value of the peak maximum return voltage and initial slope of aged

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    pressboard is much larger than those of the new pressboard. So, from both the

    conventional electrical tests and IPS measurements, it can be concluded that, the

    degradation of aged pressboard at the Kareeya transformer was much more

    severe than for the paper insulation.

    The GPC results are shown in Table 9. The reduction in the molecular

    weights at the peaks P1 and P2 for old pressboard relative to new pressboard

    shows the deterioration in the condition of insulation.

    Table 8: Results of IPS measurements on new and aged pressboard samples

    Table 9: GPC Results obtained from aged and new pressboard Sample

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    Figure 5: Peak molecular weight versus the central time constants for different

    samples of Kareeya transformer

    3.1.5 Correlation Between Methods

    Attention has already been drawn to the consistency in changes to

    electrical (dissipation factor and IPS data) and chemical(peak molecular weight

    data) properties caused by ageing induced degradation. The results are now re-

    examined more closely to determine the level of consistency between the

    electrical and chemical test methods. Coil 1-1from LV A phase(Table 3 ) shows

    that the peak maximum return voltage is attained with a fast (short) central time

    constant, it has a large initial slope and its peak molecular weights P1 and P2

    (Table 5) are both very low. So the same conclusion can be drawn from both the

    tests; that the insulation has been severely degraded by ageing, and sample 1-1 is

    one of the most degraded samples. Similar conclusions can be drawn for the

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    samples 45-1 and 45-18. Sample 44-18 shows peak maximum return voltage at a

    larger central time constant, and as expected this is associated with a larger

    molecular weight. To examine the extent of correlation between the electrical and

    chemical properties, peak molecular weights P1 of the LV A phase and HV B

    phase specimens are plotted against central time constants and initial slopes of

    the return voltages. Although there were a few outlying points in both the graphs,

    Fig. 5 shows that the decrease in the peak molecular weight corresponds to a

    decrease (fast) in the central time constant and Fig. 6 shows that a decrease in the

    peak molecular weight corresponds to an increase in the initial slopes.

    To test the statistical independence of the measured parameters, rank

    correlation coefficients [4] were calculated for both the cases (with all data points

    and with outlying omitted data points). These values are shown in Table 10.

    Critical values of the rank correlation coefficients for two sided test with

    significance level = 0.05 [4] are also shown in the Table 10. If the observed

    value of the rank correlation coefficient is greater than the critical rank

    correlation coefficient, then the statistical independence between the tested

    parameter is rejected. With omitted outlying data points both graphs show good

    linear correlations (with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9). At the same

    time their rank correlation coefficients are also greater than the corresponding

    critical correlation coefficients. When all the data points are considered, Fig. 6

    show linear correlation with correlation coefficients greater than 0.5. With all the

    data points, the observed rank correlation coefficient is greater than the critical

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    rank correlation coefficient for the data points in Fig. 6. Although the test

    programme was necessarily limited, a good trend has been emerged between the

    IPS parameters and the chemical test results.

    Table 10: Results of correlation coefficients from the correlation Figs. 5 and 6

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    Figure 6: Peak molecular weight versus the initial slopes for different samples of

    Kareeya transformer

    3.2 case study 2: Distribution transformers

    3.2.1 Conventional E1ectrical Tests Results

    Six distribution transformers were provided by electricity distribution

    authorities. The dissipation factors of these transformers were measured by the

    Schering bridge. For a single phase transformer, the shorted low voltage winding

    was connected to the lower voltage arm of the Schering bridge, and shorted high

    voltage winding was connected to the high voltage supply. For a three phase

    transformer, three phases in the LV winding were short circuited and connected

    to the lower voltage arm of the Schering bridge and three phases in the HV

    winding were short circuited and connected to the high voltage supply.

    Dissipation factors were measured at two different voltages and the average was

    determined. This arrangement measures the dissipation factor of the bulk

    insulation of the transformers. Results from the Schering bridge measurements

    are shown in Table 11. Dissipation factors varied from 0.003 to 0.067 for single

    phase transformers and 0.006 to 0.081 for three phase transformers. TI, T3 and

    T6 show high dissipation factors compared to the other transformers.

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    Table 11: Results of Dissipation factors and capacitances of distribution

    transformers

    3.2.2 Interfacial Polarization Test Results

    All the six distribution transformers were tested for IPS measurements.

    The charging voltage was 1000 volt DC and the procedure was similar to that

    followed for the specimens made with two paper wrapped insulated conductors.

    In this case, the bulk insulation between HV and LV was tested.

    From Table 12 and 13, it is observed that the initial sloped and central

    time constants vary significantly between the transformers. In general, higher

    initial slopes are associated with shorter central time constants, and this is

    consistent with previously presented results. Transformers with these

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    characteristics also tend to have large dissipation factors. For example,

    transformer T1 and T3 show larger dissipation factors and higher initial slopes

    and lower central time constants than the transformer T2. The oldest transformer

    of the three phase trans formers, T6 shows high dissipation factor, high initial

    slope and low central time constant compared to the corresponding values for the

    transformers T4 and T5. Thus, a good correlation exists between initial slope,

    central time constant and dissipation factor.

    Table 12: Results of IPS measurements of the single phase distribution

    transformers

    Table 13: Results of IPS measurements of the three phase distribution

    transformers

    3.2.3 GPC Test Results

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    Several paper and pressboard samples were taken from the distribution

    transformers (T1, T2, T3 and T5) for the GPC analysis. The results are shown in

    Table 14. From the Tables 11 and 13, it is observed that the transformer T5 has a

    very low dissipation factor with a low peak maximum return voltage, initial slope

    and large central time constant. From Table 14, both paper and pressboard

    samples from T5 show high peak molecular weight P1, close to that of new

    paper. From both the electrical and chemical tests, it is evident that insulation of

    T5 is in very good condition. Both paper and pressboard samples from T1 and T3

    show a large reduction in peak molecular weights compared to new ones. From

    Tables 11 and 12, it is observed that the transformer T1 and T3 have high

    dissipation factors with large initial slopes and low central time constants

    compared to the transformer T2. A good correlation is observed between the IPS

    parameters, dissipation factor and the GPC results from the limited number of

    samples analysed from the distribution transformers. The important point is that

    this finding is consistent with similar findings for the aged power transformer.

    Table 14: GPC Results of cellulose samples from distribution transformers

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    4. CONCLUSION

    Conventional electrical tests and IPS measurements were applied to

    insulated conductors and pressboard samples collected from a retired power

    transformer. The molecular weights of the samples were also studied by GPC

    analysis. Significant differences in the condition of the insulation have been ob

    served throughout different locations within the Kareeya transformer. The

    electrical test results (in particular dissipation factor and the IPS parameters) on

    the Kareeya transformer insulation specimens were found to be consistent with

    the GPC results. A good correlation has been observed between the electrical test

    results and GPC analysis for detecting changes in the properties of the insulntion

    samples. The condition of aged pressboard from the Kareeya transformer has

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

    been found to be significantly deteriorated compared to new pressboard. This

    was also evident from both the electrical and chemical teat results.

    Several distribution transformers were also studied, Dissipation factors

    and IPS measurements showed a good consistency in explaining the condition of

    insulation in distribution transformers. GPC results from the distribution

    transformers also correlated well with the dissipation factor and IPS parameters.

    5. REFERENCES

    IEEE transactions on power delivery October 1997.

    Degradation of electrical insulating paper monitored with high

    performance liquid chromatography IEEE transaction on electrical

    insulation august 1990.

    Thermal ageing of cellulose paper insulation IEEE transaction on

    electrical insulation February 1997.

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. P.M.S Nambissan, Prof. &

    Head, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, MES College of

    Engineering, Kuttippuram, for his cooperation and encouragement.

    I would also like to thank my seminar guide Mrs. Sheeba Paulose.

    (Lecturer, Department of EEE), Asst. Prof. Gylson Thomas. (Staff in-charge,

    Department of EEE) for their invaluable advice and wholehearted cooperation

    without which this seminar would not have seen the light of day.

    Gracious gratitude to all the faculty of the department of EEE &

    friends for their valuable advice and encouragement.

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

    ABSTRACT

    This paper describes the application of two relatively new diagnostic

    techniques for the determination of insulation condition in aged transformers.

    The techniques are (a) measurements of interfacial polarization spectra by a DC

    method and (b) measurements of molecular weight and its distribution by gel

    permeation chromatography. Several other electrical properties of the cellulose

    polymer were also investigated. Samples were obtained from a retired power

    transformer and they were analysed by the developed techniques. Six distribution

    transformers were also tested with the interfacial polarization spectra

    measurement technique, and the molecular weight of paper/pressboard samples

    from these transformers were also measured by the gel permeation

    chromatography. The variation of the results through different locations in a

    power transformer is discussed in this paper. The possible correlation between

    different measured properties was investigated and discussed in this paper.

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    Electrical and chemical diagnostics of transformer insulation

    CONTENTS

    1. INTRODUCTION

    2. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES

    2.1 Conventional Electric Tests

    2.2 Interfacial Polarization Spectra (IPS) Measurements

    2.3 GPC Analysis

    3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

    3.1 Case Study 1: Kareeya Transformer

    3.1.1 Conventional Electrical Test Results

    3.1.2 Interfacial Polarization Spectra Results

    3.1.3 GPC Test Results

    3.1.4 Results From Pressboard Samples

    3.1.5 Correlation Between Methods

    3.2 case study 2:distribution transformers

    3.2.1 Conventional E1ectrical Tests Results

    3.2.2 Interfacial Polarization Test Results

    3.2.3 GPC Test Results

    4. CONCLUSION

    5. REFERENCES

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