School of Electrical, Electronics &
Communication Engineering
PROJECT SYNOPSIS
(Topic: Condition Monitoring of Transformer)
Team Members:
Under the Guidance of:
1. Avinash Kumar
2. Mohd Uzair Khan
3. Mohd Adil Quraishi
Dr. Lokesh Varshney
Program:
B.Tech (EE) / 7th Semester
Condition Monitoring of Transformer
Objective
The aim of this project is to study the various parameter of the transformer to predict and
prevent them from failure.
Technical Details
Condition Monitoring of Transformers is the process of acquisition and processing of data related to various
parameters of transformers so as to predict and prevent the failure of a transformer. This is done by
observing the deviation of the transformer parameters from their expected values. Transformers are the most
critical assets of electrical transmission and distribution system. Transformer failures could cause power
outages, personal and environmental hazards and expensive rerouting or purchase of power from other
suppliers. Transformer failures can occur due to various causes. Transformer in-service interruptions and
failures usually result from dielectric breakdown, winding distortion caused by short-circuit withstand,
winding and magnetic circuit hot spot, electrical disturbances, deterioration of insulation, lightning,
inadequate maintenance, loose connections, overloading, failure of accessories such as OLTCs, bushings.
Need of Condition Monitoring
Expensive capital equipment
Not easy to repair or replace
Advanced computer aided design practices.
Transformers operation.
Condition Monitoring imperative.
A corrective/preventive action can be initiated.
Why Condition Monitoring?
Early detection of incipient faults Avoid catastrophic outage.
Provide basis for economic repair decision Maintenance Management.
Maintenance management based on measurements and trend analysis Ageing process and residual
life under control.
Improve safety to personnel and environment.
Purpose of Condition Monitoring:
Avoid forced outages
Minimize failures
Optimize maintenance costs
What to Monitor
Winding resistance measurements
Capacitance and tan
Insulation Resistance (IR) and Polarization Index (PI) measurements
Oil parameters
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)
Furfur aldehyde Analysis
Degree of Polymerization (DP)
Partial Discharge (PD) Measurements
Frequency Response Analysis (FRA)
Recovery Voltage Measurements
Capacitance and tan for bushings
Winding Resistance Measurements
Measure Resistance of all windings
Compare with factory results
Increase in Resistance indicates
Loose joints - Leads to local hot spots and eventual melting of joints
Worn out contacts Leads to contact erosion
Capacitance and tan of windings
Measure Capacitance and tan of each pair of windings and windings with respect to earth
Compare with factory results
It indicates healthiness of insulation system paper, press-board and oil
Increase in tan indicates deterioration of insulation system.
Contamination
Moisture absorption
Insulation Resistance (IR) and Polarization Index (PI) measurements
Measure IR and PI values of each winding in pairs and with respect to earth
Compare with factory results
Lower values indicate poor insulation system
PI (ratio of 10min to 1 min )
Condition
Less than 1
1.0-1.1
1.1-1.25
Dangerous
Poor
Questionable
Fair
1.25-2.0
Oil Parameters
The important aspects of condition monitoring of transformers are:
1. Thermal Modeling
2. Dissolved Gas Analysis
3. Frequency Response Analysis
4. Partial Discharge Analysis
Thermal Modeling
The useful life of a transformer is determined partially by the ability of transformer to dissipate the
internally generated heat to its surroundings. The comparison of actual and predicted operating temperatures
can provide a sensitive diagnosis of the transformer condition and might indicate abnormal operation. The
consequences of temperature rise may not be sudden, but gradual as long as it is within break down limit.
Among these consequences, insulation deterioration is economically important. Insulation being very costly.
Its deterioration is undesirable.
Dissolved Gas Analysis
Gases are produced by degradation of the transformer oil and solid insulating materials. Gases are generated
at a much more rapid rate whenever an electrical fault occurs . Normal causes of fault gases are classified
into three categories: Corona or partial discharge, thermal heating and arcing. These faults can be detected
by evaluating the quantities of hydrocarbon gases, hydrogen and oxides of carbon that are present in the
transformer. Different gases can serve as markers for different types of faults.
Frequency Response Analysis
When a transformer is subjected to high currents through fault currents, the mechanical structure and
windings are subjected to severe mechanical stresses causing winding movement and deformations. It may
also result in insulation damage and turn-to-turn faults Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a non-intrusive
very sensitive technique for detecting winding movement faults and deformation assessment caused by loss
of clamping pressure or by short circuit forces. FRA technique involves measuring theimpedance of the
windings of the transformer with a low voltage sine input varying in a wide frequency range .
Partial Discharge Analysis
Partial discharge (PD) occurs when a local electric field exceeds a threshold value, resulting in a partial
breakdown of the surrounding medium. Its cumulative effect leads to the degradation of insulation [8]. PDs
are initiated by the presence of defects during its manufacture, or the choice of higher stress dictated by
design considerations. Measurements can be collected to detect these PDs and monitor the soundness of
insulation.
A typical condition monitoring system for an oil immersed transformer is capable of monitoring the
condition of various transformer components (bushings, tank, tap changer, coolers and conservators) as
shown in table:
By the use of software to store and perform trend analysis of the measured data, the operator can be
presented with information on the state of health of the transformer, and alarms raised when measured
values exceed appropriate limits.
