Electrical Maintenance

Workshop

Transformer Maintenance & Testing

Thursday, November 6, 2003
Transformer Maintenance & Testing
Purpose

z This presentation provides an overview of the major

considerations associated with Transformer
Maintenance and Testing.

z Barker Edwards will provide the information for

Transformer Maintenance & Testing.

z Kate Brady will provide the information for

Transformer Oil Testing.

2
Transformer Maintenance
Things to know!

Things you should

know about
keeping your
transformer
healthy!

3
Transformer Maintenance
Agenda
z Types of transformers
z Yearly checks
z Testing of transformers
z Vacuum pressure device
z Pressure relief device
z Sudden pressure relay
z Gaskets
z Paints

4
Transformer Maintenance
Types of transformers

z Dry type transformers

Š Varnished coils

5
 Transformer Maintenance
Types of transformers

z Dry type transformers

Š Cast coils

6
Transformer Maintenance
Type of transformers

z Oil filled transformers

Š Sealed tank

7
Transformer Maintenance
Type of transformers

z Oil filled transformers

Š Conservator system

8
Transformer Maintenance
Type of transformers

z Oil filled transformers

Š Nitrogen blanket

Pressure regulator for Nitrogen Blanket transformer

9
Transformer Maintenance
Yearly transformer checks

z Check vacuum pressure gauge for pressure reading.

z Check oil level.
z Check temperature maximum and minimum.
z Check for leaks.
z Check paint condition.
z Check transformer top and radiators for foreign
material.
z Check radiator condition.
z Check fans and cooling systems.
10
Transformer Maintenance
Testing of transformers

z Megger test

600 megohms or better to ground

is a good bench mark.

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 Transformer Maintenance
Testing of transformers

z Power factor test or “Doble” test

Š Readings should be .5% or less on newer

equipment.
Š Readings should be 1% or less on older equipment
that has been in service for a number of years.
Š Padmount transformers will usually run .7% to 1%.

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Transformer Maintenance
Testing of transformers

z Infrared test

Š This equipment checks for hot connections

and hot spots.

Š Can be used to check how the cooling is

working on transformers.

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Transformer Maintenance
Testing of transformers

z TTR test - Transformer Turns Ratio test

3 phase TTR set Single phase TTR set

- Readings should not deviate more than ½ of 1% from the calculated value.

14
Transformer Maintenance
Vacuum pressure devices

z Vacuum pressure
devices

Used to control the amount

of positive and negative
pressure a transformer
tank has on it.

15
Transformer Maintenance
Pressure relief devices

z Pressure relief devices

Used to relieve pressure build up in the transformer.

16
Transformer Maintenance
Sudden pressure relay
z Sudden pressure relay

This device detects a sudden rise in pressure in the transformer.

17
Transformer Maintenance
Gaskets

z Gaskets shall be 1.33 times the height of

groove and .75 times the width of the groove.

z Types of gasket material:

Š Cork / Corkprene
Š Nitrile / Buna N Rubber
Š Viton Rubber

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Transformer Maintenance
Paint

z Types

Š Acrylic enamel
Š Epoxy base

19
Break

20
Transformer Oil Testing
Agenda

z Transformer oil
z Oil sampling
z Oil quality
z Dissolved gas
analysis
z Cellulose insulation
z Oil processing
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Transformer Oil Testing
Transformer oil

z Silicon based oil

z Mineral oil

z Synthetic oils

z Ester / vegetable oils

22
Transformer Oil Testing
Oil sampling

A Test is Only as Good as the Sample!

Start with good, clean syringes!

23
Transformer Oil Testing
Proper oil sampling

z Do Not use small

sampling port on
side of drain valve.

24
Transformer Oil Testing
Proper oil sampling

z Flush drain valve, tubing, and syringe.

25
Transformer Oil Testing
Proper oil sampling – (continued)

z Do not pull
back on the
syringe barrel
– apply slight
resistance
and allow
fluid pressure
to fill syringe.

26
Transformer Oil Testing
Proper oil sampling – (continued)

z Filled syringe
should have no
bubbles, but
some may form
later – do not
release these!

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Transformer Oil Testing
Proper oil sampling – (continued)

z Excellent Sampling
Guidelines available on
Doble Engineering
website
Š www.Doble.com
Š Click on “Laboratory
Services”
Š Sampling Guides:
‹ Dielectric
Liquids
‹ Dissolved Gas Analysis ©2002 Doble Engineering Company All Rights Reserved

28
Transformer Oil Testing
Oil quality

z Interfacial tension

z Acidity

z Moisture

z Dielectric

z Power factor

z Color

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Transformer Oil Testing
Interfacial Tension - IFT

z Measure of
contamination

z Decreasing IFT =
Increasing
Contamination

z Can be corrected

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Transformer Oil Testing
Acidity

z Measure of oxidation
z Creates acidic compounds
z Build-up of compounds forms sludge
z Affects dielectric and cooling
z Can be corrected

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Transformer Oil Testing
Moisture

z Decreases dielectric

z Decreases IFT

z Degrades cellulose

z Failure risk

z Can be corrected

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Transformer Oil Testing
Dielectric breakdown
z Voltage at which the oil begins to conduct
z Is reduced by moisture and contaminants
z Two ASTM test methods:

Š D-877
Š D-1816

z Can be corrected

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Transformer Oil Testing
Power factor

z Indication of
contamination
and/or deterioration
Š moisture
Š carbon
Š varnish
Š soaps
Š other conducting
matter

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Transformer Oil Testing
Color

z Higher Number à Darker Oil

z Darker Oil à More Contamination, Deterioration
z Oil with Number of 5 is almost black

35
Transformer Oil Testing
Dissolved gas analysis

z DGA is the
“blood test”
for a
transformer

36
Transformer Oil Testing
Dissolved gas analysis

z Partial discharge (Corona - “electrical rust”)

Š Hydrogen H2
z High temperature heating
Š Methane CH4, Ethane C2H4, Ethylene C2H6
z Arcing
Š Acetylene C2H2
z Cellulose involved
Š Carbon monoxide C0, and Carbon Dioxide CO2

37
Transformer Oil Testing
Cellulose insulation

z The Life of the Transformer is directly related

to the condition of the cellulose

Š Paper – windings, leads, shields

Š Pressboard – spacers, blocks, oil flows, tubes
Š Particle boards – supports
Š Laminates – structures, supports
Š Wood - structure

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Transformer Oil Testing
Paper

z Many
layers of
paper on
this flux
shield

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Transformer Oil Testing
Pressboard

z Pressboard
Sheets for
directing
oil flow

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Transformer Oil Testing
Paper and pressboard

z Paper
wrapped
windings

z Pressboard
spacers

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Transformer Oil Testing
Particle board

z Particle
Board Lead
Support
that
flashed
over

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Transformer Oil Testing
Laminates

z Laminate Nuts

z Laminate lead
support
structure
members

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Transformer Oil Testing
Wood

z Birch
Structure
Support
Members

44
Transformer Oil Testing
The Cellulose Polymer Chain

The life of a transformer is directly related to the

condition of this polymer chain.

45
Transformer Oil Testing
Degree of polymerization

z Measure of mechanical strength

z New paper = 1000 – 1400

z Age increases Ç DP decreases

z Industry accepted “End of Life” of cellulose

insulation is about 200

z Estimated DP from Furan test

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Transformer Oil Testing
What degrades the cellulose?

z Primary sources
Š Heat
Š Moisture
Š Oxygen

z Secondary sources
Š Acids from oil oxidation

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Transformer Oil Testing
Why is this important?
z Reduced dielectric strength

Š Unable to withstand voltage stress from

system transients

z Reduced mechanical strength

Š Unable to withstand mechanical stress from

system faults

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Transformer Oil Testing
What can we do about it?
z Keep the Transformer Healthy!
Š Do not overheat
Š Keep moisture and oxygen out

z If the Transformer is Sick, Get Help!

Š Investigate abnormal DGA results
Š Process or replace the oil
Š De-hydrate
Š Hot oil flush
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Transformer Oil Testing
Transformer oil processing

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Transformer Oil Testing
What processes?

z De-gas

z Dehydrate

z Hot oil flush

z Reclaim oil

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Transformer Oil Testing
Other maintenance options

z Upgrades to oil preservation system

Š Bladders
Š De-hydrating breathers
Š N2 blanket

z On-line monitoring systems

Š Gas and moisture
Š Bushing monitors

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Avoid Premature Failure!

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