Transformer Life Management Condition Assessment and Dissolved Gas Analysis

TRANSFORMER LIFE MANAGEMENT,
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
&
DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS
By : VK LAKHIANI
CROMPTON GREAVES LTD
MUMBAI
19/09/2006 Prepared by : VKL 1
OUTLOOK
• MECHANISMS OF LIFE DEGRADATION

PHENOMENA
• KEY DETERIORATION PROCESSES
• LIFE ASSESSMENT AND CONDITION

MONITORING TECHNIQUES &
RECOMMENDATIONS
• DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

TRANSFORMER LIFE INVOLVES
SEVERAL MECHANISMS OF
DEGRADATION

COMPONENTS OF TECHNICAL LIFE OF A
TRANSFORMER
1) THERMAL LIFE
2) DIELECTRIC LIFE
3) MECHANICAL LIFE
4) LIFE OF ACCESSORIES

Thermal Life
Time to critical decomposition DP<200
AGED
Is the Life of Transformer

mechanical life of Aged paper?

Dielectric Life
Time span to critical reduction of dielectric margin

Mechanical weakness and
Deformation under cumulative stresses
of through faults

Impairment of electromagnetic circuit

Life of OLTC

Limited life of bushings

TRANSFORMER LIFE IS TRANSFORMER
INSULATION LIFE
TRANSFORMER INSULATION LIFE IS DEFINED AS PER

IEC 60076-7 AS :
“TOTAL TIME BETWEEN THE INITIAL STATE

FOR WHICH THE INSULATION IS CONSIDERED NEW
AND THE FINAL STATE WHEN DUE TO THERMAL
AGEING, DIELECTRIC STRESS, SHORT CIRCUIT
STRESS, OR MECHANICAL MOVEMENT, WHICH COULD
OCCUR IN NORMAL SERVICE AND RESULT IN A HIGH
RISK OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE”

RELATIVE THERMAL AGEING RATE
AS DEFINED IN IEC 60076-7
“FOR A GIVEN HOT SPOT TEMPERATURE, RATE AT

WHICH TRANSFORMER INSULATION AGEING IS
REDUCED OR ACCELERATED COMPARED WITH THE
AGEING RATE AT A REFERENCE HOT SPOT
TEMPERATURE”
THE RELATIVE AGEING RATE v=1.0 CORRESPONDS TO

TEMPERATURE OF 98°C FOR NON-THERMNALLY
UPGRADED PAPER AND TO 110°C FOR THERMALLY
UPGRADED PAPER.

LIFE OF PAPER UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS
PAPER TYPE / LIFE YEARS

AGEING TEMP DRY AND FREE WITH AIR AND
FROM AIR 2% MOISTURE
NON- 80°C 118 5.7

UPGRADED
PAPER 90°C 38 1.9
98°C 15 0.8
UPGRADED 80°C 72 76
PAPER
90°C 34 27
98°C 18 12

RELATIVE AGEING RATE
(θh – 98/6)
V=2 ………….. FOR NON-THERMALLY
UPGRADED PAPER
{ 15000 15000 }
{ ------------ - --------- }
{ 110 + 273 θh + 273 }
V= e
…………….FOR THERMALLY
UPGRADED PAPER
WHERE θh = HOTSPOT TEMPERATURE °C

RELATIVE AGEING RATES DUE TO
HOT--SPOT TEMPERATURE
θh °C NON-UPGRADED PAPER UPGRADED PAPER
–V -V
80 0.125 0.036
86 0.25 0.073
92 0.5 0.145
98 1.0 0.282
104 2.0 0.536
110 4.0 1.0
116 8.0 1.83
122 16.0 3.29
128 32.0 5.8
134 64.0 10.1
140 128.0 17.2

NORMAL INSULATION LIFE OF A WELL DRIED, OXYGEN
FREE THERMALLY UPGRADED PAPER AT REFERENCE
TEMPERATURE OF 110 °C
BASIS NORMAL INSULATION LIFE

HOURS YEARS
50% RETAINED TENSILE 65000 7.42
STRENGTH OF INSULATION
25% RETAINED TENSILE 135000 15.41
STRENGTH OF INSULATION
200 RETAINED DEGREE OF 150000 17.12
POLYMERISATION
INTERPRETATION OF 180000 20.55
DISTRIBUTED TRANSFORMER
FUNCTIONAL LIFE

DIELECTRIC LIFE
• ‘PD’ GOVERNS THE DIELECTRIC LIFE!

• PD IS A RESULT OF VOLTAGE STRESSES
• VOLTAGE STRESSES ARE ON ACCOUNT OF
SWITCHING IN/OFF, LIGHTNING, SYSTEM
OVERVOLTAGES
• DESIGN IS MADE FOR PD FREE CONDITION AT
TEST VOLTAGE
• TEST LEVELS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN DAY
IN/DAY OUT SWITCHING CONDITIONS
• FOR NEW INSULATION THESE SWITCHING
IN/OFF OPERATIONS DO NOT AFFECT THE LIFE
• IN AGED INSULATION PD THRESHOLD VALUE MAY
REDUCE AND PD MAY OCCUR DURING
SWITCHING IN/OUT CONDITIONS AFFECTING LIFE
• NO DATA AVAILABLE AS TO HOW MANY TIMES
SWITCHING IN/OFF MAY BE PERMITTED
• INRUSH CURRENTS MAY HAVE MECHANICAL
STRESSING
MECHANICAL LIFE
(DUE TO SYSTEM SHORT CIRCUIT FAULTS)
• THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ABOUT HOW MANY
TIMES THE TRANSFORMER CAN WITHSTAND
SHORT CIRCUITS AT FULL LEVEL.
• FAILURE RATE AT KEMA AND OTHER SHORT

CIRCUIT LAB IS 30% OR MORE
• THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON AGEING DUE TO

SHORT CIRCUIT
• WINDING DISPLACEMENT DO TAKE PLACE

WITH EVERY SHORT CIRCUIT AND NEED BE
MONITORED BY FRA

The life cycle
SAFETY
MARGIN
CRITICAL
LEVEL
NORMAL DEFECTIVE FAULTY
FAILED

Review of key deterioration
processes

Deterioration processes
Moisture contamination
Particles in oil
Oil oxidation
Paper aging
Surface contamination
Impact of oil by-products

Moisture contamination

Why Moisture management is so important
for transformer life?
Moisture affects transformers both in the short and long term.

Short-term risks
electrical failures due to the influence of the moisture in both the
paper and the oil in the transformer, e.g.
• Partial discharge
• Surface creapage
• Flashovers
Long-term risk
The presence of moisture in the transformer, to whatever degree,
does actually harm the insulation which is, in fact permanent
damage.

What is the effect of moisture on the
dielectric breakdown voltage in the
insulation?
The dielectric properties of the solid and liquid insulation are

partly influenced by the water content and temperature.
The dielectric breakdown voltage of the solid insulation

decreases with increasing water content.
This occurs most noticeably after 2 to 3 percent, but usually the

lower levels are considered best for complete electrical
integrity.

What is bubble evolution?
Bubble evolution occurs when the transformer insulation
is heated rapidly to the extent that the moisture within the
paper is transformed into vapours, which move out of the
paper in a bubble form.
This phenomenon can cause streaming of gas bubbles in an
electrical stress field, thus creating a flashover,Under overload
conditions.
Dry transformers (<0,5% water in paper) are much less
susceptible to bubble evolution. Emergency loading of dry
insulation at hot-spot temperatures below 180°C may be
possible with little risk of bubble generation.
However, a wetter unit, with 2.0% moisture in paper,
should not be operated above hot-spot temperatures of
139°C under the same conditions.

Structure of Transformer Insulation
Processes of insulation deterioration involve

slow diffusion of water, gases, and aging products and
therefore affect basically only the so-called thin structure

The main insulation components of a
core-type transformer
Clamping
plate
Spacer block
Angle ring
Paper wrap around

Cylinder copper wire

Insulation components. Thin structure
: Turn coil, conductors (paper)

: Barriers (pressboard)
: Angle ring
Diffusion time constant – a few days-month

Insulation components. Thick structure
40-55% of the mass and 4-8% of the surface
: Support blocks
: Strips , Spacers
: Clamping rings and plates
Diffusion time constant – some years

Thick components absorb miserable
amount of moisture
Thin
50 days
φ= 55%
Thick

Thin structure retain a large portion of the
water
Thin cold structures” that operate at bulk oil temperatures is

the main storage area for water which is readily available for
migration between oil and cellulosic materials
About 10% (by mass) which is at the coldest temperature,
forms “ wet” zones, where water contents can be 1 – 1.5%
higher than the average value
Components of this group are the main source of high water

in oil during temperature cycling

Moisture profile

What are sources of Moisture in
transformers ?
Source of Moisture
Once in service a transformer is subjected to the
following sources of moisture:
external - from the atmosphere
internal - from manufacture
internal - from cellulose (paper) ageing

Free water through poor sealing
is repeatable worldwide case

Accumulation of free water on the bottom
core yoke

Merits & Limitations of Moisture-
measurement methods
Methods used
Karl-Fisher method Simple conventional method, difficult to
estimate moisture in solid insulation.
Requires proprietary algorithms to relate
On-line moisture probe moisture content reading indicated by
probe to moisture in solid insulation
Estimates the level of water contamination

using the build-up of water content in oil
Water Heat Run test with time and temperature
Dielectric Spectroscopy
Return Voltage measurement RVM The measured moisture content is much
higher than the other method. The
interpretation is too simplistic. Does not
take into account dependencies on
geometry of design and oil properties.
Frequency Domain Spectroscopy] These methods take into account geometry
-- FDS ] and oil properties into account. Better
method for estimating moisture in solid
Polarization /Depolarization ]
insulation.
Current -- PDC ]

Particles in oil

Particles origin
Manufacturing Foreign
Debris Debris
Oil
Component Oil delivered

delivered particles particles

Particles mode
Manufacturing Cellulose fibers,
iron,aluminum,copper
Foreign Cellulose fibers,
Manufacturing iron,aluminum,copper
Installation, Repair
Component wear Cellulose fibers,

out:Pumps, coolers, OLTC, iron,aluminum,copper
contacts, cellulose
Oil : oxidation pyrolysis by- Polymers, carbon

products/
Type of particles
Floating in oil
In solution in oil
On surface deposition
Migration through paper layers

Particles microscopic analysis
Quartz
Coke
Insect
Paper fiber
Fragment
19/09/2006 Copper
Prepared by : VKL 42
Insulation contamination

Surface contamination

Attraction by field and Deposit
conductive sediments
Oil sludge deposit
Carbon deposit
Conductive particles deposit
Impact of corrosive oil
Originally formally non-corrosive oil becomes
corrosive under effect of temperature and time
The presence of Cu2S coating (copper sulfite)
On conductor
On paper facing the conductor
On free cellulose surfaces
Deposition can occur at low temperatures
Time required for test 12 weeks at 100oC, 3 weeks 120oC

Corrosive Deposits on Coils

Failures of 28 MVA ,500 kV shunt reactors due to
affect of corrosive sulfur
Bad cooling due to

obstruction to the oil entrance
short circuits between turns

of the disks in the upper
part of the winding
copper conductors were covered
19/09/2006 by aby heavy
Prepared : VKL black film 48
Alternative Corrosion Tests
ASTM D 1275 IEC ( DIN 51353) ГОСТ 2917-76

Copper strip 19 silver strip.
hours @ 140oC Copper strip
in air at 100°C
for 18 hours 3 hours @ 100oC
Modified
ABB proposal:
ASTM D1275
Covered Conductor Corrosion & Deposition
48 hours wrapped copper conductor bar,
@ 150oC 100°C Prepared
9-12 weeks.
19/09/2006 by : VKL 49
Oil oxidation

Mechanism of oxidation: attack of
Dissolved oxygen
Peroxide Alcohols
Free radicals Phenols
Product of Non-acid polar

Carboxyl Carbonides
condensation and (acids)
polymerization Aldehydes
Ketones
Sludge:
Soluble
Non-soluble
Paper aging

Thermal Life is a function of
temperature, water and by-products
1 1
− 13350
DPEnd DPStart T + 273
Expected _ Life = ⋅e [ years ]
A • 24 ∗ 365
Water & acids

Hot spot
temperature

Aging profile

End of life can come under 20
Aging profile of 700 MVA, 420 kV, 14 years
Hot spot area

Impact of oil by-product on
degradation of insulation
properties

Predominant deterioration of
surface layers from oil side
Destruction of surface
layers
Oil side
19/09/2006 Copper side Prepared by : VKL 57

Residue results in dielectric
degradation
Insulation Stability to Surface

condition PD Resistivity
actions.Time
Ohm
to flashover
Pressboard Flashover 3·1013
with residue immediately
on the after rise the
surface voltage
Without 12 min 2·1014
residue
Adsorption of oil by products results in
deterioration of dielectric properties of
paper
Hydrophilic Sludge
acids tgδ20 ε20
Oil initial 0.01 ND 0.14
final 0.21 0.01 0.71
Kraft initial 0.6 3.3
paper final 14.5 4.9
Creep initial 0.43 2.3
paper final 10.1 3.9
Condition Assessment
and Maintenance

Main maintenance modes
Reactive – reacting to problems as they

arise due to emergencies
Proactive – work programme based
on monitored data

Reactive maintenance varies from:
“If it is not broken don’t fix it”, to
Time based activities that are carried out

too often, and may not be required

PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE is based on
surveillance and monitoring activities:
SURVEILLANCE involves batch analysis of oil

samples and planned diagnostic measurements
MONITORING involves regular measurement

of data, perhaps on a continuous basis

Aims of transformer surveillance
• Predictive maintenance
• Life extension
• Refurbishment
• Replacement strategy

Drivers to install surveillance equipment
• Need to reduce maintenance costs

• Increased use of power electronics
• Maintenance equipment inefficient for
modern electronics-based schemes

Transformer surveillance – on-line
• Oil analysis (resistivity, particles, water)
• Dissolved gas analysis
• Liquid chromatography
• Partial discharge (electrical Lemke probe)
• Partial discharge (acoustic)
• Temperature (infra-red camera)
• Vibration

Transformer surveillance – off-line measurements
• Recovery voltage method (RVM)

• Leakage inductance
• Low frequency impulse
• Fourier analysis
• Frequency response analysis (FRA)
• Dielectric loss angle

Transformer surveillance – intrusive measurements
• Degree of polymerisation (DP index)

• Winding clamping pressure
• OLTC contact wear
• Gel permeation chromatography
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Transformer condition monitoring :
External sensors
• Temperature (tank and OLTC)

• Partial discharge (electrical and acoustic)
• Current (loading , fault levels and life history)
• Voltage (system transients)
• On-line DGA
Transformer condition monitoring :
Internal sensors
• Partial discharge (waveguide and acoustic)
• Water content of oil
• Hydrogen and CH gases
• Winding temperature (point and distributed)
• Movement and vibration
• Magnetic field

Maintenance strategies
• CM - corrective maintenance
• TBM - time based maintenance
• CBM - condition based maintenance
• RCM - reliability centred maintenance

RECOMMENDATION FOR CONDITION MONITORING
1. THERMAL LIFE
1) DGA
2) FURFURAL C ONTENTS
3) DP
4) FIBRE OPTIC HOT SPOT MEASUREMENT(NEW)
5) THERMAL IMAGING
2. DIELECTRIC LIFE
1) PD
2) OIL QUANTITY
3) FDS
3. MECHANICAL
1) FRA
DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS (DGA)
OF MINERAL OIL INSULATING
FLUIDS IN TRANSFORMERS -
INTERPRETATIONS

WHY DGA ?
1. INSULATING MATERIALS AT HIGHER

TEMPERATURES AND AT ELECTRICAL
FAULTS BREAKDOWN LIBERATE GASES.
2. DISTRIBUTION OF THESE GASES CAN BE RELATED

TO TYPE OF FAULTS AND RATE OF GAS
GENERATION CAN INDICATE THE SEVERITY OF
FAULT :
3. OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES THAT DGA CAN PROVIDE

ARE :
i) ADVANCE WARNING OF DEVELOPING FAULTS
ii) DETERMINING THE IMPROPER USE OF UNITS
iii) STATUS CHECKS ON NEW & REPAIRED UNITS
iv) CONVENIENT SCHEDULING OF REPAIRS
v) MONITORING OF UNITS UNDER OVERLOAD

BASICS OF DGA ?
ORIGIN OF FAULT GASES :
1) CORONA OR PARTIAL DISCHARGE

2) PYROLYSIS OR THERMAL HEATING
3) ARCING
- THESE THREE CAUSES DIFFER MAINLY IN THE

INTENSITY OF ENERGY DISSIPATION PER UNIT
TIME PER UNIT VOLUME BY FAULT.
- MOST SEVERE INTENSITY OF ENERGY

DISSIPATION OCCURS WITH ARCING LESS WITH
HEATING AND LEAST WITH CORONA

FAULT GASES
CLASSIFIED IN 3 GROUPS :
1. HYDROCARBONS AND HYDROGEN

METHANE CH4 ETHANE C2H6
ETHYLENE C2H4 ACETYLENE C2H2
HYDROGEN H2
2. CARBON OXIDES
CARBON MONOXIDE Co
CARBON DIAOXIDE Co2
3. NON-FAULT GASES
NITROGEN N2 OXYGEN 02
SOME LABORATORIES ALSO MEASURE PROPYLENE,

PROPANE AND PROPYNE
FAULT GASES Vs TYPE OF MATERIAL INVOLVED
AND TYPE OF FAULT
1. CORONA
A) OIL H2
B) CELLULOSE H2, Co, Co2
2. PYROLYSIS LOW TEMP. HIGH TEMP.

A) OIL CH4, C2H6 C2H4,H2(CH4,C2H2)
B) CELLULOSE Co2 (Co) Co (Co2)
3. ARCING H2, C2H2 (CH4, C2H6, C2H4)

FAILURE ANALYSIS AND DGA
1. INSTANTANEOUS FAILURES THAT CANNOT BE

PREVENTED BY DGA
-FLASHOVER WITH POWER FLOW THROUGH
2. SERIOUS FAILURES, DEVELOPING WITHIN

SECONDS AND NOT DETECTED BY DGA
-BROKEN OR LOOSE CONNECTION IN A WINDING

WHICH LEADS TO SMALL ARC WHICH BURNS THE
SOLID INSULATION

FAILURE ANALYSIS AND DGA (CONTD)
DETERIORATED CONDUCTOR INSULATION

PAPER LEADING TO INTERTURN FAULT
BROKEN LOOSE OR DAMAGED DRAW ROD IN A

BUSHING CAUSING SPARKING AND ARCING
WITHIN TUBE
BUSHING EXPLOSION LEADING TO FIRE

3. DETECTABLE FAULTS BY DGA
3.1 WITHIN WINDING
A) SHORTING OF PARALLEL WIRES IN A BUNCH

CONDUCTOR WITHIN A COMMON PAPER COVERING
B) LOST POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS TO SHIELDING

RINGS, TORROIDS- FLOATING POTENTIALS,
SPARKING TO GROUNDS
C) CONDITIONS OF PARTIAL DISCHARGES BETWEEN

DISCS OR CONDUCTORS DUE TO CONTAMINATED
LOCAL OIL-LEADING TO FLASHOVER
3.2 CLEATS AND LEADS
A) BOLTED CONNECTIONS, PARTICULARLY

BETWEEN ALUMINIUM BUSBARS, IF THE SPRING
WASHERS DO NOT SUSTAIN THE NEEDED HIGH
PRESSURE
B) ALL GLIDING MOVING CONTACTS FORMING BAD

JOINTS DUE TO AGEING

3.3 IN THE TANK
A) HEATING OF TANK PART, BOLT ETC. DUE TO

MAGNETIC FIELD
B) OVERHEATING DUE TO DOUBLE GROUNDING

OF THE CORE
C) DAMAGED INSULATION BETWEEN COVER

SUPPORT POINT DUE TO CLOSED LOOP
3.4 SELECTOR SWITCH
A) CARBONISATION OF SELECTOR SWITCH

CONTACTS AND HOTSPOT FORMATION
B) GAP BETWEEN SELECTOR SWITCH CONTACTS
3.5 CORE
A) SHORTING AT BURRS OF LAMINATIONS
B) FAILURE OF BOLT INSULATION

STANDARDS ON DGA
1.”RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN DGA INTERPRETATION”

Cigre Brochure 296,June 2006
2. “NEW GUIDELINES FOR INTERPRETATION OF DGA IN

OIL-IMMERSED TRANSFORMERS” cigre Task force
15.01.01,Octr 1999
3. LIFE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR POWER

TRANSFORMERS-WG12-18,cigre br.227,2003
4. IEC PUB. 60599 (1999-03)-GUIDE TO

INTERPRETATION OF DGA
5. IEEE Std.C57.104-1991 IEEE GUIDE FOR
INTERPRETATION OF DGA
ABBREVIATIONS USED
TGC TYPICAL GAS TYPICAL VALUES OBSERVED IN

CONCENTRATION 90% OF A POPULATION OF
TRANSFORMERS IN SERVICE
TRGI TYPICAL RATE OF GAS

INCREASE
PFS PROBABILITY OF A FAILURE GAS ANALYSIS CORRESPONDING
RELATED EVENT IN SERVICE TO A FAILURE RELATED EVENT
PFGC PRE-FAILURE RATE OF GAS
INCREASE
AGC ALARM GAS VALUES INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN
CONCENTRATION TGC AND PFGC
ARGI ALARM RATE OF GAS
INCREASE

RANGES OF 90% TYPICAL(TGC) VALUES
FOR POWER TRANSFORMERS,in ppm (CORE FORM)
C2H2 H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C0 C02

50- 30- 60- 20-90 400- 3800-
150 130 280 600 14000
NO OLTC 2-20
COMMUNI- 60-280
CATING OLTC

RANGES OF 90% TYPICAL(TRGI)
FOR POWER TRANSFORMERS, in ppm/YEAR
(CORE TYPE)
C2H2 H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C0 C02

35- 10- 32- 5-90 260- 11700-
132 120 146 1060 10,000
NO OLTC 0-4
COMMUNI- 21-37
CATING OLTC

PFGC VALUES CALCULATED
ON DIFFERENT NETWORKS, in ppm
H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C2H2 CO

PFGC 600 400 900 750 350 3000
HQ 1318 424 993 850 408 984
Labelec 1318 424 993 850 408 984

LCIE-hydro 550 460 700 1000 310 1500
LCIE-core 900 340 830 1050 600 1200
LCIE-shell 240 270 480 1800 500 1300

AGC VALUES CALCULATED
ON DIFFERENT NETWORKS, in ppm
H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C2H2 CO

AGC
HQ 250 120 350 400 170 1700
Labelec 665 194 421 805 295 956

LCIE-hydro 290 230 240 670 120 1300
LCIE-core 240 150 120 800 70 1100
LCIE-shell 110 200 340 1700 100 1000

TYPICAL STRAY GASSING TEST RESULTS
AT 120°C in ppm/16h OF TEST
H2 CH4
TEST DURATION, h 16-164-16 16-164-16

NYNAS 10 X 12-7-(0) 0-0-(0)
NYNAS 10 XT 50-16-27 1-0-2
DIALA S 48-19-(147) 0-1-(0)

UNIVOLT 52 60-7-(25) 4-1-(9)
NYTRO 11EN 54-8-(60) 41-5-(107)
DIALA G 76-16-14 1-2-5
NYNAS 10GBN 138-27(0) 3-14-(0)
OLD VOLTESSO 35 127-9-85 161-15-88
NEW VOLTESSO 35 1088-240-61 172-10-219

TYPICAL STRAY GASSING TEST RESULTS
AT 200°C in ppm/16h OF TEST
OIL H2 CH4 C2H6
DIALA S 49-6-(0) 89-16-(0) 91-16
UNIVOLT 52 26-2-(6) 147-20(0) 97-15-(0)
NYTRO 11EN 45-5-(0) 232-32-(0) 260-32-(0)

CALCULATED CONTRIBUTION OF STRAY GASSING TO
GAS LEVELS IN TRANSFORMERS AFTER HEAT RUN
TESTS, IN ppm OF H2
HOTTEST SPOT 140 120 110 98 85 OBSERVED

DURING HEAT RUN
TEMP °C TESTS
NEW VOLTESSO 4.0 2.2 1.3 0.7 0.1
35
NYTRO 10GBN 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.1 -
OLD VOLTESSO 35 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 - 20
TECHNOL 4000 0.5 0.2 0.1 - - 50
DIALA D 0.4 0.2 0.1 - - 10-50
UNIVOLT 52 0.2 0.1 - - - 10-50

STRAY GASSING VS. CATALYTIC REACTIONS AND
CORONA PARTIAL DISCHARGES
GASES CH4/H2
FORMED
CATALYTIC REACTIONS H2 <0.02
CORONA PARTIAL H2,CH4 0.02-0.14

DISCHARGES
STRAY GASSING OF OIL :
- AT 120 °C H2,CH4,C2H6 0.15-1
- AT 200 °C C2H6,CH4,H2 >0.4

RATES OF GAS FORMATION FROM PAPER, IN ppm /
YEAR / kg OF PAPER / 50,000 L OF OIL
PAPER C2H2 H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 CO CO2 CO2/ OIL USED

TEMP. CO
125°C 0 0.4 0.3 - - 4 220 50 NYNAS

10CX
135°C 0 0.3 0.4 - - 5 230 42 NYNAS

10CX
160°C 0 40 12 3 3 122 1830 15 NYNAS

11CX
250/ 0 123 200 85 38 2340 78000 3.5 TECHNO

300°C 0 L4000

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. DISSOLVED GAS CONCENTRATIONS IN SERVICE
INDIVIDUAL NETWORKS ARE RECOMMENDED TO

CALCULATE THEIR OWN TYPICAL VALUES OF TGC &
TRGI WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
2. THERMAL STRAY GASSING OF OIL
• STRAY GASSING IN GENERAL, WILL NOT INTERFERE

WITH DGA DIAGNOSES UNLESS A AVERY STRONGLY
STRAY GASSING OIL IS USED OR OPERATION IS
LARGELY ABOVE NOMINAL LOAD.
• HEAT RUN TESTS IN GENERAL WILL NOT BE
AFFECTED BY THE STRAY GASSING OF OIL.

RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTD.)
3. GAS FORMATION FROM PAPER
• AMOUNT OF PAPER INVOLVED IN A FAULT CAN

BE CALCULATED FROM GAS FORMATION
RATES.
4. PARTIAL DISCHARGES
• DGA IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL TO DETERMINE

WHEN PARTIAL DISCHARGES START BECOMING
HARMFUL TO THE INSULATION AND
DETECTABLE BY VISUAL INSPECTION.

RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTD.)
5. GAS TRAPPED IN PAPER INSULATION
• TRAPPED GASES ARE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE

PARTIAL DISCHARGES
• THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS BY INCREASING

THE TEMPERATURE TO 60 °C DURING 1 TO 6
MONTH PERIOD FOR H2 AND HYDROCARBONS
AND TO 70-90 °C DURING 3 TO 6 MONTHS FOR
CO, CO2.
• ALTERNATIVE PROCEDFURE WOULD BE TO

SUBJECT THE TRANSFORMER TO VAPOUR-
PHASE DRYING TO REMOVE THE
CONTAMINATED OIL FROM PAPER.

DGA INTERPRETATION - STATUS
• ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE TYPE OF A

FAULT FROM THE GASES EVOLVED
FROM THE OIL STARTED BY BUCHHOLZ
AS EARLY AS 1928.
• SEVERAL METHODS ARE IN USE FOR THE

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
• NO SINGLE METHOD IS CAPABLE OF

UNIVERSAL USE.

DGA INTERPRETATION - STATUS (CONTD.)
• TWO POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE

PROCEEDING WITH ANY METHOD OF
DIAGNOSIS.
1) RESULTS OBTAINED FROM DGA MUST

BE ABOVE THE DETECTION LIMIT OF
THE INSTRUMENT.
2) THE MEASURED GAS

CONCENTRATIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT

DGA INTERPRETATION METHODS
I) RATIO TECHNIQUE
• IEC 60599 RECOMMENDS USE OF 5

GASES AND 3 RATIOS.
• IEEE STD C57.104 AND ROGERS AND

DORNENBURG ALSO RECOMMEND
THE SAME 5 GASES. THE GASES
ARE LISTED IN ORDER OF
INCREASING DECOMPOSITION
TEMPERATURE.

DGA INTERPRETATION METHODS (CONTD.)
II) GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION
• CONVENIENT TO VISUALLY FOLLOW

THE EVOLUTION OF FAULTS
• BASED ON CALCULATING THE
RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF 3 GASES.
EACH CORNER OF A TRIANGLE
REPRESENTS 100% OF ONE GAS AND
0% OF THE OTHER GAS.
• PLOTTING THE PERCENTAGE OF THE 3

GASES ON THE TRIANGLE DEPENDS
ON THE AREA ON WHICH A
DIAGNOSIS IS NAMED.
III) KEY GAS METHOD
• DEPENDENCE OF TEMPERATURE TO
THE TYPES OF OIL & CELLULOSE
DECOMPOSITION GASES PROVIDES
THE BASIS FOR THE QUALITATIVE
DETERMINATION OF FAULT GASES
THAT ARE TYPICAL, OR PREDOMINANT
AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES.
• THESE SIGNIFICANT GASES AND

PROPORTIONS ARE CALLED “KEY GAS”
III) KEY GAS METHOD (CONTD.)
• THIS TECHNIQUE PROVIDES GRAPHS

FOR 4 GENERAL FAULT TYPES
• THERMAL (OIL DECOMPOSITION)

• THERMAL (CELLULOSE
DECOMPOSITION)
• ELECTRICAL (CORONA)
• ELECTRICAL (ARCING)

DGA INTERPRETATION METHODS-CLASSICAL
1) IEC 60599
• FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1978

• METHOD OF INTERPRETATION USES RATIO
TECHNIQUE AND EMPLOY 3 RATIOS
CH4 / H2
C2H4/C2H6
C2H2/C2H4
• INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS SHOULD BE

CARRIED OUT IF THE GASES CONCENTRATIONS
ARE ABOVE THE SIGNIFICANT LEVELS.

2) IEEE METHOD
• GENERALLY 3 TYPES OF FAULTS ARE

CONSIDERED
• THERMAL
• LOW ENERGY ELECTRICAL
• HIGH ENERGY ELECTRICAL
• TOTAL COMBUSTIBLE GASES AND

CONCENTRATION LIMITS FOR FOUR
CONDITIONS ARE SUGGESTED FOR
ACTIONS

2) IEEE METHOD (CONTD.)
• THE RATIOS USED FOR KEY GASES ARE

SIMILAR TO IEC 60599
C2H2 CH4 C2H2

_____ , ____ , _____
C2H4 H2 C2H6
TO DIAGNOSE POSSIBLE FAULTS.

2) IEEE METHOD (CONTD.)
• REFERENCE IS MADE TO DORNENBURG.
• EVOLUTION OF THE GAS

CONCENTRATION IS FUNCTION OF THE
TIME AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS
STANDARD.

3) CEGB / ROGERS RATIOS
• CENTRAL ELECTRICITY GENERATING

BOARD OF ENGLAND AND WALES
STARTED EXTENSIVE WORK ON FAULT GAS
CORELATIONS AS EARLY AS 1968.
• THE STUDY INDICATED THAT AN

INCREASE IN OIL TEMPERATURE LEADS TO
AN INCREASE IN THE RATIO OF
UNSATURATED TO SATURATED
HYDROCARBONS ESPECIALLY RATIOS
C2H2/C2H4 , C2H4/C2H6.

3) CEGB / ROGERS RATIOS (CONTD.)
• THERE IS ALSO A PREDICTED

INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF
HYDROGEN PRODUCED WITH
INCREASING TEMPERATURES
• 4 RATIOS USED :
CH4/H2 C2H6/CH4
C2H4/C2H6 C2H2/C2H4
• ROGERS REPORTED ABOVE IN 1978.

3) CEGB / ROGERS RATIOS (CONTD.)
• THE GASES ARE USED IN ORDER OF

INCREASING DECOMPOSITION
TEMPERATURE
• DEPENDING UPON THE RATIO, A CODE
NO. IS GIVEN.
• THE CODE NUMBER WILL LEAD TO
FAULT DIAGNOSIS.
• SEVERAL SIMULTANEOUS OCCURRING
FAULTS CAN CAUSE AMBIGUITY

4) SCHLIESINGER METHOD
• A RATIO TECHNIQUE, COMBINED WITH

LIMIT OF GAS CONCENTRATION.
COMBINATION OF RATIO AND LIMIT OF GAS
CONCENTRATION WILL LEAD TO A CODE
WHICH CAN BE USED FOR INTERPRETATION OF
THE RESULTS.
• 5 RATIOS USED :
C2H2/H2 C2H2/C2H6 H2/CH6
C2H2/C2H6 C02/CO

4) SCHLIESINGER METHOD (CONTD.)
• DEPENDING ON THE CONCENTRATION

OF THESE GASES CODES ARE
EXTRACTED FROM THE TABLE.
• COMBINATIONS OF THE CODES ARE

LISTED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC TABLE
• METHOD IS CAPABLE OF DISTINGUISING

MORE THAN ONE FAULT.

5) DORNENBURG’S METHOD
• ORIGINAL METHOD PLOTTED THE RATIO

CH4 / H2 AGAINST C2H2/C2H4 USING
LOG LOG PAPER.
• THE METHOD WAS FOUND TO BE
INSUFFICIENTLY DISCRIMINATIVE
ALTHOUGH HAVING THE ADVANTAGE
OF BEING APPLICABLE TO BUCHHOLZ
GASES.
• LATER ON METHOD WAS REVISED TO
USE RATIO OF MEASURED GASES

6)NOMOGRAPH TECHNIQUE
• COMBINATION OF FAULT GAS RATIO

CONCEPT WITH ESTABLISHED VALUES.
• INTENDED TO PROVIDE BOTH
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF
FAULT GAS DATA AND TH MEANS TO
INTERPRET THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.
• CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF VERTICAL
LOGARITHMIC SCALES REPRESENTING
THE CONCENTRATIONS OF THE
INDIVIDUAL GASES.

6)NOMOGRAPH TECHNIQUE (CONTD.)
• STRAIGHT LINES ARE DRAWN BETWEEN

ADJACENT SCALES TO CONNECT THE
POINTS REPRESENTING THE VALUES
OF KEY GAS CONCENTRATIONS.
• SLOPES OF THESE LINES ARE THE

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR
DETERMINING THE TYPE OF FAULT.

7) DUVAL METHOD
• REPORTED IN 1989 BY DUVAL OF

HYDRO-QUEBEC BY USING A TRIANGLE
• BASED ON CALCULATING THE

PERCENTAGE OF 3 GASES :
CH4 C2H4 C2H2
• EACH CORNER OF THE TRIANGLE

REPRESENTS 100% OF ONE GAS AND
0% OF THE OTHER
7)DUVAL METHOD (CONTD.)
• CONCENTRATION OF THE GASES

INCREASE IN CLOCK-WISE DIRECTION.
• INSIDE OF THE TRIANGLE IS DIVIDED

INTO 6 DIFFERENT AREAS.
• METHOD EASY BUT SOME WHAT BULKY.

IV) RATE OF EVOLUTION OF THE GASES
• CALCULATES RATES OF GAS GENERATION

BY COMPARING RESULTS OF TWO
ANALYSES AND DATES OF THE ANALYSIS.
• SINCE VOLUME OF THE OIL REMAINS

CONSTANT, RELATIVE CHANGES IN FAULT
GAS CONCENTRATIONS OVER TIME MAKES
POSSIBLE THE CALCULATION OF THE RATE
OF EVOLUTION OF THE GASES.

V) KEY GASES
• TECHNIQUES RELATES EACH INDIVIDUAL

GAS TO A PROBABLE FAULT
• H2 IS PRODUCED BY TWO MECHANISMS :
• AT LOW TEMPERATURE ASSOCIATED

WITH PD
• AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE
PRODUCED BY FRACTIONATION OF
THE OIL.

V) KEY GASES (CONTD.)
• C2H2 IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH ENERGY

DISSIPATION.
• LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYDROCARBON

WHEN PRODUCED TOGETHER WITH H2,
INDICATES PYROLYSIS.
• A FAULT DOES NOT PRODUCE A SINGLE

UNIQUE DECOMPOSITION PRODUCT

V) KEY GASES (CONTD.)
• PATTERN OF COMBINATION OF GASES

PRODUCED IS UNIQUE FOR EACH OF THE 3
MAIN TYPES OF FAULT.
• ARCING PRODUCES ALL FAULT GASES.
• PYROLYSIS PRODUCES ALL EXCEPT

ACYLENE.

DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEMES
• DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME OF ABB

• ASINEL DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME (SPAIN)
• KEMA DIAGNOSTICS OF DGA
• LABELEC DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME (PORTUGAL)
• LABORELEC DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME (BELGIUM)
• DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME OF LCIE (FRANCE)
• DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME OF SLOVENIA
• NATIONAL GRID DGA INTERPRETATION SCHEME (UK)
• RWE ENERGIE DGA INT. SCHEME (GERMANY)
• SIEMENS TRAFO UNION DGA SCHEME (GERMANY)
• CBI&P GUIDELINES

DGA INTERPRETATION METHODS (CONTD.
DISADVANTAGES :
SEVERAL SIMULTANEOUSLY OCCURRING

FAULTS CAN CAUSE AMBIGUITY IN
ANALYSIS.
ADVANTAGES :
RATIOS ARE INDEPENDENT OF BOTH THE

OIL VOLUME AND THE CHOICE OF
CONCENTRATION UNITS

DGA INTERPRETATION
A) NEW GUIDELINES - CIGRE TASK FORCES

15.01.01/.03
1. KEY RATIOS
KEY RATIO NO.1 C2H2 / C2H6 (ACETYLENE/ETHANE)

INDICATION : ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE
FAULT IF >1
KEY RATIO NO.2 H2 / CH4 (HYDROGEN/METHANE)
INDICATION : PARTIAL DISCHARGE

FAULT IF > 10

DGA INTERPRETATION (CONTD.)
KEY RATIO NO.3 C2H4 / C2H6 (ETHYLENE / ETHANE)

INDICATION THERMAL FAULT
IF > 1
KEY RATIO NO.4 Co2 / Co
INDICATION CELLULOSE DEGRADATION

>10 OVERHEATING OF CELLULOSE
< 3 DEGRADATION OF CELLULOSE
BY ELECTRICAL FAULT
(TO CONFIRM BY FURFURAL
ANALYSIS, IEC 61198)

KEY RATIO NO.5 C2H2 / H2 (ACETYLENE/HYDROGEN)
INDICATION : INTANK TAPCHANGER
2 AND CONCENTRATION OF C2H2
30 PPM

2. KEY GAS CONCENTRATIONS
KEY GAS KEY GAS CONCEN- SUSPECT

TRATION (PPM) INDICATION
C2H2 > 20 POWER DISCHARGE

H2 >100 PARTIAL DISCHARGE
ΣCXHY >1000 THERMAL FAULT
UPTO ΣC1, C2, C3 HYDROCARBON
>500
UPTOΣC1, C2, HYDROCARBONS
COξ >10000 CELLULOSE
X = 1,2 DEGRADATION
3. PROCEDURE
DENOTE R1 IF ALL RATIOS ARE BELOW THE

LIMITS
R2 IF ANY RATIO IS LARGER THAN THE LIMIT
K1 IF KEY CONCENTRATION OF ALL GASES BELOW
THE LIMITS
K2 IF KEY CONCENTRATION OF ATLEAST ONE GAS
IS HIGHER THAN THE LIMIT

RESULTS
K1 & R1 NO ACTION, TRANSFORMER IS NOT

PROBABLY HEALTHY
K2 & R2 TRANSFORMER MOST PROBABLY
FAULTY, ADDITIONAL ANALYSES
NEEDED
K1 &R2 POSSIBLE INCIPIENT FAULT,
ADDITIONAL ANALYSES NEEDED
K2 & R1 POSSIBILITY OF MORE THAN ONE
FAULT, FURTHER INVESTIGATION
NEEDED

(B) IEC 60599 :
1. 3 BASIC GAS RATIOS
C2H2 CH4 C2H4

C2H4 H2 C2H6
1.1
CASE CHARACTERISTICS C 2H 2 CH4 C2H4
FAULT C 2H 4 H2 C2H6
PD PARTIAL DISCHARGES <0.01 BUT NS <0.1 <0.2
D1 DISCHARGES OF LOW ENERGY >1 0.1-0.5 >1

D2 DISCHARGES OF HIGH ENERGY 0.6-2.5 0.1-1.0 >2
T1 THERMAL FAULT-T<300ºC <0.01 >1 <1
T2 THERMAL FAULT <0.1 >1 1- 4
300 ºC<T<700 ºC
T3 THERMAL FAULT <0.2 >1 4
T > 700 ºC

1.2 SIMPLIFIED SCHEME OF INTERPRETATION
CASE C2H2 / CH4 / C2H4 /

C2H4 H2 C2H6
PD < 0.2
D > 0.2
T < 0.2

2. 90% TYPICAL CONCENTRATION VALUES
Values in microlitres per litre
Tr.sub-type H2 CO CO2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2
NO OLTC 60-150 540-900 5 100-13 000 40-110 50-90 60-280 3-50
COMMUNI- 75-150 400-850 5 300-12 000 35-130 50-70 110-250 80-270

CATING
OLTC

3. RATES OF GAS INCREASE :
HYDROGEN <5
METHANE <2
ETHANE <2
ETHYLENE <2
ACETYLENE <0.1
CARBON MONOXIDE <50
CARBONDIOXIDE <200

1.3 CO2 / CO RATIO :
IF INCREMENTED RATIO <3
- PAPER DEGRADATION SUSPECTED

- ASK FOR FURANIC COMPOUND ANALYSIS OR DP
1.4 O2 / N2 RATIO :
- REFLECTS AIR IF RATIO CLOSE TO 0.5

- IF RATIO LESS THAN 0.3 EXCESSIVE
CONSUMPTION OF OXYGEN DUE TO OIL
OXIDATION AND/OR PAPER AGEING
1.5 C2H2 / H2 RATIO :
- HIGHER THAN 2 TO 3 INDICATES OLTC

CONTAMINATION Prepared by : VKL
19/09/2006 134
RECOMMENDED METHOD OF DGA INTERPRETATION :
• REJECT OR CORRECT INCONSISTENT DGA

VALUES
• CALCULATE RATE OF GAS INCREASE SINCE

LAST ANALYSIS
• IF ALL GASES ARE BELOW TYPICAL VALUES

OF GAS CONCENTRATIONS AND RATES OF
GAS INCREASE, REPORT AS “NORMAL
DGA / HEALTHY EQUIPMENT”

• IF AT LEAST ONE GAS IS ABOVE TYPICAL
VALUES OF GAS CONCENTRATIONS AND
RATES OF GAS INCREASE CALCULATE GAS
RATIOS AND IDENTIFY FAULT USING TABLE.
CHECK FOR EVENTUAL ERRONEOUS
DIAGNOSIS.
• IF NECESSARY SUBTRACT LAST VALUES FROM

PRESENT ONES BEFORE CALCULATING RATIOS,
PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF CO, CO2.

• IF DGA VALUES ARE ABOVE TYPICAL VALUES
BUT BELOW 10XS (S = DETECTION LIMIT)
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN
CALCULATING GAS RATIOS AT LOW LEVELS.
KEEPING IN MIND THE POSSIBLE VARIATIONS
RESULTING FROM THE REDUCED PRECISION
• DETERMINE IF GAS CONCENTRATIONS AND

RATES OF GAS INCREASE ARE ABOVE ALARM
VALUES. VERIFY IF FAULT IS EVOLVING
TOWARDS FINAL STAGE. DETERMINE IF PAPER
IS INVOLVED.
• TAKE PROPER ACTION ACCORDING TO BEST
ENGINEERING JUDGEMENT.
• IT IS RECOMMENDED TO :
1) INCREASE SAMPLING FREQUENCY

(QUARTERLY, MONTHLY OR OTHER) WHEN
THE GAS CONCENTRATIONS AND THEIR
RATES OF INCREASE EXCEED TYPICAL
VALUES
2) CONSIDER IMMEDIATE ACTION WHEN GAS

CONCENTRATIONS AND RATES OF GAS
INCREASE EXCEED ALARM VALUES.
MINIMUM DETECTION CAPABILITIES
GAS CONCENTRATION : ppm(v/v)
H2 2
CO 5
CO2 10
CH4 0.1
C2H6 0.1
C2H4 0.1
C2H2 0.1
(C) IEEE STD. C57.104-1991
1. KEY GAS METHOD
1.1 THERMAL - OIL
- PRINCIPAL GAS - ETHYLENE
- DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS INCLUDE

ETHYLENE & METHANE TOGETHER WITH
SMALL QUANTITIES OF HYDROGEN AND
ETHANE. TRACES OF ACETYLENE MAY
BE FORMED, IF THE FAULT IS SEVERE
OR INVOLVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS
1.2 THERMAL - CELLULOSE
- PRINCIPAL GAS CO
- LARGE QUANTITIES OF CO2 & CO ARE

EVOLVED FROM OVERHEATED CELLULOSE
HYDROCARBON GASES, SUCH AS METHANE
AND ETHYLENE WILL BE FORMED IF THE
FAULT INVOLVES AN OIL IMPREGNATED
STRUCTURE

1.3 ELECTRICAL - CORONA
- PRINCIPAL GAS - HYDROGEN
- LOW ENERGY ELECTRICAL DISCHARGES

PRODUCE H2 AND CH4 AND SMALL QUANTITIES
OF C2H6 AND C2H4.
- COMPARABLE AMOUNTS OF CO & CO2 MAY

RESULT FROM DISCHARGES IN CELLULOSE

1.4 ELECTRICAL - ARCING
- PRINCIPAL GAS - ACETYLENE
- LARGE QUANTITIES OF H2 & C2H2 ARE

PRODUCED WITH MINOR QUANTITIES OF
CH4 & C2H4.
- CO2 & CO MAY ALSO BE FORMED IF THE

FAULT INVOLVES CELLULOSE
- OIL MAY BE CARBONISED

2. USE OF GAS RATIOS
- ATTRIBUTED TO DOERNENBURG AND

ROGERS
- ARRAY OF 5 RATIOS
R1 = CH4 / H2
R2 = C2H2 / C2H4
R3 = C2H2 / CH4
R4 = C2H6/C2H2
R5 = C2H4 / C2H6
- RATIOS 1, 2, 3 & 4 - DOERNENBURG
- RATIOS 1,2,5 - ROGERS

DOERNENBURG RATIO METHOD
1. VALUES OF KEY GASES COMPARED WITH

FOLLOWING ASCONCENTRATIONS (L1 IN
PPM) AND IF AT LEAST ONE OF THE GAS
CONCENTRATIONS EXCEEDS THE LIMITING
VALUES, THE UNIT IS CONSIDERED FAULTY

KEY GAS CONCENTRATION, L1 PPM
H2 100
CH4 120
CO 350
C2H2 35
C2H4 50
C2H6 65

3. DETERMINE RATIOS OF KEY GASES AS
FOLLOWS :
THE RATIO PROCEDURE IS VALID IF

AT LEAST ONE OF THE GASES IN EACH
RATIO R1, R2, R3 & R4 EXCEEDS LIMIT L1,
OTHERWISE UNIT SHOULD BE RESAMPLED.

3.1 RATIOS FOR KEY GASES - DOERNENBURG
SUGGESTED FAULT RATIO 1(R1) RATIO 2(R2) RATIO 3(R3) RATIO 4 (R4)
DIAGNOSIS CH4/H2 C2H2/C2H4 C2H2/CH4 C2H6/C2H2
EXTRACTED EXTRACTED EXTRACTED EXTRACTED
1. THERMAL >1,0 <0.75 <0.3 >0.4

DECOMPOSITION
2. CORONA (LOW <0.1 Not signi- <0.3 >0.4

INTENSITY PD) ficant
3. ARCING (HIGH >0.1 <0.75 >0.3 <0.4

INTENSITY PD) <1.0

3.2 ROGERS RATIOS FOR KEY GASES :
CASE R2 R1 R5 SUGGESTED FAULT

C2H2/ CH4/ C2H4/ DIAGNOSIS
C2H4 H2 C2/H6
0 <0.1 >0.1 <1.0 UNIT NORMAL

<1.0
1 <0.1 <1.0 <1.0 LOW ENERGY DENSITY

ARCING-PD
2 0.1- 0.1- >3.0 ARCING-HIGH ENERGY

3.0 1.0 DISCHARGE
3 <0.1 >1.0 1.0-3.0 LOW TEMP. THERMAL
4 <0.1 >1.0 1.0-3.0 THERMAL < 700 ºC
5 19/09/2006 <0.1 >1.0 >3.0

Prepared by : VKL THERMAL > 700 ºC 149
FAULTS DETECTABLE BY DGA : LEGEND
PD PARTIAL DISCHARGES
D1 DISCHARGES OF LOW ENERGY
D2 DISCHARGES OF HIGH ENERGY
T1 THERMAL FAULTS t < 300°C
T2 THERMAL FAULTS 300 °C < T < 700 °C
T3 THERMAL FAULTS > 700 °C

SYSTEM OR COMPONENT DEFECTS OR FAULTS
DETECTABLE BY DGA
SYSTEM DEFECT FAULT AND FAULTS

COMPONENTS (REVERSIBLE) FAILURE-MODE DETECTABLE BY
(NOT REVERSIBLE) DGA (EXAMPLES)
DIELECTRIC
MAJOR INSULATION - EXCESSIVE WATER - DESTRUCTIVE PD - DISCHARGES (D1)

MINOR INSULATION - OIL CONTAMINATION - LOCALISED TRACKING - DISCHARGES (D1)
LEADS INSULATION - SURFACE CONTAMINATION - CREEPING DISCHARGE - DISCHARGES (D1,D2)
ELECTROSTATIC - ABNORMAL AGED OIL - EXCESSIVE AGING/ / - THERMAL FAULT(T1,T2)
SHIELDS - ABNORMAL CELLULOSE AGING OVERHEATED
- PD OF LOW ENERGY CELLULOSE
- LOOSE CONNECTIONS CAUSING - DISCHARGES (D1)

SPARKING

DETECTABLE BY DGA

ELECTROMAGNETIC
CIRCUIT
- LOOSENING CORE CLAMPING - EXCESSIVE VIBRATION

CORE - OVERHEATING DUE TO HIGH AND SOUND
WINDINGS STRUCTURE STRAY FLUX - GENERAL OVERHEATING THERMAL FAULT (T1)
INSULATION - SHORT CIRCUIT (OPEN-CIRCUIT) - LOCALIZED HOT SPOT THERMAL FAULT (T2,T3)
CLAMPING STRUCTURE IN GROUNDING CIRCUIT - SPARKING/DISCHARGE DISCHARGES (D1)
MAGNETIC SHIELDS - ABNORMAL CIRCULATING - ONE OR MORE TURNS DISCHARGES (D2)
GROUNDING CIRCUIT CURRENT ARE SHORT CIRCUITED
- FLOATING POTENTIAL COMPLETELY
- AGING LAMINATION - STRANDS WITHIN THE
SAME TURN ARE SHORT
CIRCUITED

DETECTABLE BY DGA

MECHANICAL
- LOOSENING CLAMPING - LEADS SUPPORT FAILURE
WINDINGS - WINDING DISTORTION

CLAMPING - RADIAL
LEADS SUPPORT - AXIAL
- TWISTING
- FAILURE OF INSULATION DISCHARGES (D1,D2)
CURRENT CARRYING CIRCUIT
LEADS - POOR JOINT - LOCALIZED HOT SPOT THERMAL FAULT (T2,T3)
WINDING - POOR CONTACTS

OPEN-CIRCUIT DISCHARGES (D1,D2)
- CONTACT DETERIORATION SHORT-CIRCUIT
TYPICAL DEFECTS OR FAULTS IN SELECTOR SWITCH &
DRIVE MOTOR OF OLTC DETECTABLE BY DGA
COMPONENTS DEFECT FAILURE MODE FAULTS

OR FAULT DETECTABLE BY
DGA (EXAMPLES)
SELECTOR SWITCH
DIELECTRIC
SOLID INSULATION : - EXCESSIVE WATER DESTRUCTIVE PD DISCHARGES (D1)

- BETWEEN TAPS, - OIL CONTAMINATION LOCALIZED TRACKING DISCHARGES (D1)
- TO GROUND, - SURFACE CONTAMINATION CREEPING DISCHARGE DISCHARGES (D1,D2)
- BETWEEN PHASES - PD OF LOW ENERGY EXCESSIVELY AGED /
- BARRIER BOARD & - ABNORMALLY AGED OIL OVERHEATED CELLULOSE THERMAL FAULT (T1,T2)
- BUSHINGS
LIQUID INSULATION :
- ACROSS CONTACTS
ADJACENT STUDS IN FLASHOVER DISCHARGES (D1)

COMBINED SELECTOR
DIVERTER TAPCHANGER
COMPONENTS DEFECT OR FAILURE MODE FAULTS

FAULT DETECTABLE BY
DGA (EXAMPLES)
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTIONS - POOR CONNECTIONS - OVERHEATING THERMAL FAULT (T1)

CONTACTS - MIS-ALIGNED CONTACTS - SPARKING / ARCING DISCHARGES (D1)
- SELECTOR CONTACTS - SILVER COATING - OVERHEATING - THERMAL FAULT (T1)
- CHANGEOVER SWITCH DISTURBED / WORN - CARBON BUILD UP THERMAL FAULT (T2,T3)
- COURSE FINE - POOR CONTACT PRESSURE BETWEEN CONTACTS
THROUGH BUSHINGS


DGA (EXAMPLES)
MECHANICAL
DRIVE SHAFT - DAMAGED OR BROKEN OUT OF SYNCH OPERATION

SELECTOR CONTACTS - INCORRECT ALIGNMENT OF SELECTOR & DIVERTER
WITH DIVERTER SWITCH SWITCHES ARCING DISCHARGES (D1, D2)
OPERATION
- TRAVEL BEYOND THE
END STOP


DGA (EXAMPLES)
DRIVE MECHANISM
DRIVE SHAFT - INCORRECT TIMING INCORRECT OPERATION OF

MECHANICAL END STOPS - OPERATION BEYOND THE SELECTOR SWITCH
MOTOR AND GEAR DRIVE END STOP IN RELATION TO DIVERTER
CONTROL EQUIPMENT - BROKEN GEARS
AUXILLARY SWTICHES - MISALIGNED COUPLING TAPCHANGER JAMMED
- WORN,DAMAGED OR ON A TAP - WILL NOT
BROEKN AUXILLARY OPERATE
SWITCHES

TYPICAL DEFECTS FOR BUSHINGS DETECTABLE BY
DGA

DGA (EXAMPLES)
CONDENSER LOCAL NATURE

CORE RESIDUAL MOISTURE PARTIAL
POOR IMPREGNATION IONIZATION PARTIAL DISCHARGES(PD)
WRINKLES IN PAPER GASSING
DELAMINATED PAPER THERMAL RUN AWAY THERMAL FAULT (T2,T3)
OVER-STRESSING
SHORT-CIRCUIT LAYER DISCHARGES(D1,D2)
INGRESS OF MOISTURE
INGRESS OF AIR PUNCTURE DISCHARGES(D1)
GRAPHITE INK MIGRATION EXPLOSION THERMAL FAULT(T2,T3)
DIELECTRIC OVERHEATING DISCHARGES(D2)
X-WAX DEPOSIT PARTIAL DISCHARGES (PD)
BULK NATURE
AGING OF OIL-PAPER BODY
THERMAL UNSTABLE OIL FLASHOVER
GAS UNSTABLE OIL EXPLOSIONS DISCHARGES(D1)
OVER-SATURATION DISCHARGES(D2)
TYPICAL DEFECTS FOR BUSHINGS DETECTABLE BY DGA

DGA (EXAMPLES)
CORE SURFACE CONTAMINATION PD DISCHARGES (D1)
OIL MOISTURE CONTAMINATION SURFACE DISCHARGES (D1)

INTERNAL PORCELAIN AGING DISCHARGE
SURFACE GASSING
TAPS UNGROUNDINGS PD DISCHARGES (D1)

SHORTED ELECTRODES
CONDUCTOR OVERHEATING OVERHEATING THERMAL FAULT (T1,T2)

- TOP CONTACT GASSING
- FOOT CONTACT SPARKING DISCHARGES (D1)
- DRAW ROD
CIRCULATING CURRENT IN THERMAL FAULT(T2,T3)
THE HEAD
EXTERNAL CRACKS FLASHOVER DISCHARGES (D1)

PORCELAIN CONTAMINATION
SURFACE DISCHARGE

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TRANSFORMER LIFE MANAGEMENT,

• MECHANISMS OF LIFE DEGRADATION

• KEY DETERIORATION PROCESSES

• LIFE ASSESSMENT AND CONDITION

• DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

19/09/2006 Prepared by : VKL 2

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19/09/2006 Prepared by : VKL 4

Is the Life of Transformer

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TRANSFORMER INSULATION LIFE IS DEFINED AS PER

“TOTAL TIME BETWEEN THE INITIAL STATE

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AS DEFINED IN IEC 60076-7

“FOR A GIVEN HOT SPOT TEMPERATURE, RATE AT

THE RELATIVE AGEING RATE v=1.0 CORRESPONDS TO

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PAPER TYPE / LIFE YEARS

NON- 80°C 118 5.7

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WHERE θh = HOTSPOT TEMPERATURE °C

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BASIS NORMAL INSULATION LIFE

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• ‘PD’ GOVERNS THE DIELECTRIC LIFE!

• FAILURE RATE AT KEMA AND OTHER SHORT

• THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON AGEING DUE TO

• WINDING DISPLACEMENT DO TAKE PLACE

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NORMAL DEFECTIVE FAULTY

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Moisture affects transformers both in the short and long term.

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The dielectric properties of the solid and liquid insulation are

The dielectric breakdown voltage of the solid insulation

This occurs most noticeably after 2 to 3 percent, but usually the

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Processes of insulation deterioration involve

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Paper wrap around

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: Turn coil, conductors (paper)

Diffusion time constant – a few days-month

Diffusion time constant – some years

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Thin cold structures” that operate at bulk oil temperatures is

Components of this group are the main source of high water

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external - from the atmosphere

internal - from manufacture

internal - from cellulose (paper) ageing

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