Oil-immersed Power Transformers

Condition Diagnosis with Limited

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) Data
Andri Febriyanto *)
PT. Indonesia Power,
Semarang Generation Business Unit,
Tambak Lorok Power Station,
Central Java, 50127, Indonesia

Tapan Kumar Saha

School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering,
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane,
QLD, 4072, Australia

Abstract-For a vertically integrated utility in a developing country,
the diagnosis of oil-immersed power transformers condition is not
frequently performed due to limited budget and lack of past
historical data. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) for oil samples has
been the most widely used diagnosis tool for transformer condition
assessment for many years. However, the interpretation of DGA
results becomes very difficult and uncertain when only one or two
sets of data are available. The aim of this paper is to address the
issue of DGA interpretation with very limited test data. This paper
will present DGA tests results from 38 power transformers in a
developing country and will propose a maintenance decision
making procedure using the IEC 60599-2007 and Duval’s Triangle
schemes. Limitation of the methodology proposed in this paper and
further possible development will also be highlighted in this paper.1
I. INTRODUCTION
Oil-immersed power transformers are one of the most
critical and expensive assets in power network. These are
sealed equipments with major parts (core, coils) are being
immersed in oil. Analysis of transformer oil is frequently used
for transformer condition assessment. This is often done by
useful test on transformer oil, known as Dissolved Gas-in-Oil
Analysis, DGA [1]. 2
The author *) would like to acknowledge with thanks to PT.
Indonesia Power for the opportunity to pursue Master of
Engineering Program in School of Information Technology
and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland during
2007-2008, through the master degree scholarship program
based on SK Direksi No.93.K/010/IP/2006.
2 and rate of increase of different gases.
Several recent DGA data along with historically available
data can be used to evaluate and diagnose the condition of an
aged transformer. However, these are not easy to implement
by a regulated utility authority in a developing country where
the reliability is not the main concern. Delivering the energy to
the end users is a key objective. The main concern is to supply
the power to a large population, where the growth is
tremendous. Condition assessment becomes a challenging task,
due to the limited budget and lack of past historical data.
The aim of this paper is to address the issue of DGA
interpretation with very limited test data. This paper presents
DGA tests results from 38 power transformers in a developing
country and will propose a maintenance decision making
procedure using the IEC 60599-2007 and Duval’s triangle.
Limitation of the methodology proposed in this paper and
further possible development will also be highlighted in this
paper.
II. A BRIEF REVIEW ON IEC 60599- 2007
IEC 60599- 2007 provides practical guides in interpreting
dissolved gas-in-oil in electrical equipment. This standard
guide gives high diagnostic accuracy by using ratio-based
diagnostic method [1, 5]. Using this guide, three main steps are
followed to diagnose the condition of a transformer [3].
1) Typical values evaluation
The DGA data from a particular transformer must be
evaluated by two typical values: typical concentration values

If at least one gas is above its typical concentration value,

the corresponding transformer is considered as a transformer

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-073 page 1
with incipient fault diagnosis and evaluation must be followed %CH4 = [CH4/(CH4+C2H4+C2H2)]x100% (4)
by a ratio-based diagnostic method and single gas ratio
method. IEC 60599- 2007 introduces gas typical %C2H4 = [C2H4/(CH4+C2H4+C2H2)]x100% (5)
concentration value as shown at Table I. This standard
strongly recommends that every individual network must %C2H2 = [C2H2/(CH4+C2H4+C2H2)]x100% (6)
build their own typical concentration values, since nature of
each network will differ from one to another. However, if
there are no other experience and data available, those values BGR and Duval’s Triangle can be represented in graphical
may be used as initial guidelines [2]. form where the ratios become the coordinates of the point in
the graph (Fig. 1 and 2). The point will give diagnosis on a
TABLE I particular incipient fault in transformer. Note that the “red dot”
RANGES OF 90% TYPICAL GAS CONCENTRATION VALUES OBSERVED IN on the graphical representation informs the type of fault
POWER TRANSFORMERS IN PPM [3]
condition for particular transformer.
All Transformers NO OLTC Communicating OLTC
C2H2 - 2-20 60-280
H2 50-150 Six types of incipient faults can be diagnosed. Those are
CH4 30-130 partial discharge (PD), low energy discharge (D1), high energy
C2H4 60-280 discharge (D2), thermal fault type T1 (Temp.< 300°C),
C2H6 20-90 thermal fault type T2 (300°C < Temp.<700°C) and thermal
CO 400-600
CO2 3800-14000
fault type T3 (Temp.>700°C).

Possible X-wax deposition on paper insulation, inducing

The severity of one particular fault may be diagnosed by
evaluating the rates of gas increase. This may be done by
considering the typical rate of gas increase for the
combustible dissolved gas in oil. The fault is decided to be
severe or active fault if at least the rate of gas increase for one
gas is above its typical rate of gas increase (Table II)
pinhole and puncture in paper may become evident for this
type of partial discharge fault.
Discharge of low energy fault can be caused by punctures
through paper, carbonization of the paper surface or carbon
particles in oil as in the diverter tank of OLTC.

TABLE II
Discharge of high energy fault may include power follow-
RANGES OF 90% TYPICAL RATE OF GAS INCREASE OBSERVED IN POWER through on the equipment which will be evidenced by paper
TRANSFORMERS (PPM/YEAR) [3] destruction and carbonization, metal fusion and also
All Transformers NO OLTC Communicating OLTC carbonization in oil.
C2H2 - 0-4 21-37
H2 35-132
CH4 10-120
Brownish paper will be the evidence for thermal fault with
C2H4 32-146 temperature below 300°C. For thermal fault with temperature
C2H6 5-90 at 300°C < T < 700°C paper carbonization become the
CO 260-1060 evidence. Oil carbonization, metal coloration or metal fusion
CO2 1700-10000 are the evidence for thermal fault with temperature above
700°C.

2) Ratio-based diagnostic methods

Two main ratio-based diagnostic methods are used in IEC
60599- 2007, they are Basic Gas Ratio (BGR) and Duval’s
Triangle Methods.

The three ratios for BGR Method are [3]

R1 = C2H2/C2H4 (1)

R2 = CH4/H2 (2)

R3 = C2H4/C2H6 (3)

And coordinates for Duval’s Triangle Methods are [3]

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-073 page 2
 Figure 1.a. BGR (C2H2/C2H4,CH4/H2) on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. They are located in the area
which has ambient temperature between 23°-32°C and
humidity between 61-98% along the year. Note that all
transformers are equipped with On Load Tap Changer (OLTC)
facilities.

Several data limitations were considered during evaluation

on power transformer conditions. These include
1. The DGA result data were based on a single measurement
data. No previous data were available.
2. No laboratory accuracy was mentioned on the DGA
report.
3. The network has no typical concentrations and no rate of
gases increase values for their power transformers.
4. No transformer fault history data.
5. No oil treatment history data.
6. No oil preservation sealing system data.
7. No OLTC operation data.
Figure 1.b. BGR (C2H2/C2H4,C2H4/C2H6)
For example, Table IV shows the DGA data from one
3) Single Gas Ratio Method. transformer, T-031. This kind of data for a particular
transformer was used to diagnose its condition.
IEC 60599- 2007 also introduces Single Gas Ratio which
used as a complement for those main ratios. The ratios are
CO2/CO, O2/N2 and C2H2/H2. The CO2/CO ratio below 3 will TABLE IV
inform the insulation paper involvement. O2/N2 ratio below DGA DATA FROM TRANSFORMER T031
0.3 provides information about the oxygen consumption in oil, Content (ppm)
Gases
which relates with thermal fault types. C2H2/H2 ratio above 2
H2 <5
to 3 shows the communication possibility between OLTC CH4 63
diverter tank and main transformer tank. C2H4 23
C2H6 18
C2H2 <1
O2 6431
N2 62433
CO 816
CO2 4316

IV. DIAGNOSIS RESULTS

Using typical concentration values in IEC 60599- 2007, the

DGA data from 38 in-service transformers show that 27 power
transformers are classified as healthy transformers while the
other eleven transformers are classified as transformers with
incipient faults and requires diagnosis.

Figure 2. Duval’s Triangle

III. THE LIMITED DISSOLVED GASES-IN-OIL ANALYSIS

(DGA) DATA

Dissolved Gas in Oil Analysis data have been gathered

from 38 in service oil-immersed power transformers. These
power transformers are operated at the transmission network

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-073 page 3
 TABLE VI
SINGLE GAS RATIO INTERPRETATION RESULTS ON
71%
80% 11 FAULTY TRANSFORMERS
70% Single Gas Ratio Results
Numbers 60% Tag. Paper Excessive O2 Communica
ofTransform 50% Involvement Consumption ting OLTC
ers (%) 29%
40%
30% T-003 No Yes No
20% T-006 No Yes No
10% T-008 No Yes No
0% T-009 No Yes No
healthy considered fault
T-012 No No Yes
Transformers Diagnosis
T-022 No Yes No
T-023 No Yes No
Figure 3. Typical concentration values evaluation result T-027 No Yes No
T-031 No Yes No
Rate of increase of different gases evaluation could not be T-032 No Yes No
performed since the DGA data were only single data. No T-034 No No Yes
previous data were available.

The eleven transformers with incipient fault diagnosis were
then evaluated using two main ratio-based diagnostic
methods, BGR and Duval’s Triangle. In this step, the type of
fault in a particular transformer could be diagnosed (Table V).
After the implementation of Single Gas Ratio Method,
complementary diagnosis has been achieved to support the
diagnosis results from the main ratio-based diagnostic
methods. Table VI has summarized those complementary
diagnoses.

TABLE V From Table VI, particularly for excessive O2 consumption

MAIN RATIO-BASED INTERPRETATION RESULTS ON 11 FAULTY and communicating OLTC evaluations, single gas ratio
TRANSFORMERS
evaluation completes the corresponding results from ratio-
DGA Interpretation Results
Transformers
Basic Gas Ratios Duval’s Triangle based diagnostic methods at Table V. Thermal faults in power
transformers will be strongly indicated by an excessive
T-003 T2 T3 consumption of O2. Arcing in the diverter OLTC activities can
T-006 T2 T1 be classified as D1 type of fault. When communicating OLTC
T-008 T2 T1 has been diagnosed, arcing type of fault must be diagnosed in
T-009 No Diagnosis T2
T-012 D1 D1
the main tank oil. Misleading conclusions should be carefully
T-022 T2 T1 considered in this condition, since the actual source of
T-023 T3 T1 combustible gases, particularly acetylene (C2H2), is from
T-027 T2 T1 diverter compartment and not from the main tank.
T-031 T2 T2
T-032 T2 T2
T-034 D1/D2 D+T
On the other hand, paper involvement evaluations have
contradictive results with their corresponding ratio-based
diagnostic methods results. Paper should involve when power
transformers have been subjected to thermal fault types. Oil
As can be seen, Duval’s Triangle has successfully temperature will reach values around and much above 300°C
diagnosed fault for all eleven transformers. However, Basic during thermal fault types. At these temperatures, paper or
Gas Ratios has failed to diagnose one transformer condition. cellulose insulation will start to decompose at around 105°C
These results supports to what already been mentioned as in and completely decompose and carbonize at temperature above
[1, 5] that Duval’s Triangle will always gives diagnosis while 300°C [5].
Basic Gas Ratios, in some cases, fails to give diagnosis.

V. FUTURE IMPROVEMENT IN DIAGNOSING

Section IV above shows that a limited DGA test data can

provide a snapshot on power transformers condition. The
power transformers can be classified as healthy transformers
and transformers with diagnosed incipient fault. Information
on insulation paper involvement, oil oxygen consumption and
possibility for having leaks in OLTC diverter tank can be
informed as well.

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-073 page 4
 However, more comprehensive results in fault diagnosis
can be established when the DGA data results are also been
completed with
1. Multi point DGA result data, in order to analyze the
severity and evolution of fault.
2. Typical values for power transformers in the
corresponding network, including typical concentration
values and typical rate of gas increase.
3. Transformer data, such as manufacture and operation
year, loading data, fault history data, oil treatment history
data, type of oil preservation system data, numbers of
OLTC operation data.
4. Laboratory accuracy data from the laboratory who
conduct the dissolved gas in oil analysis, in order to
analyze the uncertainty of diagnosis (determines the
confident level in diagnosing) [2].
5. Another complementary test results data such as furanic
compounds analysis or degree of polymerization
measurement to analyze paper involvement.

By combining all the mentioned information and data above,

more confident engineering decisions on power transformers
operation and maintenance strategies can be established.

VI. CONCLUSIONS

By using proper interpretation guide, such as IEC 60599-

2007, a limited DGA test data can provide a snapshot on
power transformers condition. By this interpretation guide on
limited DGA test data, the power transformers can be
classified as healthy transformers and transformers with
diagnosed incipient fault. Type of incipient faults information
could also be given and used as an early warning for the
corresponding faulty transformer. A snapshot on insulation
paper involvement, oil oxygen consumption and possibility
for having leaks in OLTC diverter tank can be informed as
well. However, more confident engineering decisions on
operation and maintenance strategies can be established when
multiple point DGA data are available with other historical
information and complementary test data.

REFERENCES
[1]. L. R. Lewand- Doble Engineering Company, “Techniques for
Interpretation of Data for DGA from Transformers”, IEEE Conference,
2006
[2]. M. Duval and J. Dukarm, ”Improving the Reliability of Transformer
Gas-in-Oil Diagnosis”, IEEE Elec. Insul. Mag. Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 21-
27, 2005
[3]. Mineral Oil-Impregnated Electrical Equipment in Service- Guide to the
Interpretation of Dissolved and Free Gases Analysis, IEC Publication
60599 (2007).
[4]. Oil-Filled Electrical Equipment- Sampling of Gases and of Oil for
Analysis of Free and Dissolved Gases- Guidance, IEC Publication
60567 (2005)
[5]. Serveron Corp., “DGA Diagnostic Methods”, Serveron White Paper,
2007

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-073 page 5