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a) Altitude-A height above sea-level not exceeding IEC 60076-1-2011, Clause.5.5 lists out various
1000 m. unusual service conditions. This paper identifies
and describes some of these unusual service
b) The temperature of cooling air at the inlet to the conditions and measures to deal with them
cooling equipment not exceeding:
40 °C at any time; A) Seismic disturbances > 0.2g (regions beyond
30 °C monthly average of the hottest month; 4M4).
20 °C yearly average. B) Altitude more than 1000m above sea level.
And not below: C) Extremely cold climatic conditions (Places
–25 °C in the case of outdoor transformers; with temperature below -25oC like Polar
–5 °C in the case of transformers where both Regions).
the transformer and cooler are intended for D) Excessive and abrasive dust, corrosive
installation indoors. components.
For water-cooled transformers, a temperature of For better understanding of various conditions let us
cooling water at the inlet not exceeding: first classify the environment in various categories.
25 °C at any time; 20°C yearly average. Environment has been classified into various sub-
class as per IEC 60721-3-4-1995. Definition for each
c) Installation environment of above sub-class is given in the standard. Based
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TRAFOTECH 2018: Tenth International Conference on Transformers
IEEE Std. 344-2004 Recommended Practice for When transformers are installed at altitudes more than
seismic qualification of class 1 E equipment for 1000 m above sea level, certain additional margins
Nuclear Power Stations in design shall be followed.
Uniform Building Code 1994 (for US market) 1) Correction in air clearances
With increase in altitude, the density of air
IEC-TS-61463-2016 Bushings-Seismic Qualifications.
decreases. Consequently the dielectric property of
air decreases which reduces the breakdown
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TRAFOTECH 2018: Tenth International Conference on Transformers
voltage. The external dielectric strength of the installation altitude is between 1000-3000
transformers depends wholly upon air. Hence to metres above sea level, but tested at normal
get the same voltage breakdown withstand as at altitude, the rated short duration separate source
normal altitudes, we need higher live clearances in AC withstand voltage shall be increased by 1 % for
air. each 100 metres above 1000 metres.
Recommended minimum air clearances are given 4) Correction in Insulation levels of Bushing
in Table 4 of IEC 60076-1-2013 for altitude up to
1000m above sea level. The recommended In order to ensure that the external withstand
clearances shall be increased by 1 % for every voltages of the bushing are sufficient at an
100 m by which the altitude exceeds 1 000 m. altitudes exceeding 1000 m, the arcing distance
normally required shall be increased. Oil to air
2) Correction in Temperature rise bushings shall be selected with an increased
insulation level. Correction factor as defined in IEC
Recommended temperature rises for altitude ≤1000 is 60137:2017 shall be applied to the rated level
given in IEC 60076-2 table 1. This is based on
annual average ambient temperature of 20oC and ka = em ( H-1000)/8150
a correction method is listed in table 2 for ambient
temperatures different from standard. Where,
H= altitude (in meters), with a maximum of 4000
If the installation site is more than 1 000 m above sea- meters.
level but the factory is not, then the designed
temperature rises shall be reduced from m = 1 for lightning impulse withstand voltage
guaranteed values as follows and tested:
m= 1 for power-frequency withstand voltage
- For a naturally cooled transformer (....AN), the where Um ≤ 245 kV. For higher Um altitude
limit of top-liquid, average and hot-spot winding correction is not applicable because bushings
temperature rises shall be reduced by 1 K for are tested with switching impulse already
every interval of 400 m by which the Installation’s corrected for altitude?
altitude exceeds 1 000 m;
m= according to figure 1 for switching impulse
- For a forced-cooled transformer (…. AF), the withstand voltage.
reduction shall be 1 K for every 250 m exceeding
1 000 m.
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TRAFOTECH 2018: Tenth International Conference on Transformers
When transformers are to be installed at very low ISO 9223:2012 classifies the environmental corrosivity.
ambient temperatures (-30oC ~ -50oC) the Corrosivity category is a technical characteristic
following design aspects are to be considered. which provides a basis for the selection of
materials and protective measures in atmospheric
1) Steel used for tank fabrication should have environments subject to the demands of the
sufficient impact strength. Grade of steel, specific application, particularly with regard to
welding material and fasteners should be service life.
suitable for the sub-zero ambient temperatures.
Corrosivity of atmosphere is divided into six categories
2) Oil seals should be cold resistant Nitrile or Viton
rubbers to suit the specified ambient
temperature. Corrosiv Corrosivity Typical environment
3) All accessories and their actuating contacts ity
category
shall be suitable for the specified low ambient
C1 Very low Heated spaces, dry &
temperatures. Dry type RIP bushings are to be
cold zone, very low
preferred over OIP Bushings. pollution, low humidity,
4) Design external parts to avoid snow e.g. certain types of
accumulation. Avoid long connecting pipelines desert
by mounting coolers on the tank. C2 Low Unheated spaces,
5) Pour Point of the mineral oil used shall be at Temperate Zone, Low
least 10oC lower than the lowest cold ambient pollution level, (SO2 5
temperature. IEC 60294 ed4.0 2012 has μg/m3),rural areas,
specified 4 grades of oil with lowest cold start small towns
energising temperatures ( LCEST) of -5, -20, - C3 Medium Temperate zone,
o
30 & -40 C with viscosity of 1800 m /s at 2 Medium; Pollution
LCESTs. For temperatures below this levels, (SO2: 5 μg/m3 to 30
external heating will be necessary during μg/m3), Urban areas,
Coastal area with low
energization. Oil grade used shall be of low
chloride
density (naphthenic grades have this
C4 High Temperate Zone, high
characteristics) so that any ice (density 0.88- pollution (SO2: 30
0.92) formed from the moisture separated out of μg/m3 to 90 μg/m3)
oil will not float over oil and cause flashover industrial area,
across live parts. Coastal area without
During operation and in service, the following salt spray.
precautions are to be taken in transformers. C5 Very high Temperate and
subtropical zone, very
1) Energisation shall be always at no load and High pollution (SO2:
shall be maintained for at least 2 hours before 90 μg/m3 to 250
putting on load. Load shall be increased μg/m3), significant
gradually say, in stages of 20% in every 30 effect of chloride.
minutes. CX Extreme Subtropical and
2) Avoid OLTC operations until the oil heats up. tropical zone (very
Refer to the guidelines from the tap changer high time
manufacturer. of wetness), very high
SO2 pollution (higher
D) Transformers for highly polluted and than
corrosive environment. 250 μg/m3)
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TRAFOTECH 2018: Tenth International Conference on Transformers
These environment classifications are based on 5) High creepage distance like 25 mm/kV or
experiments that have measured the rate of metal 31mm/kV for bushing shall be used. The profile
loss for uncoated steel. The classification of shall be selected based on IEC60815-2008 for
environments applies to structural steel exposed to insulators.
ambient (less than 120°C [248°F]) conditions.
For specific environmental condition, like presence of a
For transformer which are subject to C4 & above corrosive particular corrosive nature compound, chemistry
environment, it is necessary to select correct depended solution shall be adopted. Its interaction
material, a better surface treatment and painting with each and every component shall be assessed
procedure. In this regards, ISO 12944-5-2017 in detail and solution shall be adopted for them.
suggests guidelines for selecting the appropriate Solution can be choosing in terms of material type,
paint system. electroplating for sacrificial corrosion protection,
painting, encapsulation etc.
- Determine the corrosivity category of the
environment (macroclimate) where the structure In certain locations, high content of hydrogen sulphide
will be located (see ISO 12944-2). (H2S) may be present in atmospheres eg:
- Establish whether special conditions geothermal power stations, certain chemical
(microclimate) exist which can result in a higher factory etc. When hydrogen sulphide concentration
corrosivity category (see ISO 12944-2). in air is 5-10 ppm concentration, its reacts with
- Look in Annex A for the relevant table. Tables copper & steel. Following special features were
A.2 to A.5 give proposals for different generic incorporated by authors in the design of
types of paint. transformers for a geothermal power project where
- System for corrosivity categories C2 to C5, while hydrogen sulphide content in atmosphere was
Table A.1 gives an overview of the contents of high.
Tables A.2 to A.5.
- Identify in the table paint systems with the 1) Electroplating of bushing terminals, contacts of
required durability. LV switchgears, Contacts of BR, PRV, MOLG,
- Select the optimum one, taking into account the Other protection devices with Tin or nickel.
surface preparation method that will be used. 2) Sulphur free gasket material for tank and other
- Consult the paint manufacturer in order to parts. This is because sulphur reacts with the
confirm the choice and to determine what H2S and will cause brittleness of gaskets
commercially available paint system(s) leading to leakage. Corrosion inhibitors like
corresponds to the paint system. Zerust Vapour capsules were placed inside the
cubicles.
Generally for transformers located in corrosive 3) All the cabling work was done with tin plated
environments, following measures maybe be taken stranded cables instead of bare copper strands.
4) Control cubicles were fabricated from SS316L
1) Protection of the metallic surface with good grade steel and designed for protection class IP
quality paint and procedure and paint thickness 66.Outdoor cubicles were of cast aluminium
as per ISO 12944-5-2017. PU paint is with painting for outdoors.
recommended. 5) All monitoring accessories were with casted
2) Selection of accessories like BR, PRV, and aluminium cases with C5M type coating as per
MOLG etc. made up of less corrosive material ISO 12944-5-2017.
like Aluminium wherever possible. Or else 6) Stainless Steel Valve (SS304 class) were used.
should be having corrosive resistance painting 7) Stainless steel cable glands were used with
like C5M. shrouds.
3) Radiator can be hot dipped Galvanized and
painted. Conclusion:
4) Outdoor electrical panels shall be made of high
grade Stainless steel like SS304, SS316. When transformers are to be installed in areas with
service conditions different from as stipulated in
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TRAFOTECH 2018: Tenth International Conference on Transformers
national standards, appropriate design changes 14) ISO 12944-5-2017 : Corrosion protection of
are to be incorporated to get performance steel structures by protective paint systems
requirements as per standard. 15) W.Lampe, Power transformers & Shunt
Customer specifications should clearly mention the Reactors for Arctic regions, IEEE
changes from standard service conditions as per transactions on Power Delivery, Vol PWRD-1
National standard and at design review stage get No1,1986
confirmation from manufacturer that appropriate
design features are incorporated to meet the
unusual service conditions at particular site.
Special design features required for transformers
to be installed in high seismic zones, high
altitudes, extremely cold climates or corrosive
atmospheres are covered in this paper so that
manufacturers and users can take care of them.
Bibliography
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