Transformer Bushing Monitoring

Detect Bushing and Insulation Defects Before they Can

Cause a Failure
Peak Measure Transformer Seminar
Wilsonville OR

Tom Prevost
13 August 2014
Theory

Supplementary bushing monitoring is vital

> Bushing failures contribute significantly
to failure statistics of power transformers
> With dissolved gas analysis (DGA), only
by-products of insulation degradation
inside the tank can be detected – not at
the bushings
Damaged transformer after a
bushing explosion

Other
Cigre A2.37 Transformer Tap changer 1% Winding
Failure Statistics 26% 45%

Failure Locations of Substation

Transformers >100 kV
Core and
magnetic
circuit
3%

Bushings
17%
Isolation Lead exit
Source: No. 261 – April 2012 ELECTRA 1% 7%

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Transformer monitoring focused on dielectric health

Monitors critical defect indicators

> Bushing monitoring: Capacitance and dissipation/power factor (DF/PF)
> The classic bushing aging indicators
> Online measurement with lab accuracy

> Partial discharge (PD) in bushings and transformer

> Early detection of defects
> Advanced PD noise suppression and UHF gating

> HV transients monitoring

> Transients are detected directly at the
bushings where disturbances occur

Partial
Capacitance discharge

Dissipation/ Transient
power factor over-voltages

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Theory

Bushing defects and their indicators

> Partial breakdowns
> Capacitance
> Partial discharges

> Voids, cracks

> Capacitance
> Partial discharges

center conductor
> Aging by-products, moisture
> Dissipation/power factor

Bushing with capacitive layers and

tap electrode on flange

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Theory

Capacitance and dissipation/power factor

> Critical indicators of partial breakdowns,
cracks, aging and moisture in bushings
> With online monitoring, these indicators
are measured under real load conditions
> Continuous information about insulation
status allows early corrective action
> Reliable and accurate measurement
results enable comparison with
acknowledged standards

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 Standards

Offline bushing tests

Voltage No. of Capacitance
> Capacitance: [kV] layers change in %
> Cigre working group A2.34: Guide for transformer 123 14 7.1
maintenance presents capacity changes when 245 30 3.3
one control field layer is
420 40 2.5
short-circuited
550 55 1.8
> Dissipation/power factor: Voltage class and change of capacitance
> Acceptance level depends on bushing design for condenser type bushings
[Source: Cigre working group A2.34]

IEC 60137 IEEE C57.19.01

1.0 1.0
Dissipation Factor (%)

max: 0.85%
Power Factor (%)

0.8 max: 0.7% 0.8

0.6 0.6 max: 0.5%

0.4 typ. new 0.4 typ. new

typ. new typ. new
0.2 RIP 0.2 RIP
OIP OIP
0.0 0.0
Acceptance level of dielectric losses for bushings of different design

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 Where Can I Get the Reference from?
• Off-line test: Reference from HQ capacitor

Im

CR CX, IR IX

IR IX

u0(t)
d
UR(t) Z1 Z2 UX(t)
j
Uo

Reference Measurement path

• On-line test: Reference?

Relative C/DF Measurement
> Sum of the bushing currents
> Three phase vectors are added up
> Bushing-to-bushing comparison
> Vectors of bushings in same phase are
compared

L1

L3 L2
Methods

Relative C, DF/PF measurement

> Changes in grid unbalance (phase shifts) can have a misleading impact on
online C, DF/PF measurements when the sum-of-current approach or a
bushing-to-bushing comparison is used to determine the values

Sum of voltages

Relative measurement (bushing-to-bushing comparison)

Example of changes of the sum vector of the 3 phases

of a transformer within 2 days

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 from 2011-02-13 to 2011-02-15

Systematic error
0.65 %
plus instrument
inaccuracy 0.5 %
 Capacitance?
 DF impossible!

1,0
Systematic error
0,8

DF (%)
0,6
0,4 typ: 0,35
typ: 0,25
0,2 RIP
OIP
0,0
[P. Picher “Integration of New Transformer Monitoring Technologies ...”
TechCon Asia-Pacific 2011]
Methods

Measurement configuration options

1 2 3

Relative measurement Dual transformer Absolute measurement

(bushing-to-bushing) comparison (VT reference)

Highest Lowest
uncertainty uncertainty

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Methods

Reducing measurement uncertainty

1
> Grid unbalance impacts are minimized
Bushing
with the use of a 2nd transformer for aging
comparison or a VT as reference
Reference
aging 2
> Using a VT as reference, the smallest
3
uncertainty is achieved Bushing
aging
Grid
unbalance Bushing
Reference aging
aging

Relative Dual transformer Voltage transformer

measurement comparison reference

Highest Lowest
uncertainty uncertainty

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 Methods

Benefits of highly accurate C, DF/PF measurement

> Enables the application of standards for offline
measurement via:
> Excellent accuracy comparable to offline tests
> Implemented temperature compensation of

tgδ in %
measured values
> Long-term stability of measurement

500
478 pF warning 0.8 0.7 % IEC warning
Capacitance (pF)

467 ± 2 pF
DF (%)

0.6 Temperature in ⁰C
measurement
Temperature dependence
0.4 of the dissipation factor
0.27 ± 0.05 %
[Source: Karl Frey, Micafil]
0.2 measurement
RIP
OIP
400 0.0

Capacitance and DF measurement over 1.75 years, and alarm levels

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Theory

Partial Discharge Analysis

> The majority of transformer failures are caused by
problems within the windings
> DGA can be used to identify fault types
> On-Line PD is used to verify the severity of the fault
as well as identify type of PD.
Electrical treeing on coil blocking
> Follow up with acoustic localization insulation – evidence of partial
discharge activity
Other
Cigre A2.37 Transformer Tap changer 1% Winding
Failure Statistics 26% 45%

Failure Locations of Substation

Transformers >100 kV
Core and
magnetic
circuit
3%

Bushings
17%
Isolation Lead exit
Source: No. 261 – April 2012 ELECTRA 1% 7%

© OMICRON Page 15
Methods

Partial discharge (PD) detection

> PD detection is the early indicator of defects in dielectric insulation
> In typical field environments of transformers, electrical PD detection
suffers from a high noise level
> Originated from outside the transformer, like corona

> Monitor PD at the bushing taps and inside the

transformer tank, using a UHF sensor
> The sensor inside the tank is not affected by outside noise

> Synchronous multi-channel recording enables UHF gating

> Using the UHF signals to distinguish between PD events inside and
outside the transformer at the bushing tap sensors

> Further advanced noise suppression technologies are available:

> 3-Phase Amplitude Relation Diagram (3PARD)

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 PD Activity
over 4 Days

10
L1
Q in nC

L2
1 L3

0.1

0.01
00:00:00 01:00:00 02:00:00 03:00:00 04:00:00 05:00:00
t in dd:hh:min
Fighting PD Noise: UHF Gating

Corona

Electr. PD

Internal
PD

UHF PD
EM Field
 Combination of the Methods

IEC

UHF

IEC PD Measurement
& UHF PD Measurement

Corrected IEC PD Measurement

 3PARD: PD Discrimination by Amplitude

Corona

MPD1 MPD2 MPD3

3 Internal
2 PD

EM Field
3PARD and Back Transformation
On-Line Application of 3PARD
QIEC in nC

10
Ph. V

1
Ph. U Ph. W
0.1

0.01
0 10 t in ms 20
100

Ph. V
QIEC in nC

10

1 Ph. U Ph. W

0.1
0 10 t in ms 20
Methods
Phase C
PD denoising and source separation
Phase C

Phase B
Phase B

Channel 2
3-band filter

Phase A Phase A

Channel 1 Channel 3
3-band filter 3-band filter

PD diagrams of 3 phases Measurements related to each Separated PD activity:

without separation other in a 3PARD diagram located in phase C

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Methods

Recording of transient over-voltages

> Detection directly at bushings
> Where the dielectric stress occurs

> Recording of full signal shape at all 3 phases

> Supports IEEE compliant export format (COMTRADE C37.111-1999)

2.0e+005

1.5e+005
1.5e+005

1.0e+005
1.0e+005

5.0e+005
5.0e+005
Voltage in kV

Voltage in kV
0.0e+005
0.0e+005

-5.0e+005
-5.0e+005

-1.0e+005
-1.0e+005

-1.5e+005
-1.5e+005

0.095 0.100 0.105 0.110 0.085 0.090 0.095 0.100 0.105 0.110 0.115 0.120
0.115 0.125
t in ms t in ms

Different examples of transients recorded at bushings of a power transformer

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Benefits

Condition monitoring to extend

transformer life
> Continuous assessment of insulation state
> Early detection prevents failures

> Absolute C, DF/PF monitoring ensures

lab accuracy in the field
> Advanced noise suppression for reliable
PD source detection
> Complete HV transient waveform recording MONTRANO system components for continuous
for effective impact assessment monitoring of transformer dielectric health

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Benefits

Actionable data to plan corrective

action early
> Web-based data access
> Fast and easy system status overview
> Detailed trend data
> Easily adaptable charts and diagrams
> Configurable warnings and alerts

> Detailed trend data for modern transformer

health management

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System configuration

Customized and extendable system

> One or more transformers can be monitored
> Optional communication with SCADA system
> Fiber-optic communication from acquisition
units to central computer
> Undisturbed communication
> Galvanic isolation
> Up to 4 km (2.48 miles) distance

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System configuration

1 Relative C, DF/PF measurement

MCU (FO controller), central computer

& monitoring software Coupling units with bushing
tap adapters

OMS 843 acquisition unit UVS 610 drain valve sensor & UHF converter

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System configuration

2 Dual transformer comparison

OMS 843 acquisition unit

MCU (FO controller), central computer

& monitoring software

Coupling units with bushing

tap adapters

OMS 843 acquisition unit UVS 610 drain valve sensor & UHF converter

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System configuration

3 Absolute measurement with VT reference

OMS 843 VT acquisition unit

MCU (FO controller), central computer

& monitoring software

Coupling units with bushing

tap adapters

OMS 843 acquisition unit UVS 610 drain valve sensor & UHF converter

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Hardware components

1 Bushing tap adapters 4 Reference acquisition unit

2 UHF sensors 5 Fibre optic communication
3 OMS 843 acquisition unit 6 Central computer and software

1
1
1

3
4

2
5

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Hardware components

Bushing tap adapters and coupling units

> Synchronously captures signals for
> Capacitance, dissipation/power factor
> Transient over-voltages
> Partial discharge (PD)

> Robust, modular design for different types

of bushings
> Standardized coupling unit
> Customizable tap adapter

> Multiple redundant high-voltage protections CPL 843 coupling unit

with bushing tap adapter
> Built-in temperature sensor
> For temperature compensation of
measured values

> IP65, -40°C...+90°C (-40°F...+194°F)

ambient temperature

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Hardware components

UHF sensor
> UHF sensor detects PD signals inside
the transformer tank
> Consists of sensor (antenna) and
signal converter
> Mounting at drain valve or hatch
> Customizable flange adapters optional

UVS 610 drain valve sensor & UHF converter

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Hardware components

OMS 843 – Transformer acquisition unit

> 4-channel, simultaneous acquisition of data from
the bushing tap adapters and UHF sensor
> Advanced signal processing for capacitance,
DF/PF, transient over-voltages and PD
calculation
> 10 analog inputs for additional measurements
> Humidity
> Ambient temperature
> Optional measurements, e.g. oil pressure

> Fiber-optic communication to central computer

> IP65 enclosure, -30°C...+55°C (-27.4°F...+131°F)
ambient temperature

OMS 843 acquisition unit

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Hardware components

OMS 843 VT – Reference acquisition unit

> Acquisition unit for the reference signal for
capacitance, DF/PF measurement from a set of
voltage transformers (1...3 phases)
> Provides reference signal for absolute
capacitance and DF/PF measurement
> Fiber-optic communication
> Undistorted signal transmission ensures
high-precision measurement
> Galvanic insulation

> System accuracy (at 50/60 Hz, including VT)

> Capacitance: ± 2pF + dyn. VT error
> DF/PF: 0.05% + dyn. VT error

OMS 843 VT acquisition unit

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Hardware components

MCU monitoring control unit

> Fiber optic bus controller
> Transmitter between acquisition units
and central computer
> 3-channel fiber-optic communication
> USB connection to computer
> Integrated in enclosure of central computer or
MCU monitoring
in separate housing for outdoor mounting control unit

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Software

Central computer and monitoring software

> State-of-the art database system for long-
term data storage and retrieval
> Web-based data access & visualization
> Different user roles/logins:
> Operators:
> Overview of full system setup
> View all data with free configurable charts
and diagrams
> Confirm warnings and alarms
> Administrator: As operator, plus
> Configuration of all monitoring parameters
> Set and change warning and alarm rules

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Software

Warnings and alarms

> Defined threshold settings for alarm
notifications
> Real-time display of current
alarm level
> View of events that triggered
an alarm
> Alarm confirmation by operators
> Confirmed alarms change color or
> Are taken out of viewing window
(optional settings)
> All alarm data saved

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Software

Data visualization
> Configurable trend charts show data for each monitored parameter
> Tooltip pop-up for easy accessible detailed information of each data point
> All data records and corresponding charts can be exported

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MONTRANO – Transformer Monitoring System

> Continuous assessment of insulation state

> Absolute C, DF/PF monitoring ensures
lab accuracy in the field
> Advanced noise suppression for reliable
PD source detection
> Complete HV transient waveform
recording for effective impact assessment
> Web-based data access for fast and easy
data & system status overview
> Detailed trend data for modern transformer
health management

Thank you for your attention.

© OMICRON Page 43