CIGRE 2012

D1 - 00
SPECIAL REPORT FOR SC D1
(Materials and Emerging Test Techniques)
S.M. GUBANSKI and M. MUHR
Special Reporters

1. General
The aim of Study Committee D1 is to facilitate and promote the progress of engineering and
the international exchange of information and knowledge in the field of materials and
emerging test techniques by adding value to this information and knowledge by means of
synthesizing state-of-the-art practices and developing recommendations. Its activities cover a
broad range of subjects and aim at providing information to other CIGRE Study Committees
and include follow up and evaluation of new developments within:
new and existing materials for electrotechnology,
diagnostic techniques and related knowledge rules,
emerging test techniques which may be expected to have a significant impact on power systems in the medium to long term,
support of other study committees in their analysis of recently introduced and developing materials, emerging test techniques and diagnosis techniques.
2. Group Discussion Meeting
SC D1 invited for the Group Discussion Meeting contributions within three preferential
subjects (PS), as follows:
Preferential Subject No 1: Dielectric performance and ageing of insulation materials
Influence of ambient conditions
Environmentally friendly materials
Acceptable field stresses

Preferential Subject No 2: Test techniques for UHV including HVDC

Impulse voltage shapes, wet tests, atmospheric correction

Test circuits and techniques for HVDC
PD measurements under DC

Preferential Subject No 3: Diagnostic tools

Material ageing assessment and defect detection

New tools for interpretation
Tools for monitoring in smart grids

stanislaw.gubanski@chalmers.se and muhr@tugraz.at

In total, 30 papers have been accepted of which 11 papers cover Preferential Subject No 1, 5
papers cover Preferential Subject No 2, and 14 papers cover Preferential Subject No 3. In the
following parts of this report each of the preferential subjects is discussed separately.

3. Preferential Subject No 1 Dielectric performance and ageing of insulation materials

3.1 Overview of submitted papers
Although the submitted papers cover a broad range of applications and material solutions, the
majority refers to transformer insulation systems, especially performance of ester and mineral
oils as well as oil impregnated cellulose system. Other reported areas include solid materials
for compact gas insulated systems, ageing of cable insulation in nuclear environment and
effects of sandstorms on performance of materials for outdoor use.
Paper D1-101 demonstrates how the basic integral characteristics of the discharge mechanisms in dielectric liquids can be used for predicting the impulse voltage strength of oil
volumes used practically in transformer design. The paper takes into account the interrelation
between various forms of discharge propagation, the f-factor of the oil gap and parameters of
the impulse voltage. The authors claim that the estimates of the critical breakdown strength
show satisfactory agreement with results of direct tests.
Paper D1-103 demonstrates results of studies performed with the aim to find molecules
present in uninhibited mineral oil, suitable as markers providing information about the ageing
degree (DP level) of Kraft paper used in insulation of MV/LV distribution transformers. Two
molecules, 2-furfural (2FAL) and methanol (MeOH) were selected as potential candidates and
the study involved ageing of the paper at different temperatures and following analyses of
MeOH and 2FAL concentrations together with DP values. In conclusion, concentration of
MeOH is proposed to be considered as the ageing marker as its generation may relatively easy
be detected, especially at the early stage of paper depolymerisation.
A group of papers (Paper D1-102, Paper D1-106 and Paper D1-107) analyses effects
imposed by various additives on the properties on breakdown strength as well as long term
performance of transformer oils.
Paper D1-102 reports on investigations aiming to elucidate the effect of triazole additive
(TAA) in transformer oils, which was recently detected in some of the commercially available
products as an undeclared component. As additives such as antioxidants, metal passivators
and metal deactivators are used to improve the stability of mineral transformer oils, investigations were carried out to check how this additive (Irg30) influences their degradability,
oxidation stability and copper corrosion phenomena. It was found that TAA acts as a metal
deactivator in the oil, improving its oxidation stability. On the other hand, no protective effect
was found regarding protection of copper against sulphur corrosion.
The effect of semiconductive nanoparticle addition and its effect on the breakdown strength in
aged mineral transformer oil are discussed in Paper D1-106. This new type of nanofluid has
been developed in China and the authors present results of AC and impulse breakdown
voltage as well as of partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) levels after accelerated
thermal ageing (130C for 6 days). It is shown that both the AC and the impulse breakdown
strength of the aged nanofluid can be improved, thanks to reduced propagation rate of
2

streamer discharge. Also the dielectric strength of moist fluid can be improved by adding the
nanoparticles.
Paper D1-107 shows results of experimental studies on mineral and ester oils with additions
of mono/dibenzyltoluene (M/DBT), a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon, used for improving oil
gassing tendency as well as breakdown and partial discharge performance. It is claimed that
M/DBT has a well defined composition, and consequently its chemical, physical and electrical properties are well defined and constant, and therefore toxicologically and environmentally safe. The obtained results confirmed that addition of M/DBT turned the gas evolving
ability of the studied mineral oil into an absorbing one. Also a suppression of partial discharge
activity in both types of oil was observed after mixing with M/DBT.
Paper D1-108 reports on a study that aimed at elucidating the role of cellulose ageing on the
oil oxidation stability. The experiments have been done by means of a modified oxidation
stability test (IEC 61125C) and this way a comparison between the test results with and
without paper present in uninhibited and trace inhibited (0,08% DBPC) oils could be made.
Contents of volatile and soluble acids were analysed. Also hydrogen ion concentration was
determined through measurements by a pH electrode. The results obtained showed that by
adding paper during the oil oxidation stability test the final results become strongly affected.
Paper D1-105 presents results of extensive German experiences and research activities on the
behaviour of ester fluid in model setups and full scale tests, which indicate that all sizes of
power transformers can safely be operated in ester liquids. Detail guidelines are formulated to
be considered when designing and manufacturing power transformers filled with natural or
synthetic ester fluids. Various criteria, electric and nonelectric, are specified that need to be
fulfilled in both the transformer construction and in the process of diagnostics. It is stressed
that when using natural esters, hermetical sealing is required for the transformer as well as for
the tap changer oil compartment. On the other hand, for synthetic esters, having an oxidation
stability equal or better than mineral oil, such a precaution becomes not necessary. The
authors also discuss in detail requirements to be obeyed when selecting tap changers. They
finally conclude that further studies are still necessary for elucidating static electrification and
possible neutralization of the streamer discharge behaviour by suitable additives.
Effects of thermal ageing of Kraft paper and pressboard in a natural ester liquid are reported
in Paper D1-111 with purpose to apply them in more harsh operating conditions. As a
reference, the results are compared with a similar ageing in a mineral oil and these indicate
that, first of all, Kraft paper ages faster than pressboard in either of the liquids. However, both
the solid materials age slower in the studied ester liquid than in mineral oil, but this advantageous behaviour ceases when humidity content increases. It is also important to note that the
ageing yielded changes of the natural ester properties, especially its dissipation factor,
neutralization number and colour stronger than in mineral oil.
Paper D1-110 presents continuation of the Japanese efforts to develop environmentally
friendly compact gas-insulated equipment. After an earlier communication (Paris 2010) on the
increase of electric breakdown strength due to applications of thick or thin solid dielectric
coatings and barriers, the present contribution focusses on evaluating the ageing performance
of the coatings by means of partial discharge measurements in micro-size defects. It is found
that a crack is the most harmful type of defect. Also voltage endurance characteristics (V-N
and V-t) are analysed and show that the material degradation of thick coatings by repetitive
discharges is not severe. Finally, it is pointed out that lifetime extension can further be

achieved by introducing coatings made of functionally graded materials that allow for
optimizing the electric field distribution in the gas-solid insulation system.
Paper D1-104 reports on evaluating the long-term effects of sandstorms on physical and
electrical performance of silicone rubber insulators, by a comparative study of material
samples and real insulators. The obtained results show that electric performance of polymeric
insulators is directly affected by the surface roughness, which affects the leakage current and
flashover characteristics.
Paper D1-109 and Paper D1-301 discuss methods used for quality assessment of cables
operating in the environment of nuclear power plants. For the low voltage cables one mainly
relies in Canada (Paper D1-301) on characterizations provided by chemical analyses (nearinfrared spectroscopy) and mechanical tests (indenter modulus and tensile strength). Electric
test methods (ac withstand voltage, partial discharge and dielectric spectroscopy) have been
found effective for medium voltage cables. At the same time in Japan (Paper D1-109), except
for the mechanical and chemical (antioxidant content) quality indicators of low voltage cable
insulation, a search for reliable electrical measurement methods has been carried out since a
few years. Application of the broadband impedance spectroscopy (BIS) has shown promising
results, also allowing for localization of severely defected cable parts. In addition, Japanese
researchers also showed, by conducting ageing tests in a temperature range lower than that
often used in conventional tests, that the levels of activation energy presently used for
estimating the insulation operational lifetime are too high. In addition, analyses and test
performed under combined thermal and radiation environment allowed for developing a
methodology to determine the effect of superimposed stresses.

3.2 Questions for Preferential Subject No 1

Question 1.1 New research has established that the speed of a breakdown will depend on the
molecular properties of the insulating liquids, the term acceleration voltage for fast breakdown is now used in addition to the breakdown strength. How much is breakdown and
acceleration voltage expected to vary for a mineral oil? Can the method described in Paper D1-101 be also useful for estimating breakdown strength in ester oils, where an existence
of a pre-discharge stage is not clearly detectable? How will dielectric performance of a
mineral oil be affected by presence of contaminants in the oil?
Question 1.2 Is there a general acceptance for use of methanol as an insulation ageing
marker? What are experiences of other laboratories working in this direction? Ageing markers
are produced by thermalized processes. How can one differentiate progressed ageing occurring in a small hot area from less significant ageing occurring at a lower temperature in a
larger area? Will methanol concentration in oil depend on the temperature dependent equilibrium between cellulose and oil?
Question 1.3 Attempts to modify insulating mineral oils by incorporating into them declared
or undeclared additives have been seen over years, resulting in a much broader spectrum of
products available on the market. At the same time there seems to be insufficient knowledge
on their long term effects. How will additives to the oil influence ageing of cellulose? Is there
also a need for modifying the methodology for testing the oxidation stability of insulating
oils?

Question 1.4 There is more and more knowledge gained and practical experiences indicating
that the use of natural and synthetic esters in high voltage transformers is a feasible solution
and the future development will be going in this direction, at least until a solid alternative
insulation system is ready. Can a transformer designed for being insulated with mineral oils
be reimpregnated with an ester without impairing the safety margins with respect to impulse
surges? What is the opinion of transformer users on this trend? Will the use of esters change
the ageing performance of the cellulose insulation? Is there a possibility for using ester liquids
in HVDC converter transformers?
Question 1.5 New and more friendly gas insulated components with reduced environmental
impact are gradually penetrating into electric power systems. Applications of solid coatings
and barriers as well as of new gas mixtures dominate this development. What are the most
recent achievements in this direction? Should one allow for a certain level of sporadic
discharge activity at solid dielectric surfaces for optimizing the composite insulation systems?
Is there a need for elaborating new insulation coordination criteria for such systems?
Question 1.6 Concerns about flashover performance of composite insulators have been known
since long and resulted in elaborating various relevant test procedures, among them one may
list the so called dust cycle method. Is there a need for coordinated research activities in this
direction?
Question 1.7 With the increasing age of the operating nuclear power plants, concerns about
the integrity of insulation systems, especially in cables, trigger new research activities. The
wish to extend operational life of cables, especially in conjunction to the conclusion that the
levels of activation energies used so far for its estimation have been too large, opens for new
possibilities. Is there a general consensus that this information can further be used? Is there a
need for setting a new and internationally accepted test methodology when evaluating the
performance of insulating materials exposed to thermal and radiation environments?

4. Preferential Subject No 2 Test techniques for UHV including HVDC

The 5 papers of PS2 are divided in two sections:
Impulse voltage tests (4 papers)
Space charge measurements in full-size HVDC extruded cables (1 paper)
4.1 Impulse voltage tests
4.1.1 Overview of submitted papers
Paper D1-201 is a contribution to the discussion concerning the form of the standard switching impulse voltage for UHV applications. For unipolar oscillatory switching impulses of
positive polarity, results on influence of atmospheric conditions on electric strength of UHV
external insulation are shown.
Paper D1-203 presents the results of investigations on lightning impulses with well-defined
overshoots and the influence of the overshoot frequency on the breakdown voltage of air
insulations with different degrees of homogeneity at both polarities.

Paper D1-204 presents a study of lightning impulse test waveforms (peak value and time
parameters) for UHV equipment, which will serve as a basis for the adaption of IEC TC 42
standards to UHV test requirements.
Paper D1-205 focuses on the linearity of scale factor and wave shape parameters of UHV
impulse voltage dividers. As it is presently not known whether the uncertainty limit can be
met in the UHV range, the experimental results in this paper will be useful for the revision of
IEC 60060.
4.1.2 Questions
Question 2.1 Presently, the altitude and atmospheric correction factor for UHV equipment are
under discussion. What are the appropriate correction factors for UHV equipment, and how
can the application of these factors be improved?
Question 2.2 The k-factor function is a result of investigations with different insulation
materials. The function is characterised by a smooth curve between approx. 0,1 MHz and
approx. 6 MHz and thus avoids the sharp step at a fixed frequency. Is one unique k-factor
function sufficient or do we need individual k-factor functions for each insulation material.
What would be the impact of different k-factor functions on the comparison of measurements
in different laboratories?
Question 2.3 Presently the front time of lightning impulse for UHV test is under discussion.
What would be the appropriate front time of lightning impulse voltages for testing UHV
equipment? What is the impact of the front time on the k-factor function method?
Question 2.4 The voltage linearity of scale factor and wave shape parameters has been
investigated in the UHV range (Paper D1-205). What can normal laboratories do in this
respect to fulfil the requirements of the IEC standards?

4.2

Space charge measurements in full-size HVDC extruded cables

4.2.1 Overview of the submitted paper

Paper D1-202 gives an overview about the possible measurements of space charge in HVDC
extruded cables and also of the research work done in this field. Two procedures to measure
space charge in full-size HVDC extruded cables are proposed. Though there is no agreement
about acceptable limits for space charges, the proposed procedure should rather help to
evaluate the space charge distribution and the electric field profile within the insulation in the
course of prequalification and type tests of HVDC extruded cables.
4.2.2 Questions
Question 2.5 In the Paper D1-202 two methods for the measurement of space charges in fullsize HVDC extruded cables are proposed. Is space charge measurement needed in the course
of prequalification and type tests of HVDC extruded cables, and what would be the preferred
method for practical applications?

5. Preferential Subject No 3 Diagnostic tools

5.1 Overview of submitted papers
Two papers discuss the possibilities arising from the use of dielectric response methods as
diagnostic tools for estimating the condition of the insulation system in power transformers.
Paper D1-302 presents the way Hungarian experts interpret the results of return voltage
measurements (RVM) for determining moisture content in oil-paper insulation. On the other
hand, Paper D1-311 presents a simulation method developed in Mexico for assessing the
damage caused in transformer and shunt reactor winding insulation by formation of copper
sulphide (Cu2S) layers. The damage is detectable as a change of insulation conductivity by
means of dielectric response measurements in the frequency range from 10-3 Hz to 103 Hz
with compensation for moisture content and temperature of the insulation. The model has so
far been checked in laboratory conditions on samples cut from damaged windings.
Paper D1 305 discusses a possibility to train and use in the assets maintenance process an
artificial neural network for deciding whether results of DGA analyses indicate a possible
existence of faults in 220 kV and 400 kV power transformers belonging to the network
operator in Czech Republic. A three character code is thereafter used for summing up the
results of the analyses, that includes a warning classification composed of three levels,
namely Alert, Alarm A and Alarm B, which require well specified types of maintenance
actions.
Paper D1-304 presents the possibilities of UHF-PD-measurements in GIS. There are shown
different PD-measurement methods like tuned UHF narrowband, broadband UHF and
narrowband UHF measurement with fixed frequencies. The result of these investigations is an
optimized system design for PD-measurements.
Paper D1-308 focuses on an improvement of defect detection by measurement of the UHF
signal in GIS and power transformers. It comes out that the transmission of UHF signals in
GIS depends on the position of the switching device. In power transformers the fitting of UHF
sensors at suitable positions can help to localize partial discharges sources.
Paper D1-307 shows the application of ultra-wide-band (UWB) RF method used for PD
location in power transformers. The result of this research shows that the UWB-RF method is
successful to localise PD in power transformers.
Paper D1-309 describes a new procedure to evaluate the condition of the insulation of high
voltage equipment by means of PD-measurement in service. A new concept of PDmeasurement has been developed and the experiences with this new measuring system are
presented.
Paper D1-310 is a contribution for PD-analysis of equipment under DC-stress. Aiming for
measuring PD inside HVDC apparatus, a modified method based on chaotic analysis of PD
signals (CAPD) and the use of a chip type UHF sensor is proposed. Results of PD analysis of
4 different artificial defects, all of them in SF6, imitating for vital defects are shown.
Paper D1-312 describes a near-infrared direct optical technique for the measurement of water
content in oil-paper insulation. This method is shown as a direct and fast technique, which
measures the water transfer to paper.

Paper D1-313 is a case study on Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) capability in detection
of mechanical defects in power transformers. The test results with this method show that the
FRA method is capable of providing further information.
Paper D1-306 presents measurements and discussions of the dielectric loss spectrum using
the Hamon Transformation. The results show that the Hamon Approximation is highly
interesting for field applications of power cables.
Paper D1-314 presents statistical models to analyse data in connection with cable failures.
The results obtained from using the Proportional Hazard Model (PHM) shows that this
method could provide adequate information about cable failures.

5.2 Questions for Preferential Subject No 3

Question 3.1 The acceptance of the dielectric response measurements in either frequency or
time domain as a tool for diagnosing the state of insulation system in power transformers
increases continuously. Except for estimating the insulation wetness, attempts have been
made worldwide to use the technique for detecting the degree of cellulose ageing or a
presence of copper sulphide contamination. Is there enough knowledge today to extend the
interpretation schemes of dielectric response results for estimating wetness in transformers
filled with natural or synthetic esters? How can the results of the interpretation be affected by
the age of insulation or by the presence of semiconductive contamination?
Question 3.2 Today's interpretation rules of DGA analyses are standardized by IEC and
specify the relation between their results and defect types. The recently gathered knowledge
also indicate that the same defect categories, as defined for mineral oil insulation, may be
considered for other liquids with minor adjustments. Are there important failure categories
where the IEC rules give ambiguous or uncertain results? Will neural network techniques
provide information in addition to the IEC categories? How can the failure risk for a transformer be revealed from DGA results? Will failure categories established via neural network
techniques trained on local population be valid globally?
Question 3.3 Is the tuned medium-band UHF-PD-measurement as proposed in Paper D1-304
the best method for GIS in practice and what is the advantage of this method?
Question 3.4 Today, UHF-PD-measurement is common practice for GIS. Is this method of
PD-measurement also meaningful for power transformers, and what are the pros and cons
compared to the method of acoustic PD-measurement?
Question 3.5 The ultra-wide-band radio frequency (UWB-RF) method used in Paper D1-307
is an interesting PD-measurement method. What is the advantage of this method compared to
the UHF or acoustic method?
Question 3.6 The new procedure using high frequency transformer current (HFCT) sensors
(paper D1-309) distributed in a HV grid seems successful for the application to determine the
insulation condition of grid equipment. What are the advantages compared to the classical
PD-measurements?

Question 3.7 PD-measurement for equipment under DC stress offers a new and wide field of
investigations. Is the modified method described in paper D1-310 sufficient to identify defects
in HV apparatus under DC voltage stress or is something more to do to get good results?
Question 3.8 The near infrared optical measurement described in paper D1-312 seems an
effective and simple method to measure the water transfer from oil to paper. Can this method
also be used for practical application to measure the water content of transformers in service?
Question 3.9 The FRA method is used since long time to detect mechanical defects within
power transformers. Is it possible to get relevant results about the deformation of the windings
with respect to derive a decision about the need for repairing?
Question 3.10 The application of the Hamon Transformation (paper D1-306) seems a good
development to evaluate the dielectric condition of power cables. Can this method also be
used for higher frequencies?
Question 3.11 The statistical analysis described in paper D1-314 can be used for failure data
evaluation in power cables. What seems the best method to use one of these methods for
practical application?