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Condition Assessment of Power Transformers in service using PD Monitoring

Article · August 2016

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Condition Assessment of Power Transformers in service using PD Monitoring

GAGO GARCIA, H. (1); GARNACHO VECINO, F. (2); SÁNCHEZ-URAN, M.A. (3),

ORTEGO LA MONEDA, J. (4); ULIARTE RANEA, I. (5)

(1) Iberdrola Distribución; (2) LCOE; (3) UPM; (4) DIAEL; (5) Iberdrola Ingeniería
Spain

SUMMARY

The condition assessment of the insulation of large power transformers by means of

on-line partial discharge measurements has been traditionally a significant challenge for
Utilities, especially for power transformers installed in urban substations. The identification
of an internal PD source in a power transformer, the determination of PD amplitude and rate
level and the insulation medium affected are critical to make a decision on repairing it. The
main difficulty of on-line PD testing is to remove the background noise existing in the
substation. Distinguishing the PD pulses from other external PD signals coming from other
equipment, or even PD pulses coming from the bushing or from the cable termination is an
important challenge.

A new on-line PD system has been used for monitoring of power transformer
applying power signal processing numerical tools for filtering and PD clustering and using
non-invasive sensors (HF and UHF) placed in each input phase of the power transformer and
an additional HFCT sensor at the tank earth connection. The signal acquisition of each sensor
is synchronized to discriminate where an eventual PD source found is placed, inside or
outside the transformer.

This paper presents the selection and the testing setup of the PD sensors used when the
power transformer is connected to the grid by oil-air bushing or by cable terminal. Different
alternatives of sensors are taking into account for this approach: coupling capacitor with
measuring impedance, high frequency current transformers clamped to the grounding cable
sheath, high frequency current transformers clamped to earth connection of the transformer
tank and UHF sensors placed on the cable sheaths or close to the transformer bushing when
used. The signal processing tools used for noise suppression, PD clustering, PD location and
PD phase resolved pattern recognition are also presented to get an appropriate diagnosis. The
signal processing analysis permits to identify whether the PD source is in the power
transformer, in the bushing, in the cable termination or along the cable system. Measurements
of load current, voltage and ambient temperature are also complementary parameters used to
correlate PD activity behavior. A histogram of the hourly distribution of the PD activity along
with a monitoring period of several weeks allows a better understanding of correlation
between the insulation defect and these parameters, in order to have a better insulation
diagnostic.

hgago@iberdrola.es

1
KEYWORDS

Partial Discharges, On-line PD monitoring, power transformers, PD diagnosis, Noise suppression,

PRPD pattern, PD clustering, UHF sensors, HFCT sensors

1. INTRODUCTION

According to IEC 60270 [1] and IEC 60076-3 [2], PD measurements in power
transformers should be performed using a coupling capacitor Ck in parallel to the insulation Ca
under test. The coupling capacitor Ck can be replaced by the capacitive bushing according to
the testing setup shown in Figure 1. The apparent charge is measured using a PD instrument
connected to a measuring impedance CD. The circuit should be calibrated before any PD
measurement is done. For this purpose a calibrator is connected between the high voltage
terminal and the earth tap of the bushing, and a reference charge is injected. The reading of
PD instrument must be set to the calibration signal. After installation of a new power
transformer an off-line PD measurement is recommended. The PD test is considered
successful if no continuous PD activity is greater than the specified apparent charge amplitude
at any bushing, and if there is not any rising trend in the apparent charge amplitude during the
long duration test. It is known that the real apparent charge at the defect site cannot be
measured, especially in power transformers. PD signals which originate within the
transformer are influenced by their propagation path [3], [4] and [5]. The same defect
occurring at different places inside the transformer will give different readings in the
measuring device. In consequence, the measurement of the real apparent charge is not
possible in power transformers. Furthermore, for on-line PD measurements the background
noise level is usually bigger than the admissible value and consequently a PD measurement
according to the IEC 60270 standard is not viable either. UHF-VHF-HF PD measuring
methods can be applied IEC 62478-TS [6] to verify PD activity inside power transformers
during on-line PD measurements. Although, in most cases, PD activity in power transformers
can be detected by Dissolved Gases Analysis (DGA), PD monitoring applying
electromagnetic methods gives complementary information about:

1) Different PD sources involved inside or outside the transformer.

2) Insulation media involved (bubbles, oil, paper, surface, corona, etc.).
3) PD trend in real time.
4) Correlation with parameters such as load power, temperature, and voltage.

Z: Filter impedance
Ck: Coupling capacitor
Cm: Measuring capacitor
Ca: Insulation capacitance
CD Coupling device
CC Coaxial cable
MI: Measuring Instrument

Figure 1. Standard method according to IEC 60270.

2
 2. GENERAL APPROACH FOR CONTINUOUS ON LINE PD MONITORING IN
POWER TRANSFORMERS USING INVASIVE UHF SENSORS

On-line PD measurements applying electromagnetic methods require simultaneous and

synchronized measurements of all PD sensors placed in all transformer bushings. Taking into
account reference [7], the expected spectral content of conducted PD signals corresponding to
insulation defects placed at different sites of the winding is not more than few megahertz.
Therefore, a measuring frequency range from 0,1 MHz to 10 MHz can be adequate for
external PD sensors designed to capture conducted PD signals coming from inside the power
transformer. A dielectric defect located inside the power transformer generates electrical
pulses with very fast rise-time which radiate electromagnetic waves up to UHF range (300-
3000 MHz) but the spectral content of conducted PD signals after traveling by the
transformer windings reduces drastically. For this reason radiated UHF signals can be used to
synchronize/trigger PD measurements acquired by the external PD sensors.

An invasive UHF sensor inside the grounded transformer tank is used to achieve a
significant level of electromagnetic shield against external disturbances at UHF frequencies
(e.g. corona, mobile telephones, radar, etc.). UHF signals propagating inside the tank present
only a moderate attenuation. Consequently, different commercial solutions are offered in the
market using invasive UHF to avoid interferences and to trigger PD measuring instruments
for conducted PD signals.

When applying this approach two typical types of UHF sensors can be used: a) an antenna
UHF sensor to be placed in standardized oil valves DN50/DN80, b) an UHF plate sensor to be
installed in new transformers onto a tank wall. The depth achieved when inserting the
antenna UHF sensor has a decisive influence on the PD sensitivity. Antenna insertion is often
limited to ensure no damage to the active part of the transformer. The conducted PD signals
can be captured using bushing taps (see Figure 2), if they are available, or non-invasive
sensors, that operate in the frequency range from hundreds of kHz to a few MHz.

Corona

PD Measuring
Instrument

Trigger
Computer
Defect

UHF PD
Measuring
Instrument

Figure 2. PD monitoring approach using an invasive UHF sensor to trigger PD sensors placed in the
transformer bushings.

3
3. NEW APPROACH FOR CONTINUOUS ON LINE PD MONITORING WITH
NO INVASIVE UHF SENSORS

The general UHF method described in previous section is not applicable for power
transformers with oil valves different to the standardized ones (DN50/DN80) nor for
power transformers in which invasive UHF sensors in the power transformers are not
permitted. In these cases, the following on line PD monitoring approach is proposed,
where the invasive UHF sensor is replaced by multi non-invasive UHF sensors based on
patch type couplers placed on the base of each transformer bushing (see Figure 3.b).

3.1. PD Monitoring setup:

Two different sensors are used in each transformer bushing: a HF sensor and a UHF
sensor (see Figure 3.a). An additional HFCT sensor is installed on the earth connection of
the transformer tank. UHF sensors are placed close to the base of each transformer
bushing (see Figure 3.b) where electromagnetic radiation can go out. HF measurements
(0,1 MHz – 20 MHz) are performed through the test taps of the bushings: using HFCT
(see Figure 3.c) or using a measuring impedance (see Figure 3.d). Alternatively a HFCT is
used on the earth connection of each cable sheath (see Figure 3.e) in case the power
transformer is cable-connected. This is due to that the spectral content of conducted PD
pulses coming from inside a power transformer is only around a few MHz [7]. The output
of each UHF sensor is in the range from 0,3 MHz to 0,8 MHz. This signal is amplified
and converted to a single HF pulse to be injected as an input of the same Measuring
System (MSi) of 100 MegaSamp./s to be recorded and processed.

b)
a) Corona

c)
HF
PD Measuring
UHF System

d)

Defect

e)

Figure 3. PD monitoring system of a power transformer: a) General layout of PD sensors in a

power transformer, b) UHF sensor+converter UHF/HF installed on the base of the transformer
bushing, c) HFCT sensor installed at the output of a test tap connected to the transformer tank,
d) Measuring impedance connected to the output of a test tap of the bushing, e) HFCT sensor
installed on the earth connection of the cable sheath.

4
 For indoor transformers connected by cable to HV GIS and to MV metal-enclosed
switchgear additional HFCT sensors can be placed at earth connection of the cable ends of
the GIS and MV cabins according to the monitoring setup shown in Figure 4.

CAS

Figure 4. Testing setup of HFCT sensors in a PD monitoring system of an indoor power

transformer with its cable connections to the HV GIS and the MV metal-enclosed switchgear

3.2 Synchronized Acquisition

Periodic synchronized signal acquisitions are taken in all distributed PD sensors (UHF and
HFCT) without any threshold triggering requirement. GPS signal is used for synchronized
measurements in the high frequency range. A GPS antenna which gets satellite information
allows to synchronize the measurements with a jitter lower than 10 ns. Synchronized signals
are processed for noise suppression, the magnitudes and the arrival times of the PD pulses to
each PD sensor are calculated to perform an automatic PD location in order to determine what
is the element affected (cable, cable end, interface connection boxes, transformer, GIS, etc.).

3.3 Noise suppression

The significant volume of data collected exceeds the capacity of a single central
processing unit. For this reason micro processing hardware is integrated inside each
Measuring System (MSi) to apply filtering analysis tools to reduce the information to be sent
to Central Acquisition System (CAS) (see Figure 4).

HF signals associated to each transformer bushing (the signal from HF sensor and the
signal from UHF sensor converted to HF signals) are filtered by means of a powerful filtering
software in order to save only pulses whose waveform is likely to be from PD (damping
oscillating transient signal). The noise suppression tool was developed on the basis of the
wavelet transform plus a statistical signal treatment [8]. The efficiency of the filtering
software is shown analysing the residual background noise of a Phase Resolved PD (PRPD)
pattern after filtering in each MSi (see PRPD pattern in the first row and first column of
Table 1). The base level of the PRPD pattern may be completely seen after filtering.

The filtered pulses of each MSi are sent to the Classification Automatic System (CAS)
where they are classified in different PD sources. PD sources located in different places are
identified applying the methods described in “PD location tool” and the PD sources located in
the same places are distinguished by “PD clustering tool”.

5
3.4 PD location tool
To get a correct PD location it is necessary to determine the delay between two PD pulses
generated by the same PD source traveling to two HFCT sensors placed indifferent locations.
Special attention must be paid to short cable links between transformer and GIS or between
transformer and MV metallic-enclosed switchgear. PD location through synchronized
measurements usually produces an error around 3.4 m when the synchronization uncertainty
is 10 ns taking into account a propagation speed around ±0,168 m/ns. Due to this reason a
complementary signal analysis must be performed to identify if a PD source is inside a
transformer or inside the cable termination when a PD source is located close to the limit
between both.

A correlation between polarities and amplitudes detected by different HFCT sensors is

performed when PD pulses are injected at the different transformer bushings by a PD
calibrator. This analysis allows identifying where the PD source is located. The polarity of the
current pulse through the earth conductors depends on which element is affected. Sensors
installed on the earth connection of the cables and transformer can determine the direction of
the current in order to distinguish if the PD pulse comes from the cable termination or from
the power transformer [10]. Same analysis can be performed to identify PD pulses coming
from GIS or metallic-enclosed switchgear MV or from the cable termination. This analysis is
only viable when a power signal processing is performed in order to be able to identify the
polarity of the pulse and its arrival time.
Transformer side Transformer side

PD pulses come from PD pulses come from

the cable system side the transformer side

Cable side
Cable side

Figure 5). Pulse polarity analysis: a) when a PD pulse comes from the cable side its polarity in the
HFCT sensor placed at the cable sheath is the same to the voltage, b) when it comes from the
transformer side its polarity in the HFCT sensor of the cable sheath is reverse to the voltage.

A PD pulse is considered inside the power transformer if the two following conditions are
satisfied:

1) The pulse acquired by the HFCT of the cable sheath has reverse polarity
than half cycle of the voltage and/or the pulse acquired by the HFCT of the
earth connection of the transformer tank has the same polarity than half
cycle of the voltage (see Figure 5).

2) The signal from the UHF sensor and the signal from HFCT sensor of the
same transformer bushing appear at the same instant (see Figure 6).

6
 HF signal
a) After
Filtering
HFCT
sensor
MSi CAS
UHF Filter UHF/HF
sensor 0,3 -0,8 MHz converter
UHF signal
converted in
a HF signal
b) Signals and filtered
acquired
by HFCT

2 ms/div
10 mV/div

c)
PD pulse detected FFT of the PD pulse
10 MHz/div
20 dB/div

200 ns/div
10 mV/div

Figure 6. Logic process to classify PD pulses wave-shapes: a) signal treatment from HFCT and UHF
sensors associated to the same transformer bushing, b) Wave-shapes obtained in different steps of the
signal treatment, c) PD pulse originated inside a power transformer.

3.5 PD Clustering tool

Although in many cases a single PRPD pattern is identified by means of the ”PD
location tool” described in clause 3.4, sometimes different PD sources are overlapped in a
PRPD pattern when they are identified in the same location. In these cases, the different PD
sources must be separated by signal processing tools. A 3D PD clustering tool on the base of
the pulse wave-shape is applied [11]. A generic damped sinusoidal wave-shape model,
defined by the equation (1), is applied to each recorded PD pulse i(t). Three characteristic
parameters of the each pulse wave-shape (oscillation frequency, f, and two time constants α
and β associated to the PD pulse envelope) are determined to perform the 3-D PD clustering
(see table 1).
1
i(t ) = sin(2 ⋅ π ⋅ f ⋅ t − ϕ) ⋅ α ⋅(t −t 0 )
(1)
e + e β ⋅( t −t 0 )
where t0 and ϕ parameters are the time and phase displacements for the instant t=0.

Three different PD clusters can be observed in the example of Table 2:

• Cluster #1, PD pattern related to a floating potential.
• Cluster #2, PD pattern related to a floating potential.
• Cluster #3, PD pattern related to an internal defect.

7
 Table 1
Exemple of 3-D PD clustering
Phase Resolved Cluste #1 Cluste #2 Cluster #3
PD pattern after
software filtering
β β β
α α α
f f f

PD pulse
waveform

Phase Resolved
PD pattern of
each PD source

Diagnosis Floating potential Floating potential Internal defect

3.6 Evolution analysis of PD sources

Every PD source is analysed on CAS to generate evolution charts with activity
indicators of amplitude and PD rate (number of pulses per voltage period) correlated to other
parameters (e.g. load power, voltage and ambient temperature) in order to know their trend
(see example Figure 7). Significant variations on the trends are used to generate automatic
diagnosis alarms [12].

0 20 ms

18 0 24 h 0 24 h 0 24 h
0 6 12 24 h

Figure 7: Trend of the average PD activity of each day versus load, voltage and ambient temperature.

8
 4. EXPERIENCE OF A PD MEASUREMENT IN SERVICE

An on line PD monitoring was carried out in three power transformers 132 kV / 20kV, of
40 MVA each one, installed in an indoor substation of IBERDROLA. Oil filled cables of 40
years old were replaced by XLPE cables. This change involved a modification of the cable
connection box at the transformer side.

Experience in an on-line PD monitoring system used in the substation shows the

numerical signal processing tools described in section 3 for insulation diagnosis. This test was
performed after an onsite commissioning tests. On-line PD monitoring in real service
conditions was applied three times during two years after the commissioning tests. The results
of the off-line and the on-line tests concluded the same result confirming the effectiveness of
both measuring techniques.

4.1. Commissioning test

Commissioning tests were carried to the cable system connected to the connection box
using a resonant mobile HV generator. The bar connection to the windings were disconnected
in the connection box. During the onsite tests PRPD patterns were found in phase U, V and W
at different voltage levels. The first clear PD source was detected on phase V at 114 kV and a
small PD source on phase W (see first row of Figure 8). A new PD source was detected with
higher voltage level on phase U at 132 kV and the PD source on phase V increased while the
PD source on phase W was not changed (second row of Figure 8). The analysis made on its
RPPD patterns led to sporadic surface partial discharges on phases U and V. This PD activity
was justified due to eventual accumulation of bubbles on the base of the porcelain insulator of
the cable box where the insulator is joined to the tank.

Figure 8: Off-line and on-line test results

9
4.2. On-line PD monitoring
Taking into account PD activity was only observed for voltages much higher than the
service voltage (inception voltage was 114 kV) approximately at 1,5.Uo (1,5x132/√3=114kV)
no critical problem in transformer insulation was considered. However, on-line PD
monitoring was recommended to analyse the PD trend.

An on-line PD monitoring was performed three months later the commissioning test
using the testing setup of PD sensors (HFCT and UHF) and measuring systems as indicated in
section 3. The sensors were installed on the HV transformer bushings and an additional HFCT
sensor on the earth connection of the transformer tank. After one month of PRPD patterns
were detected on phases U, V and W with similar characteristics and equivalent activity
behaviour as the ones obtained during onsite testing (see Figure 8).

During on-line PD monitoring, the PD source related to phases U and W had very low
activity and the one related with phase V had a higher activity. This behaviour was similar to
the experience observed under different voltage levels during off-line PD measurements: only
significant PD pulses related with phase V were detected at lower voltage levels while pulses
related with phase U were also detected at higher voltages. In phase W low PD activity was
also observed. The PD sources were detected by HFCT sensors placed on the HV cable
connections and at the HFCT sensor placed at the earth connection of the tank. PD correlation
analysis using current sensors classified PD sources inside transformer due to the polarity of
the pulses. PD pulses were also detected by UHF antenna installed on cable connections. This
fact confirms the existence of PD close to the interface between cable and transformer.

Figure 9: Cable interface compartment

An analysis of the PD activity correlated with voltage and load current of the
transformer was carried out to know more about the behaviour of the PD activity. This
analysis on the first on-line PD monitoring concluded that: 1) During 14% of the period of
time monitored there was PD activity, 2) the probability of PD activity increases after a load
peak when it starts to decrease.

After ten and sixteen months from the first PD on-line monitoring, two additional on-
line PD monitoring measurements were performed during one month. Lower PD activity was
detected in both: in the second PD monitoring, PD activity was detected in phases U and V
during 3% of the monitored period, being this figure only 1% of the monitored time in
phase U, during the third PD monitoring (see Table 4). The justification was that eventual
bubbles in oil are dissolved as the transformer stays longer loaded in service.

10
 13th-June 14th-June 15th-June 16th-June
Figure 10: PD activity (amplitude red curve and rate per period green curve) versus voltage and load.

Test Phase U Phase V Phase W

a) Off-line PD test
March-2014

b) On-line PD test
June-2014

c) On-line PD test
No PD activity
May-2015

d) On-line PD test
No PD activity No PD activity
Nov-2015

Figure 11: Results of PD measurement: a) First row off-line test, b) Frist on-line PD monitoring,
c) second PD on-line monitoring, d) third PD on-line monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper presents an on-line PD monitoring system designed for power transformers
without using invasive sensors. Periodic synchronized PD measurements performed by means
of no invasive HFCT sensors and UHF sensors combined with a powerful filtering tool allows
identifying the location of the PD source. Analysis of PD amplitude, polarity of the pulses
detected and time delay to the different PD sensors used during an on-line PD test permits to
identify whether the PD source is inside or outside the transformer. A 3D wave-shape PD
clustering is used to separate different PD sources which will be helpful to know if the defect
is critical.

An off-line PD test and three on-line PD tests performed in a power transformer located in
an urban substation are presented. The analysis of the PD signals has allowed us to know the
PD evolution of internal PRPD patterns. The off-line PD measurements were confirmed by an
on-line PD test performed in service conditions. The comparison of both techniques off-line
and on-line PD tests is shown and analyzed. The analysis of the trend of the PD sources found
with similar characteristics and equivalent activity behavior has proved the effectiveness of
this approach.

11
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] IEC 60270 High-voltage test techniques – Partial discharge measurements

[2] IEC 60076-3 Power transformers - Part 3: Insulation levels, dielectric tests and external
clearances in air
[3] S. Okabe, G. Ueta and H. Wada, “Partial discharge signal propagation characteristics
inside the winding of gas-filled power transformer - study using the equivalent circuit
of the winding model,” IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, pp.
1668-1677, 2011.
[4] A. Pfeffer; S. Tenbohlen; S. Kornhuber, “Influence of PD Location and Frequency
Ranges on measured Apparent Charges,” in International Symposium on High Voltage
Engineering (ISH), Hannover, Germany, 2011
[5] S. Okabe; G. Ueta, “ Partial discharge criterion in AC test of oil-immersed transformer
and gas-filled transformer in terms of harmful partial discharge level and signal
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1431-1469, 2012.
[6] IEC/TS 62478 “ High voltage test techniques - Measurement of partial discharges by
electromagnetic and acoustic methods
[7] Guidelines for Partial Discharge Detection using conventional (IEC 60270) and
unconventional methods WG D1.37 CIGRE Brouchure-2016
[8] Patent PCT # MX/A/2012/013690 belonging to Polytechnic University and of Madrid
and to the utility “Gas Natural Unión Fenosa Distribución” WO 2011151481 A4
[9] J. Fuhr, “Procedure for Identification and Localization of Dangerous PD Sources in
Power Transformers,” IEEE Trans. on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, pp. 1005-
1014, October 2005.
[10] F. Garnacho, J. Ortego, M. Á. Sánchez-Urán, F. Álvarez, A. Gonzalez “On line PD
Monitoring of Short Cable Systems Installed in Substations”; Jicable 2015
[11] F. Álvarez, F. Garnacho, J. Ortego, M. Á. Sánchez-Urán, “HFCT and UHF Sensors in
On-Line Partial Discharge Measurements for Insulation Diagnosis of High Voltage
Equipment” pp. 7360-7387, Sensors 2015, 15(4).
[12] F. Garnacho , M. A. Sánchez-Urán, J. Ortego, F. Álvarez , “PD Online Monitoring
System with Automatic Location and Alarm Generation” paper nº 87, International
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