Advanced PD Monitoring of Power Transformers Supporting Asset Management

Gregor Pudlo Doble Lemke Germany Switzerland

www.ldic.de

Abstract
Reasons for (PD) monitoring of transformers Partial Discharge Detection principles Electrical PD diagnostic techniques
PD measuring circuits according to IEC 60270

Advanced tools for PD monitoring

Acoustic and electromagnetic PD measuring principle

Cone-shaped drain valve UHF-sensors / Performance Check

Case studies UHF PD measurements

Reasons: PD Monitoring of Power Transformers

Power transformers are the most important and expensive pieces of equipment in substations. A new power transformer costs millions of dollars. Unplanned outage and repair costs, penalties, etc. sum up Transformers design life is 20-35 years. With proper maintenance they can remain in service for 60 years. As transformers age, their internal conditions degrade which increases the risk of failures. Time-based maintenance changes to condition-based maintenance approaches

Partial Discharge Detection Principles

Macroscopic-Physical Effects
Optical Effects (Light) Pressure Wave (Sound)

Detection Methods

Optical

HV

Acoustic

Mechanical

Opto-acoustic

Discharge Effects Dielectric Losses High Frequency Waves

Draft IEC 62 478

Electrical IEC 60270

HF/VHF/UHF Chemical Effects Chemical

Heat

Electrical PD diagnostic techniques

PD measuring circuits according to IEC 60270
frequently used circuit in test laboratories often applied in on-site/online PD investigations

[Knig, 1993]

a) coupling device in series with the coupling capacitor

b) measurement at a bushing tap

Components: AC voltage source U, optional blocking impedance Z, coupling capacitor CK, measuring impedance Zm, a measuring instrument M and generalized test object Ca.

Electrical PD diagnostic techniques

PD Measuring Impedance for Bushing Tap Installation
Decoupling of PD signals from the bushing tap

500 kV Transformer Bushing

in a wide frequency range up to 30 MHz

Lower cut-off frequency < 60 kHz Additional voltage signal for phase-resolved measurements

Superimposed PD and test voltage signal

Very fast and safe over-voltage protection TNC-socket for signal output Dimensions: diameter 125 mm, length 120 mm;

Weight: 2 kg
Special feature for continuous PD monitoring (IP 68)

IEC 62478 - Draft level

"Non-conventional PD-measurements:
Electromagnetic PD Detection in the (HF/VHF/UHF) - range Acoustic PD measurements Mixed acoustic and electromagnetic method -> PD location in Power Transformers and Reactors

Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Cone-shaped active drain valve UHF-sensors
for the decoupling of electromagnetic PD signals from the inner of an oil-paper-insulated transformer PD-signals in the UHF frequency range (mainly 300 MHz 1 GHz) sensors support Performance/Sensitivity Check (high-frequency test impulses can be injected with additionally integrated electrode) sensor head is grounded (for lower frequencies) sensor application at oil valves, which are available e.g. for oil filling or draining (liquid tightness is tested for 120C warm oil with 5 bar compression)

View from inside the transformer

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Performance Check
1,0

grounded probe Performance Check

normalized amplitude

output path

0,8

0,6

0,4

input path

0,2

0,0 0,00

0,25

0,50

0,75

1,00

1,25

frequency / GHz

Cone-shaped active UHF-sensor (DN 50/80 oil gate-valve)

UHF PD spectra for grounded and ungrounded sensor head

Functional check of the whole measuring path including sensors and partial discharge (PD) acquisition system through injection of high-frequency test impulses single-port solutions are possible the Performance Check controls e.g. the effect of a contact to grounded elements within the oil valve.

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Performance Check

Performance check at 750 MHz Phase-resolved view in UHF PD device LDS-6/UHF

Output UHF PD probe DN80 High-pass filter Input Pre-amplifier

Drain valve

Transformer

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Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Case study B - on-line UHF PD measur. of a 200 MVA single-phase transformer
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380/220kV, 200 MVA singlephase transformer and position of the gate-valve UHF-sensor

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UHF pulse recorded on-line

amplitude (V)

20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 0 50 100 150 200

0.6 0.5

time (ns)

corresponding UHF PD spectrum up to 1.5 GHz Application benefit:

full in-service sensor application and measurement UHF PD signal could be used to enhance acoustic PD measurements

amplitude (Vs)

0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

1.25

1.50

frequency (GHz)

customer wanted to verify the hydrogen measurements and locate potential PD

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Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Case study C - on-line UHF PD measur. of a 3-phase power transformer 600 MVA
gate-valve UHF-sensor used at the 3-phase power transformer 600 MVA, 21/380kV
150 100

UHF pulse recorded on-line

amplitude (mV)

50 0 -50

-100 -150 -500

-250

250

500

750

1000

time (ns)

Application benefit:

corresponding UHF PD spectrum up to 1.0 GHz

12 10

amplitude (Vs)

8 6 4 2 0 0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

gas-in-oil hydrogen indication useless due to active hot spot customer wanted to test for PD and check a potential load dependency of PD full in-service sensor application and measurement

frequency (GHz)

Inception and extinction voltage could be identified, load dependency excluded

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UHF PD Measurements and delivered UHF PD Probe DN50/80

Taiwan Taipeh China Shangai Belgium Linkebeek Philippines Manila Saudi Arabia Jeddah Jizan UAE Dubai

Germany Berlin Heidenau Riesa

Ireland & UK Ardnacrusha Cashla Dublin Louth

Egypt Kairo
Colombia Bogota

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

Locations: Louth Dublin Ardnacrusha Cashla

Application benefit:
Tested measurements have been performed using non-conventional decoupling methods taking advantage of electromagnetic field coupling PD measurements on the power transformers have been functioned on the drain valves of the 3- phase 110/225kV power transformers with the help of the UHF probe DN 50 Three transformers found with minor PD activity, one transformer with clear PD

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

Measuring Instrument:
PD Measuring System LDS-6/UHF UHF Probe DN50 (with Adapter DN50/DN80) UHF Calibrator LDC-6/UHF Pre Amplifier LDA-5/GIS

Drain Valve

Applied UHF Drain Valve Sensor

Measuring System LDS-6/UHF

Mounting of the UHF Probe DN50 (with Adapter DN50/DN80)

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UHF PD measurement in Louth, Dublin, Ardnacrusha, Cashla (Ireland)

Left drain valve

Louth

Right drain valve

The measurements on both valves showed PD activity from inside the transformer.

V 550 mV at measuring frequency 560 MHz

V 238 mV at measuring frequency 560 MHz

Left drain valve

T2xxx

Right drain valve

Not any critical PD levels above the detection sensitivity have been measured in

Dublin, Ardnacrusha and Cashla.

V 139 mV at measuring frequency 560 MHz V 128 mV at measuring frequency 520 MHz

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

on 33/13,8 KV Power Transformers A and B

Measuring Instrument:
UHF Probe DN50 Calibrator LDC-6/UHF PD measurement instrument LDS-6/UHF Drain Valve Power Transformer

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

A
B
Not any critical PD levels above the detection sensitivity have been measured.

PRPD Pattern at the measuring frequency of 400 MHz V = 177 mV

PRPD Pattern at the measuring frequency of 400 MHz V = 288 mV

Application benefit:
For examination and diagnostics of the insulation quality of high voltage apparatus the measurement of PD is accomplished by sensitive UHF method on-site UHF probe applied in full operation of transformer, no outage needed

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Conclusion
sensitive UHF PD measurement with UHF probes applicable in service provide advantageous robust and easy PD decoupling PD location - especially in transformers of great importance is possible in mixed and all-acoustic way significant diagnostic information are derived from advanced tools for PD monitoring valuable application benefits e.g. on-line quick start of PD monitoring, enabling time-based maintenance, diagnostic double checks, etc. are at hand
Doble Lemke GmbH Kesselsdorf/Dresden,Germany Tel.: +49 35204 3900 0 www.ldic.de Doble Lemke AG Rheinfelden, Switzerland Tel.: +41 61 836 8000 www.ldic.ch

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