Another form of location system utilizes ultrasonic
transducers. This is widely used in factory testing and to a
lesser degree on site where good results have been reported.
The principle of the technique is indicated in Figure 29. The
aim is to correlate the measured time delays of the sound
waves with the PD location.
4.5 Lightning Impulse Testing
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Procedures for impulse testing are laid down in AS60076,
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Pt.4. The test sequence with the specified negative wave
(1.2 ± 30% / 50 ± 20% μs) is one impulse at 50-75% and
three subsequent full waves at 100%. It is usual to record a
further wave at the same level as the initial shot. Record of
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the applied voltage and current through a shunt in the neutral
are normally satisfactory if shown to have good sensitivity. A
transferred voltage test may be carried out where the winding
is not directly connected to the line in service. Fault detection
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is by comparison of the recorded waveshapes. If using digital
oscilloscopes, care must be taken that the sampling rate is
sufficiently high to record the high frequency changes. A new
IEC Standard is being prepared in this respect. Approved
measuring devices can be checked with the procedures in
AS193l-1996 “High-voltage test techniques” whilst
AS60076.4-2006 "Guide to the Lightning Impulse and
Switching Impulse Testing of Power Transformers and
Reactors" is very helpful in understanding the various aspects
of the tests. For example the concept of one point earthing to
reduce "interference" produced by the main current in the
measurement circuit. See Figure 30 for circuit and Figure 31
ELEC9712: Transformers p. 50/79
for methods of fault detection. The Guide gives examples of
oscillograms.
4.6 Instrument Transformer Insulation Tests
Instrument transformers are subjected to over-voltage tests
including impulse and power frequency. During the latter, PD
and DDF tests may be carried out. Such measurements,
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especially on site, have become very important because of a
number of explosive failures. The situation is now much
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improved following world-wide investigation. This has
generated the development of new methods of DDF
monitoring on-line that measures comparative behavior of
DDF in the three phases. These "Difference" measurements
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are used on site, e.g. the system developed by QEC (D.M.
Allan) and a commercial logic system based on the circuit
designed by I. Black in the U.K.
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4.7 DGA and HPLC Measurements
DGA sampling and analysis is one of the more important
maintenance techniques now available. Apart from the
analysis itself – and interpretation – great care must be taken
during the taking of oil samples from transformers. Extracts
from Maintenance Instruction No. 2A are attached as Figure
32 sheets 1-4. The increasing use of natural ester (vegetable)
oils in transformers means that much of the interpretive detail
of DGA techniques for mineral oils will have to be done
again for vegetable oils.
ELEC9712: Transformers p. 51/79
Until recently DGA methods required removal of an oil
sample from the transformer for later laboratory testing.
However on-line DGHA analysers are now available, at a
significant cost! However oil sampling methods will still be
used as the norm and on-line equipment will be used only for
very suspect transformers.
DGA measurements only test the oil quality. The paper in a
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transformer is also an important insulation material. The
traditional method used for paper monitoring is the Degree of
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Polymerization (DP) test which can be performed if a paper
sample is available. However modern methods use HPLC
chemical tests on oil samples from the transformer to
determine the so-called Furan levels of dissolved gas. These
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furan levels can be associated with the DP value
measurements and this is a valuable tool for supplementing
DGA analyses of transformer oil.
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Figure 29: Detection and location of PDs in transformers.
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Figure 30: Typical impulse test circuit.
[Ref. AS60076.4-2006]
ELEC9712: Transformers p. 53/79
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Figure 31: Lightning impulse test terminal connections
and methods of fault detection.
[Ref. AS60076.4-2006]
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Figure 32: DGA testing.
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Figure 32: DGA testing.
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