EEEM 513

ENGINEERING
DIAGNOSTIC
TOOLS

ASSIGNMENT 2

Names: Sujintharan Nair A/L Sankaran (SE21212)

Mathanraj A/L Ganggatharan (SE21213)

Lecturer: Young Zaidey bin Yang Ghazali

Date: 14th March 2011

On July 26, 2010, a 132/33 kV, 45 MVA Dyn11 transformer manufactured in 1988 and identified
as T2, tripped on differential protection. The main tank pressure relief valve had operated.
Following the incident, initial tests were performed on the transformer and the results are as
shown in Table 1 to Table 4 below.

Table 1 – Insulation Resistance Measurement

IR Test HV-LV (GΩ) HV-E (GΩ) LV-E (GΩ)

1 min 1.42 1.81 1.66
10 min 2.18 2.56 2.42

Table 2 – Tan Delta Measurement

Insulation Voltage
Test Mode % Tan δ at 35°C
Tested (V)
CL GSTgA 10000 1.2651
CH GSTgA 10000 1.3338
CHL UST 10000 1.2668

Table 3 – Turns-Ratio Measurement

Primary Measured Ratio % Deviation

Tap Namepla Calculat Yello Yello
Red Blue Red Blue
Position te ed Ratio w w
Phase Phase Phase Phase
Voltage Phase Phase
1 145226 7.6224 7.6202 7.6207 7.5829 0.0290 0.0220 0.5187
2 143022 7.5067 7.5053 7.5049 7.4653 0.0188 0.0242 0.5516
3 140818 7.3910 7.3896 7.3897 7.3499 0.0192 0.0174 0.5567
4 138613 7.2753 7.2732 7.2732 7.2334 0.0287 0.0287 0.5765
5 136409 7.1596 7.1558 7.1569 7.1174 0.0529 0.0380 0.5893
6 134204 7.0439 7.0413 7.0413 7.0017 0.0368 0.0368 0.5990
7 132000 6.9282 6.9257 6.9269 6.8877 0.0356 0.0182 0.5840
8 129796 6.8125 6.8086 6.8093 6.7723 0.0577 0.0480 0.5901
9 127591 6.6968 6.6937 6.6942 6.6602 0.0468 0.0389 0.5468
10 125387 6.5811 6.5785 6.5786 6.5424 0.0396 0.0376 0.5886
- -
11 123182 6.4654 6.4822 6.4828 6.4282 0.5757
0.2608 0.2690
12 120978 6.3497 6.3458 6.3467 6.3115 0.0621 0.0475 0.6017
13 118774 6.2340 6.2289 6.2293 6.1953 0.0821 0.0757 0.6211
- -
14 116569 6.1183 6.1213 6.1213 6.0884 0.4891
0.0493 0.0493
- -
15 114365 6.0026 6.0061 6.0071 5.9744 0.4696
0.0590 0.0746
16 112160 5.8869 5.8893 5.8903 5.8591 - - 0.4721
 0.0420 0.0579

Table 4 – Winding Resistance Measurement for HV winding

Tap Winding Resistance (Ohm) %

Position R-Y Y-B B-R Deviation
1 0.765 0.756 1.023 35.32
2 0.752 0.743 1.006 35.40
3 0.740 0.731 0.989 35.29
4 0.729 0.718 0.973 35.51
5 0.716 0.706 0.957 35.55
6 0.703 0.693 0.939 35.50
7 0.690 0.681 0.922 35.39
8 0.679 0.669 0.906 35.43
9 0.740 0.737 0.899 22.00
10 0.678 0.670 0.906 35.22
11 0.690 0.682 0.923 35.34
12 0.704 0.694 0.940 35.45
13 0.716 0.706 0.957 35.55
14 0.727 0.718 0.973 35.52
15 0.740 0.731 0.989 35.29
16 0.753 0.743 1.006 35.40

The maintenance engineer planned to carry out an internal inspection. Prior to the internal
inspection, Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) was conducted and the FRA results for the HV
winding is given in the figure below.

Blue phase
Blue phase Red phase

Blue
phase

Red phase Red phase

Yellow phase

Yellow phase

100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 100kHz 1MHz

Analyze the case and answer the following questions. You can refer to the attached tables in
Appendix 2 for guidance.

a. Clearly give your comments on the condition of the transformer insulation by

analyzing the relevant test results based on the initial test conducted. [4 Marks]

In order to check the transformer insulation condition, normally Insulation Resistance and
Tan Delta test will be conducted. From the data in the table above we can conclude that,
for:-
Insulation Resistance test (IR)(At 20°C)
This test use Polarization Index method to obtain the index of dryness. It is done by
comparing the ratio of the IR reading after 10 minutes to the IR reading after 1minute.
The formula for the Polarization index is shown below and the ratio was calculated and
tabulated as in the table below:-

Polarization index = R10/R1 = I1/I10

(Keeping voltage constant)
Where:
R10 = megohms insulation resistance at 10 minutes
R1 = megohms insulation resistanceI at 1 minute
I1 = insulation current at 1 minute
I10 = insulation current at 10 minutes

IR Test HV-LV (GΩ) HV-E (GΩ) LV-E (GΩ)

1 min 1.42 1.81 1.66
10 min 2.18 2.56 2.42
10/1
MINUTE 1.5352 1.4144 1.4578
RATIO

So from the table we can conclude that HV-E and LV-E having poor insulation compare
to HV-LV. This show both the HV-E and LV-E has been contaminated and need to do
further test to take any action necessary.
Tan delta test
Basically in this test, the tangent of the insulation dielectric loss angle is measured
between primary and secondary windings (CHL), primary winding and ground (CH), as
well as secondary winding and ground (CL) at different test voltages depending on the
rated operating voltages of the winding. In on site tan delta measurement there are two
modes namely Grounded Specimen Test (GST) and Ungrounded Specimen Test (UST).
During GST mode, the dielectric loss of insulation between one of the windings to
ground will be measured depending on the winding that is being excited. Under UST
mode, dielectric loss of insulation between the two windings will be measured
irrespective of the winding being excited. The table below shows the measurement taken
at 35°C and its conversion to 20°C by dividing, the percentage tan delta to the correction
factor K of 1.40.

Insulation Voltage % Tan δ at % Tan δ at

Test Mode 20°C (FPT/K)
Tested (V) 35°C(FPT)
CL GSTgA 10000 1.2651 0.9036
CH GSTgA 10000 1.3338 0.9527
CHL UST 10000 1.2668 0.9049

So from the result obtain at 20°C we can conclude that the insulation condition of the
transformer is still good or in normal condition and the monitoring frequency of 24
months can be maintained.

b. Based on the relevant initial tests results, assess the problem occurring in the
transformer. Clearly state the concerns indicated by the relevant test results.
[4 Marks]
From the turn’s ratio test, it indicates that Blue phase having shorted turns. As seen
from the % deviation between measured ratio and actual ratio for the blue phase is more
than 0.5% for majority of the tap settings. This Shorted turns may result from short
circuits or dielectric (insulation) failures and this was proven in the IR test results
earlier. Furthermore, from the winding resistance test results as seen in the table above,
there is a large difference for the deviation between the R BR & RRY, and RBR & RYB,
 greater than 30% in many instances. Therefore these two tests concluded that the problem
lies in the Blue phase windings of the transformer.

c. Clearly give your comments on the major concerns highlighted from the
characteristics of the FRA responses at the following frequency bands:
i) Low frequency band (10 Hz – 10 kHz) [2Marks]
At this range of frequencies, the Blue phase deviate differently compared to
Yellow and Red phase. This shows that there is a defect in the magnetic
windings and the core of the Blue phase.

ii) Mid frequency band (10 kHz – 600 kHz) [2Marks]

The Blue phase shows different impedance as compared to red and yellow
which are almost equal to each other. At this range of frequencies this
indicates that there are deformations in winding geometry of the Blue phase.

iii) High frequency band (> 600 kHz) [2Marks]

Difference between impedance plot for blue phase and plot for red or yellow
phase at high frequency suggests possible abnormalities in the interconnection
of the blue phase. There is the possibility of error in the test setup, how it can
be assumed negligible since the previous tests have also indicated problems in
the blue windings.

d. Based on the given information, initial test results and FRA on the transformer, state
your conclusion on the type of fault as well as its location and give your reasons.
[3 Marks]
From the FRA, IR test, Winding test and Turn ratio test, it can be conclude that there
is physical damage or dislocation of the windings of the blue phase and from the FRA
itself test we can conclude that the problem lies in the blue phase windings or core.

e. Is there any missing information that you think should have been provided in order to
help conclude your analysis? Clearly state the missing information, if any? [3
Marks]
In order to determine the condition of insulation, few tests can be done such as
Insulation current test and Power factor as normally no single test method can be
 relied upon for indicating all conditions of weakened insulation. Other than that, it
would be better if can manage to get data from previous FRA testing from same
transformer as it will allow for the use of the difference technique for each phase or at
least FRA data from a twin or sister transformer as it can be used to establish
reference values of the results

f. Frequency Dielectric Spectroscopy technique was applied on the twin transformer T1

as part of conditioned based maintenance program. Fig. 2 shows frequency
dependence Tan Delta spectra of a number of transformers in-service. Based on the
response at low, medium and high frequency of transformer T1 in Fig. 2, give your
detail comments on its insulation condition. [6 Marks]

At Low frequency: in comparison to the other transformers, it can be seen that T1 has
higher losses in the pressboard maybe due to higher moisture
content in the insulation.
At medium frequency: the higher losses due to higher moisture content in the insulation
oil
At high frequency: result indicating high moisture content in insulation may cause the
moisture to infiltrated into the paper insulation

g. Based on your assessment on the condition of transformer T1, is it safe to re-energize

the transformer? What would be your recommendations if transformer T1 is to be re-
energized? [4Marks]
From the results of FDS it is not advised to re-energize the transformer as this test
shows the transformer having higher losses in oil, pressboard and paper. Test like IR
test and Partial Discharge test should be done in order to confirm the insulation of the
transformer and to detect any other fault on the transformer.