Two Independent Methods for Power Transformers Vibration Control

Y. P. Aksenov, A. P. Proshletsov
Abstract Power transformers on-line vibration control has its limits in relation to noises influence coming from mechanical components of transformer (pumps, motors); implementation of harmonics analysis helps to increase the control reliability. Implementation of capacitive currents to ground harmonics analysis allows increasing the reliability of vibration defects location. This becomes possible due to magnet core vibration which gives spectral lines into capacitive current with the same frequency as on-tank vibration measurements. Practical results from two independent methods are given in this paper: - capacitive current to ground harmonics analysis on transformer; - harmonics analysis of vibration velocities registered on tank. Index Terms--Fault diagnosis, harmonics analysis, infrared surveillance, magnetic cores, predictive maintenance, transformers, vibration control, vibration measurement.

I.

INTRODUCTION

AST number of transformers with long-term service capacity (over 30 years) are installed and in operation for the moment as in Industry so at the Utilities. Major questions come to the surface when considering this type of transformers, such as technical status and life of equipment, answers to which could be obtained after carrying out technical diagnostics [1][4]. Vibration is one of the major events in power transformers which initiates after decompression of magnet core or windings. For movement or distortion of transformer winding a Frequency responder analysis test (FRA) method is user [5] as well as frequency response of stray losses (FRSL) that are effective for location of shortcircuited coils [6] or significant defects. FRA and FRSL methods are implemented during off-line tests. The below described will touch upon on-line method. For transformers being in long-term operation the most probable breakdown scenario has the following sequence of events: vibration insulation wearing-off PD breakdown. In reality vibration control methods are used when vibration sensors are installed on the transformers tank. A new approach of transformer diagnostics based on results analysis obtained from several independent measuring methods will be discussed in this paper (concerning on-line testing). For over than 20 years a pre-breakdown diagnostic method is used, based on the CSA (Current Signature Analysis [7]) and mechanical tests of routine vibration measurements. For developed defects the pre-breakdown events description is given. For this reason a method of

Dr. Y. P. Aksenov and A. P. Proshletsov are with DIACS Company, Moscow, Russia (e-mail: diacsnew@list.ru).

transformer feeding current harmonics analysis is used; it correlates with the vibration diagnostic results and allows the determination of pre-breakdown defects (as appears from the CSA comparison that feed the machine, without defects and for defect model on the machine), which are revealed by harmonics analysis. The CSA shows that what caused the initiation of spectrum lines in current around the main network frequency harmonics (2nd, 3rd, , 7th) is the actual spectrum components of the feeding voltage. Voltage spectrumsif the machines complex impedance value is constant determine the feeding current spectrums, but only if there are defects other spectrum lines emerge that will be the defect characteristics. At the moment a largely used analysis is the analysis of motor feeding currents harmonics [8], as well as the analysis of capacitive current harmonics to ground, this method was previously effectively used for power transformers [4]. CSA-Technology [7]. If the defect is present (even artificial) a range of new spectrum lines emerge in the current spectrum, which is in fact the CSA for the given defect, including subharmonics, harmonics and interharmonics between spectrum lines of a frequency - f. However the CSA Technology as well as FRA [5] and FRSL [6] technologies will be absolutely effective only for the open circuit test. If measured on-line rated currents will be high with the random frequency set due to non linear and frequency current dependency on mechanical load. Randomness and non linear of the operation mechanism load bring to current fluctuations from the rated current within the bandwidth. Voltage spectrums may be considered as the basic and essential for current value and their spectrums estimation. The CSA Technology is useless when applied for highcapacity HV machines, such as HV power transformer. In this case the more effective one is the CCSA technology. Capacitive current harmonics signature analysis (CCSATechnology). The method under discussion [4, 8] is an utterly original method however its characteristics such as self-descriptiveness do surpass the CSA Technology together with FRA and FRSL methods. This method is about harmonic analysis of capacitive currents to ground. During vibration capacities change with frequencies that correspond to vibration of active part in the power transformer, that is according to the harmonics analysis is it possible to determine certain regularities in the vibration events in the motor. In CCSA-technology the following criteria are analyzed as well: - main network frequency harmonics: odd (1st, 3rd,

978-1-4244-9302-9/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE

5th), even (2nd, 4th, 6th); - subharmonics (1/2, 11/2, ); interharmonics between main spectrum lines. Power transformers vibration characteristics measurements, CCSA-technology results comparison, vibration velocity measurements correlation evaluation as well as vibration velocity measurements on the transformers tank surface are the issues under consideration in this paper. II. TECHNICAL DIAGNOSTICS SYNERGY FOR TRANSFORMERS

Testing-circuit diagram representing measurements and sensor installation points on the plate of transformers tank are shown in Fig. 1.

regularly. This appears to be the first sign of zero defects. The second sign of zero vibration defect. Main network spectral lines (50Hz harmonics) are not discussed here, but spectral lines between these main harmonics (interharmonics) are under consideration. As it follows from the data shown in Fig. 2 (the lower row), there are no spectral lines with significant magnitudes present. The third sign is vibration events stability within time, i.e. spectra of a and b are close, correlation coefficient between them is k~0,9. B. Transformer with defects caused by vibration Spectrum comparison is given in Fig. 3. It follows from the full-spectrum analysis (upper row) that vibration defects take place due to: a) Irregularity of spectral lines magnitude decrease: - for Fig. 3-a, drastic magnitude increase for 1th and 3th harmonics, large values of 5th and 7th harmonics; - for Fig. 3-b, even harmonics are substantially larger than odd; - for Fig. 3-c, odd harmonics 7 and 9 are larger than 3rd and 5th; absence of line corresponding to the 4th harmonic (full-scale absorption spectrum). b) Spectral instability, largest magnitudes of spectral lines (Fig. 3, upper row): - instability of spectral lines magnitude for 50Hz; - magnitude instability for 100Hz as well; it is observed that 100Hz > 50Hz, Fig. 3-b. By the analysis of interharmonics between main spectral lines, i.e. lower row, Fig. 3, it follows that: a) Instability is located, two types of characteristic spectra are seen (in Fig. 3 they are marked as I and III, two spectral lines for 640 and 780Hz not multiple of 50Hz corresponding to initiation internal resonance). II spectrum 200-300Hz band with the maximum at 210, 240 and 290Hz frequencies. b) Taking into account the fact that characteristic spectra exist independently, it is acceptable to assume that defined spectral lines correspond to several different possible defects connected to current-fed elements (leads between bushing and winding or on turn of winding). Typical signs of defects of this kind: - defect No1 spectral lines at 640 and 780 Hz frequencies; - defect No2 spectral line at 290 Hz frequency; - defect No3 set of spectral lines in the 180-240 Hz band with max. at 190Hz; - defect No4 spectral line at 170 Hz frequency; - defect No5 spectral line at 210 Hz frequency; - defect No6 spectral line at 490 Hz frequency. Later during vibration velocity measurements along the tank surface it is important to register the spectral lines magnitude at listed above frequencies which are characteristic for No1No6 defects. V. VIBRATION VELOCITY ANALYSIS DURING ON-TANK MEASUREMENTS

Fig. 1. Analytic system developed for transformers diagnostics with implementation of portable diagnostic complexes Sensors installation points for vibration velocity measurements: 1 vibration velocity sensor (inductive velocimeter, monoaxial, frequency band 1-2000Hz), 2 instrument, 3 sensor for capacitive current measurements Double screening active sensor (DAS), frequency band 10-10000Hz.

III. SURVEY FOR A GROUP OF ONE-TYPE AUTOTRANSFORMERS Control was conducted for three autotransformers type 63 000 kW, 110/10 kV operating in the conditions of a city substation. Transformers have been in continuous service since 1975, 60-70% average load out of nominal. Vibration events with signs of defects were discovered in T2 transformer out of three transformers, no significant events were located in T3 and T4. Therefore two transformers will be analyzed: -without vibration events (T4); - vibration events present (T2). IV. CAPACITY CURRENT TO GROUND HARMONICS SIGNATURE ANALYSIS IN TRANSFORMERS A. Transformer Without Significant Vibration Events Example of current spectrum is given in Fig. 2 (upper row), odd harmonics are viewed in the spectrum (50, 150, 250Hz, etc), herewith magnitudes of spectral lines decrease regularly. Moreover, even harmonics (100, 200, 300Hz, etc) are smaller than odd harmonics and as well decrease

Only interharmonics (lines between main harmonics) will be discussed below excluding odd and even 50 Hz harmonics. A. Transformer with Zero Vibration Events A spectral set during control by the middle tank line ( in Fig. 1, points 1120F; 21-20) and at the bottom in the area

of main joint is shown in Fig. 4 from the LV side, and from HV side in Fig. 5. As seen from the spectral comparison, they are quite identical; the difference is only for point 29 where within

190-300 Hz band there is no pronounced maximum. Therefore, obtained spectra characterize a vibration background for the given transformer.

Fig. 2. Comparison of grounding capacitive currents (T4 transformer with zero vibration defects). Upper row of measurements full spectrum in logarithmic scale, lower row spectral lines between main harmonics (interharmonics): two measurements with one-minute interval: November, 25, 14:32 and November, 25, 14:31.

Fig. 3. Naming of defects during comparison of grounding capacitive currents spectra (T2 transformer with significant vibrations); upper row full spectrum measured spectra in logarithmic scale, lower row interharmonics spectrum lines between main harmonics: a first measurement November, 16th; b second measurement November, 25th, 14:27; c third measurement November, 25th, 14:29. I, II, III spectrum types: N1N6 spectrum lines corresponding to vibration defects.

Fig. 4. Comparison of vibration velocities spectra for interharmonics during measurements by several points on tank from the HV side for T4 transformer (with zero vibration defects).corresponding to vibration defects.

Fig. 5. Comparison of vibration velocities spectra for interharmonics during measurements by several points on tank of T4 transformer (with zero vibration defects) from the HV side.

Correlation coefficient spectra are within the 0,7 0,9 range. B. Transformer with present relevant vibration defects (T2) Spectra for the given transformer are shown in Fig. 6 (spectral lines between main harmonics) for LV side and lateral components along the central line of tank, for the HV side as well in Fig. 7. 1) Interharmonics characteristics (between main spectral lines) on the transformer with present defect from the LV side: a) From the LV side (Fig. 6) magnitudes of spectral lines are larger in comparison with: - from HV side of the same transformer (T2), Fig. 7; - from LV side of transformer without defect (T4), Fig. 4. b) In the spectral line structure several specific signals are picked out corresponding to independent defects. Defects are characterized as: - Defect No1. Two spectral lines on 640 and 780 Hz frequencies (showed frequencies are in the capacitive current on ground spectrum as well), that are registered in points 16, 17, 18; herewith max. magnitude of spectral lines is near point 17 which is ~10 times higher than in neighboring

points. Taking into account the fact that no vibration activity within 640-780 Hz range is registered in other components of transformer including the HV side, suggestion becomes possible that the vibrating element in the middle part from LV side (point 17) may be between the surface (wall) of tank and active part. - Defect No2. A group of spectral lines within the 280300Hz range with max. at 290Hz frequency. Area of the depicted defect is in points 11, 19, 20, i.e. on the lateral side of tank from phase A. The possible defect category is magnetic core vibration with internal resonant frequency of 290 Hz that is close to the 6th harmonic (300 Hz). - Defect No3. Group of spectral lines within the 180-240 Hz range with max. at 190 Hz frequency (spectral line for 190 Hz on the capacitive current on ground spectrum has no significant presence). Given vibration events are registered in the area of points 18, 19, 20, the highest signal is in point 20. Vibration in the area of No3 defect takes place outside of the electrical field.

Fig. 6. Labeling of vibration defects during comparison of vibration velocities spectra for interharmonics throughout measurements by several points on tank for T2 transformer (with present vibration defect) from the LV side: - upper row middle part of tank; - lower row part of tank at the bottom.

Fig. 7. Comparison of vibration velocities spectra for interharmonics during measurements by several points on tank from the LV side for T2 transformer (with vibration defects).

- Defect No4. Group of spectral lines within the 160-220 Hz range with max. signal on the 170 Hz range. Defect area point 15. Possible defect area may be the vibration in the joint of Load tap Changer (LTC). - Defect No5. Spectral line with the 220 Hz frequency in points 14 and 12. According to CCSA the max. at this frequency is registered as well. Possible conductors vibration with LTC. - Defect No6. Defect is registered both by CCSA and VVHA. 490 Hz is the line frequency at point 12. Vibration of load is possible. The following factors indicate defects to be independent: - Defect No1 is registered only from the surface of tanks middle part from the LV side (points 16, 17, 18); - Defects No2, No3 are in the lateral part of transformer

(points 19, 20); Defect No4 registered only close to LTC.

2) Vibration activity from the HV side: Spectra are given in Fig. 6. As follows from the structures comparison, spectral lines are registered for defects No 2, 4, 5, and 6. VI. DATA COMPARISON FOR CAPACITIVE CURRENTS ANALYSIS AND VIBRATION VELOCITY CONTROL Data comparison for CCSA and vibration velocities control for transformer with the highest quantity of defects: - For defect No1. As follows from the capacity currents on ground analysis (Fig. 3) the defect is unstable; out of three measurements the event was registered two times,

which means that vibration comes not from the springy conducting element (may be coil in winding). These elements are loads. As far as according to vibration velocities control the max. magnitude of spectral line is in the limited area close to point 17 and cannot be viewed from HV side, vibrating element is located between active part and the transformers tank. However, due to the fact that vibrating element is current-carrying vibration of defect No1 is triggered by sporadic initiation of vibration events in LV conductors in the area of point 17. The given defect can be accompanied with PD initiation due to insulation wearingoff. - For defect No2. As is was established by the capacity currents control there is a 290Hz spectral line frequency corresponding to defect. The given frequency is viewed during control of capacitive currents in points 11, 12, 13, 20, i.e. in the lateral part of phase A, point 20. As far as this defect is sporadic, i.e. it cannot be found in springy designs, the possible component may be the vibration of high voltage tap phase A. - Defect No3. This defect (Fig. 6) is characterized by 190

Hz spectral line, whose magnitude is small according to the analysis of the lower row spectrum in Fig. 3. Therefore the given type of vibration belongs to metallic components that do not have conducting elements. Such can be, for example, vibration of magnetic core. - Defect No4 is characterized by spectral line within the range of 160-190 Hz. On the spectrum of capacitive currents there is the sign of 190 Hz line, that is the given type of fluctuations can be characterized as vibration of conducting element in the joint of LTC because the defect is registered in points 14, 15, 16,18 with max. signal in point 15 (lateral surface of tank). Final analysis of vibration control in transformer with defect. Final results concerning four main defects and given in Table 1. Defect areas are given in Fig. 8. As it is shown in the accompanying paper [4] vibration areas correspond to maximum of PD activity (sparking); which means that vibration in magnet core has effect.

TABLE 1 COMPARISON OF TRANSFORMERS VIBRATION CONTROL RESULTS OBTAINED BY CCSA AND VIBRATION VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS ACCORDING TO POINTS ON THE TRANSFORMERS TANK FOR 4 DEFECTS

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

M. Wang, A.J. Vandermaar, and K.D. Srivastava, Transformer condition monitoring by the low voltage impulse test method, presented at the CIGRE Third South African Regional Conference, Session 1, Item 3, Johanessburg, South Africa, 19-21 May 1998. P. Macor, G. Robert, G. Girardot, J. C. Riboud, T. Ngnegueu, J. P. Arthaud, and E. Chemin, The short circuit resistance of transformers: The feedback in France based on tests, service and calculation approaches, CIGRE 2000, Paper No. 1210, Paris, France, 2000. A. Bellini, F. Filippetti, Franceschini G, Tassoni C, Kliman GB. Quantitative evaluation of induction motor broken bars by means of electrical signature analysis, IEEE Transactions on Industry applications, vol.37 pp 1248-1255, Sept./Oct. 2001. Y. P. Aksenov, I. V. Yaroshenko, G. Noe, and A. V. Andreev, Online Diagnostics Technology and Repair Results for Medium Voltage Motors, presented at IEEE SDEMPED in Cargese, 2009.

HV side

IX. BIOGRAPHIES
Yury P. Aksenov (M1995) graduated from the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk, Russia in 1966, specializing in high voltage techniques and physics of plasma discharges; has received the Ph.D. degrees in 1978, D.Sc. degree in 2000. His employment experience included a laboratory he headed in 1970 studying superconducting cables in cooperation with Brookhaven National Laboratory in Oakridge, US. In 1978 he started work for partial discharge measurements on 220 kV SF6 substation. In 1989 he founded the Diacs Company for constructing and manufacturing diagnostic test equipment. From 1992 till 1995 as Diacs International Inc. president had a landmark partnership with Westinghouse Company. Dr. Aksenov has participated in the working group preparing the IEEE P1434 standard, has had numerous international conference presentations and publications. Aleksander P. Proshletsov was born in Soviet Union in 1949. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Russia in 1972 as engineer-physicist specializing in experimental nuclear physics. His employment experience includes Russian Scientific Centre "Kurchatov Institute" (since 1973 - scientific associate of the plasma dynamics department, since 2002 has joined Diacs Company as a chief specialist in the RD department, Analog Instruments and Apparatus. Mr. Proshletsov is author of more than 20 works.

LV side Fig.8. Results for location of areas with increased vibration are marked as N1N5, defect characteristics are given in Table 1.

VII.

CONCLUSION

1) Capacitive current signature analysis has full information on vibration events in the active part which are registered according to spectral features. CCSA measurements are protected from noises and other vibrations, therefore CCSA gives an overall information on the present defect. 2) On-tank vibration velocities control allows a full-scale investigation and pinpoint location of vibration event at the given frequency. 3) In the results of apparent analysis a correlation has been established and confirmed with spectral lines comparison corresponding to defects, for CCSA and vibration velocities measurements on tank. Defects were accompanied by partial discharges. VIII.
[1] [2] [3] [4]

REFERENCES

CIGRE Working Group 05, An international survey on failures in large power transformers in service, Electra, no.88, May 1983. V. I. Kogan, J. A. Fleeman, J. H. Provanzana, and C. H. Shih, Failure analysis of EHV transformers, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol.3, no.2, pp. 672-683, 1988. W. McDermid, A. Glodjo, J.C. Bromley (Manitoba Hydro), Analysis of Winding Failures in HVDC Converter Transformers EIC/EMCW'99 Expo, Cincinnati, USA, October 26-28, 1999 Y. P. Aksenov, I. V. Yaroshenko, G. Noe, and A. V. Andreev, Online Transformer Diagnostic Methods Synergy Based on Discharge and Vibration Events Measurements and Location, presented at SDEMPED, Bologne, Italy, 2011.