FAULT GASES

The great majority of incipient faults

occurring in power transformers gives
evidence of their presence early in their
developmental stages. Oil and oil-
impregnated electrical insulating materials
can decompose under the influence of
thermal and electrical stresses generating
gaseous decomposition products which
dissolve in the mineral oil. The nature and
the amount of the individual component
gases extracted from the oil may be
indicative of the type and degree of the
abnormality present
MECHANISM OF GAS GENERATION
The cause for the gas generation in the
mineral oil is the breaking of the chemical
bonds in the hydrocarbon molecules of the
mineral oil. Energy is needed for the
breaking of the chemical bonds and this
comes from the energy contained
in the fault of the transformer. The gases
generated include hydrogen (H2), methane
(CH4), ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4),
acetylene (C2H2), carbon dioxide (CO2)
and carbon monoxide (CO).
CLASSIFICATION OF FAULT

There are four basic types of faults

which can occur in the transformer:
Arcing or high current break down
Low energy sparking or partial
discharges.
Localized overheating or hot spots
and general overheating due to
inadequate cooling or sustained
overloading
Each of the faults results in
thermal degradation of the oil
either alone or in combination
with paper insulation. This
gives rise to the evaluation of
various hydrocarbon gases,
hydrogen and oxides of carbon,
in quantities depending on
Type of the fault.
 Heavy current arcing is characterized by
the evolution of significant quantities of
hydrogen and acetylene (C2H2).
If the arcing also involves paper insulation,
the oxide of carbon will also be present.
Partial discharge usually results in
evolution of hydrogen and lower order
hydrocarbons.
Localized heating or hot spot gives rise to
methane and ethane in appreciable amount.
Prolonged overloading or impaired heat
transfer can cause CO and CO2 to be
generated due overheating paper
Insulation.
Normal Values of Dissolved Gas in
Oil
Gas ppm
H2 100
CH4 50
C2H6 50
C2H4 50
C2H2 5
CO2 5000
CO 200