2004 Annual Report Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena

Frequency Response Analysis Approach For Condition Monitoring of Transformer

A. D.Rajkumar'
Pradeep M. Nirgude' B. Gunasekaran' Channakeshava'
'Central Power Research Institute, Hyderahad, India
'Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
'BHEL R&D, Hyderabad, India.

Many researchers [1,2,3] have been suggesting the

Abstract: The paper deals with Frequency Response

Analysis (FRA) technique, which uses sweep frequency
responses of the transformer winding to study the
various aspects of winding deformations. Experimental
and theoretical investigations were canied out on HV
disc winding of a I 1 kV/433 V, 1 MVA transformer.
Sweep frequency responses of this transformer were
obtained experimentally. Theoretical computations of
frequency responses using EMTP are made by
representing the transformer winding as a ladder
network parameters comprising inductances and
capacitances that are computed from its design data.
The paper presents the theoretical and experimental
results and analysis of the frequency responses on the
variations of the winding parameters, which represents
the deformation of winding.

FRA method to recognize the deformation in a

Introduction
High voltage power transformers are one of the most
expensive elements in a power system and their failure
is a very costly event. The monitoring and diagnostic
techniques, which can evaluate the integrity of
transformer, are essential to evolve optimum and better
reliability of the equipment. In this regard several
techniques such as thermal monitoring, oil analysis,
partial discharge measurement, capacitance & tan delta
measurements, recovery voltage measurements etc. are
applied for transformer wherein each one is applied for
a specific type of problem and have their own merits.
These methods are not found to be suitable to monitor
and diagnose winding deformations. When a
transformer is subjected to high through fault currents,
the mechanical stmcture and windings are subjected to
severe mechanical stresses causing winding movement
and deformations. It may also result in insulation
damage and turn-to-turn faults are most likely. The
deformation can also be due to ageing of paper. As a
transformer ages the insulation shrink and the clamping
pressure may be lost which reduces its withstand
strength. Winding deformations in transformers are
difficult to establish by conventional methods of
diagnostic tests like ratio, impedancdinductance,
magnetizing current etc. Deformation results in relative
changes to the internal inductance and capacitance of
the winding. These changes can be detected externally
by low voltage impulse method or FRA method.

0-780385845/04/$20.00 02004 IEEE

B. P. Singh'

transformer. These methods are based on the

consideration that transformer is a linear, bilateral,
complex and passive network that allows defining one
input force and several output gates. Some researchers
[ 1 - 51 use the time domain frequency response analysis
to investigate the deformation whereas others [6,71 use
frequency domain analysis. In the present work sweep
frequency response measurements were made in
frequency domain using Sweep Frequency Response
Analyzer ( SFRA). Work is being carried out to
investigate the various winding deformations caused to
the winding of transformer to identify the deformation
and extent to which it has damaged / deformed.
This paper gives details of the experimental
measurements and theoretical computations on the
frequency response of high voltage winding of a
transformer. The paper also presents the theoretical and
experimental results on the various deformations of the
windings simulated to study the behavior and present
the analysis.

Test specimen and instrument details

In order to study the various aspects of FRA, a 11 kV /
433 V, 3 phase, IMVA core and coil assembly was
selected. The H V winding is made of disc type with 780
turns per limb suitably placed in 40 discs. The LV
winding is spiral winding with 17 turns placed in two
layers. Figure 1 shows a view of the test specimen used
in this study. The SFRA instrument is provided with
inbuilt processor for data storage, processing and
display. The instrument has a frequency range of 10 Hz
to 10 MHz with 1250 logarithmically spaced data
collection. The experimental set up to cany out the
measurements is shown in Figure 2. Experiments were
carried out to vary inductance and capacitance of the
winding to study the frequency response behavior of
transformer under deformations.

Experimental results
Figure 3a and 3h shows the per-phase measurement (U,
V and W) of magnitude and phase plot respectively of
HV winding. For a threelegged core-type unit, the

1 X6

Rgure 3 b Phase plot of three phases

Test

Test transformer

Signal and
Reference
Shield
Figure 2 Experimental test set-up

IM J
Rgwe 3a: Magnitude plM of three phases.

magnetic flux coupled with outer phases U or W shows

different reluctance than the flux coupled with the
middle phase V. Magnitude at low frequencies tend to
shift towards left for middle phase whereas the other
two phases correlate closely. The presence of residual
magnetism may have an effect on relationship between
these traces. However, for higher frequencies all the
three phases correlate well indicating possibility of
comparison of all the phases.
It is observed from figures that at low frequencies,
the influence of capacitance is negligible and the
winding behaves as an inductor. Therefore, the
magnitude and phase (by the transfer function) of the
low-frequency sinusoidal signal, passing through the
winding, are determined by inductive and resistive
nature of the network. The magnetic circuit of the core
determines the inductive characteristics and the
resistance of the output measuring cable determines
resistive characteristics. In Fig: 3b the phase angle is
around -80 degrees, indicating the inductive nature of
the total impedance (in the range below I&). As the
frequency of the input signal increases, the capacitive
effects begin to dominate and the phase angle quickly
becomes close to +90 degrees ( in the region above
IkHz). Now, the magnitude and phase shift of the highfrequency sinusoidal signals, passing through the
winding, are determined by inductive and capacitive
nature of the network. In high-frequency region, the
inductive characteristics are determined by the leakage
flux coupling and the capacitive characteristics are
determined by the various capacitive elements
associated with individual turns. The propagation
characteristic of the winding becomes complex as a
result of many resonance frequencies found in highfrequency range. As the frequency increases even
further (over 100 lcHz ), the sinusoidal signal travel

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mostly outside the winding and reflect from the other

elements found in the transformer, e.g., leads, support
insulation etc. the magnitude and phase of the transfer
function in that frequency region are influenced by the
inductive/capacitive/resistivenature of these elements.
Change of inductance is possible by changing the
number of t u n s or by change in radial dimension.
Decrease in number of turns in practice can happen due
to touching of adjacent turns. This can happen because
of the impact of large mechanical forces developed
when the transformer sees through fault. Decrease in
inductance is possible due to short-circuiting of the
number of turns at one point in any one disc In order to
study the variation of inductance change which may he
caused, due to mechanical damage in the winding, the
experiments were conducted by short circuiting a turn in
various discs of the H.V winding. Shortcircuiting a turn
will also change the inter turn capacitance. However,
the change in capacitance is small as compared to the
extent of change in inductance. Figure 4a and 4b shows
the magnitude and phase variation of inductance change
caused by short circuiting of one adjacent turn in
various discs along the height of the HV winding. It can
be seen fmm these plots that variation in frequency
occurs in both magnitude and phase plots. Inductance
change is clearly identified at low frequencies around 10
to 30 kHz and from 2oOWz to 650kHz.

Theoretical aspects
The design data of the transformer is used to compute
the inductances [SI and capacitances [9]. A 40 number
HV disc winding is sub-divided in 20 sections with each

~~

Figure 4 b Phase plot for shorted hun in various sections

section having 2 discs.

The self and mutual
inductances, series and shunt capacitances were
computed for each section. These parameters form as a
ladder network to represent the winding. Frequency
scan option of the EMTP is used to compute the
frequency response of this winding represented by its
distributed parameters and divided in 20 sections.
Figure 5 shows the ladder network representation of the
winding.
In the present model of this transformer it was not
possible to increase the radial dimension. Theoretically,
the value of self and mutual inductances is computed for
changes in the radial dimension of the winding
simulating winding deformation. Computation of
frequency responses is carried out for varying
inductances in a particular section of the winding.
Figure 6 gives the magnitude plot for various
percentage changes in inductance for section 1 close to
HV terminal. Figure 7 gives magnitude plot for 5%
variation of inductances, from base values, in different
sections. Increasing the inductance reduces resonant
frequencies in all cases.

Ll= self inductance Mn=Mutual inductance

&,= Series capacitance C, Shunt capacitance
Ri = hput resistance R a Output resistance

Figure 4a: Magnitude plot for shorted turn in Various sections.

Figure 5. Ladder network representation of the HV winding

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observed that magnitude and phase frequency response

plots of outer phases were similar. Even the middle
phase had similar results except at low frequency. From
the results it can he inferred that the frequency
responses of the differnt phases of the same transformer
are comparable. Experimental investigations reveal that
very minor changes are easily detectable. The frequency
response variations are in the frequency range of 200
kHz to 650 kHz. Similar results are also obtained from
theoretical studies.

Acknowledgment
Authors wish to thank the management of CPRI and
BHEL to publish this paper. Thanks are also due to M/s
Vijai Electricals Limited, Hyderahad, India, to provide
the transformer to carry out the research work.

I
Figure 6 Magnitude plot for variation of inductances for the changes
insection I.

References

FrrnmVfW,

[I]. T.leiberfned K. F e w , Monitoring of power uansformers using

transfer function Ethod, IEEE Tmnsnctions on power
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121 I. Christian, K.Feser. U. Sundermam. t. Leibfried, Diagnoitic Of

power transformers by using transfer function method, 11 ISH,
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V a n d e r m , Transformpr condition monitofing by

frequency response analysis 10 ISH, Monoeal, Quebec.
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[4] Hanique E, Reijnders H.F and Vassen P.T.M., Frequency

response analysis as diagnostic tool ., Jolouml of
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[SI

.Figure 7: Magnitude plot for 5% variation of inductances in different

sections.

At low frequencies up to 10 kHz no peaks and

valleys are observed. Three resonant frequencies are
seen from 10kHz to 300 kHz hut no change in response
is ohserved. Detectable changes occurred even for 5%
of change in inductance in all sectionds (i.e. 0.25%
over all). The 5% change in inductance by calculation
corresponds to a very minor change in the dimension of
the winding. The frequency response variations are in
the frequency range of 350 kHz to 850 kHz and closely
match with the experimental results.

E.J. Rogers, L.E Humbard D.A. Gillies, Insrmmentatian

technique for Low voltage impulse testing of power
transformers, IEEE Trnnsnclions on Power systems nnd
Appmtus, PAS-Yl,May-June-1978, pp 1281-1293.

161 E.P. Dick c.C. Erven, Transform diagnostic testing by

frequency response analysis, IEEE lrnnrnctions on Power
n p p r n t w and Syslems, Vol. PAS-97, no. 6, pp, 2144-2153,
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[7]

John Lapwonh and Tony McGrail, Transformer winding

movement detection by frequency response analysis, 666
A n n u l inremnrionnl conference of Doble clienu- April 1999,
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[SI Grover F.W.,

Newyork

Inductance calculationspover publicntions Inc..

[YI BHEL Transformers Handbwk, Toto McGrow Hill Publishing

Conclusions
Experimental and theoretical investigations were carried
out on HV disc winding of a 11 kV/433 V, 1 MVA
transformer. Sweep frequency responses of the
transformer were obtained experimentally. It was

Company Limited. New Delhi.

Author address: Pradeep M. Nirgude, Central Power

Research Institute, UHV Research Laboratory, P.B. No.
9, Uppal, Hyderahad, India. Email: uhvac@nettlinx.com

189