Advanced PD Monitoring of Power Transformers

Supporting Asset Management

Gregor Pudlo
Doble Lemke
Germany
Switzerland

www.ldic.de

Abstract
Reasons for (PD) monitoring of transformers
Partial Discharge Detection principles
Electrical PD diagnostic techniques
PD measuring circuits according to IEC 60270

Advanced tools for PD monitoring

Acoustic and electromagnetic PD measuring principle
Cone-shaped drain valve UHF-sensors / Performance Check
Case studies UHF PD measurements

Reasons: PD Monitoring of Power Transformers

Power transformers are the most important and expensive
pieces of equipment in substations.
A new power transformer costs millions of dollars.
Unplanned outage and repair costs, penalties, etc. sum up
Transformers design life is 20-35 years.
With proper maintenance they can remain in service for 60
years.
As transformers age, their internal conditions degrade which
increases the risk of failures.
Time-based maintenance changes to condition-based
maintenance approaches

Partial Discharge Detection Principles

Macroscopic-Physical
Effects

HV

Detection Methods

Optical Effects
(Light)

Optical

Pressure Wave
(Sound)

Mechanical

Discharge Effects
Dielectric Losses
High Frequency
Waves

Acoustic
Opto-acoustic

Draft IEC 62 478

Electrical

IEC 60270
HF/VHF/UHF

Chemical Effects

Chemical

Heat

Electrical PD diagnostic techniques

PD measuring circuits according to IEC 60270
often applied in on-site/online PD investigations

frequently used circuit in

test laboratories

[Knig, 1993]

a) coupling device in series with the coupling capacitor

b) measurement at a bushing tap

Components:
AC voltage source U, optional blocking impedance Z, coupling capacitor CK,
measuring impedance Zm, a measuring instrument M and generalized test object Ca.

Electrical PD diagnostic techniques

PD Measuring Impedance for Bushing Tap Installation

Decoupling of PD signals from the bushing tap

in a wide frequency range up to 30 MHz

Lower cut-off frequency < 60 kHz

Additional voltage signal for phase-resolved

measurements

500 kV Transformer Bushing

Superimposed PD and test voltage signal

Very fast and safe over-voltage protection

TNC-socket for signal output

Dimensions: diameter 125 mm, length 120 mm;

Weight: 2 kg

Special feature for continuous PD monitoring (IP 68)

IEC 62478 - Draft level

"Non-conventional PD-measurements:
Electromagnetic PD Detection in the (HF/VHF/UHF) - range
Acoustic PD measurements
Mixed acoustic and electromagnetic method
-> PD location in Power Transformers and Reactors

Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Cone-shaped active drain valve UHF-sensors

for the decoupling of electromagnetic PD signals from the inner of an oil-paper-insulated transformer

PD-signals in the UHF frequency range

(mainly 300 MHz 1 GHz)

sensors support Performance/Sensitivity Check (high-frequency test impulses can be injected with
additionally integrated electrode)

sensor head is grounded (for lower frequencies)

sensor application at oil valves, which are available e.g. for oil filling or draining (liquid tightness is
tested for 120C warm oil with 5 bar compression)

View from inside the transformer

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Performance Check
output path

input path

Cone-shaped active UHF-sensor

(DN 50/80 oil gate-valve)

UHF PD spectra for grounded

and ungrounded sensor head

Functional check of the whole measuring path including sensors and partial discharge (PD)

acquisition system through injection of high-frequency test impulses

single-port solutions are possible
the Performance Check controls e.g. the effect of a contact to grounded elements within the

oil valve.

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Performance Check

Performance check at 750 MHz

Phase-resolved view in UHF PD
device LDS-6/UHF

Drain valve
Output

Pre-amplifier

UHF PD probe DN80

High-pass filter
Input

Transformer

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Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Case study B - on-line UHF PD measur. of a 200 MVA single-phase transformer
40
30

UHF pulse
recorded
on-line

amplitude (V)

380/220kV, 200 MVA singlephase transformer and

position of the gate-valve
UHF-sensor

20
10
0
-10
-20
-30

50

100

150

200

time (ns)

0.6
0.5

Application benefit:

0.4

amplitude (Vs)

corresponding
UHF PD
spectrum up
to 1.5 GHz

0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.00

customer wanted to verify the hydrogen measurements and locate potential PD

full in-service sensor application and measurement

UHF PD signal could be used to enhance acoustic PD measurements

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

1.25

frequency (GHz)

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1.50

Advanced tools for PD monitoring Electromagn. PD Tests

Case study C - on-line UHF PD measur. of a 3-phase power transformer 600 MVA
150
100

UHF pulse
recorded
on-line

amplitude (mV)

gate-valve UHF-sensor used

at the 3-phase power
transformer 600 MVA,
21/380kV

50
0
-50

-100
-150
-500

-250

250

500

750

1000

time (ns)

Application benefit:

gas-in-oil hydrogen indication useless due to active hot spot

customer wanted to test for PD and check a potential load dependency of PD

full in-service sensor application and measurement

Inception and extinction voltage could be identified, load dependency excluded

12
10

amplitude (Vs)

corresponding
UHF PD
spectrum up
to 1.0 GHz

8
6
4
2
0
0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

frequency (GHz)

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UHF PD Measurements and

delivered UHF PD Probe DN50/80
Taiwan
Taipeh
China
Shangai

Philippines
Manila

Belgium
Linkebeek

Saudi Arabia
Jeddah
Jizan

Germany
Berlin
Heidenau
Riesa

UAE
Dubai

Ireland & UK
Ardnacrusha
Cashla
Dublin
Louth

Egypt
Kairo
Colombia
Bogota

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

Locations:
Louth
Dublin
Ardnacrusha
Cashla

Application benefit:
Tested measurements have been performed using non-conventional decoupling methods taking
advantage of electromagnetic field coupling
PD measurements on the power transformers have been functioned on the drain valves of the 3- phase
110/225kV power transformers with the help of the UHF probe DN 50
Three transformers found with minor PD activity, one transformer with clear PD

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UHF PD measurements in Ireland

Measuring Instrument:

PD Measuring System LDS-6/UHF

UHF Probe DN50 (with Adapter DN50/DN80)
UHF Calibrator LDC-6/UHF
Pre Amplifier LDA-5/GIS

Drain Valve

Applied UHF Drain

Valve Sensor

Measuring System
LDS-6/UHF

Mounting of the
UHF Probe DN50 (with
Adapter DN50/DN80)

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UHF PD measurement in Louth, Dublin, Ardnacrusha, Cashla (Ireland)

Left drain valve

Louth

Right drain valve

The measurements on both valves showed

PD activity from inside the transformer.

V 550 mV at measuring
frequency 560 MHz

V 238 mV at measuring
frequency 560 MHz

Left drain valve

T2xxx

Right drain valve

Not any critical PD levels above the

detection sensitivity have been measured in

Dublin, Ardnacrusha and Cashla.

V 139 mV at measuring
frequency 560 MHz

V 128 mV at measuring
frequency 520 MHz

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

on 33/13,8 KV Power Transformers A and B

Measuring Instrument:
UHF Probe DN50
Calibrator LDC-6/UHF
PD measurement instrument
LDS-6/UHF
Drain Valve

Power Transformer

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UHF PD measurements in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

A

B
Not any critical PD levels above the
detection sensitivity have been
measured.

PRPD Pattern at the measuring

frequency of 400 MHz V = 177 mV

PRPD Pattern at the measuring

frequency of 400 MHz V = 288 mV

Application benefit:
For examination and diagnostics of the insulation quality of high voltage apparatus the measurement
of PD is accomplished by sensitive UHF method on-site
UHF probe applied in full operation of transformer, no outage needed

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Conclusion
sensitive UHF PD measurement with UHF probes applicable in
service provide advantageous robust and easy PD decoupling
PD location - especially in transformers of great importance - is
possible in mixed and all-acoustic way
significant diagnostic information are derived from advanced tools
for PD monitoring
valuable application benefits e.g. on-line quick start of PD
monitoring, enabling time-based maintenance, diagnostic double
checks, etc. are at hand

Doble Lemke GmbH

Kesselsdorf/Dresden,Germany
Tel.: +49 35204 3900 0
www.ldic.de

Doble Lemke AG
Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 61 836 8000
www.ldic.ch

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