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A2-208

CIGRE 2008

EXPERIENCES AND COMPARATIVES IN TESTS OF FIELD AND LABORATORY OF SWEEP IN THE FREQUENCY OF TRANSFORMERS USING METHODS OF SWEEP IN THE FREQUENCY AND IMPULSE S. SANCHEZ, J. RICO Comisin Federal de Electricidad A. AVALOS, C. PEREZ University of Michoacan

Mxico servando.sanchez@cfe.gob.mx

SUMMARY
Currently there are two methods for detecting internal faults in power transformers: Sweep Frequency Response Analysis (SFRA) and the method of Impulse Response (IR). These two methods require well defined set up for the test. Most publications make emphasis in the wiring of the test circuit. For instance is recommended that the tank of power transformer must be adequately connected to earth. In this paper we show that attention must be also paid the effects of residual magnetism in the transformer. It is also stated that remnant magnetism is the result not only of the operating conditions of the transformer, it has been detected and shown in this paper that insulation tests and excitation test or another electrical tests can result in a transformer having a considerable remnant magnetism that may caused the SFRA and IR test fail in its results interpretation. To show the behavior of the test, three frequency analyzers from different vendors have been used to detect internal faults in transformers. We show that aspects as remnant magnetism is a factor to obtain reliable test, aspects as the repeatability are analyzed for the two methodologies where the Impulse Test show a no-repeatability characteristic and we show its cause.

KEYWORDS
Sweep in the frequency, Impulse response, remnant magnetism

1.- INTRODUCTION
The sweep in frequency test, for its low tension level applied to the transformers, is a non invasive test that guarantees its repeatability making it robust and reliable for detecting movement and/or deformations in windings and core as well as internal short circuits among turns or coils, among other faults related to changes in the geometry of the windings [1]. This test carried out in a periodic form allows for the opportune detection of incipient faults and repair them minimizing risk of permanent damage of transformers saving with it large quantities of money to the companies via an effective corrective maintenance. The present work shows the experiences registered during the realization of this test to power transformers in field that go in size from 5 MVA to 175 MVA as well as in Laboratory test on distribution transformers and a prototype developed. For testing purposes some specimens have undergone response to the frequency tests with two different methods: The sweep in the frequency

method and the impulse method to reduced tension and with at least three different test instruments [2]. The Impulse Response test, because of its application in form of a voltage impulse, could produce a remnant magnetism that not allows its repeatability because of the nonlinear nature of the core of the transformer. Therefore, to improve repeatability one could try to test the device ensuring that initial conditions of different test are as close as possible.

2.- DEVELOPMENT
For the analysis of the sweep in frequency method, two equipments have been used: the first one designed specifically for the sweep in frequency test in transformers and one for impedance measuring; in both equipments the results are identical and repeatable for the used methodology. The third equipment uses the method of impulse test to reduced tension. It is important to mention that even through IR tests are not considered invasive we argue here that these tests are actually invasive [3]. It must be said that repeated IR tests change the initial magnetic conditions of the transformer preventing repeatability. Indeed this confirms the sensitivity of nonlinear power components such as the transformer to initial conditions must be kept in mind. We, strongly, recommend considering this relevant result of nonlinear systems theory. The above mentioned was proven when carrying out a forced saturation from the core to a level that the response to the impulse test no longer reflected a change in the core becoming this test completely repeatable.

2.1.- TRANSFORMER FAULTED

The following test was carried out in a transformer of 155/175 MVAS, 66-0.96 KV, connection Delta-Delta, manufactured in 1997 whose structure corresponds to a transformer of oven of electric arc. For operative reasons, this transformer doesn't have breaker at low voltage terminals, for that daily is energized and deenergized of 13 to 15 times during the whole year, this operation condition subjects continually to the transformer windings to electrics and mechanics efforts, still and when it is had a control for the disconnection and synchronized connection of the poles of the breaker at high voltage side, big efforts are caused by the inrush current.

Corrected

Fault

Fig. 1 Response with and corrected fault

The detection of incipient faults in transformers by means of the sweep in the frequency test has been successful, important variations in frequency response are used as an indicator that the transformers must be internally inspected. Figure 1 shows the frequency response in a transformer that required internal inspection due to significant variations in its frequency response. As it is observed in the Figure 1, a very pronounced valley of the response of the three phases on the side of high voltage shows an internal problem in those windings being preceded to the internal inspection of the transformer. During the repair, it was found that the changes in the frequency response could be explained by supports totally loose. After adequate repairers, test shows corrections in the frequency response. In this case was not possible to obtain illustrations of the fault presented. In other case, figure 2 shown one winding which was subject to axial displacement due to electrical effort. In this case wasnt possible to detect this fault because we cant to test transformer before to its opening.

Fig. 2 Winding with slack subjection wedges

2.2.-

EFFECT OF THE RESIDUAL MAGNETISM

Figure 3 shows, one of the important conclusions that we would like to stress in this paper. Figure 3 illustrates the frequency response corresponding to repeated tests on a transformer having different degrees of magnetization in core. Residual magnetism causes frequency response variations with magnitudes up to 10 dB. Note that if the residual magnetism is ignored these variations could be wrongly identified as internal faults. It is believe that this definitely calls for the design of new methodologies capable of discriminating between residual magnetism effects and internal faults signatures.

Fig. 3 Effect of the residual magnetism

The following test corresponds to a brand new transformer of 20 MVA, 115/13.8 KV, DeltaWye, to which were carried out tests in plant (tests of acceptance), next was proved at substation and finally after a demagnetize process, the results shown in the Figure 4 being obtained.

Test in factory Test with core demagnetize

Test in substation

Fig. 4 Effect of the residual magnetism, high voltage winding

As can be observed in Figure 4, the SFRA test carried out in the substation present a core magnetization after plant test because of after SFRA plant test others electrical tests were realized which can be insulation test, excitation test, etc. In turn, when carrying out a demagnetize procedure; in figure 4 can be observed that even in the plant test a considerable core magnetization was detected and eliminate correctly.

In Figure 5, the respective responses are shown on the low voltage windings.

Fig. 5 Effect of the residual magnetism, low voltage winding

In these tests it is observed the non linearity of the core of the transformer clearly distort the test. Other electric test as isolation resistance to 5000 Vdc, as well as excitation test has shown that can to cause a core magnetization in the transformer like is shown in the Figure 6 after a insulation resistance test at 5000 Vdc.

Fig. 6 Effect of the residual magnetism, with dielectric test

2.3.- NULL TANK GROUNDING OF THE TRANSFORMER

Additionally to troubles due to residual magnetism, is important to say that some other issues may cause the test to fail. In Figure 7, is illustrating the effect of null grounding of core and tank. Is must be observed that inadequate grounding during the experiment may derive in frequency response that can be wrongly interpreted as incipient faults. The following test was carried out in a transformer of capacity 7.5/9.37 MVAS, 110-13.8 KV, connection Delta-Wye, manufactured in 1980.

Fig. 7 Answer due to a null grounding of the transformer

As it is observed in the Figure 7, the first graph (white) corresponds to the normal response of the transformer while the second graph (red) shows the answer due to the lack of tank grounding in the transformer.

3.- PROTOTYPE
A three phase prototype distribution transformer, dry-dry, 10 KVA, 220/127 Volts, was designed with multiple derivations which allow to originate short circuits in turns or group of turns as well as a mechanism that allow to displace axially the windings in different positions, as shown in Figure 8, in order to carry out sweep frequency tests with the two test methods and to compare the repeatability and reproducibility of both and to recommend inside the protocol of tests the method that more adapts to the necessities in the diagnoses and maintenance.

Fig. 8 Transformer prototype

In Figure 9 SFRA response of the transformer prototype is shown before and after short circuit among spires on the side of high and on the side of low voltage.

Fig. 9 Response to short circuit transformer prototype

In Figure 10, is shown the response frequency for windings in normal conditions and due to an axial displacement of the windings.

Fig. 10 Response to axial displacement windings

4.- IMPULSE RESPONSE

The impulse response test due to its application as an electrical impulse form result in a invasive test that modifies the initial conditions of remnant magnetism in core from the transformer affecting subsequent tests producing an effect of not repeatability, if the initial conditions of remnant magnetism can be recover to the conditions previous to the first test, the response of the test will be completely repeatable, just as it is shown in the Figure 11.

Fig. 11 Repeatability of impulse response test

In Figure 11, the response of the three phases are shown each one with two continue tests: the first test with an initial condition of residual magnetism and the second test forcing in the transformer the same residual condition that the first test, as can be see both tests are practically identical probing that this test is completely repeatable if we can reproduce the same initial conditions in both test. The

above-mentioned agrees with the theory of non lineal systems that settles down that the answer to the impulse in a system low nonlineal the same initial condicones will be the same one in all the cases.

5.- CONCLUSIONS
In this work, we showed the effectiveness of the SFRA in the detection of incipient faults in power transformers. It has been possible to detect several faults in power transformers for their opportune correction. A prototype has been shown that allows identifying the behavior of the frequency response test due to the presence of different faults as short circuits and windings displacement. The variation has been demonstrated in the frequency response test that takes place in the range of low frequencies due to the presence of a residual magnetism in core, which can be originated by the same routine dielectrics tests applied to the transformer. It has been shown that the Impulse Response test is possible transform it into repeatable if the residual conditions that herself causes are eliminated. Derived of the analysis of the effect that the remnant magnetism present in the frequency response test, it is convenient that the first electric test that is carried out after assembling a new transformer is the frequency response test assuring to obtain the real fingerprint of the transformer and to repeat the test after having carried out all the tests dielectrics of acceptance, before it goes aboard the transformer to its final destination. Once the transformer already assembled in place will be repeated the test again to detect possible displacements of the windings and core that will can to present during the transport. Initial field tests are advisable to carry out them later to a demagnetizing process which allows to obtain a reliable fingerprint.

6.- BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] Luwendran Moodley, eTheKwini Municipality and Brian de Klerk, Sweep frequency response analysis as a diagnostic tool to detect transformer mechanical integrity, Congress The Association of Municipal Electricity Undertakings Southern Africa 2006. [2] Nirgude, P.M.; Gunasakaran B.; Channakeshava; Rajkumar, A. D.; Singh, B.P., Frequency Response Analysis approach for condition monitoring of transformers, Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, 2004, CEIDP appos; 04 2004 Annual Report Conference on Volumen, Issue, 17-20 Oct. 2004 Page(s): 186-189. [3] Larry Coffeen, Charles Sweetser, Different Aspects of Frequency Response Analysis (FRA), IEEE/PES Transformers Committee Spring 2002 Meeting Vancober, B.C., Canada April 14-18, 2002.