Recent Researches in System Science

STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING IN

POWER SUBSTATIONS
NIKOLINA PETKOVA, VALERI MLADENOV
Department of Theoretical Electrical Engineering
Technical University of Sofia
Sofia 1000, boulevard Kliment Ohridski 8
BULGARIA
valerim@tu-sofia.bg
ANGEL TSOLOV, PETAR NAKOV
Department of Electrical Energetic
Technical University of Sofia
Sofia 1000, boulevard Kliment Ohridski 8
BULGARIA
GEORGI BOZUKOV
National Dispatching Center, Electricity System Operator (ESO)
5, Veslets Str., 1040 Sofia, BULGARIA
gbozukov@ndc.bg
Abstract: The intensive development of science and technology in all areas of our daily live reflects and in the
systems for monitoring and recording processes of abnormal modes in the power equipment of substations.
Monitoring systems report their apogee in the development and application because of the fact that with
minimal human effort it is possible to obtain maximum information about the observed object. The research
work describes an analysis of transmission and record of data that are required for control transformers in
service.
Key words: Monitoring system, Power substation, Application, Development.
methods and techniques we select these that are
currently in use in Nikola Tesla Institute [1].

1 Introduction
Monitoring systems provides all the technical
information required to maintain utmost availability
and at the same time maximize performance,
including loading and lifetime benefits. This
advanced monitoring solution surveys every link in
the energy supply chain. Accurate monitoring of all
primary components of a substation makes possible
optimized loading and performance, and it helps
increase the lifetime of the line.
The aging factors produce electrical, thermal,
mechanical, or environmental aging mechanisms
that eventually lead to failure. When aging is
dominated by one aging factor, this is referred to as
single-factor aging. Aging factors may act
synergistically, that is, there may be direct
interactions between the stresses. Interactions may
be positive or negative. The aging of a practical
work can be complex and failure is usually caused
by a combination of aging mechanisms, even though
there may be only one dominant aging factor. From
the large number of measurement and monitoring

ISBN: 978-1-61804-023-7

Fig.1: Testing-monitoring-diagnostics management

system

2 AREVA - MS 2000/3000 Systems

During the last years the AREVA monitoring
system MS 2000 was installed world-wide at power
transformers of all major manufacturers. The online
monitoring systems from Areva T&D provide
precise information about the operating state of

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Recent Researches in System Science

comprehensive testing of the following parameters

of a power transformer:
Winding resistance - Measures the winding
resistance including all internal connections and
contacts.
Measures ratio and excitation current per
tap - For this test, a test voltage of up to 2kV is
injected on the transformer high voltage side. This
voltage is measured internally with high precision.
The voltage (amplitude and phase angle) on the low
level voltage winding is measured back via the
measuring input. The ratio is calculated
automatically. The magnetizing current in amplitude
and phase angle is also measured and reported.
Turns ratio and excitation current
On-load tap changer condition
Leakage reactance - Measures the complex
short circuit impedance and displays the result as Z
and , R and XL, or R and L.
Insulation condition (capacitance, tangent
delta, power factor). [3]

power transformers and are the basis for increased

availability, cost optimization through conditionbased servicing, and avoidance of faults and
downtime. [2]
Normally the installation of sensors requires no
welding at the transformer and takes about two days.
The transformer has to be taken out of operation
only for half a day to install the voltage sensors and
the tap changer monitoring module. [2]
An additional module installed on the MS 2000
monitoring server generates HTML-based web
pages, which show the online and historical data for:


Operating voltages and over voltages;


Load currents, over- and short- circuit
currents;


Leakage current and change of capacitance;


Apparent power and bad factor;


Oil pressure and pressure difference;


Oil level;


Operating condition of fans and pumps;


Ambient temperature;


Oil temperatures in/out cooler;


Cooling efficiency and thermal model;


Actual losses;


Oil temperature;


Gas-m-oil content and gradient;


Moisture-in-oil and paper insulation;


Gas quantity in the Buchholz relay;


Calculation of actual overload capacity;


Emergency overloading time;


Hot-spot/bubbling temperature;


Ageing rate and lifetime consumption;


Power consumption of motor drive;


Oil temperature and temperature difference;


Assessment of mechanical quality;


Sum of switched load current;


Contact erosion. [2]

4 SIEMENS - TMDS Systems

TMDS architecture uses models that work with
rule-based logic, derived from accepted IEEE/ANSI
guidelines, to perform correlations on measured and
calculated data. It is configurable to monitor a single
transformer or an entire fleet of transformers to
support a customers centralized approach to asset
management, and turns transformer monitoring data
into actionable information through diagnostic and
prognostic messaging. TMDS can detect
statistically significant breakouts before hard limits
are reached to avoid nuisance trips and alarms, far
exceeding existing monitoring concepts of simple
measurement of operative condition with pre-fixed
limits. Only meaningful data is retained to support
correlation between variables. [4]
Variables monitored, depending on sensors
installed, include:
Winding temperature
Top and bottom oil temperatures
Ambient temperature
Load current
Fan motor current
Oil flow (pump motor)
Moisture in oil Aquaoil Vaisala
Dissolved gas in oil Multi-gas Serveron
TM8 Siemens GAS-Guard 8 Kelman
MULTITRANS Single-gas Calisto Hydra
Bushing condition Doble IDD HSP
LTC monitoring
Oil level

3 OMICRON - MPD 600, PD-TM, PDMAT Systems

The OMICRON Transformer Diagnostic System is
unique test equipment which provides automatic
testing of important transformer parameters within
one portable system. The test system is comprised of
the CPC 100 Multi-function Primary Test. System
and the CP TD1 Tangent Delta unit. The patented
CPC100 is the main control unit for the test system
and the CP TD1 unit is used for testing of insulation
condition. Together, the system is the ideal tool for

ISBN: 978-1-61804-023-7

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Recent Researches in System Science

wear in the transformer and its ancillaries are

indicated. The monitoring system also tracks
transformer alarms, recording an actual event as
well as the sequence leading up to the alarm to assist
operators in determining the root cause. The benefits
of monitoring are substantial. The strength of
ABBs Transformer Electronic Control, or TEC,
monitoring system is that it receives all the relevant
information from just a few multipurpose sensors.
Other necessary parameters are calculated, adding
only minimal complexity to the transformer. The
end user is no longer forced to spend a lot of time
sorting and interpreting data. In addition, the
maintenance
manager
receives
important
information indicating the necessary actions for
first-level maintenance. [5]

Fig. 2: Siemens Monitoring System

5 ABB - TSTAT Transformer Monitor

TSTAT is a condition monitoring system that
provides a comprehensive end-to-end solution for
the remote monitoring of critical transformers and
their supporting systems / components (LTCs,
fans, pumps, selector switches, etc.). The system
collects and analyzes key operating parameters and
event data, and provides users with web-based
access to real-time data, alarms, trends, condition
status summaries, and reports. This coupled with
an advanced analysis and algorithm engine,
reduces time spent reviewing data, and provides
useful recommendations for managing and
optimizing
transformer
performance
and
maintenance. Primary features include Main
Tank/Windings, Tap Changer, Cooling System
Performance, Nitrogen/Conservator System and
Bushings.
Transformer monitoring is becoming an essential
component of transformer management. It serves as
an early warning system for any fault developing in
the main tank and in the accessories, allowing an
operator to evaluate the severity of the situation. [5]

6 Conclusions
Competitive electric energy market drives utilities to
adapt to a lot of changing technical and economical
requirements, so transformers and systems for their
testing, monitoring and diagnostic have developed
together with the power supply systems. [1]
The needs of transition from the conservative
corrective and time based strategies toward
condition based maintenance, has encouraged the
development of adaptable and cost-effective
diagnostics.

7 Acknowledgements
The work was supported by FR7 project South
East European TSO Challenges (SEETSOC),

TREN/FP7EN/239453/"SEETSOC".
References:
[1] Integrated management system for testing,
monitoring and diagnostic of power transformer
insulation, D. Kovacevic, D. Naumovic Vicovic,
S. Skundric, Institute Nicola Tesla, Belgrade, Serbia
[2] MiCOM P125/P126 & P127, Technical Guide,
Areva T&D's Automation & Information Systems
Business
[3]

[4] Solutions
for
transformer
life-cycle
transformer
management,
Siemens
TMDS
monitoring and diagnostic system, Siemense AG,
2010

Fig. 3 Structure of transformer monitoring system

The interface provides exact status information
by generating a model of the transformer and its
working condition and then comparing the measured
parameters with the simulated values. Discrepancies
are detected and potential malfunctions and normal

ISBN: 978-1-61804-023-7

CP Line Catalog DEU, Omicron Test Universe

[5] ABB TrafoAsset Management Proactive

Services, ABB Review, 2010

404