CIRED

20th International Conference on Electricity Distribution

Prague, 8-11 June 2009 Paper 0944-

A FUZZY-LOGIC APPROACH TO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF CRITICAL POWER TRANSFORMERS

Teo BRESCIA Polimeri Europa SpA Italy info@polimerieuropa.com Silvia LAMONACA Politecnico di Bari Italy silvia.lamonaca@poliba.it Sergio BRUNO Politecnico di Bari - Italy bruno@deemail.poliba.it Giuseppe ROTONDO Politecnico di Bari Italy g.roton@poliba.it Massimo LA SCALA Politecnico di Bari - Italy lascala@poliba.it Ugo STECCHI Politecnico di Bari Italy u.stecchi@gmail.com high current level; this fault is usually accompanied by large disruptions, burns and device shutdown; thermal faults due to overheating of the insulation.

ABSTRACT
In this paper, a predictive method for the diagnosis of power transformer failures is presented. The approach is based on the interpretation of Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) data using Fuzzy Logic.

Typical values of gas concentrations

Gassing is a ordinary phenomenon due to aging of any transformer. If gas concentration is under a certain limit, it is considered as a typical gas pattern. For each gas, the typical value represents the limit value under which it is reasonably possible to exclude the presence of anomalies. These values are based on operating practices and are usually evaluated considering that only the 10% of transformer population exceeds such without exhibiting anomalies. These typical values for the 90% of the transformer population are defined as 90 percentile typical values. These values are usually adopted for deciding if a more frequent monitoring of gas is necessary in order to prevent a possible fault. Table I represents the 90 percentile typical values for industrial transformer and for generic power transformers. Industrial Power transformer transformer [ppm] [ppm] H2 200 60-150 CO 800 400-850 CO2 6000 5300-12000 CH4 200 35-130 C2H6 150 50-70 C2H4 200 110-250 C2H2 <1 80-270 Table I: Typical gas concentrations for industrial or power transformers GAS

INTRODUCTION
This paper focuses on methods that are based on the consideration that insulating organic compounds (cellulose paper and oil) produce gas when subjected to thermal and electric stress. Most gases originate in insulating oil and their composition is influenced by temperature. In particular, in this paper, a predictive method for the diagnosis of power transformer failures is presented. The approach is based on the interpretation of DGA data using Fuzzy Logic (FL). The proposed diagnostic method adopts indicators related to the ratios C2H4/C2H6, C2H2/C2H4 CH4/H2 and to the concentration of specific gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene [1][6].

DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is one of the most commonly adopted diagnostic method for detecting and evaluating faults in electric devices. Related technical guides, derived by practical experiences and examination of a large machine number, can be found in [7]. These guides concern electric devices filled with insulating oil and solid insulation (paper or cellulose paperboard) and describe how dissolved or free gas concentration can be interpreted in order to diagnose machines conditions.

Indicators
On the basis of the above mentioned processes and experimental results collected by several researches, it is possible to give an interpretation of gas concentration measurements. In particular, the IEC Technical Committee 10 (TC 10) has based its statistics on data collected all over the world (about 10,000 transformers, operating in 15 different power grids). By following an approximate approach, as shown in Table II, it is possible to associate the presence of certain gases with the onset of a specific fault. European and American norms, after decades of observations, have identified certain ratios that permit to give a more reliable interpretation of fault nature [13-14].

Faults
Through the data collected during internal inspections of a large number of machines, the IEC Technical Committee 10 (TC-10) has classified the faults that can be detected by gas analysis [11]: partial discharges (PD) that connect conductors only partially through insulation system (low temperature plasma discharges); low-energy discharge (D1) in oil and/or paper due to the flow of electricity through the disrupted insulation; high-energy discharge (D2) in oil and/or paper with

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CIRED

20th International Conference on Electricity Distribution

Prague, 8-11 June 2009 Paper 0944-

High energy Overheating Faults Discharges Acetylene Ethylene Hydrogen Ethane Hydrogen Ethylene Methane Methane Gas others Hydrogen Ethane Carbon oxides (CO e CO2) for cellulose decomposition Table II: Main faults categories according to more important gases These ratios are :

Discharges in gas vacuole

2}, where U2 derives from the application of IEC Standards The membership functions that associate the Rogers ratio R1 to the state 0, 1 or 2 is shown in Fig. 1. Other ratios exhibit a similar behaviour. Table IV
Code a b c d e f g h i Fault Detectors H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C2H2 CO CH4/H2 C2H4/C2H6 C2H2/C2H4

R1=

CH 4 CH CH ; R 2 = 2 2 ; R3 = 2 2 ; H2 C2 H 4 C2 H 4 CH CH R 4 = 2 6 ; R5 = 2 4 . C2 H 2 C2 H 6

Table IV: Type of fault detectors

According to the IEC approach, Italian Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano C.E.I. (Italian Electrical Committee) Standards adopts the Rogers ratios (RR) in order to identify possible faults (R1, R2 and R5). These ratios must be calculated whenever, for any of monitored gases, there is a violation of concentration threshold or a steep rising rate.

DIAGNOSTIC MODEL BY MEANS OF FUZZY LOGIC

The proposed diagnostic method can take advantage of historical data series obtained by several studies on transformers. This method uses as indicators hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, and the ratios C2H4/C2H6, C2H2/C2H4 e CH4/H2 [15-17].
Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Description No faults Low-energy partial discharge High-energy partial discharge Low-temperature thermal fault T < 150C Low-temperature thermal fault 150C<T<300C Medium-temperature thermal fault 300C<T<700C High-temperature thermal fault T>700C Low-energy electric discharge High-energy electric discharge Paper involved in fault

Fig. 1: Membership function of R1 In order to describe the concentration associated with each of the six gases assumed as fault detectors, the fuzzy set U3 = {L, M, H} has been defined. The state L, M or H is referred to low, medium, or high concentration of each gas. The membership functions that links states L, M, and H to gas concentration level were developed according to International and European standards. As an example the membership functions of hydrogen concentration is shown in Fig 2. Similar behaviour are exhibited by the other 5 gases. Figure 3 shows graphically the further step that was made in the development of the proposed model: for each state (0, 1 or 2) of each Rogers ratio, a characteristic function that associates such state with the selected faults is defined. In Fig. 3 (C2H2/C2H4), the Roger ratio R2 is represented. The state 0 (R0) is characterized by a high membership degree with respect to faults 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The membership degree is low with respect to fault conditions 3, 8, 9 and 10. The state 1 (R1) is characterized by high correlation only with faults 3, 8, and 9, whereas the state 2 (R2) has a strong correlation only with faults 8 and 9. The same considerations apply to Rogers ratios R1 and R5 which are omitted for brevity.

Table III: Type of faults Ten possible events (faults) have been listed in Table III and collected in the fuzzy set U1={1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}. Table IV shows the indicators that have been selected for this study. This choice was made considering that such fault detectors are the ones that show the higher correlation with the chosen fault events. The set of states that can be assigned to the three Rogers ratios of Table IV are collected in the fuzzy set U2={0, 1, CIRED2007 Session X Paper No 0944

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CIRED

20th International Conference on Electricity Distribution

Prague, 8-11 June 2009 Paper 0944-

The same step is repeated for gas concentration parameters. For each state L, M or H of each gas a characteristic function that correlates such state with the selected faults is defined. Thus, it is possible to take into account key-facts like corona faults, overheating and discharge arcs characterized by a high concentration of hydrogen, ethylene and acetylene or the presence of carbon monoxide which is a signature of paper involvement in the fault.

Fig. 4: Correlation between H2 and faults The next step consists in defining a fuzzy vector FC whose elements are the values assumed by the membership functions in correspondence with input data (the three ratios and the six gas concentration levels). In the formulation of FC(k), wi denote the k-th hypothesized fault weight given to the FC vector element. Once Fc has been evaluated on the basis of actual testing data, this vector needs to be compared with a similar reference vector Fr(k) which represents the typical values experienced by the k-th fault selected among the ten major faults listed in Table III.
w1g0 , w1g1, w1g2 , w2h0 , w2h1, w2h 2 , w3i 0 , w3i1, w3i 2 , L M H L M H L M H FC = w4a , w4a , w4a , w5b , w5b , w5b , w6c , w6c , w6c , L M H L M H L M H w7d , w7d , w7d , w8e , w8e , w8e , w9f , w9f , w9f .

Fig. 2: Hydrogen membership function

Fig. 3: Correlation between R2 and fault conditions In this way, each gas has a function that describes its correlation with the fault. Usually, ethylene, methane and ethane play a principal role in detecting thermal fault, whereas acetylene gives the last word in detecting high energy discharges. An example of correlation between gas concentration and fault is shown in Fig. 4. Of course similar correlations have been defined for the other five gas-based fault detectors.

The characteristic functions Fr(k) have been obtained as a result of a large consultation of numerous experienced operators and users and by the reference analysis over 800 test cases. The comparison between Fr(k) and Fc(k) is performed in terms of dot product and the result is normalized with regard to the norm of the reference vector. The procedure can be summarized as follows: 1. Calculate on the base of the test data the characteristic Rogers ratios CH4/H2, C2H4/C2H6 and C2H2/C2H4 and input gas concentrations; 2. Define the fault characteristic vector: Fc=[1, 2,] adopting the membership functions; 3. Evaluate through the scalar product Fp(k) = Fr(k)*Fc(k), k = 1, 2,..,10; 4. Evaluate the proximity of each incipient fault: F(k)= Fp (k) , k= 1,2,..,10, where T r ( k ) = F r ( k ) ;
Tr (k)

5. Detect the prevalent and/or the most likely fault type by: Fd = max{F(1), F(2), F(10)}.

TEST CASE
The proposed diagnostic methodology was implemented for the maintenance scheduling of four power transformers

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CIRED

20th International Conference on Electricity Distribution

Prague, 8-11 June 2009 Paper 0944-

installed in a petrochemical plant. The transformers under study are four double secondary winding transformers for converters supplying, rated in the range 6-18 MVA, with insulating oil (ONAN), and 13.2/6.2 kV voltage rates. Due to operating conditions, the four power transformers under investigation are characterized by early ageing. Failure or breakdown of such transformers may have catastrophic consequences (i.e. explosion of the transformer). In order to apply the proposed diagnostic model, membership functions were suitable tuned taking into account typical values of gas concentration for this type of transformer. The entire fuzzy model was developed with the Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox that takes advantage of a simple but powerful graphic interface. This method was applied to historical data series, analyzing transformer conditions since 03/03/1997 up to 12/03/2003. Sample data for gas concentration and Rogers ratios are referred to a single transformer and a testing campaign performed in 04-192002. The implementation of such data in the described fuzzy model permitted to evaluate the elements of the FC vector, shown in Table V. Table V
# 1 2 3 # 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ratios C2H2/C2H4=0,04 CH4/H2=7,47 C2H4/C2H6=0,04 Gas (ppm) H2=34 CH4=254 C2H4=28 C2H6=726 C2H2=<1 CO=623 0H 0,998 0 1 LH 1 0 1 0 1 0 1H 0 0 0 M H 0 0 0 0 0 0.99 2H 0 1 0 AH 0 1 0 1 0 0

CONCLUSIONS
One last remark about proposed diagnostic methodology, based on results interpretation by means of fuzzy logic. This diagnostic approach does not replace the important role of experienced technical operators, but it could be an efficient tool to improve the capacity to correlate many different data. The diagnostic tool, suitable for this particular application, allows to implement procedures for preventive maintenance, taking into account specific needs of industries characterized by a critical process. REFERENCES [1] J. J. Kelly, Transformer Fault Diagnosis by Dissolved Gas Analysis, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vo1.U-16, No.6 pp.777-782, 1980. [2] M. Duval, Dissolved Gas Analysis: It Can Save Your Transformer, IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, Vo1.5, No.6, pp. 22-27, 1989. [3] W. D. Halstead, A thermodynamic assessment of the formation of gaseous hydrocarbons in faulty transformers, Journal of the institute of petroleum, Vol. 59, pp.239-41, 1973. [4] S. R. Lindgren, Transformer condition assessment experiences using automated on-line dissolved gas analysis, Cigr general session 2004, 29 agosto 3 settembre, 2004, Parigi, Francia. [5] M. Shirai, S. Shimoji, T. Ishii, Thermodynamic study on the thermal decomposition of insulating oil, IEEE Transactions On Electrical Insulation, Vol.12, pp. 272-280, August 1977. [6] M. Shirai; T. Ishii and Y. Makino, Evolution of hydrogen from insulating oil in transformers, IEEE Transactions On Electrical Insulation, Vol. 12 E.I., pp. 266-272, August 1977. [7] Norma CEI 10, Guida per il controllo e il trattamento degli oli minerali isolanti in servizio nei trasformatori e in altre apparecchiature elettriche, 1997-09. [8] Norma CEI 10-24, Classificazione generale dei liquidi isolanti, 1997-06. [9] Norma CEI 10-1, Oli minerali isolanti per trasformatori e per apparecchiature elettriche, 199709. [10] Guida IEC 60567, Oil-filled electrical equipment Sampling of gases and of oil for analysis of free and dissolved gases. [11] Norma CEI EN 60599 (10-10), Guida allinterpretazione dellanalisi dei gas disciolti e liberi, Apparecchiature in servizio impregante in olio minerale, 2000. [12] IEEE std C57.104-1991, Guide for the interpretation of gases generated in oil-immersed transformers. [13] E Dornenburg, W Strittmater, Monitoring oil cooling transformers by gas analysis, Brown Boveri Review, Vo1.61, pp.238-247, 1974.

Table V. Fc vector Applying the proposed procedure we obtain: Fd = max{0.1, 0.225, 0.237, 0.4, 0.5, 0.4, 0.4, 0.09, 0.06, 0.3} = 0.5; indicating the presence of a thermal faults with temperatures ranging in the interval 150-300C. The value of F(10) can also suggest that cellulose can be involved in the fault. An inspection of the internal parts of the transformer (windings, oil, paper insulation) confirmed the diagnosis; in particular, the internal parts of the transformer were blackened and the insulation paper looked liked a rusk. meaning that the transformer was operated at high temperatures for a longer time. Thus, the method proved to be effective in estimating the severity of incipient faults.

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20th International Conference on Electricity Distribution

Prague, 8-11 June 2009 Paper 0944-

[14] R. R. Rogers, IEEE and IEC Codes to Interpret Incipient Faults in Transformers Using Gas in Oil Analysis, IEEE Transactions On Electrical Insulation, Vol EI- 13, No.5, October 1978. [15] K. Tomsovic, M. Tapper, T. Ingvvarsson, A fuzzy information approach to integrating different transformer diagnostic methods, IEEE Transaction on Power Delivery, vol. 8, No. 3, pp.1638-1646, July 1993. [16] James J. Dukarm, Transformer Oil Diagnosis Using Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks, 1993 Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vol.1, pp.329-332. [17] Yann-Chang Huang, Hong-Tzer Yang, Ching-Lien Huang, Developing a New Transformer Fault Diagnosis System through Evolutionary Fuzzy Logic, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, Vol.12, No.2, pp.761-767, April 1997.

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