POWER GRID Corporation of India Limited, New Delhi (India)
Synopsis
POWERGRID as Central Transmission Utility (CTU) in India is operating about 40,000 ckt. kms of EHV Transmission Lines and handling nearly 40% of Indias total Power requirement which is being controlled through 68 number EHV Substations spread throughout the country. Presently about 3000 nos. EHV Current Transformers of various makes & designs are under operation. Current Transformers (CTs) are generally considered a reliable piece of equipment and failure rate is generally lower compared to other switchyard equipments. Condition Monitoring checks on Current Transformers, as followed in POWERGRID, include measurement of Capacitance and Dissipation Factor, Insulation Resistance, Thermovision Scanning and very recently Dissolved Gas Analysis of insulating oil has also been introduced.
This paper investigates the effective diagnostic techniques for assessing the condition of insulation in aged Current Transformers. A detailed Case Study on Life Assessment tests carried out on CTs of three makes is presented in this paper. Condition Monitoring tests adopted have revealed the actual condition of CT insulation. CTs are now being monitored properly for Oil/N2 gas leakages/pressures. In few CTs where N2 gas had leaked, degradation of Insulation was indicated by tests. Details of these tests conducted with adopted diagnostic techniques and benefits derived by POWERGRID are also discussed in the paper.
INTRODUCTION
The age profile of EHV class CT in POWERGRID network is in the range of 12-18 years. During last six years, few CT failures attributable to primary insulation failures were encountered. In all the cases, CT failures occurred without any advance distress signal/alarm. All CT failures were analyzed in detail and as a preventive measure, a need was felt to adopt new techniques for condition monitoring of CTs in service as preventive/ corrective measures.
Paper impregnated with oil is widely used for CT windings. The oil/paper insulation degrades with time, and this process depends on thermal, electrical and other complex chemical reactions within the Equipment. The ageing process of oil/paper insulating systems is very complex and poses problems in their true and timely identification. Due to ageing of insulation, dielectric losses increase which are reflected as change in dissipation factor (Tan delta). Other factors like Capacitance value, moisture content (paper and oil) also indicate the extent of ageing of the insulation. Sometimes due to cavities/ voids in primary insulation, localized 21, rue d'Artois, F-75008 Paris http://www.cigre.org Session 2002 CIGR 23-304
Partial discharges cause carbonization, which may also lead to pre-mature CT failures. The rate of Insulation Ageing is directly proportional to the moisture content in the paper/oil and presence of the oxygen markedly increases this process by 2.5 to 10 times the normal ageing rate.
LIFE ASSESMENT TECHNIQUES
A variety of electrical and chemical techniques are available for testing insulation of CTs. Some of these are applicable for assessing the condition of the insulation. Techniques such as measurement of Insulation Resistance, Dielectric Dissipation factor/ loss factor (Tan Delta) and Capacitance Measurement are generally used by Power Utilities since many years. After failure of few CTs, tests like Dissolved Gas Analysis of oil, Thermovision scanning etc. were also introduced in POWERGRID which proved quite effective in identifying developing faults at initial stages. Such Current Transformers were removed from service thus catastrophic failures could be avoided.
Analysis of degradation process of paper/ oil insulation is generally based on the following criterion:
1. Increase of Tan delta with respect to original value. An increase of 0.1% per year in the tan delta value is considered normal.
2. Results of DGA are analyzed and rising trend of key gases is monitored. Sudden increase in any key gas indicates fault inside CT. Evaluation of different gases in CTs is based on IEC-60599.
3. Monitoring of moisture content in oil and paper. Presence of higher moisture content in paper may accelerate Insulation ageing.
4. Increase of Capacitance indicates shorting of insulation layers due to low intensity discharges, presence of moisture due to sealing/ gasket failure and ageing of insulation. Increase of capacitance value more than 1% per year is considered high and should be a matter of concern.
Capacitance and Tan Delta Values
The effective implementation of tests like Capacitance and Tan Delta measurement at site requires compensations for the following factors:
(a) Effect of Temperature (b) Effect of Ambient Humidity (c) Effect of Electrostatic Interference (d) Effect of System Frequency
Normally for new CTs, Tan Delta values are in the range of 0.2% to 0.3%. Ageing of CT under normal operating conditions will cause gradual increase in Tan delta value. Tan Delta values upto 0.7% are generally considered within permissible limits during service. However beyond 0.7% value of Tan, CTs need to be kept under close monitoring.
The major hurdles in effective implementation of above guidelines have been carrying out testing/ measurements at site under induced voltage conditions. Use of proper testing Equipments which measure correctly under site conditions within specified accuracy limits with repeatability is essential as variations/ changes in the range of 0.1% are to be monitored to observe proper trends.
Interpretation of Tan Delta Test Results
An increase of Dissipation Factor (Tan Delta) accompanied by a marked increase in Capacitance indicates excessive moisture in the insulation. Increase of dissipation factor alone may be caused by thermal deterioration or contamination other than water.
On CTs provided with power factor or Capacitance Test Tap, the effect of leakage current over the surface of porcelain bushings may be eliminated from the measurement by testing in UST (Ungrounded Specimen Test) mode.
Rise in dissipation factor with temperature:
Deterioration of insulation (due to moisture content/ aging) causes exponential rise in Tan Delta with increase in temperature and is governed by the following equation:
Tan T = Tan T0 e (T-T0)
Where, To= Standard Temperature T = any temperature other than standard temperature To (normally 20C) = Temperature Coefficient Tan T0 = Tan Delta at Standard Temperature Tan T = Tan Delta at any temperature T
0.01< < 0.015. If value i.e. Tan Delta temperature coefficient is between 0.015 to 0.03, it shall be recognized as characteristics of defective or questionable condition. And value of more than 0.03 is a sign of dangerous or alarming condition.
Insulation Resistance Measurement
(i) Dielectric Absorption Current
On application of direct Voltage on any insulation, not only charging current alone flows but an additional current known as dielectric absorption current also flows. This current is due to the presence of polar molecules in the insulation system.
(ii) Conduction Current
The steady state value of the current is known as the conduction current. If one waits until the dielectric absorption current has decayed to zero. In solid insulating materials, which have absorbed moisture, for increase in voltage stress there will be a non- linear large increase of the conduction current.
The ratio of Insulation Resistance Values taken after 60 seconds and 15 seconds is termed as Polarisation Index. The value of Polarisation Index is also one of the important factors in indicating the health of the Insulation of the Current Transformers.
FAILURES OF CURRENT TRANSFORMERS IN POWERGRID
As brought out earlier, about 26 nos. EHV class CTs have failed in last 6 years in POWERGRID network. Even newly commissioned CTs have failed. A team of Experts from POWERGRID involving Manufacturers also, critically analyzed all failures. However their sudden failures caused alarm and detailed failure analysis was carried out at manufacturers works in few cases. Based on failure analysis test results, following reasons of failures were identified:
1. Primary insulation puncture/failure (Exhibit-1 and 2). 2. Non-uniform Electrical Stress on primary insulation mainly in case of Live Tank design CTs. 3. Wrong Testing Procedure for Dissipation factor Measurement at manufacturers works that could not identify defects at works during pre-dispatch testing. 4. Improper primary insulation paper wrapping during manufacturing process. 5. N2 gas leakage from sealing gaskets and N2 filling point leading to moisture entry inside CT.*
Exhibit-1 Failure of Primary Insulation of Live Tank Type CT Exhibit-2 Failure of Primary Insulation of Dead Tank Type CT.
*- All the CT failures were analyzed in detail involving respective manufacturers. The reasons were identified and following preventive and corrective measures were taken to reduce the failure rates:
1. Change in the Technical Specifications like Testing of CTs as per IEC-60044 (1) specially Partial Discharge Measurement. 2. Monitoring of change of Capacitance and Tan Delta values from 0.1 p.u. to 1.1p.u. of the rated Voltage. 3. Monitoring of change of Capacitance and tan Delta before and after 1 minute HV Test. 4. Monitoring N2 gas pressure for all CTs having N2 Cushion at the top for taking care oil expansion/contraction.
With implementation of above measures, failures rate has come down tremendously and even some CT defects were detected at Manufacturers works during testing and same were rectified/re-processed. For CTs of other makes in which failure rate was almost zero, a pilot project was taken up which is discussed as Case Study as given below to assess the condition of such make of CTs so that preventive actions may taken well in advance.
CASE STUDY
Majority of EHV class CTs in POWERGRID network are approaching the age profile of 12-18 years. As mentioned above, there have been number of CT failures attributable to primary insulation failure. In view of sudden failures of CTs in recent past without any alarm, it was considered necessary to assess the condition of CTs, which are in service for a very long time so as to prepare for any eventuality in future. Out of the operating healthy population, 15 CTs of three makes were identified for detailed diagnostic checks.
Brief Technical Particulars of selected CTs considered for Condition Assessment:
All CTs are 420kV class, rated current as 2000 Amperes, BIL level of 1425kV and Switching Impulse Level of 1050kV. CTs selected were of two types:
(1) Dead tank type with N2 cushion at the top to take care oil expansion and contraction due to temperature variations. Paper with Paraffinic oil is used as insulating medium. (2) Live tank design fitted with Teflon bellow at the top. Paper with Nepathenic oil is used as insulating medium.
Diagnosis Methodology:
Following tests were conducted on these CTs under shutdown:
1. Capacitance and Tan Delta Measurement 2. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) of CT Oil as per IEC- 60599. 3. Oil Parameters Testing as per IS-1866 (IEC-60422). 4. Insulation Resistance Measurement (Polarization Index Test)
For oil sampling, special adopters were developed and to have uniformity, all Oil samples were tested only at POWERGRIDs Centralized Insulating Oil Testing Laboratory (CIOTL). For Measurement of Capacitance and Tan Delta, CTs were removed from service (under shutdown) and Tests were carried out after thoroughly cleaning the Porcelain surfaces. Both side conductors i.e. jumpers were removed from CT and Test Readings were taken in UST(Ungrounded Specimen Test Mode) for most of the CTs.
Results of 15 nos. tested CTs are given below in Table-1
Table-1
DGA Test Results CT No. Ma- ke Tan Delta Value at 10kV (%) Capa- citan- ce (pF) Insulation Resistance (M ) or Polarization Index H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C2H2 CO CO2
Remarks 1 A 0.13 963 1.7 2 45 4 1 3 518 787
2 A 0.2 921 1.0 2 42 4 2 6 458 890
3 A 0.3 926 2.1 3 38 5 2 0.9 415 852
4 B 0.5 300 1.1 30 5 2 10 0 26 1146
5 B 0.5 264 1.2 24 5 1 8 0 43 1157
6 B 0.5 283 1.5 3 6 1 21 0 17 1108
BDV, ppm very poor (<35kV and >25ppm) 7 C 0.29 878 1.6 7 11 2 3 0 122 415
DGA Test Results CT No. Ma- ke Tan Delta Value at 10kV (%) Capa- citan- ce (pF) Insulation Resistance (M ) or Polarization Index H2 CH4 C2H4 C2H6 C2H2 CO CO2
Brief summary of the test results is placed below:
1. DGA for most of the CTs were in order and insulation degradation was due to normal ageing. Except for CH4 value(187ppm) for CT(Sr.No.10) and for C2H6 value(85ppm) for CT(Sr.No.13).
2. Oil parameters like BDV, moisture contents etc. were also within limits except for three nos. CTs (at Sr. Nos. 4 to 6) which violated norms. Oil was replaced for all the thrre CTs (Sr.No.4 to 6) after which DGA, BDV, Capacitance and Tan Delta values were found to be within limits and CTs were successfully taken into service.
3. Capacitance and Tan delta values are also within acceptable limits except for CTs at Sr.No.1 to2 and 4 to 6 in which Test were taken in GST mode without removing the Jumpers. Tests were repeated as mentioned above at point no.2. For CTs at Sr.No. 1 and 2, all Tests were repeated and Test Results are given in Table-2
4. IR test results also indicate normal values.
Benefits derived by POWERGRID
Pilot project was undertaken for those designs/ makes of CTs where no failures were reported. The outcome of the pilot project revealed normal Ageing of CTs even after 15-18 years of service. It was decided to replace oil for three nos. CTs indicating poor values of BDV and moisture content. After oil replacement, tests were repeated and results improved and these CTs are operating successfully. Two CTs were found violating norms in respect of CH4 and C2H6 and have been kept under close monitoring/ watch.
Based on the outcome of the pilot project, following emerged:
1. CTs operating under normal conditions and free from oil/N2 gas leakage problems are mostly healthy even after 18 years of service. 2. N2 gas monitoring is very important for all CTs with N2 cushion at the top. N2 monitoring procedure was standardized and implemented throughout POWERGRID. 3. Suspected CTs having high values of dissolved gases are kept under constant watch.
CONCLUSION:
Condition of 15 nos. EHV class CTs in service has been assessed as discussed above. The CTs selected for Pilot project were based on the age profile and the CTs which are having almost zero failures. Condition assessment of sample CTs has proved that CTs even after 12-18 years of service are healthy and looked after properly. Introduction of new condition assessment tests in POWERGRID have brought down CT failures and better performance of CTs is expected in future. Constant updation of diagnostic
testing techniques can reduce failures/ down time to increase system availability & reliability.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to the POWERGRID management for permitting them to present the papers in CIGRE-2002. The views expressed in this paper are of the authors and not necessarily that of the POWERGRID organization.
REFERENCES:
[1] Mark F.Lachman, Doble engineering Company, Application of Equivalent Circuit Parameters to offline diagnostics of Power Transformer (Preview). [2] G.CSEPES, I.HAMOS, J. SCHMIDT, A. BOGNAR, A DC Expert System (RVM) for checking the re-furbishment efficiency of high voltage oil paper insulating system using polarization spectrum analysis in range of Long time Constants, CIGRE August,94(12-206). [3] Mark F. Lachman, Doble engineering Company, Application of Equivalent Circuit Parameters to offline diagnostics of Power Transformer (Preview). [4] Enhanced Diagnosis of Power Transformers using On and off line methods: results, examples and future trends. By S.Tenbohlen, U.Sundermann, H.Borsi, P.Werle & H.Matthes, Cigre 2000