Dissolved Gas Analysis Methods for Distribution

Transformers
Ekkarach Wannapring and Cattareeya Suwanasri

Thanapong Suwanasri

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

Faculty of Engineering,
King Mongkuts University of Technology North Bangkok
1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Bangsue, Bangkok, Thailand.
Ekkarach30@gmail.com and cattareeyas@kmutnb.ac.th

Electrical and Software Systems Engineering,

The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School
of Engineering,
King Mongkuts University of Technology North Bangkok
1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Bangsue, Bangkok, Thailand.
thanapongs@kmutnb.ac.th

Abstract This paper proposes a program development for

evaluating a condition of insulating oil of distribution
transformer from Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) sampling data.
The DGA methods such as Key Gas method, Total Dissolved
Combustible Gas (TDCG), Drnenburg Ratio method, Rogers
Ratio method and Duval Triangle method are applied to assess
actual condition of distribution transformer. All five methods are
developed by excel program for simple usage with minimum cost
of utility. A total of 50 distribution transformers in Thailand are
analyzed and compared to identify actual conditions of those
transformers. However, two transformers show evaluation
method and procedure. Finally, the total dissolved combustible
gas (TDCG) method is applied to recommend the maintenance
tasks to the transformers.

as Key Gas, TDCG, Drnenburg Ratio, Rogers Ratio and

Duval Triangle methods. The consistency of all methods is
compared. The results of the analysis and proper maintenance
recommendations are given to prevent transformer failure. The
excel program is used for an ease of use, convenience and cost
savings of utility.
II.

DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

A. Gas Generation [2]

Keywords Oil Transformer, Dissolved Gas Analysis, Total

Dissolved Combustible Gas, Drnenburg ratio, Rogers ratio, Duval
triangle

I.

INTRODUCTION

Distribution transformer is important equipment in medium

voltage substation to transmit power to load. It should be
maintained in a proper manner in order to use it in the highest
effective way for a long period. There are several tasks for
distribution transformer preventive maintenance. The task,
which is easy, safe and cost-effective, is the analysis on
contaminant gases in transformer oil called Dissolved Gas
Analysis (DGA). This method can detect faults in transformer
without autopilot disconnection from the system. Different
DGA methods [1] such as Key Gas method, Total Dissolved
Combustible Gas (TDCG), Drnenburg Ratio method, Rogers
Ratio method and Duval Triangle method are widely used to
analyze gas contamination in transformer insulating oil. In
addition, these methods can identify fault types such as hot
spot, overheating, electrical arcing, and partial discharge (PD)
as well as causes of faults such as electrical and thermal
stresses, overloading, and degradation of insulating material
and oil in distribution transformer, which could lead
unexpected failure and outage.
Therefore, this paper applies five DGA methods to assess
insulating oil of transformer in order to evaluate actual
condition and to determine the fault types in 50 transformers
in Thailands distribution network. The DGA methods include

978-1-4673-9749-0/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

Fig. 1. Comparative rates of evolution of gases from oil as a function of

decomposition energy [2].

Gas generation in insulating of transformer is shown in

Fig. 1. Hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) begin to form in
small amounts around temperature of insulating oil of
transformer as of 150C. Beyond maximum point, CH4, ethane
(C2H6) and ethylene (C2H4) production go down as
temperature increases. At about 250C, production of C2H6
starts. However, hot spots are less than 300C are extremely
difficult to visually spot. At about 350C, production of C2H4
begins. Acetylene (C2H2) starts between 500 and 700C. In the

past, the presence of only trace amounts of C2H2 is considered

to indicate a temperature of at least 700C; however, recently
a thermal fault or hot spot of 500C can produce trace few
C2H2 amounts in ppm. Larger amounts of C2H2 can only be
produced above 700C by internal arcing. Arcing is a
prolonged electrical discharge producing a bright flame
colored arc in contrast to dim corona type glow. Between 200
and 300C, the production of CH4 exceeds H2. Starting about
275C and onwards, the production of C2H6 exceeds CH4. At
about 450C, H2 production exceeds all others until about 750800C then more C2H2 is produced. Between 350-700C,
general overheating without hot spots is normal overheating
may be related to load or ambient temperature. Hot spots
exceeding 500 C can occur under the minor insulation
without charring the paper. It should be noted that small
amounts of H2, CH4 and CO are produced by normal aging.
Thermal decomposition of oil-impregnated cellulose produces
CO and CO2 Decomposition of cellulose insulation begins at
only about 100C or less. Therefore, operation of transformers
at not >90C is imperative. Faults will produce internal hot
spots of far higher temperatures than these and the resultant
gases show up in the DGA. Partial discharge or corona is
abnormal electrical stressing resulting in ionization of the oil.
It is independent from the temperature.
B. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) Methods
The evaluation of DGA using different DGA techniques
for distribution transformer is introduced in this paper. Five
DGA techniques are such as the Key Gases, TDCG,
Drnenburg ratio, Rogers ratio and Duval triangle.
a.

Key Gases Method vs Faults [2]

Partial discharge: This first fault type is partial discharge
(PD) in mineral insulating oil filled in transformer. PD effects
to insulating oil but not insulating paper. The key gas used for
identifying such condition is hydrogen (H2) as shown in Fig.
2. By far, H2 has the biggest concentration among all of the
dissolved combustible gases if the unit is encountering PD. A
classical PD will have mostly hydrogen as 85% with about
13% of methane. Additional, there is usually a small, but
measurable amount of ethane. The concentrations for the other
gases are usually not significant.
%
100
80

Relative Proportion (%)

85

60
40

13

20
0
H2

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

C2H2

C0

differentiate between arcing/sparking and a severe hot spot. As

presented in Fig. 3, arcing produces acetylene. Because of the
chemical reaction taken place, acetylene is produced as twice
as of hydrogen (H2). The 2:1 ratio is approximated (60% of
hydrogen with 30% of acetylene). However, the 2:1 ratio may
not be experienced exactly. Typically, ratio can be accepted
from about 1:1 to 4:1 of hydrogen to acetylene as being
representative of arcing fault. If the ratio falls outside that
range (either very little hydrogen or way more than 4 times as
much hydrogen as acetylene), the diagnosis will identidy to be
severe hot spot overheating.
100

Relative Proportion (%)

60

80
60

30

40

20
0
H2

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

0
C2H2

C0

Fig. 3. Key gas: Acetylene (C2H2). The least desirable evidence to be found.
It nearly always indicates the symptom of an electrical arcing in the oil.

Thermal degradation: Thermal degradation shows that

acetylene (C2H2) will be formed if the hot spot temperature
exceeds 700C. The hot spot overheating produces ethylene
(C2H4) if temperatures of at least 300C are present.
Therefore, the ethylene and ethane with some amounts of
methane (CH4) can refer to the hot metal gases. The gas
pattern is given in Fig. 4.
100

Relative Proportion (%)

80

63

60
40
20

H2

16

19

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

C2H2

C0

Fig. 4. Key gas: Ethylene (C2H4). Thermal degradation of the oil will
produce this gas.

Overheat Cellulose: Overheating insulating paper

produces much carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide
(CO) but carbon dioxide is not a combustible gas. Then Fig. 5
presents only combustible gas, that consists of carbon
monoxide.
100

Relative Proportion (%)

92

80
60

Fig. 2. Key gas: Hydrogen (H2). Large quantities associated with corona
(partial discharge) conditions.

40

Arcing: Acetylene (C2H2) does not start to from untill

temperature raises upto 700C, so the fault condition must be
either a server hot spot or (even more serious) sparking/arcing.
Arcing can produce temperatures of 2,000 to 3,000C or even
higher and then they are considered to be severe. It is better to

20

H2

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

C2H2

C0

Fig. 5. Key gas: Carbon monoxide (CO). Themal aging of the paper will
produce this gas.

b.

d.

Total Dissolved Combustible Gas (TDCG) Method

In Table I, The TDCG method [1] has a four-level criterion

to classify risks of transformer, which are determined by
finding levels for key gases such as H2, CH4, C2H2, C2H4,
C2H6, CO and CO2 as well as the gas volume in insulating oil.
The levels are classified into operating satisfy, normal
combustible gas level, high level of gas decomposition, and
excessive decomposition.
TABLE I.
Condition
1
2
3
4

Table III, show Rogers ratio [1] by the use of three gas
ratios as C2H2/C2H4, CH4/H2 and C2H4/ C2H6 to indicate four
possible faults diagnosis as normal unit, low energy density
and arcing PD, arcing high energy discharge, and low
temperature thermal.
TABLE III.

Dissolved key gas concentration limits [L/L (ppm)]

ROGER RATIO FOR KEY GASES

R2
C 2H2/ C2H4
<0.1

R1
CH4/ H2
>0.1 to 1.0

R5
C2H4/ C 2H6
<1.0

<0.1

<0.1

<1.0

Case

DISSOLVED GAS CONCENTRATION

H2

CH4

C2H2

C2H4

C2H6

CO

CO2

TDCG

100

120

50

65

350

2500

720

0.1 to 0.3

0.1 to 1.0

>3.0

101700
7011800

121400
4011000

66100
101150

351570
5711400

25004000
400110 000

7211920
19214630

<0.1

>0.1 to <1.0

1.0 to 3.0

4
5

<0.1
<0.1

>1.0
>1.0

1.0 to 3.0
>3.0

51100
10110-35
200
2-9

>1800 >1000

>35

>200 >150 >1400 >10 000 >4630

The TDGC does not include CO2, which is not a combustible gas

Condition 1: TDCG below this level indicates the

transformer is operating satisfactorily. Any individual
combustible gas exceeding specified levels should prompt
additional investigation. This means the transformers
condition is satisfied.
Condition 2: TDCG within this range indicates greater than
normal combustible gas level. Any individual combustible gas
exceeding specified levels should prompt additional
investigation. This transformer has a normal combustible gas
level.
Condition 3: TDCG within range indicates a high level of
decomposition. Any individual combustible gas exceeding
specified levels should prompt additional investigation. This
transformer is has a high level of gas decomposition.
Condition 4: TDCG exceeding this value indicates
excessive decomposition. Continued operation could result in
failure of the transformer. This transformer encounters an
excessive decomposition.
c.

Rogers Ratio Method

e.

Suggested fault
diagnosis
Unit normal
Low energy
density arcing PD
Arcing High
energy discharge
Low temperature
thermal
Thermal <700 C
Thermal >700 C

Duval Triangle Method

Duval triangle model [3] uses the percentage of three gases

as CH4, C2H4 and C2H2 with increasing energy levels of gas
formation to indicate faults i.e. PD, high and low energy
arcing and hot spots from thermal fault. The percentage of
each gas can be calculated by using Eq. (1) (3). After
calculating the percentage of each gas, line of % CH4 quantity
parallel to C2H2 line, % C2H4 quantity parallel to CH4 line and
% C2H2 quantity parallel to CH4 are to be drawn. Thus drawn
intersection of all tree lines would indicate the fault for the
gas. The fault types are based on location of dissolved gases in
a triangle map which is separated into six zones.
%CH4=CH4 / (CH4+C2H4+ C2H2)

(1)

%C2H4=CH4 / (CH4+C2H4+ C2H2)

(2)

%C2H4=CH4 / (CH4+C2H4+ C2H2)

(3)

Dernenburg Ratio Method:

In Table II, Drnenburg ratio [1] proposes four gas ratios

such as CH4/ H2, C2H2/ C2H4, C2H2/ CH4, and C2H6/ C2H2 to
indicate three fault types as thermal decomposition,
corona/low intensity PD, and arcing/high intensity PD.
TABLE II.
Suggested
fault diagnosis
1. Thermal
decomposition
2. Partial
discharge(lowintensity PD)
3. Arcing
(highintensity)

DRNENBURG RATIO FOR KEY GASES

Ratio 1 (R1)

Ratio 2 (R2)

CH4/ H2
Gas
Oil
space

C 2H2/ C2H4
Gas
Oil
space

<0.75

C 2H2/ CH4
Gas
space

Oil

C2H6/ C 2H2
Gas
Oil
space

>0.1

>0.1

<0.3

<0.1

>0.4

>0.2

<0.1

<0.01 Not significant <0.3

<0.1

>0.4

>0.2

>0.1

<0.4

<0.2

>0.1
>0.01
to
>0.75
to <1.0
<1.1

<0.1

Ratio 3 (R3) Ratio 4 (R4)

PD: Partial Discharge, T1: Thermal Fault less than 300 C, T2: Thermal Fault between
300 to 700 C, T3:Thermal Fault more than 700 C,D1: Low Energy Discharge (Sparking),
D2: High Energy Discharge (Arcing), DT: Mix of Thermal and Electrical Faults.

Fig. 6. Duval triangle map.

>0.1

>0.3

III.
a.

Example 1 on a 115/11.5 kV, 60 MVA Transformer

Data of 115/11.5 kV, 60 MVA distribution transformer in
years 2013, 2014, and 2015 are used as example. However,
the DGA data in a sampling year 2015 is analyzed by five
DGA methods as Key Gas, TDCG, Drnenburg Ratio, Rogers
Ratio and Duval Triangle methods are analyzed and
compared. Table IV shows the dissolved combustible gases in
PPM obtained from DGA. Percentages of TDCG (%TDCG)
are calculated and plotted as shown in Table IV and Fig. 7.
The %TDCG and graph are compared with Table 1 and key
gas patterns in Section II. The results show that there are high
volumes of H2 and CH4 that cause from partial discharge. The
trends of gases are also investigated as presented in Fig. 8. The
trend of gases get increasing. Therefore, this transformer must
be closely investigated and maintained. Similarly, the results
from Drnenburg ratios in Table V shows that PD occurs with
low-intensity. Similarly, Rogers ratio in Table VI shows lowenergy density arcing or PD. Duval triangle result shows that
this transformer falls to PD category, as in Fig. 9. It can be
concluded that this transformer encounters PD problem in a
consistent analysis by applying five DGA methods.
TABLE IV.

PPM
1667
146
55
1
0
688
2557

% TDCG
65.19
5.71
2.15
0.04
0.00
26.91
100

65.19

% of TDCG
100

0.04

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

0.00

2.15

20

5.71

26.91

60
40

0
H2

RESULTS OF DRNENBURG RATIO FALL INTO PARTIAL

DISCHARGE (LOW-INTENSITY PD)

Drnenburg Ratios
R1 = CH4 / H2
R2 = C 2H2 / C2H4
R3 = C 2H2 / CH4
R4 = C2H6 / C 2H2
TABLE VI.

Results
0.09
0.00
0.00
NA

Partial discharge (low-intensity PD)

<0.1
Not significant
<0.3
>0.4

RESULTS OF ROGERS RATIO FALL INTO LOW-ENERGY

DENSITY ARCING OR PD

Rogers ratios
R2 = C 2H2 / C2H4
R1 = CH4 / H2
R5 = C2H4 / C2H6

Results
0.00
0.09
0.02

Low-energy density arcing - PD

<0.1
<0.1
<1.0

DGA RESULTS OF A 115/11.5 KV, 60 MVA TRANSFORMER

Dissolved Combustible Gas

Hydrogen (H2)
Methane (CH4)
Ethane (C2H6)
Ethylene (C2H4)
Acetylene (C 2H2)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Total Dissolved Combustible Gas (TDCG)

80

TABLE V.

DGA RESULTS OF SAMPLE TRANSFORMERS

C2H2

CO

Fig. 7. TDCG result in partial discharge pattern.

Fig. 9. Duval triangle result shows PD.

b.

Example 2 on a 123/11 kV, 50 MVA Transformer

The DGA results from five methods are analyzed and
compared. Table VII shows the DCG (PPM) obtained from
DGA. %TDCG are calculated and plotted as given in Table
VII and Fig. 10, respectively. The results show that there are
high H2 and C2H2 in 1:1 times causing from arcing. The
dissolved combustible gases get increasing. Therefore, this
transformer must be very closely investigated in a short
period. Similarly, the results from Drnenburg ratio in Table
VIII show Arcing (high-intensity) while Rogers ratio in Table
IX show Arcing - High-energy discharge. In addition, Duval
triangle result shows that this transformer falls to PD category,
as in Fig. 11. It can be concluded that this transformer
encounters arcing problem with high energy intensity in a
consistent analysis by applying five DGA methods. This
transformer should be prepared for repeating DGA and
planned shutdown for maintenance.
TABLE VII.

DGA RESULTS OF A 123/11 KV 50 MVA TRANSFORMER

Dissolved Combustible Gas

Hydrogen (H2)
Methane (CH4)
Ethane (C2H6)
Ethylene (C2H4)
Acetylene (C 2H2)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Total Dissolved Combustible Gas (TDCG)
Fig. 8. Trending observation on key gases for partial discharge.

PPM
432
184
20
259
421
291
1607

% of TDCG
26.88
11.45
1.24
16.12
26.20
18.11
100

low percentage numer of all 50 transformers (only 6%).

However, for this fault type, the transformers need to be
closely observed and may be considered removal of service.

% of TDCG
100

18.11

26.20

16.12

20

1.24

40

11.45

60

26.88

80

0
H2

CH4

C2H6

C2H4

C2H2

CO

Fig. 10. TDCG result in arcing pattern.

RESULTS OF DRNENBURG RATIOS FALL INTO ARCING
(HIGH-INTENSITY)

TABLE VIII.

Doernenburg Ratios
R1 = CH4 / H2
R2 = C 2H2 / C2H4
R3 = C 2H2 / CH4
R4 = C2H6 / C 2H2
TABLE IX.

Results
0.43
1.63
2.29
0.05

TABLE X.

FAULT TYPES OF 50 SAMPLE TRANSFORMERS

Suggested Fault Diagnosis

Load
Lighting , Freezer
Furnace
Motor
Substation
Total

Ea.
12
6
27
5
50

PD

<700 C

>700 C

Arcing

12
0
8
1
21

0
1
15
2
18

0
5
3
0
8

0
0
1
2
3

Arcing (high-intensity)
>0.1 R1 <1.0
>0.75
>0.3
<0.4

RESULTS OF ROGERS RATIOS FALL INTO ARCING - HIGHENERGY DISCHARGE

Rogers Ratio
R2 = C 2H2 / C2H4
R1 = CH4 / H2
R5 = C2H4 / C2H6

Results
1.63
0.43
12.95

Arcing - High-energy discharge

0.1 to 3.0
0.1 to 3.0
>3.0

Fig. 12. Classified DGA results in different types of loads.

Fig. 13. Percentage fault types of 50 sample transformers.

TABLE XI.
Condition
Fig. 11. Duval triangle result shows in D2 area with high energy discharge
(Arcing).

c.

Example on 50 Transformers in distribution system

The 50 distribution transformers were examined by using

five DGA methods. Four fault types versus number of
transformers supplying different load types such as lightning
and freezer loads, furnamce loads, motor loads, as well as
transformers in MV substation are invertigated and calssified
as given in Table X. The results are plotted in bar chart as
presented in Fig. 12. The precentage of each fault type are also
calculated and shown in Fig.13. The results in Fig. 12 show
that PD condition occured in the highest percentage in lighting
and freezer loads. The motor loads produced low thermal
condition (<700C) to transformers while the furnance loads
lead high thermal condition (>700C) to transformers. Lastly
arcing problem occurred with transformre in substation that
may be caused from swtiching operation but it happened in

Condition 4

TDCG Levels
(ppm)

>4630

ACTION BASED ON TDCG

TDCG
Sampling
rates
Operating Procedure
Interval
(ppm/day)
>30
10 to 30
<10

Condition 3

1921 to 4630

>30
10 to 30
<10

Condition 2

721 to 1920

Condition 1

720

>30
10 to 30
<10
>30
10 to 30
<10

Consider removal of
service.
Advise Manufacturer.
Weekly Exercise extreme
Caution.
Weekly Analyze for
Weekly individual gases.
Plan outage.
Monthly Advise manufacturer.
Monthly Exercise Caution.
Monthly Analyze for
individual gases.
Quarterly Determine load
Monthly dependence.
Quarterly Continue a normal
Annually operation
Daily
Daily

The maintenance task for each DGA condition should be

recommended. The TDCG method [1] considering a
percentage of increasing of total combustible gas is used to

classify and recommend the maintenance tasks into four

levels. The actions for four levels are advised as described in
Table XI. The worst case is condition 4 that consider removal
of service and sdvise manufacturer. If the transformer is in
condition 3 it should i.e. analyze for individual gases, plan for
outage and advise manufacturer. In condition 2, it is advised to
exercise caution and analyze for individual gases. Finally, in
condition 1, it can continue in normal operation.
IV.

CONCLUSION

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) methods as Key Gas

Method, TDCG Method, Drnenburg Ratio Method, Rogers
Ratio Method and Duval Triangle Method was applied to
assess the condition of 50 distribution of transformers. Two
transfomers was given as examples for the analysis of
problems on partial discharge and arcing. The 50 transformers
are classified following the supplying loads as lightning and
freezer loads, furnance loads, motor loads, transfomer in
substation that cause different types of faults. The transfomers
in percentage numbers of 42%, 36%, 16% and 6%
encountered partial discharge, low thermal, high thermal and
arcing, respectively. TDCG analysis was additionally used to
suggest the maintenance actions. The actions for the worst
case as arcing should be very closely investigated by DGA
and considered removal of service whereas in case of lowest
severe, transformer can be continue in normal operation.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]

IEEE Std C57.104-2008, Guide for the Interpretation of Gases

Generated in Oil-Immersed Transformer.
M. Horning, J. Kelly, S. Myers, R. Stebbins, Transformer Maintenance
Guide, A Division of S. D. Myers, Inc. Copy right 2004.
M. Duval, Dissolved Gas Analysis and the Duval Triangle.