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Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority Grid Infrastructure Company
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority Grid Infrastructure Company
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GRID INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY
Introduction
Sections of Gridco worked under are the laboratory and substations where the following
experiences were gained:
Dissolved gas analysis of transformer oil by chromatography
Oil filtration
PCB screening
Swicthgear maintenance
Transformer maintenance
Substation design and maintenance
Power quality measurements and analysis
Swicthgear commissioning
The Laboratory
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These faults can be inter-turn short circuit, solid insulation breakdown, arcing in the
transformer main tank and so on.
Oil filtration
Moisture in oil is dried out by circulating the oil through an oil filtration plant. The
temperature of the oil is monitored using a thermometer and must not exceed 850C.
Readings of insulation resistance and temperature are taken hourly. A plot of insulation
resistance against time gives the insulation resistance curve. After several hours of
constant readings, the insulation resistance will be seen to rise rapidly. The rise is allowed
to continue for several hours and then the oil filtration plant is disconnected. The
transformer is now dried out.
IR
time
The transformer should be isolated from live plant or equipment before any maintenance
work can begin. External connections are checked for tightness and any signs of
discolouration (indicating a hot joint); doubtful connections are cleaned and remade.
Gasketed joints are also checked for leakage in as much the same way as the transformer
is checked for efficient earthing of its tank. All tank surfaces and other parts that make up
a transformer are inspected for any signs of damage or corrosion and repair effected
accordingly. Insulation resistance measurements are recommended to be taken annually.
Tests are carried out using a Megger and readings noted down:
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Readings are normally above 300M for a normal transformer. Protections (alarms and
trips) are checked as well for proper functioning. After energisation, the MV output
voltages should be checked preferably using an AVO to prove that the MV voltages
(phase to phase, phase to neutral) are within defined limits. If the MV output voltage is
outside the wished range, tap changer position should be changed.
Conclusion
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All the experiences and insight gained under GRIDCO are applicable to a Power Station
environment. It is hoped that this experience will prove invaluable in improving the
Power Station’s efficiency and reliability.