Tutorial

TUTORIAL
On-line monitoring of key fault gases

in transformer oil
“Operational experience accumulated over the years”
Jean-Pierre Gibeault
SYPROTEC INC.
August 1997
ISH’97 / Montréal, Canada Page 2
Tutorial: On-line monitoring of key fault gases in transformer oil: an operational experience accumulated over the years
Title: On-line monitoring of key fault gases in transformer oil: an operational

experience accumulated over the years.
Abstract:
In the deregulating environment facing electric utilities, there is a major drive to reduce
operating costs, enhance the availability of the generating and transmission equipment and
improve the supply of power and service to the customer base.
The early detection of incipient faults in power transformers, shunt reactors, current
transformers and bushings creates economic benefits that have a measurable impact in the
results required to meet these formidable challenges.
Dielectric oil and solid cellulose dielectric materials will degrade and breakdown under
thermal and electrical stresses. This process produces gases of varying composition and in
concentrations relating to the severity of the stresses applied to these materials. The nature
and concentrations of the gases are indicative of the type and severity of the fault in the
transformer.
Some specific gases are recognized as being indicative of certain types of faults. The
methods for interpretation of results and diagnostics presented here are the most
commonly used and, taken together, can provide an accurate diagnostic if a transformer
fault is present.
As oil is sampled and analyzed periodically, every six or twelve months typically, there is a
need to be alerted to a changing condition in the interval. On-line detection of a deviation in
key fault gases from a baseline established by DGA, and monitoring the evolution of these
gases will alert the substation personnel to the development of an incipient fault in a
transformer.
Hydrogen (H2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) are common denominators to faults causing the
breakdown of dielectric oil and cellulosic insulation. The continuous monitoring of these two
gases provides a basic element in the monitoring and management of the life and
performance of transformers.
Additionally, more complex systems to continuously monitor all fault gases and moisture
are emerging on the market. These systems must provide reliability, accuracy, ease of
installation, utilization and on-site service. When complemented with transformer
management functions they are valuable tools to monitor and manage very critical
transformers on a temporary or permanent basis.
Documented cases demonstrate the economic advantages of applying detection and
monitoring of key fault gases dissolved in oil. The benefits are well proven.
Improved knowledge of failure mechanisms, the availability and reliability of proven

monitoring systems all contribute to making on-line monitoring a reality long awaited for.
Jean-Pierre Gibeault / Claude Beauchemin / Brian D. Sparling, Syprotec Inc., email: monitoring@syprotec.com
August 1997
Table of content
1. INTRODUCTION: CHALLENGES FACING ELECTRIC UTILITIES .........................................5
2. THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF MONITORING THE EVOLUTION OF KEY FAULT GASES

DISSOLVED IN OIL ..................................................................................................................................5
A. USE AND LOAD YOUR TRANSFORMER FOR MAXIMUM ECONOMICAL EFFICIENCY .................................5
B. MANAGE AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE TRANSFORMER WITH EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE
MAINTENANCE ...........................................................................................................................................5
C. DETECT THE FIRST SIGNS OF FAILURE CONDITIONS AND MONITOR THE EVOLUTION OF ON-GOING
FAILURE CONDITIONS.................................................................................................................................6
D. REDUCE, AND POSSIBLY, ELIMINATE UNSCHEDULED OUTAGES AND FAILURES ....................................6
3. FAULT GASES DISSOLVED IN OIL ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF A DEVELOPING
INCIPIENT FAULT ...................................................................................................................................6
A. DEGRADATION OF DIELECTRIC OIL ......................................................................................................7
B. DEGRADATION OF OIL-IMPREGNATED CELLULOSE ...............................................................................8
4. DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS (DGA) ................................................................................................8
5. INTERPRETATION OF DGA RESULTS AND DIAGNOSTICS METHODS ..............................9

A. IEEE C57.104-1991............................................................................................................................9
B. DOERNENBURG RATIOS .....................................................................................................................12
C. ROGERS RATIOS .................................................................................................................................13
D. IEC 599 - 1978 .................................................................................................................................14
E. DUVAL METHOD ................................................................................................................................15
F. GE METHOD ......................................................................................................................................16
6. LINKING TIME-SPECIFIC TESTS RESULTS ..............................................................................17
7. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF KEY FAULT GASES (H2 AND CO) ...................................18
8. APPLICATION OF ON-LINE DETECTION AND MONITORING OF KEY FAULT GASES

(H2 + CO); AN OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS ...........19
CASE 1: TRANSFORMER 735/230KV, 370MVA .....................................................................................21
CASE 2: SHUNT REACTOR, 735 KV.........................................................................................................23
CASE 3: TRANSFORMER, 500/13.8 KV ...................................................................................................24
CASE 4: TRANSFORMER, 500/13.8 KV ...................................................................................................25
CASE 5: MAIN OUTPUT TRANSFORMER, 21.4 KV, 300 MVA .................................................................26
CASE 6: CURRENT TRANSFORMER, 500 KV............................................................................................26
CASE 7: 3 PH DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER, 138/69KV, 150 MVA ......................................................27
CASE 8: MANITOBA HYDRO, DORSEY T21A..........................................................................................28
CASE 9: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, NICOLET, T4C..............................................................................................29
CASE 10: A EUROPEAN UTILITY, 275/132 KV, 180 MVA.....................................................................30
CASE 11: NYPA, MASSENA, 765 KV CT...............................................................................................31
9. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF EACH FAULT GAS SEPARATELY (H2, C2H2, C2H4,
CH4, C2H6, CO, CO2, H2O) WITH ON-LINE INTERPRETATION AND DIAGNOSTICS.............32
A. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................32
B. APPLICATION OF ON-LINE DETECTION AND MONITORING OF ALL FAULT GASES..............................34
C. ON-LINE INTERPRETATION AND DIAGNOSTICS REQUIREMENTS ......................................................38
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................40
August 1997
APPENDIX – A, THE SYPROTEC FARADAY TRANSFORMER NURSING UNIT

SPECIFICATION .....................................................................................................................................41
REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................................50
August 1997
1. INTRODUCTION: CHALLENGES FACING ELECTRIC UTILITIES
The challenges facing the electric utilities for the past years are unrelenting and are summed
up in one sentence: “Reduce operating costs, enhance the availability of the generating and
transmission equipment and improve the supply of power and service to the customer base.”
And this, in an environment where the available resources are inexorably decreasing and the
pressure from the shareholders and the competition mount steadily.
The concerted actions of all involved must impact every line of the income statement and of
the balance sheet as costs and requests for new capital must be greatly reduced.
Critical oil-filled electrical equipment, such as transformers, shunt reactors, current

transformers and bushings, are critical elements of an electrical power system. Their reliable
and continued performance is the key to profitable generation and transmission. Their costs
of acquisition, replacement, transportation, installation and repairs are among the highest on
the system. Their failures, and resulting unavailability, create losses of revenues. These
failures, when catastrophic, will generate substantial costs in terms of peripheral equipment
destruction, environmental damages and unplanned emergency utilization of human
resources and alternative power sources.
The early detection of incipient faults in transformers, shunt reactors, current transformers
and bushings will create economic benefits that will have a measurable impact in the results
required to meet these formidable challenges.
2. THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF MONITORING THE EVOLUTION OF

KEY FAULT GASES DISSOLVED IN OIL
A. Use and load your transformer for maximum economical efficiency
Monitoring creates the opportunity to strategically plan and schedule outages and to manage
equipment utilization and availability.
In a deregulated environment, fast response to sudden requirements for overloading and

taking advantage of market opportunities will be key to the success of any supplier of
electrical power.
B. Manage and extend the life of the transformer with efficient and cost effective
maintenance
Operating costs will be reduced as the equipment will be repaired within a scheduled repair
plan, often on-site and many times under warranty.
August 1997
The equipment can be kept in service, sometimes under reduced load conditions, when the
fault is evolving at a moderate and predictable rate. This condition will prevent a loss of
revenues and provide time to plan orderly action to repair or replace the equipment. These
actions will often result in repair on-site because the time factor will improve the availability
of the necessary resources. Site repairs create substantial economic benefits for the
transformer owners and for the manufacturers when they work under warranty.
Managing and extending the life of critical power equipment requires reliable and
continuous monitoring as the validity of any action taken, to affect the life of a transformer,
needs to be tested periodically. Successful life management and extension of power
transformers produce financial benefits that impact the balance sheet in freeing capital for
other requirements.
C. Detect the first signs of failure conditions and monitor the evolution of on-going
failure conditions
Once a fault has been detected and its evolution is monitored, the severity of that fault can be
evaluated and a decision can be made on the course of action to take.
Damages to the equipment will be restricted when incipient faults are detected and timely
action is taken. Early detection limits the amount of adjacent damages and confines the area
requiring repair and maintenance.
D. Reduce, and possibly, eliminate unscheduled outages and failures
The early detection of incipient faults in transformers will greatly reduce unplanned power
outages and improve the reliability of the power and service supplied to customers.
Fault conditions often lead to catastrophic failures. Their early detection will limit these
events and enhance the safety of substation personnel.
Monitoring a fast developing fault and evaluating its progress provides the necessary
information to marshal all the essential resources to react on time and reduce the overall
damages.
3. FAULT GASES DISSOLVED IN OIL ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF A

DEVELOPING INCIPIENT FAULT
Dielectric oil and solid cellulose dielectric materials will degrade and breakdown under
thermal and electrical stresses. This process will produce gases of varying composition and
in concentrations relating to the severity of the stresses applied to these materials. These
gases will dissolve in the oil. The nature and concentrations of the gases sampled and
analyzed are indicative of the type and severity of the fault in the transformer. The changes
August 1997
in the production of each gas and their rate of production are important factors in
determining the type of fault(s) involved and of the evolution of the fault(s). Some specific
gases are recognized as being indicative of certain types of faults.
A. Degradation of dielectric oil
The degradation of oil will produce hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene and acetylene
(Figure 1). Overheating of oil, partial discharge and arcing will produce hydrogen, methane,
ethane, ethylene and acetylene. Hot spots will overheat the oil and will produce primarily
ethylene and measurable concentrations of hydrogen. Partial discharge will produce
primarily hydrogen and methane as key gases. Arcing will produce high concentrations of
hydrogen and acetylene in increasing quantities as the fault temperature increases. Key
gases are associated with each type of fault.
Gases Generated During

Breakdown of dielectric oil
( Gibeault / Hall / Noirhomme )
HYDROGEN
H2
METHANE
CH 4
ETHANE
C 2H 6
ETHYLENE
C 2H 4
ACETYLENE
C 2H 2
250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000
References:
M. Duval, Electra,133,40 (1990 ).
T.V. Oommen, Gas Generation in Power Transformers
Fault Temperature ( °C )
Fig. 1
The production of these gases and their rate of production are in direct relation to the
materials involved, the temperature and the energy released at the fault location.
August 1997
B. Degradation of oil-impregnated cellulose
The thermal degradation of oil-impregnated cellulose will produce carbon monoxide and
carbon dioxide (Figure 2). Hot spots in windings, on insulated leads and in areas where
pressboard and cellulose components and spacers are used, will produce carbon monoxide
and carbon dioxide. Hot spots are localized and will generally decompose the solid
insulation specifically in the hot spot area.
Gases Generated During

Breakdown of Cellulosic insulation
( Gibeault / Hall / Noirhomme )
CARBONE
MONOXIDE
CO
CARBONE
DIOXIDE
CO 2
100 200 250 300 400 500

References:
M. Duval, Electra,133,40 (1990 ).
T.V. Oommen, Gas Generation in Power Transformers
Fault Temperature ( °C )
Fig. 2
4. DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS (DGA)
Since most of these breakdown products are gases, research has been directed towards
analyzing the relationship between the formation of these gases and transformer failures.
This procedure is commonly referred to as Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA). An oil sample is
collected from the transformer and sent to a specialized independent laboratory or to the
transformer owner’s own laboratory dedicated to DGA.
The DGA analysis is performed in three steps:
1) Extraction of all the gases in the oil sample.

2) Measurement of the quantity of each gas in the extracted gas.
3) Calculation of the concentration of each gas in the oil sample.
August 1997
The most commonly measured Gases are: O2 (Oxygen), N2 (Nitrogen), H2 (Hydrogen),

CO (Carbon Monoxide), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) CH4 (Methane), C2H6 (Ethane), C2H4
(Ethylene) and C2H2 (Acetylene). Other extracted gases are sometimes analyzed, such as
C3H8 , C3H6 and C3H4, to refine a diagnostic. However, this approach is not widely used.
A high degree of success has been achieved in the area of determining a link between:
(A) ratios of common fault gas concentration and specific fault types;
(B) the evolution of individual fault gases and the nature and severity of the transformer
fault.
5. INTERPRETATION OF DGA RESULTS AND DIAGNOSTICS

METHODS
This technique of incipient fault diagnosis is by far the most accurate and reliable. The
various methods of data interpretation are being regularly refined and are received and
discussed with enthusiasm at professional gatherings. The latest developments have been
published in technical periodicals.
Review of the most commonly used gas-in-oil diagnostic methods:
x IEEE C57.104 - 1991

x Doernenburg
x Rogers
x IEC 599
x Duval
x GE
A. IEEE C57.104-1991
Introduced in 1978, the IEEE C57.104 is probably the most widely used dissolved gas
interpretation method in North America. This method, developed by the IEEE society,
covers not only the determination of a fault severity and its nature, but also offers some
suggestions regarding the follow-up action to be taken.
The method proceeds as follows:
x Calculate the total of dissolved combustible gases (TDCG):

o TDCG = H2 + CO + CH4 + C2H6 + C2H4 + C2H2
x Classify the condition of the transformer according to the limits for each gas
and for the total of combustible gases.
x Evaluate the rate of increase of combustible gases in ppm/day.
August 1997
x Determine what actions should be taken according to the level of combustible

gases and their rates of increase.
This method defines four (4) possible transformer conditions:
1) TDCG < 720 ppm: Operating Satisfactorily

2) TDCG = 721 to 1920 ppm: Fault(s) may be present
3) TDCG = 1921 to 4630 ppm: Fault(s) are probably present
4) TDCG > 4630 ppm: Continued operation could result in failure
These conditions are also determined according to individual gas levels. If any one of the
gases exceeds a given level, the transformer is classified accordingly:
Individual gas level limits (in ppm):
Gas Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Condition 4
Hydrogen (H2) < 100 101 - 700 701- 1800 > 1800
Methane (CH4) < 120 121 - 400 401 - 1000 > 1000
Acetylene (C2H2) < 35 36 - 50 51 - 80 > 80
Ethylene (C2H4) < 50 51 - 100 101 - 200 > 200
Ethane (C2H6) < 65 66 - 100 101 - 150 > 150
Carbon Monoxide (CO) < 350 351 - 570 571 - 1400 > 1400
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) < 2500 2500 - 4000 4001 - 10 000 > 10 000
After the condition level has been determined, the frequency of DGA analysis is
determined according to the rate of rise of the TDCG.
Trend TDCG (ppm/day) Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Condition 4
< 10 Annual Quarterly Monthly Weekly
10 -30 Quarterly Monthly Weekly Daily
> 30 Monthly Monthly Weekly Daily
August 1997
Using the same table, the suggested transformer operation procedure is determined.
Trend (ppm/day) Suggested Operating Procedure
Condition 1: < 30 Normal operation
> 30 Exercise caution, Determine load dependence
Condition 2: All Exercise caution, Determine load dependence
Condition 3: All Exercise extreme caution, Plan outage, Advise

manufacturer
Condition 4: < 10 Exercise extreme caution, Plan outage, Advise

manufacturer
> 10 Consider removal from service, Advise

manufacturer
Note: Since the operation of a transformer involves many parameters, all operating
decisions should be reviewed by the engineer in charge.
The IEEE method determines the probable nature of a fault according to the dominant
gases: (Figure 3)
x Partial discharge: H2
x Thermal fault in the paper: CO
x Arc: C2H2 & H2
x Thermal fault in the oil: C2H4
CORONA IN OIL ARCING IN OIL OVERHEATED CELLULOSE OVERHEATED OIL

90
92
80 86
70
60 63
60
% 50
40 30
30
16 17
20 13
0.5 5 3.3 6.7
10 0.2 0.2 <0.01 1.6 1.2 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 2 2
0.1 <0.01
0
H2 CO CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2 H2 CO CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2 H2 CO CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2 H2 CO CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2
KEY GASES FOR TYPICAL FAULTS
Fig. 3
The following three methods do not use the absolute value of dissolved gases. Instead,
they use the various ratios of gas concentration to determine the probable nature of the
August 1997
fault. This approach eliminates the variation of results that could arise from DGA to
DGA.
B. Doernenburg Ratios
The Doernenburg method was the first proposed technique (by CEGB in1970) to
interpret gas in oil analysis results. The use of four ratios of dissolved gas concentration
to determine the nature of the fault was introduced at the 1972 CIGRE meeting :
CH4 / H2 R1
C2H2 / C2H4 R2
C2H2 / CH4 R3
C2H6 / C2H2 R4
Results: Oil Gas
Thermal Decomposition: CH4 / H2 >1 > .1

C2H2 / C2H4 < .75 <1
C2H2 / CH4 < .3 < .1
C2H6 / C2H2 > .4 > .2
Corona: CH4 / H2 < .1 < .01

C2H2 / C2H4 NA NA
C2H2 / CH4 < .3 < .1
C2H6 / C2H2 > .4 > .2
Arcing: CH4 / H2 .1-1 .01-1

C2H2 / C2H4 > .75 >1
C2H2 / CH4 > .3 > .1
C2H6 / C2H2 < .4 < .2
August 1997
C. Rogers Ratios
Like the Doernenburg method, the Rogers method was introduced by CEGB and uses
four ratios of dissolved gas concentration to generate a code that will determine the
nature of the fault:
Value of ratios: < .1 .1 - 1 1-3 >3
CH4 / H2 5 0 1 2
C2H6 / CH4 0 0 1 1
C2H4 / C2H6 0 0 1 2
C2H2 / C2H4 0* 1** 1 2
* < .5 ** .5 - 1
Results: Ratio Codes
x Normal 0 0 0 0
x Partial discharge 5 0 0 0
x Overheating < 150°C 1/2 0 0 0
x Overheating 150 - 200°C 1/2 1 0
0
x Overheating 200 - 300°C 0 1 0
0
x General Conductor Overheating 0 0 1 0
x Winding circulating Currents 1 0 1 0
x Core and tank circulating currents 1 0 2 0
x Overheated joints 1 0 2 0
x Flashover without power follow through 0 0 0 1
x Partial discharge with tracking 5 0 0 1/2
x Continuous Sparking to floating potential 0 0 2 2
x Arc with power follow through 0 0 1/2 1/2
August 1997
D. IEC 599 - 1978
Like the Doernenburg and the Rogers methods, the IEC 599 (1978) method uses ratios of
dissolved gas concentration to generate a code that will determine the nature of the fault:
Use three ratios: < .1 .1 - 1 1-3 >3
C2H2 / C2H4 0 1 1 2
CH4 / H2 1 0 2 2
C2H4 / C2H6 0 0 1 2
Results: Ratio Codes
x Normal 0 0 0
x Thermal fault
x < 150°C 0 0 1
x 150 - 300°C 0 2 0
x 300 - 700°C 0 2 1
x > 700°C 0 2 2
x Partial discharges
x Low energy 0 1 0
x High energy 1 1 0
x Discharges (Arcs)
x Low energy 1 0 1
x High energy 1 0 2
The IEC 599 method is currently in the process of being revised to include refinement of
the interpretation grid. These modifications will allow a more accurate determination of
the nature of the fault.
August 1997
E. Duval Method
The Duval method (Hydro-Québec; introduced in 1974) uses a three gas ratio and a
trilinear graph to determine the nature of the fault: (Figure 4)
x Calculate the total of three gases: o CH4 + C2H4 + C2H2

x Calculate the percentage of each of the gases over the total of the three.
x Use the trilinear graph to determine the nature of the fault:
A: High energy arcs

B: Low energy arcs
C: Partial discharge
D: Hot spots, T < 200°C
E: Hot spots, 200 < T < 400°C
F: Hot spots, T > 400°C
d C2H4( % )
CH4 (%)
b
e
a f
C2H2 ( % )
Fig. 4
August 1997
F. GE Method
The GE method uses two ratios and a graph to determine the nature of the fault.
Use two ratios: C2H4 / C2H6

C2H2 / C2H4
Use the graph to determine the nature of the fault: (Figure 5)
A: Not defined
B: Electrical fault
C: Thermal fault, low temperature
D: Thermal fault, high temperature
1000.00
100.00
A B
10.00
1.00
0.10
C D
0.01
0.00
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00 1000.00
C2H4/ C2H6
Fig. 5
The methods presented here are the most commonly used and, taken together, can
provide an accurate diagnostic if a transformer fault is present. These methods have
gained wide recognition since being introduced and are commonly used worldwide.
However, since these methods are based on cumulative experience on large populations
of transformers, some refinement may be necessary on specific families of transformers
or some other types of equipment.
The field of gas-in-oil interpretation is still evolving. Methods other than the ones
presented here do exist and are either used with specific families of transformers,
preferred by a given utility or simply under development. In addition, methods of
interpretation of gas-in-oil for equipment other than transformers (such as oil filled HV
cable, bushing, breaker and OLTC) are being experimented by some utilities. One factor
that will drive the development and refinement of these methods, especially with regard
to the interpretation of the rate of rise of dissolved gases, is the greater use of on-line gas-
in-oil monitoring on transformers and other oil filled electrical equipment.
August 1997
The whole procedure of oil sampling, gas extraction, chromatographic determination and
data interpretation can be performed yearly by most transformer owners on their larger
transformers. These methods will usually reveal that approximately 90% of the investigated
transformers are behaving satisfactorily. Although indispensable in any serious preventive
maintenance program, the procedure can quickly become very costly in terms of labor, time
and financial resources.
Most electric utilities use dissolved gas analysis (DGA) extensively. Sampling, gas
extraction, chromatographic analysis and fault diagnostics are key areas upon which utilities
are focusing in order to identify the type and severity of failure conditions in transformers.
6. LINKING TIME-SPECIFIC TESTS RESULTS
Needed: A reliable tool to report on events between two DGA.
As oil is sampled and analyzed periodically, every six or twelve months typically, there is a
need to be alerted to a changing condition in the interval.
Detecting a deviation in key fault gases from a baseline established by DGA, and monitoring
the evolution of these gases will alert the substation personnel to the development of an
incipient fault in a transformer.
Reliable and proven instrumentation to detect and monitor a change in fault gases is needed
to assure the link between two DGA events. This is the HYDRAN DGA-Link® (Figure 6).
The Missing Link Between DGAs
DGA ????? DGA
May 1996 How to May 1997

Provide Continuity
Between DGA Events ?
Fig.6
Although a DGA event will generate all the information necessary to make an accurate
determination about the present health status of a power transformer, over the years, inputs
from operating utilities indicate that the sole reliance on discrete DGA events is not the
complete answer. In fact, if not applied on more regular basis than is typically practiced
today, the use of discrete DGA events on an annual interval can inject unnecessary risk and a
false sense of confidence about the continued, ongoing health of a critical power transformer.
The risk period begins immediately following a DGA event and continues until the next
August 1997

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On-line monitoring of key fault gases

“Operational experience accumulated over the years”

Title: On-line monitoring of key fault gases in transformer oil: an operational

Improved knowledge of failure mechanisms, the availability and reliability of proven

1. INTRODUCTION: CHALLENGES FACING ELECTRIC UTILITIES .........................................5

2. THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF MONITORING THE EVOLUTION OF KEY FAULT GASES

5. INTERPRETATION OF DGA RESULTS AND DIAGNOSTICS METHODS ..............................9

7. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF KEY FAULT GASES (H2 AND CO) ...................................18

8. APPLICATION OF ON-LINE DETECTION AND MONITORING OF KEY FAULT GASES

APPENDIX – A, THE SYPROTEC FARADAY TRANSFORMER NURSING UNIT

1. INTRODUCTION: CHALLENGES FACING ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Critical oil-filled electrical equipment, such as transformers, shunt reactors, current

2. THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF MONITORING THE EVOLUTION OF

A. Use and load your transformer for maximum economical efficiency

In a deregulated environment, fast response to sudden requirements for overloading and

D. Reduce, and possibly, eliminate unscheduled outages and failures

3. FAULT GASES DISSOLVED IN OIL ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF A

A. Degradation of dielectric oil

Gases Generated During

B. Degradation of oil-impregnated cellulose

Gases Generated During

100 200 250 300 400 500

4. DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS (DGA)

The DGA analysis is performed in three steps:

1) Extraction of all the gases in the oil sample.

The most commonly measured Gases are: O2 (Oxygen), N2 (Nitrogen), H2 (Hydrogen),

5. INTERPRETATION OF DGA RESULTS AND DIAGNOSTICS

Review of the most commonly used gas-in-oil diagnostic methods:

x IEEE C57.104 - 1991

The method proceeds as follows:

x Calculate the total of dissolved combustible gases (TDCG):

x Determine what actions should be taken according to the level of combustible

This method defines four (4) possible transformer conditions:

1) TDCG < 720 ppm: Operating Satisfactorily

Individual gas level limits (in ppm):

Gas Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Condition 4

Acetylene (C2H2) < 35 36 - 50 51 - 80 > 80

Ethylene (C2H4) < 50 51 - 100 101 - 200 > 200

Ethane (C2H6) < 65 66 - 100 101 - 150 > 150

Trend TDCG (ppm/day) Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Condition 4

< 10 Annual Quarterly Monthly Weekly

10 -30 Quarterly Monthly Weekly Daily

> 30 Monthly Monthly Weekly Daily

Trend (ppm/day) Suggested Operating Procedure

Condition 1: < 30 Normal operation

> 30 Exercise caution, Determine load dependence

Condition 2: All Exercise caution, Determine load dependence

Condition 3: All Exercise extreme caution, Plan outage, Advise

Condition 4: < 10 Exercise extreme caution, Plan outage, Advise

> 10 Consider removal from service, Advise

CORONA IN OIL ARCING IN OIL OVERHEATED CELLULOSE OVERHEATED OIL

KEY GASES FOR TYPICAL FAULTS

Results: Oil Gas

Thermal Decomposition: CH4 / H2 >1 > .1

Corona: CH4 / H2 < .1 < .01

Arcing: CH4 / H2 .1-1 .01-1