POWER TRANSFORMER THERMAL STABILITY TEST BASIC INFORMATION

Capacitive leakage currents in the insulating material within bushings cause dielectric losses. Dielectric losses within a bushing can be calculated by the following equation using data directly from the nameplate or test report:

Pd = 2 pi f C V2 tan ��

where

Pd = dielectric losses, W

f = applied frequency, Hz

C = capacitance of bushing (C1), F

V = operating voltage, rms V

tan �� = dissipation factor, p.u.

A bushing operating at rated voltage and current generates both ohmic and dielectric losses within the conductor and insulation, respectively. Since these losses, which both appear in the form of heat, are generated at different locations within the bushing, they are not directly additive.

However, heat generated in the conductor influences the quantity of heat that escapes from within the core. A significant amount of heat generated in the conductor will raise the conductor temperature and prevent losses from escaping from the inner surface of the core.

This causes the dielectric losses to escape from only the outer surface of the core, consequently raising the hottest-spot temperature within the core.

Most insulating materials display an increasing dissipation factor, tan ��, with higher temperatures, such that as the temperature rises, tan �� also rises, which in turn raises the temperature even more. If this cycle does not stabilize, then tan �� increases rapidly, and total failure of the insulation system ensues.

Bushing failures due to thermal instability have occurred both on the test floor and in service. One of the classic symptoms of a thermal-stability failure is the high internal pressure caused by the gases generated from the deteriorating insulation.

These high pressures cause an insulator, usually the outer one because of its larger size, either to lift off the flange or to explode. If the latter event occurs with a porcelain insulator, shards of porcelain saturated with oil become flaming projectiles, endangering the lives of personnel and causing damage to nearby substation equipment.

Note from Equation that the operating voltage, V, particularly influences the losses generated within the insulating material. It has been found from testing experience that thermal stability only becomes a factor at operating voltages 500 kV and above.