TYPES OF POWER TRANSFORMER FAULTS BASIC INFORMATION

The electrical windings and the magnetic core in a transformer are subject to a number of different forces during operation, for example

a)Expansion and contraction due to thermal cycling

b)Vibration

c)Local heating due to magnetic flux

d)Impact forces due to through fault current

e)Excessive heating to to overloading or inadequate cooling

These forces can cause deterioration and failure of the winding electrical insulation. Table below summarizes failure statistics for a broad range of transformer failure causes reported by a group of U.S. utilities over a period of years.

This guide deals primarily with the application of electrical relays to detect the fault current that results from an insulation failure. The current a relay can expect to see as a result of various types of winding insulation failures.

The detection systems that monitor other transformer parameters can be used to indicate an incipient electrical fault. Prompt response to these indicators may help avoid a serious fault. For example

a)Temperature monitors for winding or oil temperature are typically used to initiate an alarm requiring investigation by maintenance staff.

b)Gas detection relays can detect the evolution of gases within the transformer oil. Analysis of the gas composition indicates the mechanism that caused the formation of the gas; e.g., acetylene can be caused by electrical arcing, other gases are caused by corona and thermal degradation of the cellulose insulation.

The gas detection relays may be used to trip or alarm depending on utility practice. Generally, gas analysis is performed on samples of the oil, which are collected periodically. Alternatively, a continuous gas analyzer is available to allow on-line detection of insulation system degradation.

c)Sudden-pressure relays respond to the pressure waves in the transformer oil caused by the gas evolution associated with arcing.

d)Oil level detectors sense the oil level in the tank and are used to alarm for minor reductions in oil level and trip for severe reductions.

POWER TRANSFORMER RELAYING PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Protective relaying is applied to components of a power system for the following reasons:

a)Separate the faulted equipment from the remainder of the system so that the system can continue to function

b)Limit damage to the faulted equipment

c)Minimize the possibility of fire

d)Minimize hazards to personnel

e)Minimize the risk of damage to adjacent high voltage apparatus

In protecting some components, particularly high-voltage transmission lines, the limiting of damage becomes a by-product of the system protection function of the relay. However, since the cost of repairing faulty transformers may be great and since high-speed, highly sensitive protective devices can reduce damage and therefore repair cost, relays should be considered for protecting transformers also, particularly in the larger sizes.

Faults internal to a transformer quite often involve a magnitude of fault current that is low relative to the transformer base rating. This indicates a need for high sensitivity and high speed to ensure good protection. There is no one standard way to protect all transformers, or even identical transformers that are applied differently.

Most installations require individual engineering analysis to determine the best and most cost-effective scheme. Usually more than one scheme is technically feasible, and the alternatives offer varying degrees of sensitivity, speed, and selectivity.

The plan selected should balance the best combination of these factors against the overall economics of the situation while holding to a minimum

a)Cost of repairing damage

b)Cost of lost production

c)Adverse effects on the balance of the system

d)The spread of damage to adjacent equipment

e)The period of vulnerability of the damaged equipment

In protecting transformers, backup protection needs to be considered. The failure of a relay or breaker during a transformer fault may cause such extensive damage to the transformer that its repair would not be practical.

When the fault is not cleared by the transformer protection, remote line relays or other protective relays may operate. Part of the evaluation of the type of protection applied to a transformer should include how the system integrity may be affected by such a failure.

In this determination, since rare but costly failures are involved, a diversity of opinion on the degree of protection required by transformers might be expected among those familiar with power system relay engineering.

The major economic consideration is not ordinarily the fault detection equipment but the isolation devices. Circuit breakers often cannot be justified on the basis of transformer protection alone.

At least as much weight should be given to the service requirements, the operating philosophy, and system design philosophy as to the protection of the transformer. Evaluations of the risks involved and the cost-effectiveness of the protection are necessary to avoid going to extremes. Such considerations involve the art rather than the science of protective relaying.