Transformer Oil - DGA - From Sampling To Analysis
Transformer Oil - DGA - From Sampling To Analysis
INTRODUCTION Transformer Oil DGA From sampling to analysis During the last decades Dissolved Gas
Analysis (DGA) has become the most important preventive routine for power transformers
Why DGA is important? Simple, non intrusive oil analysis, that can predict faults via the analysis of the gases generated on the insulating oil. The types of dissolved gases in the oil, the amount, relative proportions and changes over time give us clues about what is happening in the transformer
DGA 3 Key steps Oil sample extraction Extraction of the gases Gases separation & measurement (gas chromatography)
Every DGA starts with the sampling Thousands of gallons in a transformer tank, syringe only 30 ml., the sample must be as representative as possible. Appropriate sampling techniques are indicated on ASTM D923, IEC 60567 and in many company specifications.
Key considerations Atmospheric conditions Positive pressure on the tank Appropriate containers Accessories (Tygon tubing, valves) Adequate syringe handling
Allow the pressure in the tank to fill the syringe up to the 10 cc mark (dont pull the piston)
Push the piston gently to rinse the barrel and remove the bubbles
Fill the syringe up to 26 cc mark to ensure an adequate seal along the piston
Push gently to remove any possible bubbles, close the valves and proceed with the labeling and packaging
Adequate packaging
ASTM D3612 / IEC 60567 DGA extraction methods ASTM D3612-A vacuum extraction ASTM D3612-B stripping method ASTM D3612-C head space analysis
* http://www.electricity-today.com/et/issue0602/i06_standards.htm
Accuracy of IEC/CIGRE laboratories, from roundrobin tests using DGA standards. Medium gas concentrations Best lab Average Worst Lab 3% 15% 65% Low gas concentrations 22% 30% 64%
CIGRE result for Round Robin Test (RRT) at low concentration levels. Results of individual laboratories (.) and prepares DGA standard value (x)
Thermal & electrical stresses Exposure to air Cellulosic insulation starts degrading Contaminant induced chemical reactions
Gases
C2H2 CO2 CO
Type of gases
1. HYDROCARBONS AND HYDROGEN
METHANE CH4 ETHANE C2H6 ETHYLENE C2H4 ACETYLENE C2H2 HYDROGEN H2
2. CARBON OXIDES
CARBON MONOXIDE CO CARBON DIOXIDE CO2
DGA results would allow us to identify the type of fault occurring in a transformer in service.
Gas ratios should be calculated only if at least one gas value is above typical value.
Typical values
(CIGRE Brochure # 296, 2006)
C2H2 All transformers No OLTC Communicating OLTC 2-20 60-280 H2 50-150 CH4 30-130 C2H4 60-280 C2H6 20-90 CO 400-600 CO2 3800-14000
Typical values
Typical rates of gas increase for power transformers, in ppm/year
2nd Value : Ability to Monitor the Evolution of the Condition = Monitoring Value.
3rd Value :
On-Line Monitors
Single gas or Key gas OLM
1 gas, H2 + moisture
Detection Monitoring
2 gases, H2 + CO + moisture
Multi-Gas OLM
As a network element, the OLM is a powerful Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) capable of transmitting information in a variety of ways. Local
Via USB cable Via Ethernet cable
Remote
Analog outputs RS-232 RS-485 Ethernet (Modbus, DNP-3, IEC 61850)
SCADA
SCADA
RTU 4-20mA outputs
Gas, Moisture, Temperature levels
NO/NC Relays
Gas alarm, Moisture alarm, Temp alarm, Low Carrier gas, Any Alarm, Any error, Always.
Monitor Diagnose
Sub-station
When the condition assessment requires OnLine DGA to maximize protection of a faulty transformer, a Multi-gas Monitor is recommended.
Critical 1
or
Critical 2
Beyond DGA
Description
Dielectric Strength Acidity Interfacial Tension Color Water Content Density Visual Examination Power Factor Inhibitor Content Dissolved Gas Analysis Furan Analysis
ASTM Number D877/D-1816 D-974 D-971 D-1500 D-1533 D-1298 D-1524 D-924 D-4768
D-3612
D-5837
Color, ASTM D1500, typical value 0,5 Specific Gravity, ASTM D1298, typical value 0,890
Detect free H2O + Particles, Acceptable limit for serviced aged oil: 25 kV Limit for new oil: 30 kV
Acceptable limit for serviced aged oil: 18 dynes/cm Limit for new oil: 40 dynes/cm Presence of contaminants
Inhibitor Content
Oxidation increase as inhibitor is consumed, controlling the inhibitor content extends the life of the oil.