Development of An Intelligent Novel Algorithm for Transformer Fault Detection Using Various Emission Signals

Abstract

Transformers are an essential part of the electrical power system because they have the ability to change voltage and current levels, which enables the transformers to generate the electric power, to transmit and distribute electric power and utilize the power at economical and suitable levels. In electrical power system, voltage of electricity generated at the power plant is increased to a higher level with step-up transformers. A higher voltage reduces the energy lost during the transmission process of the electricity. After electricity has been transmitted to various end points of the power grid, voltage of the electricity is reduced to a usable level with step- down transformer for industrial customers and residential customers. Since power transformer is vital equipment in any electrical power system, so any fault in the power transformer may lead to the interruption of the power supply and accordingly, the financial losses will also increase. If an incipient failure of a transformer is detected before it leads to a catastrophic failure, predictive maintenance can be deployed to minimize the risk of failures and further prevent loss of services. To monitor the service ability of power transformer, many devices have been evolved such as buchholz relay, differential relay, over current relay, thermal relay etc. which are part of protection in terms of determination of faults in the transformer. But the main shortcoming of these devices is that they only respond to the severe power failures which require removal of equipment from the service. Even in normal operation, a power transformer is subjected to internal stresses that often, in time affect the performance and reliability of the transformer through the steady breakdown of its insulating materials. These materials include paper and oil. Such insulating materials after being subjected to a variety of stressful conditions that occur in a transformer, have been found to deteriorate, which results in generation of gases which are often combustible or harmful.