[James_H._Harlow]_Electric_Power_Transformer_Engin(BookSee.org)
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6. Costs to set up and use a mobile transformer<br />
7. Costs for oil handling of a failed unit<br />
8. Vacuum oil filling of the rebuilt or new transformer<br />
9. Customer’s dissatisfaction with outage<br />
10. Labor costs, which usually cover a lot of overtime or employees pulled away from their normal<br />
work schedule<br />
You will have to answer questions such as: Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Time<br />
spent on a scheduled maintenance program is well worth the expense.<br />
There are many systems available to monitor the transformer which can assist you in scheduling your<br />
maintenance program. Many transformer manufacturers can supply monitoring equipment that alerts<br />
the owner to potential problems. However, relying solely on monitoring equipment may not give your<br />
notice or alert you to mechanical problems. Some of these problems can be: fans that fail, pressure<br />
switches that malfunction, or oil pumps that cease to function. You could also have oil leaks that need<br />
to be repaired. Annual inspections can provide a chance for correcting a minor repair before it becomes<br />
a major repair.<br />
3.11.2.1 Maintenance Tests<br />
There are two important tests that could prevent a field failure. Using an infrared scan on a transformer<br />
could locate “hot spots”. The high temperature areas could be caused by a radiator valve closed, low oil<br />
in a bushing, or an LTC problem. Early detection could allow time to repair the problem.<br />
Another important test is dissolved gas analysis test of the oil by a lab. A dissolved gas analysis lab test<br />
will let you know if high levels of gases are found and they will inform you as to the recommended<br />
action. Following the lab report could let you plan your course of action. If there seems to be a problem,<br />
it would be worthwhile to take a second dissolved gas in oil sample and send it to a different lab and<br />
compare the results (IEEE C57 104-1991). Maintenance inspection and tests can be divided into two<br />
sections: (1) minor and, after a set period of years, (2) major inspection. Annual tests are usually done<br />
while the transformer is in service, and consist of the following:<br />
1. Check the operation of the LTC mechanism for misalignment or excessive noise.<br />
2. Take an oil sample from the LTC.<br />
3. Change silica gel in breathers.<br />
4. Inspect fan operation.<br />
5. Take an oil sample from the main tank.<br />
6. Check oil level in bushings.<br />
7. Check tank and radiators for oil leaks.<br />
8. Check for oil levels in main tank and the LTC.<br />
9. Make sure all control heaters are operating.<br />
10. Check all door gaskets.<br />
11. Record the amount of LTC operations and operate through a couple of positions.<br />
12. Most importantly, have your own check-off list and take time to do each check. This record (checkoff<br />
list) can be used for future reference.<br />
Major inspections require the transformer to be out of service. Both primary and secondary bushings<br />
should be grounded before doing the work. Besides the annual inspection checks that should be made,<br />
the following should also be done:<br />
1. <strong>Power</strong> factor the bushings and compare to the values found during the installation tests.<br />
2. <strong>Power</strong> factor the transformer and check these valves.<br />
3. Make a complete inspection of the LTC and replace any questionable parts. If major repair is<br />
required during this inspection, a turns ratio test should be done.<br />
4. Painting rusty areas may be necessary.<br />
5. Test all pressure switches and alarms.<br />
6. Check the tightness of all bolted connections.<br />
7. Check and test the control cabinet components.<br />
The lists for annual and major inspections may not be complete for your transformer and you may<br />
want to make a formal record for your company’s reference. Some transformer installation/installation<br />
books furnished by the manufacturer may have a list of their inspections areas which you should utilize<br />
in making your own formal record.<br />
References<br />
Waukesha <strong>Electric</strong> Systems Instruction Book.<br />
3.12 Problem and Failure Investigation<br />
Wallace Binder and Harold Moore<br />
3.12.1 Introduction<br />
The investigation of transformer problems or failures is in many respects similar to medical procedures.<br />
The health of a transformer can be monitored using the many diagnostic tools available today. Ignoring<br />
a minor problem can lead to a more severe failure. Documenting and recording the results of operation<br />
and diagnostic testing is essential to a complete evaluation. Early detection and mitigation of developing<br />
problems can, in the long term, save the cost of major repairs. Many transformer operators with significant<br />
numbers of transformers perform field diagnostics and share this information with other operators to<br />
establish benchmark performance for transformers in different applications and with different designs.<br />
Elements of transformer design, application, and operation are involved in failure investigation. The<br />
elements to be investigated depend on the nature and the severity of the problem. If a failure is involved,<br />
all of the elements are usually investigated. The analyses required can be quite complex and involved. It<br />
would be impossible to describe the many details involved in complex failure investigations within this<br />
one section; indeed, a complete book could be written on this subject. In the space allotted here, it will<br />
only be possible to describe the processes involved in such investigations.<br />
Excellent references are ANSI/IEEE C57.117, IEEE Guide for Reporting Failure Data for <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Transformer</strong>s<br />
and Shunt Reactors on <strong>Electric</strong>al <strong>Power</strong> Systems, and ANSI/IEEE C57.125, IEEE Guide for Failure<br />
Investigation, Documentation, and Analysis for <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Transformer</strong>s and Shunt Reactors.<br />
The following steps are involved in problem and failure investigations.<br />
• Collect pertinent background data.<br />
• Visit the site to obtain application and operational data.<br />
• Interview all persons that may have relevant knowledge.<br />
• Inspect the transformer and perform a partial or complete dismantling if a failure is involved.<br />
• Analyze the available information and transformer history.<br />
• Prepare a preliminary report and review with persons who are involved or who have a direct<br />
interest to generate additional inputs.<br />
• Write a final report.<br />
As a general statement, no details should be neglected in such investigations. Experience has indicated<br />
that what may appear to be minor details sometimes hold the essential clues for solutions. Collection of<br />
all relevant data is the most important aspect of problem and failure investigation.<br />
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC<br />
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC