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Development of a benchmark for the Interpretation of Transformer

Frequency Response Analysis result

Conference Paper · March 2015

DOI: 10.1109/CCIP.2015.7100714

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 Development of a benchmark for the Interpretation of Transformer
Frequency Response Analysis results
Munish Manas Zaheeruddin
Dept. of Electrical Engg. Dept. of Electrical Engg.
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
msd.gkg85@gmail.com zaheeruddin@jmi.ac.in
Abstract— Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) is one of the most
effective tools for the condition monitoring and mechanical fault
detection of power transformers. Accurate interpretation of FRA
is critical while evaluating the condition of a transformer. The
analysis of FRA responses is done by comparing the measured
parameters with the reference measurements that could be
previous measurements on the same or identical units. For the
accurate interpretation of FRA results, it is important to follow
the recommendations given in IEEE guide, IEC standards. This
paper presents the basic guidelines for developing a benchmark
for the Interpretation and test procedures of the transformer
Frequency Response Analysis based upon the analysis of
standards, reports, guides and case studies published by IEEE,
IEC and CIGRÉ etc.
Keywords — Frequency response analysis, power transformer,
capacitive inter-winding, inductive inter-winding
I. INTRODUCTION
A Power transformer holds a high strategical and functional
importance in any modern power system and the combined
fact that its quite expensive makes its condition monitoring and
maintenance a vital issue in healthy operation and maintenance
practices of power system. Frequency response Analysis
(FRA) is one of the most important test measurement that is
performed during periodical maintenance tests or after fault
occurrence [1]. Frequency response Analysis (FRA) is the
measurement of the electrical transfer functions for a wide
range of frequency for the evaluation of the mechanical
integrity of the windings, core and clamping structures within
power transformers. FRA is also defined as the process of off-
line measuring the impedance of the transformer winding as
the frequency’s function [2]. The motive behind the
development of FRA was the detection of winding
displacement and deformation in power transformer [3]-[8].
The damages during transportation, online tap-changer fault,
seismic occurrence etc. can be assessed by FRA. IEEE, IEC
and CIGRÉ have studied FRA for defining a benchmark for
the interpretation of FRA results. In this method frequency
response measurements made previously on the same
unit or identical ones or different phases of the same
units are taken as reference and then compared with the
new measurements. Any significant difference between
the previous and new FRA measurements would indicate
a mechanical fault in the winding like winding
978-1-4799-7171-8/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE
Bharat Bhushan Sharma
Dept. of Electrical Engg.
Jamia Millia Islamia, India
mbbs.research@gmail.com
displacement or deformation. But, many a times
irregularities in the transformer design, testing procedure
set up or noises and disturbances or manufacturing
tolerance may create nominal differences on FRA
responses [9], [10], thus making the FRA results
interpretations and diagnosis very complex. Thus, even
after mastering the technique of frequency response
measurement it is necessary to follow the guidance of
standards developed for the interpretations of the FRA
test results. In understanding the accurate interpretation
of comparison between two FRA results we must try to
learn the factors governing the shapes and characteristics
of FRA responses.
In this paper we would try to analyze different
standards that are established by IEEE, IEC, CIGRÉ etc.
for the measurement set-up, interpretations and
parameters identifications for the transformer frequency
response analysis.
II. FRA MEASUREMENT SET-UP AND PROCEDURES
A. FREQUENCY RESPONSE MEASUREMENT FOR
PRIMARY PARAMETERS
The frequency response measurement is done by supplying
a low-voltage signal to a winding terminal with respect to the
tank. The measured voltage at this input terminal is designated
as the reference signal (Vs) and another voltage signal
designated as response signal (Vr) is measured at a second
terminal. In order to match the characteristic impedance of the
coaxial connecting cables, Vs and Vr are measured across an
input impedance of 50 ohms. The ratio between the Vr and Vs
(expressed in dB) is designated as the amplitude of the
frequency response. This amplitude of frequency response is
given as a function of frequency in the range of few Hz to a few
MHz. The basic principal that the geometry of windings is
tightly related to the distributed capacitances and inductances
between conductors and layers forms the basis of the sensitivity
of the measurement for detecting winding displacement
because these distributed capacitances and inductances
characterize most of the series and parallel resonances in the
recorded frequency response [11].

Figure 1. Primary parameters for the frequency response
measurement
B. FRA TEST PROCEDURE RECOMMENDATIONS
IEEE Std C57.149-2012 recommends that the transformer
configuration should be in close “in service” configuration as
much as possible.
All the external bushing connections including neutral
connections, phase connections, tertiary grounds and stabilizing
windings should be disconnected. Considering the fact that the
extra length of conductor that may be included in the path of
test circuit, may interfere with FRA test response, all the test
leads should be connected directly to the bushing terminal. It is
a good practice to exclude any external bus bar connections.
It is important to consider that the state of the transformer
under test is a vital parameter to be supervised in order to
formulate a consistent testing method that would give precise
results. For example, if a field located transformer has been
tested with small bus bar lengths in the past, then it must be
tested in that same way in the subsequent testing events. This is
because in FRA analysis the comparison of the test
measurement with the historical reference data is the foundation
of interpretation of results. Interpretation of such FRA test
results should comprise the analysis of the variations caused by
the connections of the test leads and their supports.
The instructions for grounding of the test set laid down
by the manufacturer of the test equipment is of utmost
importance in FRA testing procedure. It is a widely followed
practice to choose the transformer tank grounding point
potential as the reference potential for FRA test measurements.
The grounding techniques that consist of ground conductor
selection and their routing selection should be documented.
These techniques should be repeated for the same precise value
of measurements since they have a considerable amount of
effect on the test results.
For validating the calibration of the test equipment
according to the recommended calibration interval level, a
checking operation on the test equipment relative to the
standard test object with a known FRA response should be
performed.
The coaxial test leads that should be used for FRA
testing are Excitation leads (source leads). Specimen input lead
should be set as reference lead and Specimen Output lead as the
measure lead. Even though it is best if all these three leads are
of same length but at least the “ measure ” and “reference” must
be the exact replica of eachother. Also, the characteristic
impedance of theses leads should match the characteristic
impedance of the test set required for FRA measurements. Test
leads should be verified for the integrity and continuity before
connecting them in the test set up. In situations where
additional winding grounds are used for FRA testing, extreme
care must be taken that the FRA results of such measurements
should not be compared to a reference historical measurements
where additional winding grounds connections were not
incorporated in the test set up. This is done because the FRA
results for both these cases may be quite different owing to the
variations in the grounding configurations. Any analysis or
interpretation on such a comparison is not valid.
III RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERPRETATIONS
ON FRA RESULTS
A. IEC 60076-18 recommendations
IEC 60076-18:2012 particularize the measurement technique
and measuring equipment to be used while performing a
frequency response measurement either on-site or at the
manufacturing place on the transformer which may be new or
in its later stage [12]. The recommendations in this standard
apply to power transformers, phase shifting transformers and
reactors. For Power Transformers this standard specifies the
connection, configuration of the test set up in which the
specified set of measurements is the end to end measurement
for each phase of each winding with all other terminals left
floating [13]. The details about the connection for all type of
windings are given in this standard. One case of such
connection specification is that for a star and auto connected
windings with a neutral terminal, the response lead is
connected to the neutral and the reference and source leads are
connected to the line terminal.
B. CIGRÉ Working Group A2.26
CIGRÉ in 2008 presented the guidelines on the
assessment of the mechanical condition of transformer
winding by Frequency Response Analysis [14]. Several
recommendations for measurement configurations such
as end-to-end (open and short circuit), capacitive inter-
winding, inductive inter-winding and end-to-end short-
circuit measurements to ensure good repeatability and
precision of the test results were specified. There were
test sessions for comparing the accuracy of the
measurement techniques on one transformer in the field
and on one in the manufacturing place. Certain case
studies and modeling results are presented in this guide
to present the expected changes in FRA traces for
standard failure modes in order to validate the
interpretation of differences in responses. This guide
recognizes the approaches that incorporate objective
automatic techniques to compare FRA results (pole-zero
modeling, cross correlation coefficients) and make future
work on such automated interpretation methods [15].

C. IEEE Guide for the application and interpretation of FRA
for transformer
In addition to the recommendations in the IEC standard there
are other vital suggestions in the IEEE guide for the application
and Interpretation of FRA for Oil immersed transformer such as
end-to-end short circuit measurements are recommended in
addition to the end-to-end short circuit measurements. The
recommendations regarding the tap changer position during the
FRA test measurement are also very significant in this guide.
On one hand where IEC specifies measurements with and
without the tap winding in the circuit IEEE recommends that
any fresh measurement tests should be performed only by
keeping the Load tap-changer in extreme position [16].
D. Recommendations for interpretations of FRA as per IEEE
Std C57.149-2012
Two basic strategies for the analysis of FRA results are
deployed in this standard that are; identifying a expected trace
characteristics, and the comparison of a trace with reference
historical results.
• Trace Characteristics Interpretations - Because of low
frequency core effects, main winding effects and short circuit
responses, the FRA trace has a degree of predictability over
certain ranges of frequency that can be utilized to diagnose
fundamental problematic issues in a transformer. Also, owing
to the relationship between different phases and the core,
different configurations of windings show different patterns on
FRA testing. Thus, physical deformations identification can be
brought down to certain specific transformer sections by
understanding the relationship between frequency range and
transformer configuration.
The different types of measurements produce different
wave shapes of characteristic trace. Specific characteristics of
the trace points to certain important insulation degradation and
winding deformation as compared to other types of mechanical
faults. One such indicator is the appearance of the resonance
peak or peaks in the magnitude trace or the loss of such
resonance peaks. On the other hand the increment in the
magnitude of the trace as compared to previous reference trace,
at higher frequencies, is an indication of looseness of winding
structure.
• Effect of type of FRA tests on trace characteristics
Open-circuit tests (OC), short circuit (SC) tests,
capacitive inter-winding, Inductive inter-winding produce
different trace characteristics which can be interpreted in
respective specified ways.
• Open circuit Tests- In the low frequency region the
High-voltage windings display the most recognizable pattern.
At 20 Hz and 5kHz Wye connected windings often show a
single resonance or two tightly placed null resonance. At mid
frequency network impedances of the winding stack is the
dominating parameter. At higher frequency above 500 kHz the
results are confined to the tap winding impedances or tap leads
and displaced turns.
• Short Circuit Tests- The influence of the increased
impedance of the core can be ruled out in this FRA test type
where secondary windings are short-circuited. The result of
such a test configuration is seen in an overall increase in FRA
trace’s magnitude in the low frequency region and also by
more phase angle.
• Capacitive inter-winding- these tests measures the
network impedance between two windings of different voltage
class. This test’s trace shows an varying magnitude as a
function of frequency. As the frequency is increased this test
leads to the formulation of a series of resonances due to the
network impedances between the two windings of different
classes.
• Inductive inter-winding- Voltage ratio between two
winding is measured by this test. The trace in this test shows a
flat magnitude response at lowest frequencies. A series of
resonances are created at higher frequencies that may be
neglected as it falls out of the scope of these test objectives.
E. Trace Comparison per IEEE Std C57.149-2012
This is the fundamental method for FRA tests
Interpretation in which the new measurements are compared to
the baselines and historical data, identical unit tests or tests
between different phases of the same unit. Certain tools and
algorithms that are available for such comparisons, analysis and
Interpretations of FRA tests results are as follows
Figure 2. FRA trace for HV winding at three different times
• Plot Inspection – The FRA transfer function is plotted
and the plot in decibels versus logarithmic frequency known as
Bode plot is displayed and analyzed by skilled professionals.
This type of Bode plot leads to the easier inspection of
resonances due to the simplification of the display of
exponentially changing impedances. The success of this type of
inspection depends upon the selective analysis of the trace
resonances and magnitude/phase angle deviations. Figure 2.
Shows the FRA trace of a 10 KVA power transformer when the
test was performed for a same fault on the HV winding at three
different times. The resonance peaks observed at the
frequencies of 10, 100 and 1000 MHz can be analysed and
interpreted for the fault recognition in the transformer windings.
An approximation of the three traces is shown in Figure 3.,
which could be used as a reference for trace comparison for
future tests.
Figure 3. Approximate FRA trace for HV winding
• Difference plotting- This method considers two traces
for comparative analysis and subtracts one from the other
leading to a difference trace. Now this difference trace may
exhibit traces areas magnitude that deviates from zero
indicating an abnormal phenomenon that leads to specific
analysis for the suspected frequency areas.
• Correlation coefficients- This method also known as
Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation indicates the similarity
between two traces. This type of correlation takes the value
between 1 and -1 and shows if the range of number from the
two traces is random or similar. The more the correlation is
near to 1 the more is the similarity between the two traces. If
the correlation takes the value of -1 it shows inverse relation
between the two traces and zero value indicates complete
randomness. Correlation coefficients are computed by
calculating the Covariance of the two traces. Covariance of the
two traces to be analyzed is mathematically calculated by FRA
softwares for acting as an input to the inbuilt algorithm for
analyzing and interpreting FRA response. Covariance of the
two traces is expressed is given by equation 1 and 2 [16].
Cov (X,Y)= xy (1)
xy = E [(X- Xavg) (Y- Yavg )] (2)
= xy / x y 1 x y (3)
Where
xy is the covariance of the x and y measured values.
E [(X- Xavg) (Y- Yavg )] is the mean of the covariance of the
X and Y variables.
X is trace X and its measured values
Xavg is the mean of the X trace measured values
Y is trace Y and its measured values
Yavg is the mean of the Y trace measured values
is the correlation constant which is greater than or equal to
1 and less than or equal to 1
x, y are the standard deviation of trace x measured values
and the standard deviation of trace y measured values
respectively.
At last, the correlation constant is computed by dividing the
covariance of the two traces analyzed by the product of the
standard deviation of each trace as given in equation 3. This
step normalizes the covariance for each trace.
• Baseline data- By recording a FRA response for a
commissioning test conducted on the transformer unit when it
is manufactured and filled with oil in the factory, the baseline
FRA measurement can be formulated. This baseline
measurement can also be formulated by routine test for in-
service transformers but this baseline data should have a high
reproducibility. Now the response recorded before and after
the transformer relocation should coincide. If residual
magnetism is present in the transformer then at lower
frequency the trace could be a little offset, thus this response
comparison can be neglected. At higher frequencies if the
temperature difference between two tests is large then it can
cause some discrepancies in the FRA response comparison.
• Similar Units- The FRA response of two
transformer units manufactured by the same manufacturing
factory of same brand, may differ if the two units are
purchased at two different timings at a gap of a year or so
during which the manufacturing utility might have
incorporated slight modifications in the design of the
transformer. The best way is to plot the FRA response of more
than one identical units (say for example four single phase
transformer) on the same graph and analyze the results. All
tests on identical units must be performed with same
positioning of the tap changers.
• Phase- In phase comparison using FRA the
tests should be performed at a very young age of the
transformer unit in order to set the benchmark measurement
response for reference. Owing to different flux paths related
with each phase, the FRA response of the central phase differ a
lot with respect to other two phases where as the FRA response
of the outer two phases might be similar. The core affects the
FRA response at lower frequency but at higher frequencies the
core effects are negligible. Since, in different connection
schemes, all the three winding phase of the transformer are at
different distances from the neutral (for example in Wye
windings connection) LTC Thus, since spacing of the windings
differ so as the test leads length which in turn affects the
transfer function of each winding measurement. Thus the
overall phase response of FRA tests depends upon the physical
size and configuration of the transformers components
associated with the test set up. One of the interesting fact to be
considered is that if there is no identical units for FRA
response comparison and also there is no baseline reference
response data available then an comparison between FRA
responses of different phases of same transformer unit can
serve the purpose of interpretation and diagnosis.
IV. CONCLUSION
The above discussed standards and recommendations published
by different international working agencies in their guides
provides a benchmark for all the engineers involved in the
interpretation of the Frequency Response Analysis for power
transformers. Following the these recommendation in the FRA
test procedures and thereafter in analysis and interpretations of
FRA responses will lead to more accurate diagnosis of the
mechanical faults associated with transformer components like
winding or core etc. in case of component faults or short circuit
incidence. Thus, more precise preventive or corrective
measures can be taken in time to save transformer that acts as
the backbone of power transmission infrastructure.
V. REFERENCES
[1] Zhongdong Wang; Jie Li; Sofian, D.M., "Interpretation of
Transformer FRA Responses— Part I: Influence of Winding
Structure," Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on, vol.24, no.2,
pp.703, 710, April 2009.
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www05.abb.com/global/.../1zba004509-001_advanceddiagnostics.pdf
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response analysis,” IEEE Elect. Insul. Mag., vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 16–22,
Apr. 2003.
[4] J. Christian and K. Feser, “Procedures for detecting winding
displace- ments in power transformers by the transfer function
method,” IEEE Trans. Power Del., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 214–220, Jan.
2004.
[5] N. Al-Khayat, L. Haydock, and G. McDowell, “Swept frequency
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