Dangerous Effects Of Moisture on Transformers life

What do you mean by Transformer Life Span ?

Trafo life span is nothing but life span of Insulation(Cellulose insulation) It Depends on Cellulose bonds between cellulose cells. Cellulose in the paper is made up of glucose molecules strung together in long chains. The longer these polymer chains are, the stronger will be the insulation.

Major sources of moisture in transformer

Residual Moisture in Thick Structure element(Ex: PCPB blocks, End Blocks, Permali wood, core guiding block) Incomplete drying. Ingress of moisture during transportation & erection(poor handling). Poor gasket sealing,poor quality of oil seal. Ageing Decomposition of Cellulose & Oil.

Existence of Water in transformer in different form

Free water at bottom of tank. Water can be in the form of Oil emulsion. Dissolved Water (Can be measured by DGA). Chemically bound Water.

Usual moisture contents as shipped from factory

Avg oil Temp Suggested Max. Water Content in Oil & Corresponding paper moisture when shipped from factory < 69 kV 50 deg C 60 deg C 70 deg C % Water Saturation Paper Moisture 7 ppm 12 ppm 20 ppm 6% 1 % M/DW 69 230 kV 2 ppm 4 ppm 7 ppm 2% 0.5% M/DW >230 kV 2 ppm 4 ppm 7 ppm 2% 0.5% M/DW

Interpretation of absolute saturation of solid Insulation

Percent M/DW Classification

< 0.5 %
>0.5 1.5 % >1.5 2.5% >2.5 4% > 4%

New Trafo
Dry Insulation Medium Wet Insn. Wet Insulation. Very Wet Insulation.

How much water is 1% M/DW?

That depends on the size of the transformer and some other factors. Example:10000 kVA Trafo with 3000 gallons of oil will have approximately 3510 pounds of paper insulation. So, 1% M/DW calculates to 35.1 pounds of water. Thats 4.20 gallons!

Max.Water Solubility in Oil with Increasing Temp as per (IEEE P57.106TM/D5,

Oct.2005)

Oil Temp in C 10

Water Content in Oil PPM 36

30 60
100

83 242
772

What is Relative Saturation ?

Relative Saturation= Water Content in Oil Max. Water Content the Oil can hold at that temp.

How Does Moisture affect the Dielectric System

Time M/DW PPM Temp . Deg C Oil BDV Max. Water Relative Solubility in Saturati Oil on Remarks

11.30 am

1.5%

20ppm 70

50 kV

220 ppm

10%

No Problem

11.30 Pm
11.30 am 11.30 Pm

1.5%

20ppm 50

35 kV
45 kV 35 kV

140 ppm

20%

A bit high
No Problem Very High

1.5%

60ppm 90

>242 ppm

Approx 10% >40%

1.5%

60ppm 50

140 ppm

Example for Loss of Insulation life

% Moisture by Dry Weight(M/DW) 0.5 to 0.75 (New Trafo) 1.5 3 Expected life of Transformer 50 Years
25 Years

12 Years

Degree of Polymerization
DP should be 800-1000 for a brand new transformer. DP will decline as the transformer ages.

Insulation Ageing
Two Processes: Oxidation: will produce carboxylic acids (Ex: formic, acetic, levulinic acid) & water at lower temperature. Hydrolysis: This is due to Carboxylic acids dissociated in water catalyses, which will affect or dominates at higher temperature.

Effects of water on transformer

Dissolved water is a problem for Cold Transformer.(BDV may go upto 0.2 to 0.4 kV/mm which was observed). Bubble evolution is a Problem for Hot Transformer.

EFFECTS OF AGEING OF CELLULOSE

Reduction in paper strength. Reduction of BIL & Short Circuit withstand capability. Reduction in solidity of windings. Reduction in capability of withstanding normal movement & disruption of service life.

Wrong Practices in present days

Measuring the Concentration of water when trafo is out of service or at ambient. At ambient or temperature <= 30 deg C, the concentration of water will be less.

Measurement of Moisture content in Transformer.

Concentration of water in Oil will be high at High temperatures. Sample of Oil to be taken in Hottest period of a day & high temperature. Sample of Oil to be taken in Syringe, in order to avoid contact with atmosphere.

Preventive Action found nowadays

Implementing online moisture sensors.