Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optical Sensing Techniques for Condition Monitoring of Transformer Insulation Material

  • Original Article
  • Published:
INAE Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Non contact optical sensing techniques—probing of surface flashover and probing of laser induced plasma, spectrally and temporally, were used to study the thermal ageing induced degradation of oil impregnated pressboard (OIP) insulation material of transformer. Optical probing of surface flashover discharge, gave parameter values comparable with, flashover discharge current measurements. Optical emission persistence time was increasing with ageing level of the insulation. Optical emission spectroscopy of impulse surface flashover gave atomic emissions from the copper sulphide contaminant, diffused in the OIP material due to ageing. Failed insulation samples showed larger Cu emission intensity. Optical emission intensity during AC, + DC and − DC flashover was used to indicate ageing and to identify initiation and arcing stages of surface flashover. Alternatively, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) indicated neutral Cu emission in the aged OIP material, indicating diffusion of Cu contaminants. Quantitative analysis was performed on OIP samples with surface deposited Cu and thermally aged specimen. A minimum detection limit of 4.5 µg/cm2 was achieved. LIBS plasma persistence time was identified as an alternative tool for understanding ageing level of OIP material of transformer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aparna N, Vasa NJ, Sarathi R, Rajan JS (2014) Feasibility study for detecting copper contaminants in transformer insulation using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Appl Phys A 117(1):281–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartley WH (2003) Analysis of transformer failures. In: International association of engineering insurers 36th annual conference, pp 1–5

  • Bengtsson M, Grönlund R, Lundqvist M, Larsson A, Kröll S, Svanberg S (2006) Remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the detection and removal of salt on metal and polymeric surfaces. Appl Spectrosc 60(10):1188–1191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Z, Ding Z, Shao T, Zhang C (2016) Hydrophobic surface modification of epoxy resin using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet array. IEEE Trans Dielectr Electr Insul 23(4):2288–2293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kramida A, Ralchenko Y, Reader J, NIST ASD Team (2015) NIST atomic spectra database (ver. 5.3). http://physics.nist.gov/asd [2017, May 20]. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD

  • Lin Z, Han W, Xiao H, Wang X, Jia Z (2016) Study of silicone rubber used at external insulation of high voltage with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (libs). In: Power modulator and high voltage conference (IPMHVC), 2016 IEEE international, pp 671–674. IEEE

  • Mavrikakis N, Koudoumas E, Siderakis K, Pylarinos D, Thalassinakis E, Kokkinaki O, Klini A, Kalpouzos C, Polychronaki M, Anglos D (2017) Insulators pollution problem: experience from the coastal transmission system of Crete. In: 52nd international universities’ power engineering conference (UPEC 2017), Heraklion, Crete

  • Scatiggio F, Tumiatti V, Maina R, Tumiatti M, Pompili M, Bartnikas R (2008) Corrosive sulfur in insulating oils: its detection and correlated power apparatus failures. IEEE Trans Power Deliv 23(1):508–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toyama S, Tanimura J, Yamada N, Nagao E, Amimoto T (2009) Highly sensitive detection method of dibenzyl disulfide and the elucidation of the mechanism. IEEE Trans Dielectr Electr Insul 16(2):509–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng N, Yu K-K, Liu G-Q, Zhang G-J (2008) Influence of electrode contacts on flashover characteristics of alumina and PTFE under pulsed voltage in vacuum. In: 2008 23rd international symposium on discharges and electrical insulation in vacuum, vol 1, pp 62–65

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India

    Aparna Neettiyath & Nilesh J. Vasa

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India

    Ramanujam Sarathi

Authors
  1. Aparna Neettiyath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nilesh J. Vasa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ramanujam Sarathi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aparna Neettiyath.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Neettiyath, A., Vasa, N.J. & Sarathi, R. Optical Sensing Techniques for Condition Monitoring of Transformer Insulation Material. INAE Lett 3, 159–166 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41403-018-0045-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41403-018-0045-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation