Online Transformer Internal Fault Detection Based on Instantaneous Voltage and Current Measurements Considering Impact of Harmonics

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of a recently proposed online transformer internal fault detection technique and examines impact of harmonics through detailed nonlinear simulation of a transformer using three-dimensional finite element modelling. The proposed online technique is based on considering the correlation between the instantaneous input and output voltage difference (ΔV) and the input current of a particular phase as a finger print of the transformer that could be measured every cycle to identify any incipient mechanical deformation within power transformers. To precisely emulate real transformer operation under various winding mechanical deformations, a detailed three-dimensional finite-element model is developed. Detailed simulations with (non)sinusoidal excitation are performed and analysed to demonstrate the unique impact of each fault on the ΔV-I locus. Impact of harmonic order, magnitude and phase angle is also investigated. Furthermore, practical measurements have been performed to validate the effect of winding short circuit fault on the proposed ΔV-I locus without and with the impact of system harmonics.