An innovative solution to assess the Reliability of Transformers by Integrated Transformer Health Monitoring Cox Randy1, Trevor Knuist1, Kommu Rajagopal1, Joshi Y. V.2, Chavda A.J.2, Satani R.P.2, Solanki H. D.2 1GE Renewable Enegry, USA, UK 2Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited, India Online published on 16 June, 2021. Abstract A Transformer is one of the most critical assets in a substation. Any unscheduled outage of the transformer due-to its fault / failure can be lengthy, resulting in significant revenue losses to the utility. Therefore, determining the-existing condition and analyzing the risk of failure of power transformers by proactive monitoring & diagnostics approach is very much essential to prevent any such outages. Online Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is a powerful technique to monitor the health of the transformer round the clock. An innovative solution has been introduced for integrated transformer health monitoring by correlating the data of online DGA, thermal data from RTDs and Electrical data obtained from the protection relay. The key feature of this solution is that it-captures gas values and transformer electrical parameters during different loading conditions, faults, tripping, transformer tap positions, etc. and generates integrated health report containing pre-fault and post-fault records, energization records as well as historical records (learned data records) of electrical, thermal and DGA data (operating history). Thus, the solution enables monitoring of transformer health from different perspectives by-gathering and correlating electrical, thermal and DGA data from the transformer in a single platform and gives early warning of potential problems before they become critical transformer failures. This paper describes the implementation of the solution as a pilot project in an actual system at GETCO, Gujarat, India. It presents-how the innovative approach helped in gaining deeper insights into the impact of different system parameters, operating conditions and electrical events on transformer health. It also highlights some of the key takeaways from this pilot project such as getting more accurate indicators for repair and maintenance of the transformer and shows how it helped the utility to decide how long the transformer can be continued in service as well as-when to take the transformer out of service at the first available opportunity for inspection and repair, and avert the failure of the transformer. The paper also briefly discusses on how the integrated monitoring approach can be applied for condition-based management of a fleet of transformers. Top Keywords Online, Dissolved Gas Analysis, Monitoring, Diagnostics, Integration, Approach, Correlation. Top |