The subject of this thesis is to study the mechanical integrity and performance of insulation materials used in power transformers under short circuit conditions. There are a number of methods to calculate short circuit forces in the literature. These methods were developed to determine the magnetic properties related to the short circuit condition and cannot be used in the open circuit condition due to the assumption of infinitely permeable core. To this end, a new solution strategy is introduced which is able to calculate magnetic properties of power transformers both in open circuit and in short circuit conditions. A solution was derived utilizing transform techniques and multiple connected permeable regions can now be solved. Mechanical failure modes of transformer winding are presented and new solution methods are introduced for some failure modes. Dynamic representation of the transformer winding is achieved by treating the winding turn by turn. Particular attention is given to stress calculations of Continuously Transposed Cable (CTC) and resin bonded CTC. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique maps the strain distribution on the test specimen and the strain distribution can be extracted at any cross section of interest. 3‐D DIC technique is used to determine the response of transformerboard material under tensional and bending loads and material properties are determined. It is also shown that the DIC method provides much more accurate results compared to strain gauges due to its manufacturing technique. DIC results are used to determine material properties related to both tensional and bending type loading conditions. Resin laminate wood is also compared to transformerboard. Viscoelastic properties of transformerboard are examined. Because a short circuit event is dynamic in nature, storage and loss modulus of transformerboard are determined as a function of temperature and frequency under cyclic loading conditions. Conventional creep test setups cannot be used for transformerboard. A test setup is designed to measure creep curves of transformerboard. The test setup measures the creep curves both in oil and in air and the displacements are recorded automatically. Tests are performed at a wide range of temperatures encountered in real service conditions of transformerboard material. The developed method can be introduced in PC codes to determine the magnetic properties related to the magnetic field. Also the method can be used to determine turn to turn or disc to disc mutual inductances of a transformer. Electromagnetic forces calculated with the introduced method are also more accurate than the methods developed earlier. Methods to calculate mechanical stresses acting on transformer components are also reviewed and new solution techniques for some failure modes are developed. Mechanical performance of insulation materials under tension and bending type loadings are measured and monitored using DIC technique. Finally, time dependent material properties of the transformerboard under constant and cyclic loading conditions are determined. Both analytical and experimental techniques are utilized to determine the material properties of the transformer components and their behaviour under different loading conditions. New solution techniques are developed and the material behaviour of the insulation materials under different loading conditions is determined. With the data obtained and solutions developed, mechanical stress calculations of the power transformer components can be made more accurately.

No description available.

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The Current Source Inverter (CSI) is one of the simplest power converter topologies that can convert DC to AC and feed power generated from photovoltaic (PV) cells into the AC grid with a single power conversion stage over the whole PV voltage range. The CSI also provides smooth DC current which is one of the requirements of the PV cells as well as preventing reverse current using unidirectional switches. However, the CSI operates with low efficiency at lower PV voltages, which is where the PV cells produce maximum output power. This low efficiency is caused by large differences in voltage levels between the PV side and the grid side across the converter. This thesis presents an alternative topology to the three-phase CSI by connecting an AC capacitor in series with each AC phase line of the CSI circuit. The presence of the series AC capacitors in the CSI topology allows the AC voltage levels to be adjusted to match the voltage levels of the PV cells. Therefore, the CSI with series AC capacitors is able to operate with optimal DC-AC voltage levels. Performance of the proposed topology is evaluated in comparison to the standard CSI and five other converter topologies based on transformerless circuit concepts selected from those already available in the market and suitable converters discussed in the literature. All converter topologies were modeled and simulated with the SABER simulation software package. The CSI with series AC capacitors prototype was constructed in order to validate the feasibility of the proposed topology and the performance of the proposed topology in comparison to the standard CSI. Simulation results show that the CSI with series AC capacitors provides improved efficiency and better input/output power quality in comparison to the standard CSI. The proposed topology also achieves the lowest output line current distortion, lowest voltage stress across the circuit components and lowest estimated cost of power semiconductors when compared to all considered topologies. Experimental results are also presented to validate the simulation results.

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Οι μετασχηματιστές αποτελούν ένα από τα σημαντικότερα στοιχεία ενός Συστήματος Ηλεκτρικής Ενέργειας. Κατά συνέπεια, ο συνεχής έλεγχος της σωστής λειτουργίας, της απόδοσης, των καταπονήσεων και των απωλειών των μετασχηματιστών είναι ζωτικής σημασίας. Στην παρούσα διπλωματική, ύστερα από μια εκτενή αναφορά στους μετασχηματιστές και στα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά τους, επικεντρωνόμαστε στις απώλειες, την προστασία καθώς και το διαγνωστικό έλεγχο των μεγάλων μετασχηματιστών ελαίου. Τέλος αναφέρουμε, από τα δεδομένα και τα συμπεράσματα μας, ποια είναι η πιο συχνά χρησιμοποιούμενη διαγνωστική μέθοδος, καθώς και πως μπορεί να επιτευχθεί για μεγαλύτερη ασφάλεια και αξιοπιστία, σε συνδυασμό με χαμηλό κόστος. Κεφάλαιο 1: Αναφέρεται, αρχικά ο ρόλος των μετασχηματιστών, για την κατανόηση του περιγράφονται οι αρχές λειτουργίας και τα κατασκευαστικά του στοιχεία. Στην συνέχεια επικεντρωνόμαστε στην περίπτωση που η γραμμή μιας εκ των τριών φάσεων τροφοδοσίας του μετασχηματιστή διακόπτεται. Αναλύουμε τα διαδοχικά βήματα προσδιορισμού των τάσεων του δευτερεύοντος τυλίγματος και κατά συνέπεια τον προσδιορισμό της φάσης του πρωτεύοντος που δεν τροφοδοτείται με τάση. Κεφάλαιο 2: Αναφέρονται οι απώλειες και τα προβλήματα των μετασχηματιστών που προκύπτουν εξαιτίας κάποιων σφαλμάτων κατά τη λειτουργία τους ή απλά με την πάροδο των ετών. Τονίζεται η σημασία της μόνωσης των μετασχηματιστών σε σχέση με τη λειτουργική τους κατάσταση και της διάρκειας ζωής τους. Κεφάλαιο 3: Παρατίθενται και αναλύονται οι πιο διαδεδομένες μέθοδοι για την παρακολούθηση και τη διάγνωση σφαλμάτων στους μετασχηματιστές. / Transformers are very important elements of the power grid. Consequently, the continuous observation of their proper functioning, their attribution, and their losses is vital. In this thesis, following an extensive reference to transformers and basic features, losses, protection and diagnostic analysis of large oil transformer are emphasized. Finally, we approached, according to our data and our conclusions, the most commonly used diagnostic method, in order to achieve security and reliability in combination with low cost. Chapter 1: firstly, we mentioned the role of transformers, in order to understand that, we described their operating principles and their component parts. Then we focused if one line of the three phases of AC power, being interrupted. We analyzed the successive steps to determine the voltages of the secondary windings and thus determine the phase of the primary windings which aren’t under voltage. Chapter 2: there are listed the transformer's losses and problems because of the errors, during their operation or just because of the normal aging. Stressed the importance of transformers’ isolation, in relation to their functional status and the duration of their life. Chapter 3: Listed and analyzed the most common methods for observation and fault diagnosis in transformers.

This thesis describes a research investigation into novel designs of high voltage pulse transformers using magnetic insulation, which is the only practicable form of insulation for much of the equipment presently used in ultrahigh voltage pulsed-power work, including transmission lines and plasma opening switches. Although its use in transformers would bring important advantages in both size and weight reductions, a number of seemingly insurmountable problems have however so far prevented this. Two novel arrangements are presented in this thesis: one of these is a 500 kV transformer with self-magnetic insulation, and the other one is a 1 MV 'Tesla' transformer with external magnetic insulation. It is shown that both of these overcome the problems inherent in earlier designs and also offer considerable scope for further development in a number of important areas. It is believed that they represent the first working examples of magnetically-insulated transformers anywhere in the world. Modelling considerations of the transformers developed include both theoretical models and predicted characteristics. The filamentary technique used to describe mathematically the arrangements being investigated involves decomposition of the main conducting components into filamentary elements. The resulting equivalent electrical network includes all the mutual interactions that exist between the different filamentary elements, takes magnetic diffusion fully into account and enables the resistances and self and mutual inductances that are effective under fast transient conditions to be calculated. Theoretical results provided by the resulting mathematical models have been successfully validated by comparison with reliable experimental data. Much of the work detailed in the thesis has already been presented in high quality academic journals and at prestigious international conferences, and a solid theoretical and experimental basis has been laid down for future development and new progress into pulsed power system research.

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η δυναμική εξομοίωση ενός τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή τύπου πυρήνα με συνδεσμολογία τυλιγμάτων Αστέρα(Υ)-Αστέρα(Υ) σε συνθήκες συμμετρικής και ασύμμετρης φόρτισης. Η διαδικασία της εξομοίωσης περιλαμβάνει την κατάστρωση των διαφορικών εξισώσεων που περιγράφουν την λειτουργία του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή, την ομαδοποίηση τους σε Πίνακες και την ενσωμάτωσή τους στον κώδικα εξομοίωσης. Αρχικά γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στους νόμους του ηλεκτρομαγνητισμού πάνω στους οποίους βασίζεται η λειτουργία των μετασχηματιστών ενώ παρουσιάζονται όλα εκείνα τα μαγνητικά μεγέθη τα οποία θα μας χρησιμεύσουν στην συνέχεια της διπλωματικής.. Στη συνέχεια, και αφού παρατεθεί το αναγκαίο θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο, πραγματοποιείται η ανάλυση του μονοφασικού μετασχηματιστή και αναλύεται λεπτομερώς η λειτουργία του. Πολύτιμη βοήθεια στην ανάλυση αυτή προσφέρεται και από την ανάλυση των μαγνητικών κυκλωμάτων. Το επόμενο βήμα είναι η ανάλυση του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή μέσω της οποίας εξάγονται οι σχέσεις που περιγράφουν την λειτουργία του. Προσδιορίζεται ο πίνακας Ld ενώ καταστρώνονται οι καταστατικές εξισώσεις και ομαδοποιούνται σε πίνακες. Τέλος, πραγματοποιείται η εξομοίωση του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή μέσω της οποίας προκύπτουν παρατηρήσεις και συμπεράσματα για την λειτουργία του. / First of all, there is an introduction in the basic principles of electromagnetism. Then, the analysis of the single-phase and three-phase transformer which can help us to derive the state equations. From the analysis of the magnetic core circuit, we can calculate the incremental matrix Ld. The matrix Ld depends on the topology of the magnetic core. Finally, simulation results and conclusions are presented for the three-phase transformer.

Power transformers are key components of electric system networks; their performance inevitably influences the reliability of electricity transmission and distribution systems. To comprehend the thermal ageing of transformers, hot-spot prediction becomes of significance. As the current method to estimate the hot-spot temperature is based on empirical hot-spot factor and is over-simplified, thermal network modelling has been developed due to its well balance between computation speed and approximation details. The application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) on transformer thermal analysis could investigate detailed and fundamental phenomena of cooling oil flow, and the principle of this PhD thesis is then to develop more accurate and reliable network modelling tools by utilising CFD.In this PhD thesis the empirical equations employed in network model for Nusselt number (Nu), friction coefficient and junction pressure losses (JPL) are calibrated for a wide range of winding dimensions used by power transformer designs from 22 kV to 500 kV, 20 MVA to 500 MVA, by conducting large sets of CFD simulations. The newly calibrated Nu equation predicts a winding temperature increase as the consequence of on average 15% lower Nu values along horizontal oil ducts. The new friction coefficient equation predicts a slightly more uniform oil flow rate distribution across the ducts, and also calculates a higher pressure drop over the entire winding. The new constant values for the JPL equations shows much better match to experimental results than the currently used 'off-the-shelf' constants and also reveals that more oil will tend to flow through the upper half of a pass if at a high inlet oil flow rate. Based on a test winding model in the laboratory, the CFD calibrated network model's calculation results are compared to both CFD and experimental results. It is concluded that the deviation between the oil pressure drop over the pass calculated by the network model and the CFD and the measured values is acceptably low. It proves that network modelling could deliver quick and reliable calculation results of the oil pressure drop over windings and thereby assist to choose capable oil pumps at the thermal design stage. However the flow distribution predicted by network model deviates from the one by CFD; this is particularly obvious for the cases with high flow rates probably due to the entry eddy circulation phenomena observed in CFD. As no experiment validation has been conducted, further investigation is necessary. The CFD calibrated network model is also applied to conduct a set of sensitivity studies on various thermal design parameters as well as loads. Because the studies are on a directed oil cooling winding case, an oil pump model is incorporated. From the studies recommendations are given for optimising thermal design, e.g. narrowed horizontal ducts will reduce average winding and hot-spot temperatures, and narrowed vertical ducts will however increase the temperatures. Doubled oil block washers are found to be able to significantly reduce the disc temperatures, although there is a slight reduction of the total oil flow rate, due to the increase of winding hydraulic impedance. The impact of different loadings, 50%~150% of rated load, upon the forced oil flow rate is limited, relative change below 5%. The correlations between the average winding and hot-spot temperatures versus the load factors follow parabolic trends.

M. Tech. (Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology) -- Vaal University of Technology / This dissertation is devoted to the study of partial discharge evaluation of a high voltage transformer. The 400 V/300 000 V (300 kV) high voltage transformer in the high voltage laboratory was manufactured in 1967. Given the old age of the transformer and the crucial importance of insulation systems, it is vital to assess the condition of its insulation to ensure the effectiveness and the reliability of the transformer as well as the safety of the personnel using it. In order to achieve that, it is important to evaluate the partial discharge in the insulation system as this is the main cause of destruction of insulation. The phase-resolved partial discharge method was the main method used to perform the partial discharge measurements in this research. Partial discharge measurements were performed on a faulty 11 kV voltage transformer. Defects were also created in samples of solid insulation at predetermined locations with different shapes and sizes. The measurements taken on the 11 kV voltage transformer and samples of solid insulation formed a basis to prove the validity of the assessment methods on the 300 kV transformer. Using the method mentioned above, partial discharges were recorded with respect to the phase of the applied voltage with the aid of a commercial instrument which complies with IEC 60270, (ICM monitor - partial discharge detector from Power Diagnostix Systems GmbH). The observations from this study have furthered the understanding of partial discharge processes. The patterns recorded were analysed in order to conclude about the condition of the transformer. From the partial discharge pattern, the type and location of partial discharges were concluded. The patterns obtained from the transformer reveal that the device is healthy and can be operated up to 200 kV.