High voltage power transformers are designed to withstand a variety of overvoltages and short circuit forces. Occurrence of these events in a power system is natural, inevitable, and one of the main causes of transformer failure. Therefore, an early and reliable detection of an incipient fault is paramount. To this end, diagnostic testing and condition monitoring, not only enables power utilities in early detection of incipient fault-like conditions, but also is a practical way of optimizing existing assets, lowering operating costs, scheduling maintenance, preventing unplanned outages, etc. and consequently improve efficiency. Over the years, many monitoring and diagnostic methods have evolved. In par- ticular, low voltage impulse and frequency response analysis or transfer function approaches have emerged as useful tools in detecting winding deformations. Literature study reveals that although much has been acclaimed about these methods, advancement in interpretation of acquired data must be rigorously pursued, to facilitate a more meaningful assessment. As a matter of fact, diagnosis (which means interpretation of monitored data) has at-the-most been confined to a mere comparison of two subsequently acquired data sets. This philosophy certainly needs to be improved, to realize the true potential of monitoring/diagnostic tools. Achieving this goal calls for newer impetus. It is natural that there will arise many problems while achieving this goal and they will have to be resolved. Keeping these aspects in mind, the objective of this thesis was aimed at developing Solutions to two specific topics that are closely related to and concern the transformer winding, namely, * An efficient solution to the generalized model of a transformer winding, with no particular limitation on the size of network and number of windings, no restriction on circuit topology and terminal condition, etc. * Propose a method to locate the position, quantum and type of change (i.e. deformation) a model winding undergoes, based on terminal measurements. Details of these approaches are presented in this thesis, which is divided into two parts. 1. A comprehensive analysis of the behaviour of a transformer winding under impulse excitation and its interaction with adjacent windings was until now severely limited, due to the simplifying assumptions imposed (by the existing approaches), like neglecting interaction with neighbouring windings, Ignoring loss, considering only a few sections, etc. thereby rendering the computed results less accurate. A solution considering all these aspects often times results in a very large-sized circuit that needs to be solved. Although circuit simulation software afford iterative solutions, a direct estimation of poles and zeros of any desired network function is not possible. In the first part of the thesis, a novel and closed-form (i.e. analytical) solution based on state space analysis is proposed. It is shown, how the renders the entire computation to be purely numeric. Thus, time-consuming symbolic manipulations are avoided. With this feature, there is practically no limit on the size of network and no restriction on circuit topologies that can be considered. So, virtually any number of windings of a transformer can be considered, permitting a comprehensive analysis of winding behaviour and its interactions. Further, the formulation also permits computation of poles and zeros of any desired network function (e.g. transfer admittance), response to any excitation (e.g. neutral current, transferred surge), estimation of voltage distribution, etc. with little extra effort. Hence, it would be apppropriate to term the proposed method as a \Generalized" solution. For the sole purpose of demonstration, a large-sized network (representing a two-winding transformer with 250 sections/winding) was solved and required only 700 seconds. This shows the time-efficiency achieved, and also that it is free from issues like numerical instability, convergence problems, etc. encountered in some of the existing methods. 2. Detection of mechanical deformation in transformer windings can be achieved with a fair degree of sensitivity using frequency response methods. However, a major challenge that has remained elusive is ascertaining the \extent of damage" and likewise \its location along the winding". It is needless to say that finding these answers is crucial. Ideally, a diagnosis tool is expected to be endowed with powers to answer these questions. Therefore, it is desirable to explore alternative ways of harnessing these embedded features, if any. This was the next motivation. Obviously, a direct solution to this problem on an actual transformer winding is far too complex. Hence, in this preliminary effort a solution was attempted considering a model winding. However, care was taken to incorporate other winding-related nuances as far as practicable. The method was formulated based on quantities measured at the terminals. In the second part of the thesis, a novel algorithm is proposed for determining the location, extent and type of changes intrroduced in a model winding, based on terminal measurements. It employs the well-known properties of driving-point functions and adopts an iterative circuit synthesis approach. From knowledge of the measured short-circuit and open-circuit natural frequencies, and some relevant winding design data, an equivalent circuit was synthesized (called reference circuit). Next, changes were introduced at different locations in the model winding and natural frequencies measured again. Corresponding to every new set of measured natural frequencies, a fresh circuit was synthesized (with topology remaining unchanged). A comparison of these circuits with the reference circuit revealed that a mapping could be established between changes introduced in the model winding and those predicted by the synthesized circuits. Initially, the underlying principle is discussed, and thereafter, the experimental results are presented for both continuous-disc and interleaved winding representations. The case studies involved examples wherein changes in the model winding were made to elements connected to a single tap, two physically different tap positions, multiple changes to different elements, and so on. In all cases, the positions of all the `changes' were reasonably well locatable, and so was the `type of change'. The results were very encouraging. In summary, localization of changes based on terminal measurements, is shown to be a possibility. Lastly, it is conjectured that these findings could be of some assistance in addressing the ultimate task of locating mechanical deformations in actual transformer windings.

Sendo as interrupções, os afundamentos de tensão e as sobretensões distúrbios de Qualidade de Energia Elétrica (QEE) com potencial de grande impacto econômico, estudos que procuram alternativas de mitigação de seus efeitos ou prevenção de sua ocorrência têm sido amplamente realizados nas últimas décadas. Uma das metodologias de avaliação de sua ocorrência é realizada pela predição, que geralmente se concentra em simulações de faltas em parcelas de sistemas elétricos de potência. Nos Procedimentos de Distribuição de Energia Elétrica no Sistema Elétrico Nacional (PRODIST), encontra-se a denominação geral de Variações de Tensão de Curta Duração (VTCD) para estes três tipos de distúrbios, os quais podem ser classificados tanto por sua magnitude quanto por sua duração. Nesse contexto, este trabalho avalia pela predição a influência exercida pela conexão e o aterramento do neutro de transformadores trifásicos nas quantidades de VTCD, especialmente de afundamentos de tensão, e no valor do índice Fator de Impacto (FI) do PRODIST, que são observados em um nó com conexão a um consumidor industrial Realizam-se estudos de caso sobre um sistema de potência simulado no software Alternative Transients Program (ATP), o qual possui dois transformadores em sua rede: um transformador da subestação e outro na entrada do nó do consumidor industrial. Consideram-se duas conexões possíveis para o transformador de entrada, e aplica-se uma resistência de aterramento para o neutro de ambos os transformadores em cada caso, alteram-se o seu valor. Verificam-se as tensões no nó do consumidor industrial de duas formas diferentes: tensões fase-terra e tensões fase-fase. Observa-se, assim, que há diferenças para estas quantidades e para o valor do FI devidas à forma de conexão do transformador de entrada, valor da resistência de aterramento de neutro de ambos os transformadores e formas de verificação das tensões. / Since interruptions, voltage sags and overvoltages are Power Quality (PQ) disturbances with great economic impact potential, studies that seek alternatives to mitigate its effects or to prevent its occurrence have been done widely in the last decades. One of the methodologies to assess its occurrence is performed by prediction, which usually focuses on power systems fault simulations. In the Brazilian norm of PQ, there is the general designation short duration voltage variation (VTCD) for these three types of disturbances, which are classified both in terms of magnitude and duration. In this context, this work assess by the prediction the influence of three-phase transformers winding connection and neutral grounding in the quantities of VTCD, especially voltage sags, and in the index value Impact Factor (FI) of the Brazilian regulation standard, which are observed in a node with connection to an industrial consumer. The case studies are performed on a simulated power system in the Alternative Transients Program (ATP), which has two transformers in its network: one substation transformer and another at entrance of the industrial consumer node. Two possible winding connections are considered for the entrance transformer, and a ground resistance is applied to the neutral of both transformers in each case, being changed their value. Voltages in the industrial consumer node are verified by two different ways: phase-to-ground voltages and phase-to-phase voltages. It is observed that there are differences for these quantities and for the value of the FI due to the winding connection of the entrance transformer, the value of the neutral ground resistance of both transformers and the ways of voltage verification.

Sendo as interrupções, os afundamentos de tensão e as sobretensões distúrbios de Qualidade de Energia Elétrica (QEE) com potencial de grande impacto econômico, estudos que procuram alternativas de mitigação de seus efeitos ou prevenção de sua ocorrência têm sido amplamente realizados nas últimas décadas. Uma das metodologias de avaliação de sua ocorrência é realizada pela predição, que geralmente se concentra em simulações de faltas em parcelas de sistemas elétricos de potência. Nos Procedimentos de Distribuição de Energia Elétrica no Sistema Elétrico Nacional (PRODIST), encontra-se a denominação geral de Variações de Tensão de Curta Duração (VTCD) para estes três tipos de distúrbios, os quais podem ser classificados tanto por sua magnitude quanto por sua duração. Nesse contexto, este trabalho avalia pela predição a influência exercida pela conexão e o aterramento do neutro de transformadores trifásicos nas quantidades de VTCD, especialmente de afundamentos de tensão, e no valor do índice Fator de Impacto (FI) do PRODIST, que são observados em um nó com conexão a um consumidor industrial Realizam-se estudos de caso sobre um sistema de potência simulado no software Alternative Transients Program (ATP), o qual possui dois transformadores em sua rede: um transformador da subestação e outro na entrada do nó do consumidor industrial. Consideram-se duas conexões possíveis para o transformador de entrada, e aplica-se uma resistência de aterramento para o neutro de ambos os transformadores em cada caso, alteram-se o seu valor. Verificam-se as tensões no nó do consumidor industrial de duas formas diferentes: tensões fase-terra e tensões fase-fase. Observa-se, assim, que há diferenças para estas quantidades e para o valor do FI devidas à forma de conexão do transformador de entrada, valor da resistência de aterramento de neutro de ambos os transformadores e formas de verificação das tensões. / Since interruptions, voltage sags and overvoltages are Power Quality (PQ) disturbances with great economic impact potential, studies that seek alternatives to mitigate its effects or to prevent its occurrence have been done widely in the last decades. One of the methodologies to assess its occurrence is performed by prediction, which usually focuses on power systems fault simulations. In the Brazilian norm of PQ, there is the general designation short duration voltage variation (VTCD) for these three types of disturbances, which are classified both in terms of magnitude and duration. In this context, this work assess by the prediction the influence of three-phase transformers winding connection and neutral grounding in the quantities of VTCD, especially voltage sags, and in the index value Impact Factor (FI) of the Brazilian regulation standard, which are observed in a node with connection to an industrial consumer. The case studies are performed on a simulated power system in the Alternative Transients Program (ATP), which has two transformers in its network: one substation transformer and another at entrance of the industrial consumer node. Two possible winding connections are considered for the entrance transformer, and a ground resistance is applied to the neutral of both transformers in each case, being changed their value. Voltages in the industrial consumer node are verified by two different ways: phase-to-ground voltages and phase-to-phase voltages. It is observed that there are differences for these quantities and for the value of the FI due to the winding connection of the entrance transformer, the value of the neutral ground resistance of both transformers and the ways of voltage verification.

Sendo as interrupções, os afundamentos de tensão e as sobretensões distúrbios de Qualidade de Energia Elétrica (QEE) com potencial de grande impacto econômico, estudos que procuram alternativas de mitigação de seus efeitos ou prevenção de sua ocorrência têm sido amplamente realizados nas últimas décadas. Uma das metodologias de avaliação de sua ocorrência é realizada pela predição, que geralmente se concentra em simulações de faltas em parcelas de sistemas elétricos de potência. Nos Procedimentos de Distribuição de Energia Elétrica no Sistema Elétrico Nacional (PRODIST), encontra-se a denominação geral de Variações de Tensão de Curta Duração (VTCD) para estes três tipos de distúrbios, os quais podem ser classificados tanto por sua magnitude quanto por sua duração. Nesse contexto, este trabalho avalia pela predição a influência exercida pela conexão e o aterramento do neutro de transformadores trifásicos nas quantidades de VTCD, especialmente de afundamentos de tensão, e no valor do índice Fator de Impacto (FI) do PRODIST, que são observados em um nó com conexão a um consumidor industrial Realizam-se estudos de caso sobre um sistema de potência simulado no software Alternative Transients Program (ATP), o qual possui dois transformadores em sua rede: um transformador da subestação e outro na entrada do nó do consumidor industrial. Consideram-se duas conexões possíveis para o transformador de entrada, e aplica-se uma resistência de aterramento para o neutro de ambos os transformadores em cada caso, alteram-se o seu valor. Verificam-se as tensões no nó do consumidor industrial de duas formas diferentes: tensões fase-terra e tensões fase-fase. Observa-se, assim, que há diferenças para estas quantidades e para o valor do FI devidas à forma de conexão do transformador de entrada, valor da resistência de aterramento de neutro de ambos os transformadores e formas de verificação das tensões. / Since interruptions, voltage sags and overvoltages are Power Quality (PQ) disturbances with great economic impact potential, studies that seek alternatives to mitigate its effects or to prevent its occurrence have been done widely in the last decades. One of the methodologies to assess its occurrence is performed by prediction, which usually focuses on power systems fault simulations. In the Brazilian norm of PQ, there is the general designation short duration voltage variation (VTCD) for these three types of disturbances, which are classified both in terms of magnitude and duration. In this context, this work assess by the prediction the influence of three-phase transformers winding connection and neutral grounding in the quantities of VTCD, especially voltage sags, and in the index value Impact Factor (FI) of the Brazilian regulation standard, which are observed in a node with connection to an industrial consumer. The case studies are performed on a simulated power system in the Alternative Transients Program (ATP), which has two transformers in its network: one substation transformer and another at entrance of the industrial consumer node. Two possible winding connections are considered for the entrance transformer, and a ground resistance is applied to the neutral of both transformers in each case, being changed their value. Voltages in the industrial consumer node are verified by two different ways: phase-to-ground voltages and phase-to-phase voltages. It is observed that there are differences for these quantities and for the value of the FI due to the winding connection of the entrance transformer, the value of the neutral ground resistance of both transformers and the ways of voltage verification.

Frequency response analysis (FRA) of transformers is universally accepted as a highly sensitive tool to detect deformations in its windings. This is evident from the fact that customized commercial equipment (popularly called FRA or SFRA instruments) are used and recently the IEEE has issued a draft trial-use guide. Nevertheless, use of FRA is still limited to only detection and there is little progress towards its use for localization of winding deformation. Toward this end, a possible approach would be to compare the healthy and deformed systems in a suitable domain, e.g., their respective models could be compared. In this context, the mutually-coupled ladder network is ideally suited because not only does it map the length of the winding to sections of the ladder network, but, also inherently captures all subtle intricacies of winding behaviour under lightning impulse excitations insofar as the terminal response, internal oscillations and voltage distributions are concerned. The task of constructing a ladder network from frequency response is not trivial, and so exploration of newer methods is imperative. A system can comprehensively be characterized by its frequency response. With this as the starting point, many approaches exist to construct the corresponding rational function (in s-domain). But, the subsequent step of converting this rational function into a physically-realizable mutually-coupled ladder network has, as yet, remained elusive. A critical analysis of the circuit synthesis literature reveals that there exists no analytical procedure to achieve this task, a fact unequivocally stated by Guillemin in his seminal book "Synthesis of Passive Networks". In recent years, use of iterative methods to synthesize such ladder networks has also been attempted with some degree of success. However, there exists a lot of scope for improvement. Based on this summary, the objectives of this thesis are as follows- _ Development of an analytical procedure, if possible, to synthesize a mutually-coupled ladder network starting from the s-domain representation of the frequency response _ Construction of a nearly-unique, mutually-coupled ladder network employing constrained optimization technique and using frequency response as input, with time-efficiency, physical realizability and repeatability as its features In Chapter 2, analytical solution is presented to convert a given driving-point impedance function (in s-domain) into a physically-realizable ladder network with inductive couplings (between any two sections) and losses considered. The number of sections in the ladder network can vary, but, its topology is assumed fixed. A study of the coefficients of the numerator and denominator polynomials of the driving-point impedance function of the ladder network, for increasing number of sections, led to the identification of certain coefficients, which exhibit very special properties. Generalized expressions for these specific coefficients have also been derived. Exploiting their properties, it is demonstrated that the synthesis method essentially turns out to be an exercise of solving a set of linear, simultaneous, algebraic equations, whose solution directly yields the ladder network elements. The proposed solution is novel, simple, and guarantees a unique network. Presently, the formulation can synthesize a unique ladder network up to 6-sections. Although it is an analytical solution, there are issues which prevent its implementation with actual FRA data. Keeping the above aspect in mind, the second part of the thesis presents results of employing an artificial bee colony search algorithm for synthesizing a mutuallycoupled lumped-parameter ladder network representation of a transformer winding, starting from its measured magnitude frequency response. The bee colony algorithm is modified by defining constraints and bounds to restrict the search-space and thus ensure synthesis of a nearly-unique ladder network, corresponding to each frequency response. Ensuring near-uniqueness while constructing the reference circuit (i.e., a uniform healthy winding) is the objective. The proposed method is easy to implement, time-efficient, ensures physical realizability and problem associated with supply of initial guess in existing methods is circumvented. Experiments were performed on two types of actual, single, isolated transformer windings (continuous-disc and interleaveddisc) and the results are encouraging. Further details are presented in the thesis.

Frequency response analysis (FRA) has emerged as the de-facto industry standard condition-monitoring tool to assess mechanical integrity of transformer windings during its service life. It the prerequisite detection sensitivity and customized portable commercial instruments are also available. Considering its importance and taking cognizance of its hidden potential, international bodies, viz., IEEE, IEC, and CIGRE have published standards/guides on its use and interpretation. In spite of all the progress witnessed over the past two decades, FRA has still not attained the status of a diagnostics tool. Probing the vast literature and research carried out in this points to the fact that lack of a rigorous mathematical basis to explain the underlying complex processes is, perhaps, one of the main reasons for the present predicament of FRA method. How-ever, it must be acknowledged that domain-knowledge is di cult to generalize in this. Having said that, the diagnostic part, which involves, the task of working back-wards starting from the FRA data to interpret a winding damage, locate it, and assess its severity, has so far remained teasingly elusive. As a consequence, FRA continues to remain as a sensitive condition-monitoring tool. Given its inherent potential, this situation seems to be a paradox, and so, calls for investigations. Once a mechanical damage has been detected by FRA, the next task is to locate its position and estimate its severity. An engineer expects FRA to provide these answers, so that corrective action, if needed, can be determined and initiated. In this context, even though FRA has attained global acceptance as a monitoring tool, it has failed as a diagnostic tool. Therefore, e orts that aim to address this issue are desirable. Driven by this motivation, the author's thesis proposes to explore a new school of thought in this direction, viz., to theoretically analyze the problem of localization of an incipient/minor mechanical damage (displacement in particular) and also assess its severity. Such an investigation seems to have not been undertaken previously. So, the goal is to establish a relationship to capture the complex interactions that exist between specific winding damages, winding parameters, and their overall in hence on the natural frequency deviations observable in the FRA data. Hence, exploring this possibility, subject to the constraint that the proposed method shall use inputs that are measurable at the terminals, becomes the primary objective of this research. In this thesis, a generalized analytical framework for handling winding displacements and FRA data has been successfully formulated. The formulation provides a general platform for localization and severity assessment of true radial and axial winding dis-placements occurring in an actual winding. An analytical solution becomes possible mainly due to manipulation of the system matrix, i.e., to consider the harmonic sum of squares of natural frequencies, instead of just the natural frequencies. This manipulation leads to an elegant closed-form expression that connects the displacement location and its severity, to changes in natural frequencies. For its implementation, short circuit natural frequencies and a few other terminal measurements are the only inputs that are necessary. This formulation is initially used in Chapter-3 to demonstrate localization of radial displacement in an isolated, actual, single, air-cored continuous-disk winding. Armed with this success, the supplicant proceeds further to show (in Chapter-4) how a minor manipulation of the formulation renders it suitable for localization of actual axial displacements as well. Extensive experimental verification was done and the results are encouraging. Accuracy of localization of radial/axial displacement is uniformly good for all positions, and so is the estimation of severity. Further details are presented in the thesis.

This thesis proposes innovative methods to extract information embedded in the frequency and time domain response of the transformer winding, and utilizes them to suggest solutions to a few tasks that have until now been thought difficult, if not impossible, to resolve. Pursuing this philosophy originated from the basic under- standing that the response of any physical system (behaving largely as a linear time invariant system) has embedded information that characterizes it completely. So, the prerequisite is to evolve ways to extract this information from measured responses. Once that is done, a variety of interesting applications can be envisaged. The two applications considered in this thesis are- •Investigate indirect measurement of the series capacitance of a transformer winding using the measured frequency or time domain response •Explore the possibility of increasing the physical resolution of the ladder network used to model a fully interleaved-disk winding In the former application, since direct measurement of series capacitance is impossible, alternatives based on indirect measurement were also not attempted. Similarly, in the latter application, the upper limit is known to be fixed by the number of distinctly observable peaks in the magnitude frequency response, so the question of increasing this limit was also never explored. Solutions to these tasks are proposed after a systematic analysis of frequency/time domain responses of a winding, initially modeled as a lumped parameter ladder network, to extract correlations that exist between them and winding parameters, and finally examine how these relations can be exploited together with the measured responses. Each of the five chapters is dedicated to describe the solution to one task. In each chapter, analytical formulation is presented first, followed by experimental results. Good agreement with the predicted results demonstrates its practicability. In final summary, indirect measurement of the series capacitance of a winding and en- hancing physical resolution of a ladder network model to represent a fully interleaved- disk winding was successfully demonstrated and they are the main contributions of this thesis.

No description available.

Hydropower is the most important power balancing resource in the Swedish electrical power system, regulating the power supply to match the load. Consequently, several hydropower plants have periods of stand-by operation where the power production is absent but where several devices within a plant are still active. Such a device is the step-up power transformer, which during stand-by operation still generates no-load energy losses. These losses can accumulate to a considerable amount of energy and costs during the long technical lifetime of the apparatus. One option to minimize these no-load energy losses is by turning the transformer off when its generating unit is in stand-by operation. However, when this transformer operational change has been explained to experts in the field, the most common response has been that a more frequent reenergizing of a transformer leads to higher risks for errors or transformer breakdowns. This study aimed to analytically investigate three effects from this operational change. First, the potential of fatigue failure for the windings due to the increased sequences of inrush current. Secondly, the thermal cycling as a consequence of change in present losses. Lastly, the energy and economic saving potentials for hydropower plants where this operational adjustment is applied. The study used both established as well as analytical tools explicitly created for this study. These were then applied on currently active transformers in different plant categories in Fortum’s hydropower fleet. The study primarily showed three things. Firstly, risk of fatigue failure due to the increased presence of inrush currents did not affect the transformer’s technical lifetime. Secondly, the thermal cycling changes were slightly larger with absent no-load losses during stand-by operation. The average temperature for the transformer decreased, which in general is seen as a positive indicator for a longer insulation lifetime and thus the transformer’s technical lifetime. Finally, the created frameworks showed the potential of saving energy and money for all plant categories, where the potential grew with the installed production capacity and the stand-by operation timeshare. Despite the simplifications made to describe the complex reality of a transformer operating in a hydropower plant, this thesis contributes to lay a foundation for future investigation of an easy adjustment to avoid unnecessary energy losses and costs for transformers in hydropower plants