Development of Upgraded Insulation Paper for Used in Liquid Immersed Transformer

Abstract

Power transformer is one of the most expensive and most efficient equipment in the power system. Like other machines, transformer too has limited life. Generally, in transformers cellulose paper and mineral oil are used in bulk quantity. Power transformers are typically insulated with 12 tonnes (12,192 kg) of paper and 40 tonnes (40,642 kg) of mineral oil. In transformer, oil and paper insulation get degrades under a combination of thermal, electrical, chemical, mechanical, environmental stresses, etc. during its operation. Under the influence of these stresses and in the presence of oxygen and moisture, the insulation deteriorates continuously with aging, eventually leading to failure. The catastrophic failure of transformer can cause serious problems in electric utilities operations such as discontinuation in supply, economic losses etc. So to have a reliable operation of transformer, it is necessary to identify problems at an early stage before a catastrophic failure occurs. The reliable performance of mineral insulating oil and paper in an insulation system depends upon certain basic characteristics, which can affect the overall performance of the power transformer. newline