Shigekatsu Sato

A diagnostic method based on RVM (return voltage measurement) for condenser bushings with oil–paper insulation systems

The bushing of a transformer is one part of the transformer system, but is as vital as the transformer itself because it forms a part of the main circuit. Deterioration and abnormal condition of the bushing possibly cause its destruction, shortage of the main circuit to the Earth, and fire in the systems, so that diagnosis of the bushings is thus very important. At present, mainly visual inspection from outside of the bushing is carried out. Inspection of the inside condition of the bushing by dissolved gas analysis of the inside oil is done only as sampling for selected bushings because it is difficult due to the sealed construction of the bushings. Therefore, a simple diagnostic method for bushings has been expected for a long time. In Eastern Europe, the RVM (Return Voltage Measurement) method based on scanning the polarization spectra was applied to the oil–paper insulation systems inside the transformer as a diagnostic method. In this paper we investigate theoretically the principle of the RVM method applied to bushings with the same oil–paper insulation systems as the transformer by using the equivalent circuit, and the possibility of using this novel diagnostic method for condenser-type bushings is demonstrated by a model experiment.