Stanislaw Gubanski

Dielectric mixtures: electrical properties and modeling

A review of the current state of understanding of dielectric mixture properties, and approaches to use numerical calculations for their modeling are presented. It is shown that interfacial polarization can yield different non-Debye dielectric responses depending on the properties of the constituents, their concentrations and geometrical arrangements. Future challenges on the subject are also discussed.

Frequency response of oil impregnated pressboard and paper samples for estimating moisture in transformer insulation

Knowledge about moisture content in oil impregnated paper insulation is essential when estimating remaining lifetime of power transformers. Direct evaluation of moisture content is rarely possible due to inaccessibility of the internal insulation system in transformers. Therefore, various indirect estimation techniques are utilized. Frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS) measurements of transformer insulation belong to this group. To perform high quality interpretation of results of FDS measurements a good knowledge on dielectric responses in oil impregnated pressboard and paper is required, especially as it refers to their variation with water content and temperature. The aim of this paper is to provide an open access to the frequency domain spectra of oil impregnated paper and pressboard samples, which can then be used in modeling of the results of diagnostic measurements in power transformers.

Dielectric relaxation in dielectric mixtures: Application of the finite element method and its comparison with dielectric mixture formulas

In this article, the frequency dependent dielectric properties, e(ω), of an “ideal” binary composite structure were investigated by using the finite element method in the frequency domain. The material properties of the phases, i.e., dielectric permittivity, e, and direct-current conductivity, σ, were assumed to be frequency independent. Moreover, the inclusion phase was more conductive than the matrix phase. The inclusions were infinitely long unidirectional cylinders which could be assumed to be hard disks in two dimensions in the direction perpendicular to the cylinder direction. Three different inclusion concentration levels were considered, e.g., low, intermediate, and high. The calculated dielectric relaxations were compared with those of the dielectric mixture formulas in the literature and it was found that there were no significant differences between the formulas and the numerical solutions at low inclusion concentration. Furthermore, the obtained responses were curve fitted by the addition of t...

High-Frequency Modeling of Power Transformers for Use in Frequency Response Analysis (FRA)

This paper presents an advanced model of the frequency response of a three-phase power transformer for use in conjunction with diagnostic measurements by the method of frequency response analysis (FRA). The model includes high- frequency behavior of the laminated core and the insulation through taking into account the frequency dependencies of the complex permittivity of insulation materials (paper, pressboard, and oil) and of the anisotropic complex permeability of magnetic core and conductors. A lumped parameter circuit model is used to simulate the frequency response of open-circuit impedance, short-circuit impedance, and impedance between primary and secondary windings, in which the characteristics of circuit elements are calculated by means of the finite-element method. The effect of correct representation of each circuit element on the FRA response is analyzed and discussed in comparison to measurement results on a real transformer.

Exploring possibilities for characterization of power transformer insulation by frequency response analysis (FRA)

This paper explores the possibility for using frequency response analysis (FRA) technique to characterize the quality of transformer insulation. For this purpose, a single-phase and a three-phase lumped parameter circuit models were developed. The single-phase model represents a transformer without a laminated core, whereas the three-phase model represents a real transformer with core. Calculations of frequency dependent circuit parameters are presented and the effects imparted on the frequency response by different loss mechanisms (in insulation, in windings and in core) are discussed. The simulations are compared with results of measurements on real objects. It is shown that FRA could be used for insulation diagnostics if the measurements were of high enough quality.

Diagnostic Methods for Outdoor Polymeric Insulators

Composite insulators are considered mature products and a broad range of insulator types is nowadays available, including line insulators, hollow-core insulators and apparatus insulators, for applications ranging from distribution voltages to the highest transmission voltages. This development has created a need to elaborate diagnostic methods and tools for determining the quality of composite insulators. A review on recognized insulator faults and methods for their detection is provided.

Modern outdoor insulation - concerns and challenges

Because modern society is strongly dependent on a reliable power supply, there is an urgent need to develop more reliable high voltage insulators. While porcelain and glass have dominated insulator materials for a long period of time, there is renewed interest in polymeric and semiconducting glaze insulators. This paper provides a brief description of composite insulators, including a discussion of their benefits, aging of housing materials, and brittle fracture phenomenon. The paper also discusses the benefits of using insulators with semiconducting glaze surfaces, and identifies four broad issues that are being addressed by the present research on outdoor insulation.

Leakage current patterns on contaminated polymeric surfaces

This paper presents measurements of low-level leakage current (LC) patterns on naturally aged insulators and artificially contaminated material samples as well as insulaton. A nonlinear be- haviorof the LC has been observed. Possible causes for this behavior are discussed and its rela- tions to surface hydrophobicity and electric stress are described. In addition, neural networks are trained to recognize the LC patterns as well as to estimate their harmonic contents.

Aging of silicone rubber under ac or dc voltages in a coastal environment

Material samples of silicone rubber with known differences in their composition, i.e. different filler content and extra silicone oil added, have been aged at the Anneberg field station on the west coast of Sweden. ac or dc voltage supplied to cylindrical samples at stress levels of 50 or 100 V/mm. The work includes laboratory examination of material changes together with on-site, visual observations and leakage current measurements. Material samplings for the laboratory tests were made after 18 months of electrical aging, which went on for one more year in order to gather further information on the long-term electrical performance of the material. The dominant aging factor was the level of the applied stress, independent of ac or dc voltage. The dc stressed samples showed a higher leakage current and exhibited larger surface degradation compared with samples exposed to ac voltage. The material parameter, an addition of extra silicone oil, initially led to an increase in adhesion of pollutants, whereas the overall performance was improved by the higher suppression of the leakage current related to oligomer diffusion. Samples with lower levels of alumina trihydrate (ATH) exhibited a delayed onset of degradation, but once damaged they degraded more rapidly than the specimens with a higher ATH content. Infrared spectroscopy showed that the ATH was completely consumed at the eroded surface regions. The aging of the surfaces was further assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The low molar mass siloxanes present in the pollution layer were extracted and analyzed by size exclusion chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results indicated that the main degradation factor was thermal depolymerization activated by electrical discharges. Oxidative crosslinking of the silicone rubber, usually attributed to surface close corona discharges, appeared to have played a minor role.

Effect of Core Magnetization on Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) of Power Transformers

This paper presents how the frequency response analysis (FRA) measurements on a transformer can be influenced by magnetization condition of the core. Measurements were performed on two transformers at different magnetization levels to show effects of remanent magnetization in the core due to removal of 3-supply, of relaxation demagnetization and of dc flux on the frequency response of winding impedance. The most important observations were that any sudden change of excitation field (applying or removing magnetization current) yields a slowly varying magnetic relaxation, which causes the impedance to change with time due to magnetic viscosity. Results of diagnostic measurements of transformer winding impedance can therefore depend on the level of remanent magnetic flux appearing in the core limbs after switching-off a transformer. These observations lead to a conclusion that, for avoiding the effects of core magnetization, diagnostic FRA measurements on power transformers should not be performed directly after disconnection from network.