Life Cycle Management of Power Transformers Using Transformer Protection Relay
Life Cycle Management of Power Transformers Using Transformer Protection Relay
Life Cycle Management of Power Transformers Using Transformer Protection Relay
)
- Transformer thermal overload management (49-1 to 49-12)
- Adaptive Overcurrent (51ADP
)
- Through Fault Monitor (49TFM
)
Figure 4. Transformer Protection Relay with Asset Management Functions - Line Diagram
4.1 Transformer Overload Early Warning System
Overload Early Warning is invaluable to help a system control operator take action that reduces load on the
transformer before it enters into overload condition. This feature automatically follows all guidelines in the
IEEE Guide for Loading Mineral-Oil-Immersed Transformers [1], which includes: planned loading beyond
nameplate rating, long-time emergency loading, and short-time emergency loading.
These IEEE specifications are based on the premise that it is equally acceptable to overload a transformer lightly
for a long time, as it is to overload heavily for a short time. Basic principle relies on the fact that different
103 - 3
overload scenarios should result in the same loss of life of insulation for any one overload occurrence.
The recommended equation to calculate the rate of loss of life is: F
AA
= e
(15000/383 - 15000/(
H
+273)
Where: F
AA
is the rate of ageing,
H
is the hot spot temperature in degrees Celsius.
The Normal or Design condition is a hot spot temperature of 110
o
C, at which the life of the cellulose insulation
is assumed to be 20,5 years.
Incidentally, the reason that the actual lifetime of transformers is longer than 20,5 years is that they are usually
loaded well below 110
o
C in the early part of their service life, as well as at night. Under extreme conditions, it is
expected a transformer will be overloaded.
When the effect of one load cycle or cumulative aging effect of a number of load cycles is greater than the aging
effect of continuous operation at rated load over the same period of time, the insulation deteriorates at a faster
rate than normal. As a guide, an average loss of life of 1% per year or 4% in one emergency operation is
considered reasonable by some.
Effectively, a transformers can be loaded to 80% of their full load indefinitely, given the ambient does not
exceed 50 degrees Celsius. To ensure a transformer does not have a loss of life, a short time overload can exist
if the loading and the ambient temperature will provide adequate cooling.
Load Management Based on Hot Spot Temperature and Winding Load Current allows for having:
- Predictive overload warning system
- Operator to take action BEFORE transformer enters into overload condition (Planned Loading beyond
nameplate, Long-time Emergency Loading, Short-time Emergency Loading)
- Different load scenarios that result in the Same Loss of Life (of insulation) for any one overload occurrence
Excessive Hot Spot Temp
Excessive Loss of Life
30 min or 15 min warning
and trip output if HS or
LoL limits are exceeded
Excessive Hot Spot Temp
Excessive Loss of Life
30 min or 15 min warning
and trip output if HS or
LoL limits are exceeded
Figure 5. Excessive Loss of Life Warning
Transformer overload early warning system (TOEWS
hs
160
155
140
135
Priority
Highest
Lowest
110 (normal)
180 (limit)
Top Oil
Transformer
1
2
3
4
T-PRO...
Block tapchanger if I > 2.0 pu
Prevent load restoration if
hs
> 150
Alarm if
hs
> 130
I
Ambient
...calculates
hs ,
the hot spot temp.
hs
160
155
140
135
Priority
Highest
Lowest
110 (normal)
180 (limit)
Top Oil
Transformer
Figure 6. 49-1 to 49-12 Thermal Overload Modules
Figure 7. Thermal Overload Protection Logic Diagram
Transformer loading or shedding can be automatically accomplished by monitoring the load and selectively
tripping loads to bring the transformer within an acceptable range of operation. Automatic operation of load
shedding would relieve an operator of the task of performing a calculation of an overload or loss of life
condition. In most cases, however, the operator will want to make the decision on whether or not to shed load to
prevent a loss of life to a transformer.
4.3 Adaptive Overcurrent Protection
The pick-up setting for an inverse-time overcurrent element is the current above which the relay operates to
remove a transformer from service if that value of current has been exceeded for a long time (many minutes).
There are some elements, such as a tap-changer, where this is a valid criterion, but if a user opts for insulation
loss of life as the criterion, then the ambient temperature is also a factor. With this scheme activated, the pick-up
current automatically tracks the ambient temperature and adjusts the pick-up current upwards in cold weather
and downwards in hot weather.
For cold and hot weather and in-between, an Ambient Temperature Adaptive Overcurrent function (51ADP
)
uses insulation loss of life criterion [4], and automatically adjusts pick-up current. The algorithm is based on
ambient temperature, user-entered multiplier of normal loss of life and standard equations [1], with execution
rate 1 per second.
4.4 Through Fault Monitor
The purpose the Trough-Fault Monitor function (49TFM