Effect of Stress on Transformer Insulation

Power transformers use Kraft paper as insulation in the electrical windings present in the core, which is immersed in oil. In service, the temperature of the windings of core will go to 75C to 85C. If the transformer is over loaded, then the temperature can exceed upto 100°C causing the cellulose chains in the paper to cleave at an accelerated rate, which results in the degradation of mechanical strength and performance of the insulation. The Degree of Polymerization (DP) will also decrease. If proper action will not take, this can lead to failure of the transformer and disruption to electricity supply and large economic losses to the operating utility. Transformer condition should be maintained because of its importance to electricity network. The life of transformer depends on the life of the oil impregnated paper insulation system to greater extent. Degradation of the cellulose insulation is an irreversible process. After thermal degradation of the paper winding, Furfuraldehyde (FFA) is the chemical compound, which is released into the oil from paper. The concentration of FFA has been directly related to the condition of the paper insulation. In the present paper an experimental investigation has been made to evaluate the degradation of transformer oil contaminated by nano-particles of pine wood under accelerated thermal and electrical stress and results are correlated with breakdown strength, density & interfacial tension of the pure oil. The contaminated oil samples are tested at electric stress of 2.0 kV, 3.0 kV, 4.0 kV & 5.0 kV for 24, 48, 72 & 96 hours simultaneously.