Science and Technology article citation info:
IntroductionLarge power transformers are the most critical component in electric power systems, as they are essential in maintaining a reliable supply of electric energy. There are many factors which cause a transformer malfunction, but those, which can potentially lead to catastrophic failure are winding damages (due to short-circuit, lightning, and other over-voltages) and insulation system failure (moisture, thermal aging, partial discharges). The damage from a catastrophic transformer failure may run into tens of millions of dollars [16]. To avoid such a scenario, power utilities are moving towards continuous transformer condition monitoring, based on dissolved gas analysis and acoustic emission (AE) or electromagnetic (HF/VHF/UHF) partial discharge detection.According to the newest research results and analyses presented by the experts of the CIGRE Working Group A2.37, in the technical brochure 642: Transformer Reliability Survey, the main reason of breakdowns of high voltage power transformers is damage to the windings and the main insulation system [3]. Mechanical defects in the form of winding deformations (axial displacements and radial deformations) and deterioration of insulation properties associated with thermal aging processes [6], can lead to the initiation of the partial discharge (PD) phenomena occurrence.In recent years, in the electric power industry and research centres, a trend consisting in developing and implementing advanced
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