Search

The measurement of water inside a transformer is essential to maintain its reliable operation, as the water content can increase as the transformer ages. This measurement is frequently performed by a utility as a part of its periodic maintenance activities. In this paper, the application of optical fiber sensors as an online method to measure water content of paper inside an operating transformer is presented. There are several advantages of using these sensors, including their size, lightweight, flexibility, multiplexing, no-electromagnetic interference, etc. A unique benefit of fiber optic technology is that sensors can be embedded into the winding structure and operate in areas of high electric field strength. For this work, fiber optic water and temperature sensors are investigated by comparing their measurements to a commercial water activity probe immersed in oil. The study found that the determination of water content by fiber optic sensors compared closely with other techniques, which lead to the conclusion that they can be an effective technology for water measurement in an operational transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of moisture, oxygen, and acidity upon the aging of Kraft and thermally upgraded ("Insuldur®") papers have been studied in detail. The results for Kraft are consistent with the kinetic model and parameters proposed earlier by Emsley et al., and with the principle that moisture promotes acid-hydrolysis by causing carboxylic acids to dissociate. Moisture is released during the aging of Kraft and, hence, its aging is auto-acceleratory. In contrast, Insuldur consumed moisture under the same conditions, aged more slowly, and its aging was less accelerated by added moisture. 2-Furfuraldehyde (2FAL), which is a dehydration product of pentosans and, hence, an index of moisture production, is also released from Kraft during aging, but not from Insuldur. Acids are, however, produced from both types of paper. Theoretical explanations for these findings are proposed, and their practical implications for transformer maintenance are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]