Development of a novel dual temperature model for insulation aging in oil immersed transformers

Power transformer is one of the most expensive equipments in a high voltage AC power system. Adequate monitoring system for power transformers can help in reducing the failure rate and thereby enhancing system reliability and economic efficiency. The failure of power transformer has serious consequences on system reliability. Long term and comprehensive testing cannot be done in working transformer, so prorated model of transformer is preferred. In the proposed work, a new dual temperature test cell is developed based on IEC 62332 and IEEE C57.100. The cell provides for a current carrying conductor wrapped with insulating paper and further insulation is provided with high-density pressboard as per arrangements in power transformer. In this paper a new mathematical model is developed using activation energy and preexponential constant calculated from experimental results at different temperatures. The expected life based on degree of polymerization (DP) value, shows nonlinear aging of insulation based on investigation carried out on prorated model.