Dielectric spectroscopic measurements on transformer oil-paper insulation under controlled laboratory conditions

For reliable operation of power transformers, the condition of the insulation system is essential. This paper reports on a detailed study of the effect of ageing, temperature and moisture on frequency and time domain spectroscopic measurements carried out on oil-impregnated pressboard samples as well as on a distribution transformer under controlled laboratory conditions. Because field measurements are generally performed after de-energizing the transformer, extreme care is required in interpreting the results due to inherent temperature instabilities. To avoid large thermal variations that may affect the results, a customized adiabatic room was built around the transformer for measurements above the ambient. Capacitance ratio and direct current conductivity deduced from the spectroscopic measurements, helped to interpret the data. Because, low frequency measurements techniques are time consuming, alternative to a transfer of time domain data into frequency domain data was investigated.