Electrical Diagnosis Techniques for Power Transformers: A Comprehensive Review of Methods, Instrumentation, and...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Condition Monitoring

Background:

• Power transformers are critical components in electrical grids, requiring robust condition assessment.
• Traditional diagnostic methods are well-established, but advancements are continuously sought.
• Early detection of faults is crucial to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure grid reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of electrical diagnostic techniques for power transformers.
• To detail instrumentation, principles, applications, advantages, and limitations of each method.
• To highlight emerging trends, including hybrid approaches and AI in fault detection.

Main Methods:

• Review of established electrical diagnostic techniques: frequency response analysis, partial discharge testing, dielectric dissipation factor (tan delta), DC insulation resistance, polarization index, transformer turns ratio test, recovery voltage measurement, polarization-depolarization currents, frequency domain spectroscopy, breakdown voltage testing, and power factor/capacitance testing.
• Exploration of less-common techniques from the past decade.
• Analysis of emerging trends such as hybrid diagnostic approaches and AI-driven data analytics.

Main Results:

• Detailed examination of the principles, instrumentation, applications, pros, and cons of various diagnostic methods.
• Identification of a growing trend towards integrated diagnostic strategies.
• Highlighting the increasing role of artificial intelligence in analyzing diagnostic data for enhanced fault detection.

Conclusions:

• The study offers a structured reference for researchers and professionals in power transformer diagnostics.
• It emphasizes the evolution towards sophisticated, data-driven diagnostic approaches.
• Future research directions are outlined, promoting advancements in transformer condition assessment.