Digital Energy

05 June 2013, Argentina

Dissolved Gas Analysis & Monitoring
Technology, Products
and applications
GE Monitoring & Diagnostics

June 2013
Donal Skelly
Introduction &
Monitoring
Two factors are important to assess transformers:

Dissolved gas
The change in gas concentration
This may be indicative that there is an active fault. If concentrations are
changing faster than normal aging would result in, a fault may be present.
The change in relative gas concentrations
If gas concentrations or gas concentration changes indicate that there is a fault
a look at the relative concentrations of one gas to an other can be used to
diagnose the nature of the fault

Moisture content
The relative saturation level of moisture in the oil
As a general rule, for every doubling of moisture in oil (and my inference moisture
in the paper) the life of the transformer will be halved. Additionally increased
moisture exposes the transformer to increased risk of short circuit

6/5/2013
Periodic testing
If a customer does not have on-line monitoring the only way to verify a transformer is to
perform periodic off line DGA and moisture analysis. This involves:
Manually collecting 2 separate oil samples from the transformer and ship to a
laboratory.
Wait for analysis (several days normally)
Laboratory GC for analysis of dissolved gas.
Karl Fischer titration for determination of moisture content.

You then compared the
measured values with
the values from previous
tests looking for any
increase and for the
trend of this increase.
Disadvantages of periodic testing:
Periodic testing is not without cost: it takes time, ties up workers and requires
the transformer to be drained of some oil.
Because of the requirement to visit the transformer to collect the sample, tests
are generally carried out only every 1 to 2 yrs.
It is performed on a sample that is normally several days removed from the
condition when the sample was collected resulting in possible loss of sample
integrity.
Significant or even critical transformer faults can develop in a fairly short
period time and in between annual offline tests check. Periodic tests will not
detect quickly progressing problems.

On-line dissolved gas analysis systems can now continuously monitor dissolved
gas content and relative saturation of moisture, detect developing faults at an
early stage, enabling to schedule an outage for maintenance /replacement and
prevent a catastrophic failure from occurring

Why do on line Monitoring
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is the industry defacto standard for
transformer main tank and tap changer health assessment.
Normal paper aging indicated by slow rise in CO2 Accelerated or
abnormal aging indicated by rapid rise in Carbon Monoxide
Local low temperature hot spot indicated by rise in CH4
Local High temperature hot spots indicated by rise in C2H4
Detection of increasing quantities of Acetylene show arching occurring
within transformer.
Rules available to allow for quick and accurate determination of the
presence of a fault and the nature and severity of that fault
Why Dissolved Gas Analysis?
GE Multigas Products - History


o Product line developed by a private company named Kelman
o Kelman looked at all available technology for measurement of gas and for gas
extraction from oil.
o Decision was to employ Infra-red spectroscopy and headspace gas extraction.
Many reasons why.
o All multigas products now based on these two core techniques.
o Kelman went on to dominate the market for multigas DGA were acquired by GE
in 2007
o GE product are now market leader in almost every country global and are overall
global leaded for online monitoring.

GE Multigas DGA Products
TRANSPORT X*
Portable DGA
7 fault gases + moisture
Simple & reliable
TRANSFIX*
Full 8 gas +
moisture on-line DGA
MINITRANS*
Cost-Effective on-line DGA
Discrete gas measurement
(H
2
, CO, C
2
H
2
+ H
2
O)
MULTITRANS*
Full 8 gas multi tank DGA
TAPTRANS*
Full 8 gas on-line DGA for
main tank & LTC in one
unit
All based on Photoacoustic
Spectroscopy and Headspace
gas extraction
Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Photoacoustics - Basics
Photo-acoustic affect discovered by A. G. Bell
Measures individual gas in a mixture without
physical separation.
Spectral domain identification
Photo-acoustic effect quantification
No carrier gases - operates in ambient
environment.

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy - History
1960s environmental monitoring (CO, NOx, SOx)
1970s Operating theatre (Nitrous Oxide, CO2)
1990s Auto and construction industry (Sox, Nox, CO,
CO2, H20, Hydrocarbons)
2000s Dissolved Gas Analysis - KELMAN (CO, CO
2
, CH
4
,
C
2
H
2
, C
2
H
4,
C
2
H
6,
H
2
O)
200,000 PAS based detectors worldwide for all
the above application, and others
There are 7000+ GE PAS instruments worldwide
What is IR

Infrared absorption
Almost every compound in the universe will
absorb IR energy
Every compound in existence has a unique
absorption profile like a finger print.
If we target a region of the IR energy
spectra that is unique for a compound we
can measure its concentration.
For DGA application, compounds are all
simple gases
Photo-Acoustics Basic Components
Radiation Source at
approx 900
o
C.
Chopper pulses radiation
at 29.5hz
Filters optically distinguish
one gas in a mixture.
Sample sealed in analysis
chamber.
Microphones measure
intensity of pressure pulse.
Acoustic Intensity + Filter selected = Gas Concentration (ppm)

Evolution of Photoacoustic Signal
START:
Optical IR
Absorption
Heating of gas
Thermal
expansion of
gas
Pressure
waves
END:
Acoustic
detection
Simple IR Spectrum CO2

Photoacoustic IR Filters
IR-light pulses
Sound wave proportional to gas
concentration
GAS
Photo-acoustic affect
discovered by A. G. Bell
Measures individual gas
in a mixture without
physical separation.
Spectral domain
identification
Photo-acoustic effect
quantification
Employs one detector
and no carrier gases
Operated in ambient
environment.
PAS Layout
DGA Gases Spectra
Simple broad absorption peaks
DGA Gases Spectra
#5 methane CH
4

#0 water
#2 CO
#1 CO
2

#4 ethane C
2
H
6

#6 acetylene
C
2
H
2

# 3 Ethylene
C
2
H
4
LW
# 8 Ethylene
C
2
H
4
SW
Full Spectrum & Filter positions for DGA
IR-active vib modes (rough guide)
#5 methane CH
4

#0 water
#2 CO
#1 CO
2

#4 ethane C
2
H
6

#6 acetylene
C
2
H
2

# 3 Ethylene
C
2
H
4
LW
# 8 Ethylene
C
2
H
4
SW
Full Spectrum & Filter positions for DGA
IR-active vib modes (rough guide)
Where are Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen?
Benefits of PAS
No regular calibration or maintenance required
No costly consumables such as calibration or carrier gases
Capable of measuring at very low detection levels (e.g.
0.5ppm for acetylene) and very high detection levels
(>50,000ppm)
Capable of measuring individual gases in a mixture
Ability to move from high gas levels to lower gas levels
without cross contamination (TRANSPORT X, Tap TRANS
Direct measurement of both CO & CO2, vital gases for
understanding cellulose condition, giving increased
accuracy & repeatability

User Benefits of choosing PAS
Minimal maintenance required so not an O&M
burden with no ongoing support costs of either
parts or labor
Through rugged technology, repeatability is
enhanced this is vital for online monitoring as it
is trend changes we are looking for
Ability to monitor both multiple compartments
(TapTrans) and multiple tanks (MultiTrans)
No requirement for carrier or calibration gases
these can be expensive and difficult to transport

Gas Extraction from oil

Gas Extraction Techniques
No technique allows for measurement of the
gas while it is still a component of the oil.
The gas must be removed from the oil or a
representative sample of it removed prior to
analysis.
After removal the gas is passed to the
detector eg, GC, PAS, solid state sensors etc.
Gas Extraction by online monitoring
equipment
All online equipment use headspace technique
for gas extraction.

C
oil
= C
gas
X Partition Coefficient x Volumetric Ratio

A membrane is a type of headspace extraction
but there Is no volumetric ratio to consider

GE use headspace as laid out in ASTM 3612 : Standard
Test Method for Analysis of Gases Dissolved in Electrical
Insulating Oil by Gas Chromatography.



Transfix Plumbing Basic
Transfix Plumbing Visualisation
TRANSPORT X Schematic
Products
What is it?

An on-line system that continuously
monitors:
The concentration of 9 key gases in the
insulating oil of electrical equipment.
The concentration of moisture in
insulating oil.
Optionally transformer load and tank
temperatures around others

It will alert personnel of fault conditions at
an early stage and provide vital health
information on the transformer or tap
changer.
TRANSFIX
Product Summary
Differentiated Value

An integrated solution from a sole
supplier.
When the TRANSFIX is integrated
with a BMT 300 bushing monitor
unit, GE can offer a unique all-in-one
solution that provides a more in-
depth view of the transformer's
health
Enabling more condition based
maintenance, resulting in reduced
maintenance costs.
What does the TRANSFIX measure
Using separate oil collection and return point for
sampling, TRANSFIX can collect a discreet
representative oil sample up to once every hour for
analysis
DGA: Measurement of 9 key gases
o Hydrogen
o Methane
o Ethane
o Ethylene
o Acetylene
o Carbon Dioxide
o Carbon Monoxide
o Oxygen
o Nitrogen
Oil moisture analysis
o Moisture (ppm)
o Relative Saturation




DGA is measured as follows:
Oil pumped through the TRANSFIX unit, past an oil immersed
Oxygen and Moisture sensor and on to fill a sample chamber to a
predetermined volume. Gas extracted out of sample in sample
chamber and analysis of this gas using a photo-acoustic gas
analyzer
Moisture is measured as follows:
Oil flows over a capacitance moisture sensor and during sampling
and together with oil temperature (if recorded) ppm and RS are
determined
TRANSFIX View of an Installed Unit
TRANSFIX Complete DGA

Real-time Online DGA
8 gas + moisture analyser
Hourly Measurements*
Extensive communication/alarm options
No consumables or calibration
6 Analog Inputs, 3 Digital inputs
Full PERCEPTION integration

Can be upgraded to include fibre optic temperature
sensors

TRANSFIX Technical Specifications
TRANSFIX Technical Specifications
TRANSFIX Technical Specifications
Oil Manifold:
1. Takes oil sample from
Transformer
2. Extracts Gas from oil
PGA:
1. Performs measurement
on extracted gas
System Board:
1. Provision of I/O
2. Provision for communications
modules
Host Board:
1. Controls unit measurement
scheduling
2. Stores records
Simplified Overview of TRANSFIX
MINITRANS is similar - simplified
manifold, PGA & system board
Standard
Two separate channels for remote
communications, local USB
connection and Ethernet connection.
Protocols supported
MODBUS,
MODBUS/TCP,
DNP3.0,
IEC61850.
Modules options available for
connection
RS232, RS485,
Ethernet, PSTN modem and GSM or
CDMA wireless modems.
16 channel 4-20mA analogue output

TRANSFIX Communications options
(All options are mounted inside TRANSFIX enclosure)
Fiber Convertors available
Ethernet to Fiber, Singlemode
Ethernet to Fiber, Multimode
RS232 to Fiber, Singlemode
RS232 to Fiber, Multimode
RS485 to Fiber, Singlemode
RS485 to Fiber, Multimode
TRANSFIX Communications options
(All options are mounted inside TRANSFIX enclosure)
TRANSFIX View of Installed Units
MINITRANS Cost Effective DGA
Real-time Online DGA
Measures
Hydrogen
Carbon Monoxide
Acetylene
Moisture
Hourly Measurements*
Extensive communication/alarm options
Load Sensor input
No consumables or calibration
Full PERCEPTION integration
MINITRANS Cost Effective DGA
MINITRANS Cost Effective DGA
MiniTrans
PG
A
Simplified
PGA and
simplified
construction
Measureme
nt of:
H
2

C
2
H
2

H
2
O
CO
C
n
H
n

MULTITRANS Multi tank DGA

Multi tank Real-time Online Transformer Monitoring
Monitors up to 3 separate single phase tanks
8 gas + moisture analyser
Hourly Measurements*
Extensive communication/alarm options
No consumables or calibration
6 Analog Inputs, 3 Digital inputs
Full PERCEPTION integration


MULTITRANS Multi tank DGA
MULTITRANS Multi tank DGA
Oil Manifold:
1. Takes oil sample from
Transformer
2. Extracts Gas from oil
PGA:
1. Performs measurement
on extracted gas
System Board:
1. Provision of I/O
2. Provision for communications
modules
Host Board:
1. Controls unit measurement
scheduling
2. Stores records
Simplified Overview of MULTITRANS
Oil Switching:
1. Selects tank
PGA
TAPTRANS DGA for LTCs
Complete Online DGA for Transformer & Load Tap
Changer
Monitors Main, Selector & Diverter tanks in one unit
8 gas + moisture analyser
Hourly Measurements
Extensive communication/alarm options
No consumables or calibration
6 Analog Inputs, 3 Digital inputs
Full PERCEPTION integration
TAPTRANS DGA for LTCs
TAPTRANS DGA for LTCs
Oil Manifold 1: Main & Selector
1. Takes oil sample from
Transformer
2. Extracts Gas from oil
PGA:
1. Performs measurement
on extracted gas
System Board:
1. Provision of I/O
2. Provision for communications
modules
Host Board:
1. Controls unit measurement
scheduling
2. Stores records
Simplified Overview of TAPTRANS
Oil Switching:
1. Selects Main or Selector tank
Oil Manifold 2: Divertor
1. Takes oil sample from
Transformer
2. Extracts Gas from oil
Failure Modes
Australia and New Zealand
457 failures over 10 years
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
W
i
n
d
i
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g
s
W
i
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d
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s

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t
h
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s
%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
W
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g
s
C
o
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T
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s
A
u
x
i
l
i
a
r
i
e
s
O
t
h
e
r
s
ESKOM 1996 to 2006
136 severe and intermediate
failures
%
CEA outages between 1997 to 2006
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
B
u
s
h
i
n
g
s
W
i
n
d
i
n
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s
O
L
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C
C
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E
q
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y

E
q
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e
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O
t
h
e
r
%
Combining the 3 set of data along
transformer elements
Core and coils
(including leads and winding accessory)
Tap changer
(including driving mechanism)
Bushings
Cooling system
(including main tank)
Others
(including auxiliary components)

Relative importance of each
component as a contributing factor
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Core and
coils
Tap
Changer
Bushings Cooling
System
Other
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

(
%
)
Australia
Eskom
CEA
TAPTRANS DGA for LTCs
Complete Online DGA for Transformer & Load Tap
Changer
Monitors Main, Selector & Diverter tanks in one unit
8 gas + moisture analyser
Hourly Measurements
Extensive communication/alarm options
No consumables or calibration
6 Analog Inputs, 3 Digital inputs
Full PERCEPTION integration
Control room
Data transfer
to control room
Reliable uninterrupted power is the lifeblood of many industries,
transformers are a critical tool in the production cycle

Solutions
Monitoring transformer health using TRANSFIX can reduce the
requirement for routine transformer maintenance and provide for
condition based maintenance and early fault detection.
TRANSFIX - Application Example
TRANSFIX Features & Benefits
Feature Benefit
On-line DGA
Advance warning of Transformer needing
maintenance/replacement
Enables Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)
Avoids catastrophic failure and /or transformer loss
Avoids need for routine visits to site and manual sampling
Early warning of possible arcing in main transformer tank
Tracks load current, moisture content and ambient temperature
for advanced trending capabilities
Integration with MO150 (TRNSFIX Plus)
Addition of models data for a more complete view of transformer
internal faulth activity
Integration with BMT300 Bushing monitor
Provides a complete transformer solution to effectively monitor
the majority of root causes of transformer failures.
Uses same PERCEPTION software to visualize data
Less vendors installing equipment in your switchyard
Single vendor integrated solution that works/communicates
Combines TRANSFIX and MO150 in one enclosure
Ethernet switch available for combined communications
Will be integrated into PERCEPTION at next release (Feb 2011)
.
TRANSFIX Plus
Online DGA with Models
.
TRANSFIX with BMT300
M&Ds Integrated Solution
The GEs Intellix BMT 300 can easily be integrated with a GEs TRANSFIX DGA analyzer, giving
the end user a unique all-in-one solution that provides a more comprehensive view of the
transformer's overall condition: from bushing diagnostic and PD to complete main tank
monitoring.

Having an all-in-one GE integrated solution will significantly increase the ability to detect
potential transformer problems at an early stage, decreasing the risk of unplanned
downtime and improving asset reliability.

The integrated solution will provide:
o Developing key fault gases H2, CO, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6 as well as O2, CO2, CH4
o Moisture content in oil
o Partial discharge activity
o Deterioration of the bushing insulating

All this information can be downloaded and visualized on the same PERCEPTION software as
with TRANSFIX, thus increasing familiarity and reducing learning curve.

Finally, the solution comes from a single supplier, ensuring reliable communication between
components and reducing the number of vendors working in the customers switchyard.
M&D Integrated Solution Substation Application
BMT 300 associated with
TRANSFIX multigas
Perception - Software
BMT 300 standalone
Diagnostics
Main Tank 30%
OLTC 35%
Bushing 15%
Cooling System 5%
Others 15%
Main Tank: Windings failure, Partial Discharge, Excessive H2O, surface contamination, connection failure,
circulating currents, overloading hazard.
OLTC: contact overheating and coking, desynchronization, excessive number of operations, mechanical damage,
neutral switch inactivity
Bushing: moisture penetration, oil leak, partial discharge
Cooling System: clogged coolers by pollen or dust, fan/pump failure, sludge, oil leak
DGA can provide for detection of the majority of the above faults by tracking changing gas concentrations
or gas ratios
Other Failure Modes not detectable by on-line monitoring: External, such as lightning, animal interference,
operation error,


Location of Transformer Failure
Main tank
LTC
Bushing
Cooling system
Other
Transformer failure locations & modes
Key DGA gasses, and what they indicate
H
2
Hydrogen Nearly all fault conditions, low energy PD
CH
4
Methane Oil overheating between 200C and 500C
C
2
H
6
Ethane Oil overheating between 300C and 500C
C
2
H
4
Ethylene

Oil overheating over 500C, possible formation of
carbon particles
C
2
H
2
Acetylene High energy arcing, oil overheating over 800C,
strong formation of carbon particles, metal melting
CO Carbon Monoxide Paper insulation overheating
CO
2
Carbon Dioxide Oil oxidation, paper degradation
O
2
Oxygen Oxidation, leak
Bushing Power Factor


Transfix is equipped with a direct connection, via USB
for data download capability
Remote download available when utilizing one of the
various communication protocols
TransConnect is used for Transfix settings and the
configuration of Alarm limits

Perception is used for data downloading and analysis of
DGA results to provide a diagnosis of the fault, if one is
detected

TRANSFIX DGA for Fault detection
Utility value

Advanced Transformer Management Software
Specially designed for the power industry
Provides simplified trending
Provides advanced transformer diagnostics
Intuitive/configurable interface
What is Perception
6/5/2013
Utility value
What is Perception
Shipped with Transfix unit
Designed for single user/local
database
Requires manual result
download
Recommended for low
number of DGA units
Enterprise version of Perception.

In addition to Express features:
Multiple users
Central database
Scheduler (Console) for
automated results download
Email alarm notification
6/5/2013
Transformer Services

Transformer Field Services
Team of transformer design and test experts
available to perform
In-depth condition assessments
Condition based ranking of fleet
Design reviews
Training.

Our methodology uses extensive On-Line
testing.
test the transformer in its real life state.
less reliance on outages and less
disruption to the customer.