ISSN 10683712, Russian Electrical Engineering, 2011, Vol. 82, No. 7, pp. 359364. Allerton Press, Inc., 2011.

Original Russian Text A.V. Prokhorov, E.I. Goldshtein, 2011, published in Elektrotekhnika, 2011, No. 7, pp. 2026.

Monitoring Changes in Mechanical State of Windings

of Power Transformers Caused by Radial Deformations
A. V. Prokhorov and E. I. Goldshtein
Received June 29, 2011

AbstractA method for monitoring of the mechanical state of the windings of power transformers, which
enables one to identify the effects of the appearance of radial deformations of the windings by varying the
phaseshift angle between the voltages of the pair of windings is suggested. The method is an alternative to the
method of measuring the shortcircuit resistance for use in load modes.
Keywords: power transformer, windings, monitoring, diagnostics, technical state, phaseshift angle.
DOI: 10.3103/S1068371211070066

Modern tendencies in the development of monitor

ing systems of power transformers (PTs) [1, 2] are deter
mined by the transition to the strategy of servicing the
installation according to the actual technical state and
require one to develop new monitoring methods that
are suitable for use in load modes. However, with regard
to separate functional systems of PTs, such as the
mechanical system of windings, for the PT, the use of
the testcontrol methods that require switching off and
bus isolation remains uniquely effective.
The most substantiated criterion for searching for
mechanical deformations of the PT windings is infor
mation on the flow of currents of close short circuits
(SCs), which is obtained by analyzing the exploitation
conditions [2, 3]. In most cases, the PT is studied for
to determine the mechanical state of windings either
after the emergency switching of the PT [4] or planned
prophilactic studies.
The known methods of the test diagnostics, e.g.,
frequency response analysis (FRA) and the lowvolt
agepulse (LVP) method, which are sensitive to most
mechanical damage to the windings, as well as the
method of determining the SC resistance ZS, which is
involved in [3], remain the most efficient in the revela
tion of deformations of PT windings.
The development of the LVP and FRA methods
allowed one to not only obtain diagnostic tools of the
mechanical state of the PT windings that are more
sensitive than the ZS method, but also to use a combi
nation of two different methods [5], which corre
sponds to recommendations [2] and allows one to
increase the reliability of examinations of the results.
However, the main disadvantage of a PT is the need
to switch it off in order to implement the aforemen
tioned methods. Attempts to adopt the FRA and LVP
methods for use under the load still have not yielded

results that are applicable in practice, which in many

respects is associated with the complexity of applying
and analyzing the test signals in load modes of the PT.
The development of the monitoring method based
on controlling the value of ZS, while the currents and
voltages measured at the PT outputs in its load modes,
seems to be a simpler solution.
A series of works of domestic authors is known,
where either ZS of the pair of windings, its reactive
component XS, or the inductivity of scattering LS are
used as the monitored parameter [6, 7]. However, to
our knowledge, there are no examples of the practical
use of these approaches.
Among the general disadvantages of methods [6, 7]
that impose limitations on the possibility using them
in load modes of the PT, we can note the following:
(i) the need to use reduced values in calculations,
which requires exact and actual data on transforma
tion coefficients of windings;
(ii) the absence of accounting for the dependence
of monigoring results on the PT load;
(iii) the absence of procedures for monitoring
threewinding transformers.
Our investigations showed that the aforementioned
disadvantages of the methods [6, 7] can be eliminated
using the phaseshift angle between the voltages of the
primary and secondary windings u1,u2 as the monitor
ing parameter. This approach does not lose the infor
mation capability found in the conventional method
of monitoring ZS because it is based on the depen
dence of the angle u1,u2 on the values of the active and
reactive components of ZS as follows:
I heat
X
u1, u2 sin arctan S L 


R S
I nom
2

(1)
2

( R S cos L X S sin L ) + ( R S sin L + X S cos L ) .

Deceased.

359

360

PROKHOROV, GOLDSHTEIN
u1, u2
6

1.0
0.9
0.8

4
0.7
0.6
0.5

2
0.4
0.3
0

0.2

1.0
0.5

0.1 0.1 0.4

0.6

cosL
0.8

U nom
I v' = 
I v ,
U1

0
sinL

For most PTs at a load close to nominal, when the

magnetization current I0 is about 1% of the nominal
value of the current of the primary winding I1, as well
as in the cases when the variation in the ratio I0/I1 in
the range of varying the PT load does not exceed 1%,
the influence of the magnetization current on the cal
culation error at the limiting admissible deviation of
the voltage of the supply main of 10% can be
neglected. Thus, it is admissible to take into account
' and reac
the influence of the values of the active I va
' components of the current of only one winding
tive I vr
of the twowinding PT for the angle u1, u2. To take into
account the influence of the main voltage, it is suffi
cient to use the expression

0.5
1.0

Fig. 1. Dependence u1,u2 = f(cosL,sinL).

However, as is evident from (1), the angle u1, u2 is

determined not only by resistances of windings, but
also by the load current of the transformer, which
should be taken into account during monitoring.
The investigations showed that it is more conve
nient to consider the dependence of the angle u1, u2 on
the active and reactive components of the PT currents
in a multidimensional coordinate system (Fig. 1).
The curves, the family of which forms the plane in
the space (u1, u2, cosL, sinL), correspond to the
multiplicities of the transformer currents Iheat/Inom =
0.11.0.
The dependence under consideration can be
described using the additive model of the equation of
the hyperplane as follows:
a1 ( x1 x1 ) + a2 ( x2 x2 ) + + ak ( xk xk )
+ a k + 1 ( u1, u2 u1, u2 ) = 0,

(2)

where x1, x2, , xk are the currents affecting the angle

u1,u2; coefficients a1, a2, , ak + 1 are the projections of
the normal vector on the coordinate axes of the k +
1dimensional space; and x 1 , x 2 , , x k , u1, u2 are
the coordinates of the projection of the normal vector
on the hyperplane.
The values of coefficients a1, a2, , ak + 1 are deter
mined by the data of n load modes accepted as base
values. In this case, a necessary condition is the invari
ability of the mechanical state of windings for all n
modes, as well as the constancy of the location of the
controlling facility of the transformer voltage RPN.
The minimum number of base modes n corresponds to
the number of variables in Eq. (2) and depends on the
number of transformer windings.

where v is the winding number (1 or 2) is accepted

depending on the acceptable points of measurement.
Similarly, the influence of varying the frequency of
the supply main f on XS of the PT windings and, corre
spondingly, on the angle u1,u2 can be taken into
account as follows:
f nom
' , u2 = u1, u2 
u1
.
f
Consequently, for a twowinding transformer, the
minimal number of base modes n = 3, which corre
' , u2 , I va
' , and I vr
' .
sponds to parameters u1
For the case of the threewinding transformer, it
should be taken into account that the phaseshift angle
between the voltages of the primary and secondary
windings u1,u2 (u1,u3) is determined by two different
currents connected by the known dependence
I 1 = I 2' + I 3' .
Therefore, the minimum number of the base
modes for the threewinding transformer n = 5, which
' , u2 , I va
' , I vr
' , I wa
' , and
corresponds to parameters u1
' for the pair of windings 12 and parameters
I wr
' , u3 , I va
' , I vr
' , I wa
' , and I wr
' for the pair of windings
u1
13. Here, v and w correspond to the winding number
(1, 2, 3) and, for one pair of windings, v w.
The need to take into account the influence of the
currents of both windings also appears with respect to
the twowinding transformer, when the current I0 is
considerably larger than 1%, e.g., at considerable vari
ations in the load towards its decrease relative to the
nominal.
For the base, it is desirable to select the most char
acteristic modes of the daily schedule of the PT load
that maximally differ in the value and composition of
the load. In practice, the results of measurements of
currents and voltages always contain the error; there

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MONITORING CHANGES IN MECHANICAL STATE

fore, to decrease their influence, the calculation of

coefficients a1, a2, , ak + 1 should be performed with
the number of base modes n somewhat larger than
minimal.
In fact, while increasing the number of base modes,
we acquire a certain scattering cloud of the experi
mental data and, subsequently, the task is reduced to
the determination of parameters of the symmetry
plane of this cloud.
Calculating the parameters of the base modes of
the transformer and determining the coefficients a1,
a2, , ak + 1 from them, we can constitute the equation
of the plane and to reduce it to the form:
' , u2 ( u3 )
u1

(3)
' ) + a 2 ( I vr
' ) + a k + 1 u1
' I va
' I vr
' , u2 ( u3 ) ]
[ a 1 ( I va
= ,
ak + 1
' , and I vr
' are the averaged coordi
' , u2 ( u3 ) , I va
where u1
nates of projections of the experimental points on the
plane of the base data.
Substituting the currents of the subsequent load
' and I vr
' in expression (3), we determine the
modes I va
' , u2 ( u3 ) .
corresponding base angles u1
Then, we determine the deviations of the angles
' , u2 ( u3 ) from their base values u1
' , u2 ( u3 ) as follows:
u1
' , u2 ( u3 ) u1
' , u2 ( u3 )
u1
L. = 

 100%.
' , u2 ( u3 )
u1
To reduce the influence of accidental errors, we
average the values of L. for n modes and judge the
change in the mechanical state of the PT windings by
their average L..
Based on the proportional dependence between
u1,u2 and ZS (according to [3]), we take L.cr = 3% as
the critical deviation that signalizes the appearance of
inadmissible deformations of transformer windings.
The performed investigations of the influence of
the parameters of the supply main (Um, fm) and load
(SL, cosL, and load asymmetry) on the error in deter
mining the base angle while modeling the operation of
twowinding and threewinding transformers in the
Matlab Simulink package showed that the variations
in the aforementioned parameters in the limits admis
sible by the PT exploitation conditions leads to the
appearance of the methodical error no larger than
0.15%.
The evaluation of the influence of the measure
ment errors on the results of monitoring showed that,
in the most unfavorable case of using measuring trans
formers with precision class 0.5, the systematic com
ponent of the error in determining the angle for load
modes with the prevalent active component of the load
' , u2 ) 20%. Because the angle u1
' , u2 and its
is ( u1
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361

' , u2 are determined for the same load

base value u1
mode, their systematic errors have the same values,
while the relative error in determining L. can be eval
uated from the expression
' , u2 ( u1
' , u2 ) ) ( u1
' , u2 ( u1
' , u2 ) )
( u1
L. = 



' , u2 ( u1
' , u2 ) )
( u1
' , u2 u1
' , u2
u1


' , u2
u1
100% =  100%
' , u2 )
( u1
1 

100
and constitutes (L.) =

16.7%

. The error in (L.)

+25%
is also systematic and leads to a decrease in the reli
ability of the results of monitoring, in particular to the
change in the proportionality coefficient between XS
' , u2 . For example, at (L.) 25%,
and the angle u1
the variation in XS by 3% corresponds to the range of
deviations in L. of 2.253.75%. Consequently, the
reliability of the method depends to a greater extent on
the influence of random errors on the possibility of
identifying the deviations in L. in the mentioned
range.
A decrease in the influence of random errors on the
results of monitoring can be attained by applying the
methods of mathematical statistics, as well as by using
the method of principal components (MPC) [8] to
evaluate the parameters of Eq. (2).
Let us consider the example of approbation of the
developed monitoring method for a TDG7500/110U
twowinding transformer of the Tomsk SDPP2 (State
District Power Plant). The schematic diagram of the
generatortransformer unit and the schematic dia
grams of measurement and digital recording are
shown in Fig. 2.
As the calculated data, we used the arrays of instant
values of threephase currents |i1(tj)| at the outputs of the
generator and voltages measured at the generator out
puts |u1(tj)| and collecting buses |u2(tj)| using the BIM
moduli entering the Black Case complex produced by
the GOSAN Scientific and Technical Center. The mea
surements were performed at the number of countings
for each period of the detected signal N = 32.
The use of the schematic diagram in Fig. 2 without
taking into account the specifics of the solved problem
leads to the appearance of certain additional negative
factors, which can be excluded with the appropriate
organization of monitoring as follows:
(i) a relatively low precision class of measuring
transformers (0.5);
(ii) the limitation of the sampling length, which
does not allow us to completely compensate for the
error caused by the difference in the supply main fre

No. 7

2011

362

PROKHOROV, GOLDSHTEIN
SSh1

110 kV

SSh2

NKF110

u2(tj)

u2(tj)

BIM 101
3i0(tj)

TDG75000/110

BIM 1011

Retranslator

BIM 1121
Server (PC)

u1(tj)

NTMI10

i1(tj)

TPShV10
10.5 kV

TV602

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram for measuring parameters of

TDG75000/110U block transformer.

Ia, Ir, A
2000

Set of base modes

quency that varies in the limits fNOM fADD and the

invariable discretization frequency of the detector F =
NfNOM = 32 50 = 1600 Hz;
(iii) the presence of the error associated with the
disalignment of separate BIMs;
(iv) the possibility of measuring the currents from
only the side of the winding connected in triangle,
which does not allow us to restore the zero sequence of
the phase current of the PT;
(v) the use of the results of voltage measurement by
various voltage transformers in calculations with
switching on the PT to different bus systems (SSh1,
SSh2).
Based on the results of measurements, we acquired
three sets of 17 modes each. The first set was used to
calculate the base quantities (base modes) and the sec
ond and third sets were used to evaluate the stage of
windings (control modes).
The combined plot of active Ia and reactive Ir com
ponents of the currents of the phase A reduced to
UNOM, as well as the plot of the current 3I0 in the wind
ing neutral WN, are presented in Fig. 3. Here, the date
(dd : mm)/time (hh : mm : ss) of measurements are
noted along the abscissa.
The plane of the base data of the phase A con
structed using the MPC is shown in Fig. 4. The results
of approbation for each of three PT phases are shown
in Fig. 5, where the results of calculation of deviations

Set of control modes I

Set of control modes II

1500
1000
500
0
Phase A 1
3I0, A

9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51

Set of base modes

Set of control modes I

Set of control modes II

160
120
80
40
2.05/11:03:52
2.05/12:34:47
2.05/12:34:52
3.05/7:41:17
3.05/7:41:24
5.05/10:16:19
5.05/10:16:23
5.05/15:12:25
5.05/15:12:29
12.05/17:11:19
13.05/13:38:43
13.05/15:59:22
16.05/22:58:39
17.05/4:18:27
17.05/4:29:32
17.05/10:35:50
22.05/11:22:30
22.05/13:01:07
22.05/13:01:16
22.05/13:01:28
22.05/13:01:31
22.05/14:02:18
22.05/14:02:23
22.05/15.06:34
22.05/18.53:33
22.05/18.53:36
23.05/6.05:49
26.05/9.57:16
26.05/19.25:38
26.05/21.00:43
26.05/22.07:59
26.05/23.13:35
28.05/8.14:46
28.05/21.12:53
29.05/11.03:01
29.05/17.32:48
6.06/16.05:57
9.06/5.16:58
9.06/5.21:48
9.06/5.29:19
9.06/6.28:51
9.06/6.43:21
9.06/13.37:38
9.06/19.42:32
13.06/3.12:14
13.06/3.18:09
13.06/3.22:25
13.06/3.27:24
13.06/6.05:05
13.06/6.06:09
13.06/6.13:14

Fig. 3. Plots of currents Ia, Ir, and 3I0.

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MONITORING CHANGES IN MECHANICAL STATE

L. are presented in a form of histograms. The counts

rejected from the starting sampling by the results of
censuring [8], which involves the rejection of the end
terms of the variations at the greatest distance from the
distribution center, i.e., the assumed blunders, are
black.

u1, u2
2.35

The confidence boundaries 0.9 ( L. ) of devia

tions are determined according to the expression

2.20

0.9 ( L. ) = 1.6s,

2.10

2.30
2.25

2.15

2.05
900
800
700
Ir
600
500

where s is the rootmeansquare error of the average

and s = / n.
Here, n is the number of counts and is the root
meansquare deviation of L.
=

1

(n 1)

363

1600

1650
Ia

1700

1750

Fig. 4. Plane of base data of phase A.

( L.i L. ) .

i=1

It can be seen from Fig. 5 that, for the base modes,

L. = 0. Therefore, the following monitoring should
be performed by the value L. 0.9 ( L. ) calculated
for each set of control modes, while the range
0.9 ( L. ) acquired for the base modes determines the
boundaries of insignificant deviations in L. . The
results of calculations are tabulated.
A comparison of the acquired results with the
experimental conditions allows us to conclude the fol
lowing:
(i) An increase in the values of L. for phases B
and C of the first set of control modes is associated
with an increase in the error caused by misbooking the
components of the zero sequence in the primary PT
current. This conclusion is confirmed by an increase
in the current in the zero wire of the secondary wind
ing fixed for modes 1732 (Fig. 3).
(ii) For the second set of control modes, the nega
tive deviation in L. acquired for phase A is caused by
temporarily switching the generatortransformer unit
from the first system of buses for 110 kV to the second
system of buses and, as a result, by the use of another
voltage transformer for the measurements. The period
of operation of the unit to the secondary system of
buses corresponds to modes 3744.
(iii) Because most of the results lie in the region of
insignificant deviations or insignificantly comes out of
its limits under the influence of the considered nega
tive factors, we can conclude that the variations in the
mechanical states of windings, which indicate the
need to switch off the PT and carry out a more detailed
examination of it, are absent. This conclusion is con
firmed by the experience in using the PT.
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Vol. 82

CONCLUSIONS
(i) The developed method of monitoring is rather
simple and does not possess the mentioned disadvan
tages of the known analogs, but its functional possibil
ities are determined by the accuracy of measuring
tools acceptable for the use. Therefore, we can expect
the maximum efficiency of the method using measur
ing transformers of highprecision classes 0.1, 0.2, and
0.2 s, including optoelectronic transformers.
(ii) When using the suggested method, the optimi
zation of the system of measurement and digital detec
tion of electrical signals is purposeful. In particular, it
is preferential to carry out all measurements using one
measuring modulus and to measure the currents that
allow for the possibility of precisely determining their
phase values. With the probability of operative switch
ings in the PT circuit, when it is possible to use various
measuring transformers to measure the same quanti
ties, it is necessary to separately evaluate the error
associated using various measuring tools. If this error is
considerable, it is necessary to carry out the calcula
tion of base quantities for each state of the system.
(iii) The results of investigations show that using
the methods of mathematical statistics when process
ing the results of measurements allow us to acquire
results sufficient for identifying the critical deviations
in L. , even using measuring tools of precision class
Table
L. 0.9 ( l. ), %

Set of modes
Base
Control I
Control II

No. 7

2011

Phase A

Phase B

Phase C

0 0.7
0.1 0.8
1.2 1.2

0 0.7
1.1 1.1
0.2 1.0

0 1.1
4 0.8
0.1 1.1

364

PROKHOROV, GOLDSHTEIN
6
4
2
0
2
4
6

Set of base modes

Set of control modes I

Set of control modes II

Phase A

10
8
6
4
2
0
2
4
6 Phase B
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5 Phase
6
1 3 5 7

9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51

Fig. 5. Results of calculating deviations of L.: L.,  0.9(L.), and L.cr.

0.5, i.e., they indicate the possibility of implementing

the method that makes use of existing measuring
transformers.
(iv) The acceptable accuracy of monitoring allows
us to identify the variations in the mechanical state of
windings associated with considerable radial deforma
tions, and its results can be used when accepting the
decision for switching off the PT. The further decision
for opening the tank and visual inspection of the active
part of the PT, or for carrying out the additional tests
by the known methods of the test diagnostics in order
to confirm the presence of the defect and to establish a
more accurate degree of its development should be
made based on the cost and complexity of the afore
mentioned works.
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suring Transformers, 2000.

2. Guide for Life Management Techniques for Power Trans

formers (CIGRE Brochure 227).
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Amends 1,2 2000): Extent and Norms of Electric Equip
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4. Khrennikov, A.Yu., Experience for Detecting the
Residual Deformations of Power Transformers Wind
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