Increasing the operating life of power transformer winding insulation when upgrading 25-kV alternating current traction substations

Abstract

Upgrading the traction power supply is an important task in developing railway power engineering. The Russian railway transport development strategy envisions updating power supply equipment, including the reconstruction of 763 traction substations, which will be very expensive. Power transformers are the main, and most expensive, apparatuses in traction substations. They account for more than 50% of the cost of substation equipment. Steps in increasing the operating life of power traction substations during upgrading the ac traction substations are described in the present article. Substation upgrading involves up-to-date equipment and technologies. The decision to replace or further use existing substation power transformers is primarily based on data on the real condition of transformers. The 25 kV alternating current power transformers traction substations operate with the high unbalanced current of windings. The current of the most loaded winding can possess double magnitude of currents in other windings, while the losses of windings differ by four times. A qualitative analysis of transformer operating life based on insulation wear for three traction substations is presented. The winding with maximum insulation wear is assessed on the basis of power consumption. In order to extend the operating life, windings need to be connected to neutral links of a traction substation.