Life Span Assessment of the Insulation for Power Transformers: A Review

Abstract

A power transformer is a vital link for any electrical transmission and distribution network, used to raise the voltage levels of the generators, and transformers at local substations to supply loads. However, an unexpected failure of power transformers cause an electricity shortage to the consumer, involve the loss of millions of dollars for utility companies, industrial failure costs, environmental hazard costs due to oil spillage and also indirectly to the national security. Hence, predicting the lifespan of a power transformer has been considered an important issue for energy companies in order to reduce the transformer failure. Power transformers that reach the end of its life usually do so unexpectedly, causing power reliability problems, which cost a lot of money. Therefore, knowing the factors that play part in the degrading process of a power transformer could help power companies determine how long a power transformer have before breaking down and allow them to perform any necessary action before the power transformer starts giving problems. This research paper therefore focuses on the life assessment of the insulation for power transformers. In this paper, different approaches used for the evaluation of lifespan of power transformers were reviewed. These approaches have become powerful tools to overcome the problem of transformer failure and aging, because these tests are carried out more frequently by utilities. This research paper therefore, will help utilities to monitor the major parameters, to determine the remaining life and the lifespan of power transformers. Keywords: Power Transformers, Electrical Transmission Network, Electrical Distribution Network, Lifespan, Consumers, Transformer Failure, Reliability, Transformer Aging. DOI: 10.7176/JETP/12-3-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2022