Study of the effect of cellulose fibers on the electrical strength of transformer oil

Abstract

The electrical strength of transformer oil is the first parameter in transformer insulation tests. Such tests are carried out in a standard discharger according to the values of breakdown voltage. An abrupt decrease in electrical strength occurs when oil is contaminated with mechanical impurities. The greatest influence on the electric field is exerted by highly conductive cellulose fibers. The field between the electrodes may be severely distorted bya «bridge» of such fibers. At the same time, the influence of such particles is not taken into account in the tests. The problem is to experimentally determine the effect of such impurities on the breakdown strength. Thereby, this research poses and solves the problem of determining the dielectric strength of transformer oil in a standard discharger in the presence of cellulose fibers.To simulate electric field strengths, the ANSYS software package has been used. The basis of the 3D model was a standard measuring cell for determining breakdown voltage, which takes into account the boundary conditions in the form of a cube in which the electrode system is located, and the values of the electric field strength in the center of the electrode system.The electric field tension between the electrodes has been calculated, taking into account the influence of increased conductivity of cellulose fibers. It has been found that the electrical strength of oil gaps of moistened fibers with a length of more than 200 μm is significantly reduced, which is not taken into account when testing transformer oil for breakdown in a standard cell. This leads to inaccuracy in determining the electric strength of transformer oil in existing equipment.The results of the study can be used by operational services to improve the assessment of the quality of transformer oil used in power transformers as insulation. The results also can be used to study the mechanisms of electrophysical processes occurring in liquid dielectrics in the presence of fibers.