Analysis of Acoustic Signals Interfering Diagnostic Measurements of Electric Power Transformer Tap Changers

Subject matter of this paper applies to improvement of acoustic emission method used in the diagnosis of on load tap changers of high power transformers. During measurement of acoustic emission signals generated by damages or defects, which can appear in insulation system and in the power transformer tap changers, various forms of noise signals may occur. Interferences occurring during measurements under laboratory and under industrial conditions can be generated either by sources placed inside the studied electric power device or they can be emitted in their immediate vicinity. Sources of interfering signals are physical phenomena of a mechanical, electrical or acoustical nature. Interferences appearing during measurement of acoustic emission pulses generated by electrical discharges and other types of defects that overlap the measured waveforms may result in their distortion. As part of the research conducted, the results of which are presented in this paper, following was subjected under consideration: measurements of acoustic noise signals generated by partial surface discharges occurring on support and bushing insulators were performed.