Przyczyny oraz najważniejsze skutki zawilgocenia izolacji transformatorów

W artykule przedstawiono najważniejsze przyczyny zawilgocenia izolacji. Omówiono rozkład chemiczny celulozy prowadzący do wydzielania wody. Przedstawiono wpływ zawilgocenia izolacji celulozowej na dynamikę starzenia termicznego, którego miarą jest stopień polimeryzacji. Omówiono wpływ zawilgocenia izolacji na zjawiska ważne z punktu widzenia eksploatacji transformatorów.

A problem of power transformer insulation moistening is very important. High level of moisture in paper insulation is responsible for decreasing mechanical and electrical strength, and also it can generate very dangerous phenomena like e.g. bubble effect. The authors collected all important information that allows understanding a mechanism of water generation in paper-oil insulation. The analysis of the processes on the material structure level allows also explaining how the process of cellulose aging results in degradation of power transformer functionality. The first part of the paper presents the process of cellulose chemical decomposition, especially as a result of oxidation. Figure 4 shows various reactions of cellulose oxidation. This process is the main source of water particle creation and leads to decreasing the cellulose chain length (DP - Degree of Polymerization) and, in consequence, the mechanical strength of paper. An important factor which accelerates the decomposition process is temperature. High temperature is also responsible for gas formation in oil-paper insulation. In the second part of the paper the influence of insulation moistening on processes important for transformer operation is described. Among others, there are mentioned the most crucial effects such as: bubble formation, increase in dielectric losses and partial discharges activity, decrease in mechanical properties and deterioration of oil quality. Taking into consideration the all described aspects, the authors conclude that the moistening level of power transformer insulation should be monitored as a very important factor determining its exploitation.