Bushing Monitoring

TOTUS uses integrated intelligence and analytics to provide reliable and intuitive monitoring for partial discharge in bushings.

Monitoring Online Transformer Bushings: why is it so important ?

According to statistics published by IEEE, IEC and CIGRE, bushings contribute to roughly 15-30% of power transformer failures globally.

In over 40% of cases the transformer failure resulted in catastrophic consequences such as fire, tank rupture and explosions. CIGRE TB 755 reports:

  • bushings cause 5% to 50%, of transformer failures

  • bushing failures are the most common cause of transformer fires and can cause huge collateral damage in the switchyard

  • 30% of generator step-up transformer failures are caused by a bushing malfunction

"Monitoring of Partial Discharges can be easy to apply and understand, if put in the right context.
Correlation of PD with other parameters can help provide more accurate prescriptive actions and decision making."

Dr Marco Tozzi, Senior Product Manager, Camlin Energy

What we monitor call outs Bushings what we monitor

Minimize the Risk to Transformer Bushings with TOTUS

Detect and diagnose transformer bushing problems at the earliest stage

Online monitoring of bushings, through monitoring of internal insulation (capacitance / Tan Delta or Power Factor) and the internal electrical activity (Partial discharges) enables asset managers to detect a fault at its very preliminary stage, allowing action to be taken before reaching a critical and irreversible stage.

TOTUS allows for correlation and causation to determine transformer failure modes, driving prescriptive actions. We monitor the following on bushings:

  • Partial Discharges
  • High Energy Events
  • Leakage Current Angles and Magnitude
  • Temperature
  • Load
  • Bushing Properties

Resin Impregnated Paper Bushings (RIP)

RIP bushings are made with a void-free impregnation process, designed for a Partial Discharge free operation. However, a combination of extraordinary operating and external events can result in PD in the bushings.

The resin material is not able to withstand the PD activity and will lead to fast degradation and short circuit.

Monitoring PD within the bushings is critical and allows early detection of faults, allowing for fast diagnoses and action. The Image to left shows PD trending in bushings on a RIP bushing.

Resin Impregnated Paper bushings Website 817 x 460

Partial Discharge Monitoring: are you doing it right?

Early detection of partial discharge can significantly improve risk diagnosis, driving quicker accurate decision making.

Why Monitor PD?

Recognising the PD pattern makes it possible to understand the nature of the defect and correlate this with leakage current to determine the best technical action or test. In over 70% of cases monitored by Camlin PD was a factor, often in early stages. Partial discharge monitoring identifies:

  • If the source of any gas in the bushing is actually PD
  • Correlating PD with capacitance, temperature and power factor helps determine failure mode, especially in RIP bushings, PD is an early detector
  • Proven correlation between PD and capacitance short circuit

To learn more about our capabilities in partial discharge monitoring and detection methods, click below to read our customer case study

Case Study

Choosing a solution, what are the four solid principles needed to add value?

A successful online partial discharge testing program can help to inform prescriptive actions for asset managers. When selecting a partial discharge monitoring solution, it is important to stick to four key principles:

  1. Cost affordable technology
  2. Reliable and accurate data
  3. User friendly and easy to interpret
  4. Actionable Insight - meaningful and powerful information

Ultimately, with reliable partial discharge monitoring, asset managers can screen their power transformer fleet and focus only on those transformers with active and repetitive PD.

Download the TOTUS Transformer Monitor brochure.

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Expert Advice Key Insights: Why do Bushings Fail?

Insight The Importance of Continuously Monitoring PD Online HV Bushings

Energy

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Find out more about the TOTUS Transformer Monitor.


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