DGA INTERPRETATION OF OIL FILLED TRANSFORMER

1. INDIVIDUAL AND TOTAL DISSOLVED COMBUSTIBLE (TDCG) GAS CONCENTRATIONS

(IEEE C57 104-2008)

Status H2 CH4 C2H2 C2H4 C2H6 CO CO2 TDCG

Condition 1 100 120 1 50 65 350 2,500 720
Condition 2 101-700121-400 2-9 51-100 66-100 351-570 2,500-4,000 721-1,920
401- 4,001-
Condition 3 701-1,800 10-35 101-200 101-150 571-1,400 1,921-4,630
1,000 10,000
Condition 4 >1,800 >1,000 >35 >200 >150 >1,400 >10,000 >4,630

Condition 1: Total dissolved combustible gas (TDCG) below this level indicates the transformer is
operating satisfactorily. Any individual combustible gas exceeding specified levels in Table D.3.4
should have additional investigation.

Condition 2: TDCG within this range indicates greater than normal combustible gas level. Any
individual combustible gas exceeding specified levels should have additional investigation. A fault
may be present. Take DGA samples at least often enough to calculate the amount of gas
generation per day for each gas.

Condition 3: TDCG within this range indicates a high level of decomposition of cellulose insulation
and/or oil. Any individual combustible gas exceeding specified levels should have additional
investigation. A fault or faults are probably present. Take DGA samples at least often enough to
calculate the amount of gas generation per day for each gas.

Condition 4: TDCG within this range indicates excessive decomposition of cellulose insulation
and/or oil. Continued operation could result in failure of the transformer.

Actions Based on Dissolved Combustible Gas

TDCG Level or Sampling Intervals and Operating Actions for Gas
TDCG Generation Rates
Conditions Highest Individual
Generation Rates
Gas
(PPM/Day) Sampling Interval Operating Procedures
(See Table 8-5)
Annually: 6 mo for EHV
< 10
Trans. Continue normal operation.
≤ 720 ppm of TDCG or
10 – 30 Quarterly
highest condition based
Condition 1
on individual gas from Exercise caution. Analyze
table 8-5 >30 Monthly individual gases to find cause.
Determine load dependence.
721-1,920 ppm of < 10 Quarterly
TDCG or highest 10 – 30 Monthly Exercise caution. Analyze
Condition 2 condition based on individual gases to find cause.
individual gas from >30 Monthly Determine load dependence.
table 8-5
1,941-2,630 ppm of < 10 Monthly Exercise extreme caution.
TDCG or highest 10 – 30 Weekly Analyze individual gases to find
Condition 3 condition based on cause. Plan outage. Call
individual gas from >30 Weekly manufacturer and other
table 8-5 consultants for advice.
< 10 Weekly Exercise extreme caution.
Analyze individual gases to find
cause. Plan outage. Call
>4,630 ppm of TDCG 10 – 30 Daily
manufacturer and other
Condition 4 or highest condition
consultants for advice.
based on individual gas
Consider removal from service.
>30 Daily Call manufacturer and other
consultants for advice
2. KEY GAS METHOD (IEEE C57 104-2008)
104

FAULT TYPE RELATIVE PROPORTION

Thermal-Oil OVERHEATED OIL
Decomposition products include ethylene and
methane, together with smaller quantities of 80
63
hydrogen and ethane. Traces of acetylene may
be formed if the fault is severe or involves 60
electrical contacts.
40
16 19
Principal Gas – Ethylene (C2H4)
20
2
0
CO H2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2
Thermal-Cellulose OVERHEATED CELLULOSE
Large quantities of carbon dioxide and carbon
92
monoxide are evolved from overheated cellulose. 100
Hydrocarbon gases, such as methane and 80
ethylene, will be formed if the fault involves an oil-
oil
impregnated structure. 60
40
Principal Gas – Carbon Monoxide (CO) 20
0
CO H2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2

Electrical – Partial Discharge

PARTIAL DISCHARGE IN OIL
Low-energy
energy electrical discharges produce
hydrogen and methane, with small quantities of 100 85
ethane and ethylene. Comparable amounts of
80
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may result
from discharges in cellulose. 60
40
Principal Gas – Hydrogen (H2) 13
20 1 1
0
CO H2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2

Electrical – Arcing
Large amounts of hydrogen and acetylene are 60 ARCING IN OIL
produced, with minor quantities of methane and 60
ethylene. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide 50
may also be formed if the fault involves cellulose. 40 30
Oil may be carbonized.
30
Principal Gas –Acetylene (C2H2) 20
5 2 3
10 0
0
CO H2 CH4 C2H6 C2H4 C2H2

3. DOERNENBURG RATIO METHOD

(IEEE C57 104-2008)

Ratio (R1) Ratio 2 (R2) Ratio 3 (R3) Ratio 4 (R4)

Suggested Fault Diagnosis
CH4/H2 C2H2/C2H4 C2H2/CH4 C2H6/C2H2
1. Thermal Decomposition > 1.0 < 0.75 < 0.3 >0.4
2. Partial Discharge (low-intensity
intensity PD) < 0.1 Not significant < 0.3 > 0.4
3. Arcing (high-intensity PD) > 0.1 to < 1.0 > 0.75 > 0.3 < 0.4
4. DUVAL TRIANGLE
(IEC 60599-1999-03)

ଵ଴଴௫
%‫ܥ‬ଶ ‫ܪ‬ଶ = forx = [C2H2] in microlitres per litre
௫ା௬ା௭

ଵ଴଴௬
%‫ܥ‬ଶ ‫ܪ‬ସ = fory = [C2H4] in microlitres per litre
௫ା௬ା௭

ଵ଴଴௭
%‫ܪܥ‬ସ = forz = [CH4] in microlitres per litre
௫ା௬ା௭

PD Partial Discharge Limits of Zone

D1 Discharges of low energy PD 98% CH4
D2 Discharges of high energy D1 23% C2H4 13% C2H2
o
T1 Thermal fault, t < 300 C D2 23% C2H4 13% C2H2 38% C2H4 29% C2H2
o o
T2 Thermal fault, 300 C < t < 700 C T1 4% C2H2 10% C2H4
o
T3 Thermal fault, t > 700 C T2 4% C2H2 10% C2H4 50% C2H4
T3 15% C2H2 50% C2H4

5. ROGER’S RATIO METHOD

(IEEE C57 104-2008)

Case R2 R1 R5 Suggested Fault Diagnosis

C2H2/C2H4 CH4/H2 C2H4/C2H6
0 <0.1 >0.1 to <1.0 <1.0 Unit normal
1 <0.1 <0.1 <1.0 Low-energy density arcing – PD
2 0.1 to 3.0 0.1 to 1.0 >3.0 Arcing – High-energy discharge
3 <0.1 >0.1 to <1.0 1.0 to 3.0 Low temperature thermal
o
4 <0.1 >1.0 1.0 to 3.0 Thermal < 700 C
o
5 <0.1 >1.0 >3.0 Thermal > 700 C

6. CIGRE SC15
(ELECTRA 186)

NAME RATIO VALUE SIGNIFICANCE INDICATION

KEY RATIO #1 C2H2/C2H6 >1 Discharge
KEY RATIO #2 H2/CH4 >10 Partial Discharge
KEY RATIO #3 C2H4/C2H6 >1 Thermal Fault in Oil
KEY RATIO #4 CO2/CO >10 indicates overheating of cellulose Cellulosic
<3 indicates degradation of cellulose Degradation
by electrical fault
KEY RATIO #5 C2H2/H2 >2 (>30ppm) indicates diffusion from In Tank Load
OLTC or through a common Tap Changer
conservator