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This paper investigates the residue formed on silicone rubber filled with natural silica in the inclined plane tracking and erosion test under AC and DC voltages. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses reveal residue formation dependent on volatilization and crosslinking in silicone rubber. Thermo-oxidation of volatiles yields silica-based residue protecting the surface during dry-band arcing; whereas, crosslinking leaves carbonaceous residue leading to more severe dry-band arcing. Volume fraction of natural silica replacing silicone rubber is shown to be a main source of silica residue suppressing carbonaceous residue, thus preventing failure in the inclined plane test. More severe erosion under the equivalent +DC voltages as compared to standard AC and equivalent - DC voltages of the inclined plane test is attributed to more severe dry-band arcing heat promoted by carbonaceous residue. Silicone rubber filled with lower particle sizes of natural silica is demonstrated to deteriorate erosion performance, possibly as result of filler-polymer interactions or lower particle size reducing the integrity of the protective silica residue. The following paper highlights the importance of using critical AC and DC voltages during the inclined plane tracking and erosion tests.

The presented paper aims to highlight the role of filler-polymer interface on the DC erosion resistance of silicone rubber (SiR) outdoor insulators. SiR composites filled with nano-sized boron nitride and fumed silica have been prepared in this study. Electrical and thermal experimental tools of the inclined plane tracking-erosion test, simultaneous thermogravimetric- differential thermal analyses, and thermal conductivity measurements are used to analyze the prepared nanocomposites. The analysis primarily investigates whether the composite’s enhancement of thermal conductivity or filler interface would be more influential on erosion suppression. Literature reports that the boron nitride filler improves SiR’s thermal conductivity, whereas fumed silica provides an exceptional interaction with SiR at the filler interface. SiR was filled with boron nitride at 5wt% (percent by weight) and 10wt%, while fumed silica was loaded with 5wt% and used as a reference composite in the study. The obtained results clearly indicate a superior erosion resistance of the silica filled SiR over the boron nitride filled one. An observation which seemingly could give more significant role of the filler-polymer interface on the erosion resistance of SiR used for high voltage DC outdoor insulators., IEEE 2020 International Conference on Dielectrics, 6-31 July, Virtual Edition, Valencia, Spain

This paper investigates the erosion suppression effects of the water of hydration in alumina tri-hydrate and magnesium hydroxide fillers in silicone rubber during the AC and DC dry-bad arcing. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses show the hydrated filler type, level and size affecting erosion. Water of hydration in alumina tri-hydrate is shown to be released before the depolymerization of silicone rubber; whereas, the water of hydration in magnesium hydroxide is released during the depolymerization. As such, alumina tri-hydrate could promote a stronger shield of residue against dry-band arcing as compared to magnesium hydroxide, which could further suppress erosion. Increasing the hydrated filler loading raises the amount of the water of hydration released, which could dilute the silicone rubber in the gas phase and suppress combustion. However, insignificant effect on the suppression of depolymerization is obtained at higher levels of the hydrated filler, possibly due to the lack of filler-polymer interactions tethering silicone rubber chains. Internal oxidation promoted with lower sizes of alumina tri-hydrate could promote a radical-based crosslinking, leaving a stronger shield of residue against dry-band arcing. However, hydrolysis may take place and insignificant improvement is shown for the erosion performance with internal oxidation.

Moisture in transformer paper insulation is one of the most important parameters to be monitored in order to assess the useful life of the transformer. Time domain spectroscopy based on polarization and depolarization current measurements is one of the methods that can be used for detection of moisture content in the transformer paper insulation. However, these measurements could be influenced by thermal transient during the application of voltage, which may lead to an inaccurate interpretation of the insulation condition. In this paper, a novel method is proposed in order to avoid this thermal transient effect by using the high frequency component of the of depolarization current acquired during the measurement. Preliminary results show a correlation between the high frequency component of the depolarization current waveform and the moisture content in the paper insulation within a moisture content range of about 3 %. At higher moisture content, a resistive leakage current seems to have a negative effect on the measured depolarization current., 2019 IEEE 20th International Conference on Dielectric Liquids (ICDL), June 23-27, 2019, Roma, Italy

This paper discusses the lessons learned about fillers that are added to silicone rubber insulation housing composites, in order to improve the erosion resistance against the dry-band arcing are presented and common perceptions. Common practices that employ alumina tri-hydrate are reviewed, including the additional influential effect of the water of hydration in the suppression of the dry-band arcing. The effect of the water of hydration is shown to be dependent on various factors, such as the hydrated filler level and the type of the hydrated filler. More recent paradigms in which hydrated fillers have not been employed are also reviewed. Volume and shield actions of fillers are essential aspects that need to be understood in the design of silicone rubber insulation housing composites for new applications such as HVDC. In addition, the thermal degradation mechanisms of silicone rubber and the corresponding suppression effects of the added fillers are summarized.

The following topics are dealt with: electric breakdown; permittivity; filled polymers; partial discharges; space charge; transformer oil; ageing; power cable insulation; nanocomposites; power transformer insulation., 2018 IEEE Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena (CEIDP), October 21-24, 2018, Cancun, Mexico

Transformer oils are vulnerable to moisture, which can have adverse effects including a dramatic reduction in dielectric strength, accelerating the aging of the solid insulation (cellulose depolymerization) and the formation of decompositional gasses at high temperatures. Moisture may be generated inside the transformer due to degradation of the oil-paper insulation or there may be ingress of moisture due to free-breathing arrangements. A moisture content exceeding 50% of oil saturation greatly reduces the breakdown voltage, resulting in catastrophic failures as well as the potential for transformer fires [1]. The detrimental effect of water within a transformer is not only limited to the breakdown voltage of the oil. The rate of degradation of paper insulation increases in direct proportion to the water content [2], [3]. Moisture also has a decisive effect on the maximum temperature that the transformer can run at before moisture-induced failure occurs. Consequently, transformer life expectancy can be calculated from water content and temperature [3]. A failure of transformer accessories such as condenser bushings sometimes leads to a transformer failure and long-term outage. Often, moisture is a cause of explosion for service-aged bushings [4].

This paper investigates the erosion of silicone rubber composites filled with various fillers. The fillers under study are alumina tri-hydrate, magnesium hydroxide and silica in a liquid silicone ru bber. The inclined plane tracking and erosion test was used to compare the erosion of the composite materials at 50 wt% filler level and at 4.5 kV. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses are reported which shows various mechanisms by which the fillers can su ppress the dry­ band arcing erosion. The effect of water of hydration in the alumina tri-hyd rate and magnesium hydroxide is investigated and its effect on the suppression of the dry-band arcing erosion is reported for the composites filled with alumina tri-hydrate and magnesiu m hydroxide., 2017 IEEE Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomenon (CEIDP), 22-25 October 2017, Fort Worth, TX, USA

The condition of the internal cellulosic paper and oil insulation are of concern for the performance of power transformers. Over the years, a number of methods have been developed to diagnose and monitor the degradation/aging of the transformer internal insulation system. Some of this degradation/aging can be assessed from electrical responses. Currently there are a variety of electrical-based diagnostic techniques available for insulation condition monitoring of power transformers. In most cases, the electrical signals being monitored are due to mechanical or electric changes caused by physical changes in resistivity, inductance or capacitance, moisture, contamination or aging by-products in the insulation. This paper presents a description of commonly used and modern electrical-based diagnostic techniques along with their interpretation schemes.

International audience; A power transformer outage has a dramatic financial consequence not only for electric power systems utilities but also for interconnected customers. The service reliability of this important asset largely depends upon the condition of the oil-paper insulation. Therefore, by keeping the qualities of oil-paper insulation system in pristine condition, the maintenance planners can reduce the decline rate of internal faults. Accurate diagnostic methods for analyzing the condition of transformers are therefore essential. Currently, there are various electrical and physicochemical diagnostic techniques available for insulation condition monitoring of power transformers. This paper is aimed at the description, analysis and interpretation of modern physicochemical diagnostics techniques for assessing insulation condition in aged transformers. Since fields and laboratory experiences have shown that transformer oil contains about 70% of diagnostic information, the physicochemical analyses of oil samples can therefore be extremely useful in monitoring the condition of power transformers.

International audience; It is an established fact that regular oil analysis is extremely useful in monitoring the condition of power transformers. To ensure long-term reliability of oil filled power transformers, it is important to identify the degradation characteristics of insulating oil in long-term operations, which are the dominant factors of the transformer dielectric strength. In this contribution, oil decaying was monitored with various ASTM test methods. Oil samples were submitted to thermal aging with oxygen inlet in laboratory conditions. Many key parameters providing a "picture" of the fluid have been determined. From the obtained results, some correlations were found between some of them. Dissolved decay products, which change with a higher rate than interfacial tension and total acid values, can be possibly used as an effective index for insulating oil degradation.