Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification

Dielectric characteristic testing of transformer oil is a crucial diagnostic tool for assessing transformer health. While previous studies have investigated the correlation between oil quality parameters and aging factors, limited research has examined the direct influence of operating voltage level...

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Main Authors: Muhammad A. Akmal Putra, Suwarno, Rahman Azis Prasojo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10950444/
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author Muhammad A. Akmal Putra
Suwarno
Rahman Azis Prasojo
author_facet Muhammad A. Akmal Putra
Suwarno
Rahman Azis Prasojo
author_sort Muhammad A. Akmal Putra
collection DOAJ
description Dielectric characteristic testing of transformer oil is a crucial diagnostic tool for assessing transformer health. While previous studies have investigated the correlation between oil quality parameters and aging factors, limited research has examined the direct influence of operating voltage levels on dielectric oil degradation. Additionally, the effect of oil purification on aging assessments is often overlooked, leading to potential misinterpretations in condition assessment. This study analyzes historical dielectric test data from 4315 oil samples collected from power transformers operating at 500 kV, 150 kV, and 70 kV within Indonesia’s electrical grid. The data is categorized into two groups: one without considering purification and another combining purified and unpurified oil samples. Statistical analysis using linear regression is employed to assess correlations among key parameters. The findings reveal that higher operating voltage levels accelerate the degradation of dielectric oil, with transformers operating at 500 kV exhibiting the most rapid decline in oil quality. Furthermore, purification significantly alters certain dielectric parameters, particularly BDV and water content, whereas the color scale remains largely unaffected. The study also establishes that parameters such as acidity, water content, and interfacial tension (IFT) are reliable indicators of transformer aging only in unpurified oil samples. Conversely, the color scale proves to be a more consistent indicator of overall insulation system aging, making it a valuable parameter for maintenance decision-making. These results provide a refined approach for utilities in transformer condition assessment, ensuring that the impact of purification is accounted for to avoid misleading aging evaluations. The results also highlight the necessity for voltage-specific maintenance strategies to enhance transformer reliability and lifetime.
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spelling doaj-art-8c694b45f782448e95f7a8ea8394cbb82025-08-20T02:11:37ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113631866320210.1109/ACCESS.2025.355840810950444Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and PurificationMuhammad A. Akmal Putra0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6273-1203 Suwarno1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3618-963XRahman Azis Prasojo2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3192-2449School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, IndonesiaSchool of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, IndonesiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Malang, IndonesiaDielectric characteristic testing of transformer oil is a crucial diagnostic tool for assessing transformer health. While previous studies have investigated the correlation between oil quality parameters and aging factors, limited research has examined the direct influence of operating voltage levels on dielectric oil degradation. Additionally, the effect of oil purification on aging assessments is often overlooked, leading to potential misinterpretations in condition assessment. This study analyzes historical dielectric test data from 4315 oil samples collected from power transformers operating at 500 kV, 150 kV, and 70 kV within Indonesia’s electrical grid. The data is categorized into two groups: one without considering purification and another combining purified and unpurified oil samples. Statistical analysis using linear regression is employed to assess correlations among key parameters. The findings reveal that higher operating voltage levels accelerate the degradation of dielectric oil, with transformers operating at 500 kV exhibiting the most rapid decline in oil quality. Furthermore, purification significantly alters certain dielectric parameters, particularly BDV and water content, whereas the color scale remains largely unaffected. The study also establishes that parameters such as acidity, water content, and interfacial tension (IFT) are reliable indicators of transformer aging only in unpurified oil samples. Conversely, the color scale proves to be a more consistent indicator of overall insulation system aging, making it a valuable parameter for maintenance decision-making. These results provide a refined approach for utilities in transformer condition assessment, ensuring that the impact of purification is accounted for to avoid misleading aging evaluations. The results also highlight the necessity for voltage-specific maintenance strategies to enhance transformer reliability and lifetime.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10950444/Power transformersoil dielectric characteristicsinsulating agingoperating agecondition assessment
spellingShingle Muhammad A. Akmal Putra
Suwarno
Rahman Azis Prasojo
Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
IEEE Access
Power transformers
oil dielectric characteristics
insulating aging
operating age
condition assessment
title Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
title_full Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
title_fullStr Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
title_full_unstemmed Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
title_short Assessing Transformer Aging Using Dielectric Oil Characteristics: Influence of Operating Voltage Levels and Purification
title_sort assessing transformer aging using dielectric oil characteristics influence of operating voltage levels and purification
topic Power transformers
oil dielectric characteristics
insulating aging
operating age
condition assessment
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10950444/
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AT suwarno assessingtransformeragingusingdielectricoilcharacteristicsinfluenceofoperatingvoltagelevelsandpurification
AT rahmanazisprasojo assessingtransformeragingusingdielectricoilcharacteristicsinfluenceofoperatingvoltagelevelsandpurification