Analysis of Partial Discharge in OIP Bushing Models

A high voltage bushing is a very important accessory of power transformers. Bushings are used to insulate high voltage conductors where they feed through steel tank of a power transformer. There are different sources of electric stress that may result in degradation of bushing. Partial discharges (PDs) are one of the main sources of electrical degradation. PDs occur due to defects in electrical insulations, and can lead to insulation failure. This thesis is composed of two parts. The first part deals with design of a 145 kV oil impregnated paper (OIP) bushing by using capacitive radial grading technique. In capacitive grading the foils of calculated length are placed at predetermined radial distance between the paper layers in order to distribute voltage and electric field uniformly between high voltage conductor and ground potential. A 145kV OIP bushing was designed according to dimensions of ABB GOE type bushing. After calculations, the 145 kV bushing geometry was modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics in order to analyze the voltage and electric field distribution in the bushing. In the second part of this thesis a scaled down model was designed using the capacitive radial grading technique. After designing, the scale down model was implemented in COMSOL in order to ensure that the voltage and electric field distribution should be similar to the full scale model of bushing. The scaled down bushing test model was made in laboratory by wrapping impregnated papers and foils on conductor tube according to calculated dimensions. These papers were impregnated with mineral oil. The test model was placed in an oil filled tube. Different defects were added in scale down bushing model and model was connected to PD measurement set up. PD inception voltage was measured and PD patterns were recorded on an insulation condition monitoring system (ICM). These patterns are analyzed in order to conclude about the signature of partial discharges in OIP bushings. From the PD pattern, the type and location of PDs can be concluded. PD patterns reveal that the main causes of PDs in OIP bushing can be gas filled cavities and surface discharges from foil edges