Optimal techno-economic sequence-based set of diagnostic tests for distribution transformers using genetic algorithm

The diagnostic measurement and tests of transformers are essential. Also, the costs of diagnostic tests are considerable. Hence, proposing a method to determine an economic-technical sequence-bases set of diagnostic tests for transformers is useful and interesting. In this paper, a new method is proposed to determine the optimal sequence-based set of diagnostic tests for distribution transformers. A new objective function based on the branch and bound concept is developed in this paper. The proposed optimization problem is solved by using the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The statistical data regarding the experimental diagnostic tests for more than 20 distribution transformers of South-West Power System Company (Pivdenno-Zakhidna Power System) located in Ukraine have been used. The usage of the actual statistical data of distribution transformers is one of the most important contributions of this paper. The comparison of the obtained optimum test results and those of a typical conventional non-optimum sequence of diagnostic tests illustrate the advantages of the proposed method. By applying the proposed method, it is achievable to perform the comprehensive diagnostic tests with the minimum required costs