The quality of insulation system within power transformer reflects the overall health condition of the asset. A timely and reliable maintenance decision along with the remaining operational life estimation of the asset can be identified through the measurements of some parameters reflecting the degradation rate of the transformer dielectric insulation. However, the process is not always straightforward due to the complexity of the insulation structure and degradation process. This chapter proposes a new fuzzy-logic approach to provide a proper asset management decision and predict the remaining operational life of a power transformer based on some insulating oil tests. The developed fuzzy-logic model is validated through field data collected for various transformers of pre-known health condition and life span. The results show that the proposed model is reliable and can be facilitated to provide a timely asset management decision with less reliance on expert personnel.

Chapter Contents:

• Abstract
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 Transformer health condition
• 8.3 Proposed approach
• 8.4 Fuzzy-logic model development
• 8.4.1 Furan criticality
• 8.4.2 CO ratio criticality
• 8.4.3 Paper ageing criticality
• 8.4.4 Relative accelerating ageing criticality
• 8.4.5 Thermal fault criticality
• 8.4.6 Electrical fault criticality
• 8.4.7 Overall thermal –electrical fault criticality
• 8.4.8 IFT criticality
• 8.4.9 Remnant life estimation
• 8.4.10 Asset management model
• 8.5 Case study on pre-known condition of power transformer
• 8.6 Conclusion
• Acknowledgement
• References

Inspec keywords: remaining life assessment; asset management; maintenance engineering; condition monitoring; reliability; power transformers; power transformer testing; fuzzy logic; power transformer insulation

Other keywords: life span; remaining operational life estimation; transformer dielectric insulation; reliable maintenance decision; fuzzy-logic approach; transformers; degradation rate; degradation process; timely maintenance decision; pre-known health condition; timely asset management decision; remnant life; insulation structure; developed fuzzy-logic model; power transformer asset management; insulating oil tests; insulation system; proper asset management decision

Subjects: Transformers and reactors; Maintenance and reliability; Reliability; Plant engineering, maintenance and safety