Sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA) for the assessment of winding displacements and deformation in power transformers

Abstract

The sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA) is an analysis technique for detecting winding displacement and deformation (among other mechanical and electrical failures) on power and distribution transformers. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in SFRA method because of its sensibility in detecting mechanical faults without opening the unit. SFRA as a diagnostic technique must integrate both the off-line measurements and the interpretation of the data in order to provide an assessment of the condition of the windings. However, guidelines for the measurement and record interpretation are not available. The evaluation is presently done by experts in the topic through the visual inspection or with the help of statistical parameters such as the correlation coefficient and the standard deviation. However, criteria like the limits of normal variation of the parameters, and the features observed in the records in the presence of a determined type of fault could not to coincide. Although, there are some proposals for making the interpretation more objective, neither of them integrate human expertise along with the different kind of parameters obtained from the evaluation of the records in a diagnostic model. This paper presents a survey on the alternatives in the measurement techniques and interpretation of SFRA measurements, describing some sources of uncertainty in applying this methodology.