Detailed study on insulation coordination of a 25kV power system connected with a VCB and transformer

Abstract

Recently, unusual transformer failures have been reported in 25kV power systems connected with a VCB and transformer. In this study, performance of the protection system, dielectric strength of the transformers, characteristics of switching surges and resonance phenomena were analysed and assessed. All investigations regarding the insulation breakdown of the transformers were carried out by simulations, laboratory tests, factory tests and on-site measurements in order to thoroughly investigate the root causes. Furthermore, experimental methods for investigating the resonance phenomenon were derived and tests were conducted applying the derived method to recreate the phenomenon in the transformer. It is found that resonance between the transformer and switching surge generated by closing a VCB can initiate the breakdown of internal windings of a transformer.