Assessing the internal mechanical integrity of power transformers using vibration tests
- Victoria Univ. of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Machine condition monitoring (MCM) has the capability to predict equipment maintenance needs which can reduce forced down-time and facilitate the avoidance of catastrophic failures and the consequential secondary damage. It can be used to allow confident deferral of routine maintenance, and improve equipment performance, availability, reliability and safety. In order to capitalize on the potential benefits of MCM directed toward power transformers two types of vibration tests were conducted on transformers owned and operated by Cargill Inc. and IES Utilities at the Bridgeport corn plant in Eddyville, Iowa. These tests involved collecting vibration signals from the transformer tank walls during transformer energization at no-load and during steady state operation at various loads. These vibration signals were then used to detect deterioration of internal mechanical integrity. Both types of tests conducted on the transformers at the Eddyville plant show considerable potential for use as regular monitoring and diagnostic tools revealing insights into the mechanical integrity of the equipment without the need for costly intrusive tests and inspections. The opportunity to test a relatively large number of transformers with both types of test also allowed a number of important correlations to be made. The energization tests seem to yield the most information about the transformers internal condition but these tests can only be carried out during a shut down of the equipment. The steady state tests seem to reveal less information but these tests can be carried out at any time.
- OSTI ID:
- 549950
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961006-; ISBN 0-7918-1796-2; TRN: IM9753%%25
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1996 international joint power generation conference, Houston, TX (United States), 13-17 Oct 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of 1996 international joint power generation conference: Proceedings. Volume 2; PWR-Volume 30; Kielasa, L. [ed.] [Detroit Edison Co., MI (United States)]; Weed, G.E. [ed.] [Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY (United States)]; PB: 936 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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