×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

arcing noise coming from power transformer
2

arcing noise coming from power transformer

arcing noise coming from power transformer

(OP)
On a newly installed power transformer, we are observing some arcing type noise coming from (most probably) the tap changer. The noise is noticed on a single tap only: when the transformer is at some other tap, the operation is noiseless.
Can anyone please point out the reason and remedy for this issue?

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

The reason could be because the tap changer is arcing. This is potentially a very serious issue. Personally I'd take the unit out of service and begin sampling the oil.

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

Find out on which tap the arcing occurs. Verify with the rating and diagram plate. Check whether at this tap the regulating winding is floating. If no tie in resistor is provided, it can happen. Conduct a DGA of main tank oil and LTC chamber oil.

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

2
If there is arcing within the tap-changer there is a real possibility of a catastrophic explosion and fire. For your own safety, and that of your colleagues, all of your investigations should be done with the unit de-energised.

Regards
Marmite

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

I am not contradicting Marmite's advice. But let me add, all arcs under oil are not that explosive as mentioned esp when source fault level is low and the fault is at the neutral end of winding(as with tap changer)This is the reason why a minor inside fault in transformers in major cities can result in tank rupture and some time a fire. Without tank rupture there will be no fire as without oxygen fire cannot start. But an identical fault in a remote area without much interconnection will lead to a safe tripping out only. After all we were using oil as an arc quenching medium in oil circuit breakers !!

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

If the Trafo is small enough and has an OLTC then open it up and take a look... to heck with wasting time on the DGA unless you have a testing lab up the street. Otherwise if its new and under guarantee, get on the blower to the manufacturers and get them to address the issue.

RE: arcing noise coming from power transformer

The DGA results will be the proof the manufacturers want. Else, they will tell you there is no problem.
Any news om this one?

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources