Investigating Pressure Patterns in Transformer Tanks after an Interturn Short Circuit: A Finite Element Approach

Abstract

When an inter-turn short-circuit fault occurs during the operation of a transformer, the arc generates energy that causes the temperature in the tank to rise. This in turn increases the temperature of the insulating oil, vaporizing it, and the rising pressure in the tank acts on the tank such that it can easily explode. The arc energy is related to the initial pressure of the gas and its production in the tank. The pressure wave propagates in insulating oil, and the transient pressure at any point in the path of the pressure wave is the superposition of vectors of forward- and backward-traveling waves. The authors of this study applied a finite element simulation software to establish a model of the transformer tank and used it to analyze the changes in pressure in the tank and on the wall as well as the factors influencing this phenomenon. The results show that the wall pressure of the transformer increases with time after the failure of the interturn short circuit. The pressure wave travels from the initial position of the arc to the periphery and decreases with diffusion effects. The influence of pressure on the transformer tank can be reduced by selecting an appropriate location for the pressure-release valve and can in turn prevent the tank from rupturing due to the impact of rising pressure.

Keywords

• transformer
• arc discharge
• fuel tank
• stress field
• finite element simulation