TYPES OF TRANSFORMER FAULTS

Any number of conditions has been the reason for an electrical transformer failure. Statistics show that winding failures most frequently cause transformer faults (ANSI/IEEE, 1985). Insulation deterioration, often the result of moisture, overheating, vibration, voltage surges, and mechanical stress created during transformer through faults, is the major reason for winding failure.

Voltage regulating load tap changers, when supplied, rank as the second most likely cause of a transformer fault. Tap changer failures can be caused by a malfunction of the mechanical switching mechanism, high resistance load contacts, insulation tracking, overheating, or contamination of the insulating oil.

Transformer bushings are the third most likely cause of failure. General aging, contamination, cracking, internal moisture, and loss of oil can all cause a bushing to fail. Two other possible reasons are vandalism and animals that externally flash over the bushing.

Transformer core problems have been attributed to core insulation failure, an open ground strap, or shorted lamination.

Other miscellaneous failures have been caused by current transformers, oil leakage due to inadequate tank welds, oil contamination from metal particles, overloads, and over-voltage.