Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Feasibility study for detecting copper contaminants in transformer insulation using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent times, copper sulphide (Cu2S) diffusion in the transformer insulation is a major problem reducing the life of transformers. It is therefore essential to identify a simple methodology to understand the diffusion of Cu2S into the solid insulation [oil impregnated pressboard (OIP)]. In the present work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was adopted to study the diffusion of Cu2S into the pressboard insulation and to determine the depth of diffusion. The diffusion of Cu2S in pressboard was confirmed by electrical discharge studies. In general, flashover voltage and increase in ageing duration of pressboard insulation/Cu concentration had inverse relationship. The characteristic emission lines were also studied through optical emission spectroscopy. Based on LIBS studies with Cu powder dispersed pressboard samples, Cu I emission lines were found to be resolvable up to a lowest concentration of 5 μg/cm2. The LIBS intensity ratio of Cu I–Ca II emission lines were found to increase with increase in the ageing duration of the OIP sample. LIBS studies with OIP samples showed an increase in the optical emission lifetime. LIBS results were in agreement with the electrical discharge studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. Maina, V. Tumiatti, M. Pompili, R. Bartnika, Corrosive sulfur effects in transformer oils and remedial procedures. IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 16(6), 1655–1663 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. ASTM Standard D1275, Standard Test Method for Corrosive Sulfur in Electrical Insulating Oils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. www.astm.org (2006)

  3. Reinhard Noll, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. V. Sathiesh Kumar, Nilesh J. Vasa, Detecting salt deposition on a wind turbine blade using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy technique. Appl. Phys. A Mater. Sci. Process. 112, 149–153 (2013)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. E. Kuffel, W.S. Zaengl, J. Kuffel, High Voltage Engineering: Fundamentals (Elsevier, New Delhi, 2000)

    Google Scholar 

  6. F. Kato, T. Amimoto, E. Nagao, N. Hosokawa, S. Toyama, J. Tanimura, Effect of DBDS concentration and heating duration on copper sulfide formation in oil-immersed transformer insulation. IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 18(6), 1869–1876 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. M.-C. Lessard, L.V. Nifterik, M. Masse, J.F. Penneau, R. Grob, Thermal aging study of insulating papers used in power transformers, in IEEE Annual Report of the Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, vol. 2 (1996), pp. 854–859

  8. R. Sarathi, I.P.M. Sheema, J.S. Rajan, Understanding surface discharge activity in copper sulphide diffused oil impregnated pressboard under AC voltages. IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 21(2), 674–682 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. IEC 60112, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of solid insulating materials, 4th edn. BSEN60112 (2003)

  10. V. Sathiesh Kumar, Nilesh J. Vasa, R. Sarathi, Study on pollution performance on a wind turbine blade using OES technique for lightning and switching impulse voltage profiles. J. Teknologi (Sci. Eng.) 64, 63–68 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  11. J.E. Sansonetti, W.C. Martin, S.L. Young, Handbook of basic atomic spectroscopic data (version 1.1.2). [Online] (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2005). http://physics.nist.gov/Handbook

  12. U. Panne, R.E. Neuhauser, M. Theisen, H. Fink, R. Niessner, Analysis of heavy metal aerosols on filters by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy. Spectrochim. Acta Part B At. Spectrosc. 56(6), 839–850 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to Central Power research Institute, Bangalore, India for providing financial assistance for the project (Project No. RB1213/ELE/002/CPRI/SAR).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, Chennai, India

    N. Aparna & Nilesh J. Vasa

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, India

    R. Sarathi

  3. Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore, India

    J. Sundara Rajan

Authors
  1. N. Aparna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nilesh J. Vasa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Sarathi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Sundara Rajan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Aparna.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aparna, N., Vasa, N.J., Sarathi, R. et al. Feasibility study for detecting copper contaminants in transformer insulation using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Appl. Phys. A 117, 281–288 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-014-8638-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-014-8638-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation