Instrumental methods of analytical chemistry applied in power transformer condition assessment

Jelena Jankovic, Valentina Vasovic, Draginja Mihajlovic, Neda Kovacevic, Dejan Kolarski

Abstract

The application of analytical methods in power transformer (PT) condition assessment enables the separation, identification and quantification of degradation products or contaminants, which are present in mineral transformer oils in low concentrations (mg/kg, μg/kg). This paper presents a review of the key instrumental methods applied in the laboratory of the Nikola Tesla Institute (NTI) and emphasizes the importance of their application during transformers life cycle. Gas chromatography (GC) is applied for assessment of PT operating condition and fault detection, cellulose degradation and for quantification of contaminants (PCB) and corrosive sulphur compounds (DBDS, S8) in insulating liquids. Liquid chromatography (LC) is applied for testing the presence of specific additives, such as metal passivators and degradation products such as furanic compound in oils. The importance of applying infrared spectrophotometry (IR) is reflected in the analysis of the chemical composition and antioxidant content (DBPC) in the oils. The results of Round Robin Tests (RRT) are also presented in this paper.

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IMEKO-TC8-11-24-2025-020.pdf

DOI

10.21014/tc24-2025.020

IMEKO TC

TC24 - Chemical Measurements

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