Today, Power transformer is one of the primary components of power distribution network. Hence protection of transformer is most important. A number of means for transformer protection against incipient fault are available. Buchholz relay and DGA methods are used invariably. However, these conventional methods have some limitations.
Limitations of Buchholz Relay: Whenever transformer is overloaded for long time period, gases are released which get dissolved in transformer oil. Buchholz relay is being used in transformers as a safety device, since the evolution of transformer. It protects the transformer from the faults occurring inside the transformer such as impulse breakdown of the insulating oil, insulation failure of turns, etc. But Buchholz relay is found to be slow and detects fault at a later stage and is not sensitive to low intensity faults. Moreover, in case of minor earthquake, this device gives a false alarm and trips the transformer. Further, this relay does not have provision of data monitoring and data logging.
Limitation of DGA: Condition monitoring through Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is found reliable and well proven tool to detect any abnormality / fault inside the oil filled transformer at initial stages of development. This helps the utility to take remedial action well in time, to avoid any premature failure. DGA, although a reliable technique, is an offline method. Moreover, improper sampling may lead to erroneous results.
In view of above mentioned limitations of the existing methods of incipient fault detection in transformers, Electrical Research & Development Association (ERDA) has designed and developed Hydrogen based online fault detection system for early detection of faults in transformer.
Working Principle of Online Fault Detection System
In case of fault – electrical or thermal, hydrogen gas evolves as a result of degradation of transformer oil. When the evolved hydrogen gas, reaches the sensor head, sensing element will detect it and produce an equivalent electrical signal, which is transmitted through a screened cable to control unit. Control unit houses display unit which shows relative concentration of hydrogen in transformer tank. User can set preset values to trigger alarm / action depending upon severity of fault.
System Description
This system mainly consists of two parts: sensor head and display cum control unit. The sensor head mainly consist of hydrogen sensor. The electrical resistance of the sensor varies with change in quantity of hydrogen gas in the air. After compensation for change in temperature and humidity, the signal is fed to controller for processing. In display cum control unit, microcontroller is used for signal processing of the data obtained from sensor head. This unit generates equivalent hydrogen in ppm for display and annunciation.
Product Information
- Sensor for transformer – senses hydrogen gas emitted as a result of fault inside the transformer.
- To be installed in addition to Buchholz relay
- It has two components
- Sensor Head – directly mounted on the air vent port of the Buchholz relay
- Display cum Control Unit – mounted in the marshalling box near the transformer
- Different threshold values setting for tripping during fault.
Distinctive Features
- Detection of minutest hydrogen gas liberated as low as 50 ppm
- Incipient fault detection at an early stage
- Data logging
- Remote monitoring
- Different threshold values setting for tripping during fault
Specifications
- Gas response: Hydrogen
- Measurement range: 0-1000 ppm of hydrogen equivalent
- Accuracy: ± 10% of reading
- Sensor principle: Gas permeable membrane and solid state hydrogen gas detector
- Communication: RS 232
Advantages
- Operates at lower gas pressure compared to Buchholz relay
- Incipient fault detection at an early stage
- Facility of Data logging and remote monitoring
- Different threshold values setting for tripping during fault
- Economical
- Easy to install
- Retrofit
Patents Granted
- Title – An online fault sensor for oil filled transformer. Patent Number: 204691
- An improved online incipient fault sensor device for detection of incipient fault in oil-filled electrical apparatuses such as a transformer. Patent Number: 341056
Pictorial Representation of Technology
Figure 1 : Pictorial presentation of On-line Fault Sensor
Figure 2 : Online fault sensor with control unit
ERDA's
Leadership Team
ERDA's
Middle Management Team
| Name of Employee |
|---|
| Mr. Mehul Patel Sr. Manager HR |
| Mr. Pratik Shah Asst. Manager Accounts & Finance |
| Mr. Pranav Parikh Dy. Manager Business Development |
| Mr. Shailesh Patel Sr. Manager Cables, CT-PT, Capacitors & PD |
| Mr. Ravi Nandwana Sr. Engineer CT-PT & Capacitors |
| Mrs. Vidya Kapse Dy. Manager Customer Relationship Management |
| Mr. Puran Gajera Dy. Manager EMI/EMC |
| Mr. Nitin Chitte Asst. Manager Impulse – Makarpura |
| Mr. Anil Solanki Sr. Manager Information Technology |
| Mr. Jaydeep Sheth Dy. Manager Liquid Dielectric |
| Mr. Ravi Singh Dy. Manager Motors & Pumps, Solar Pump & Converters |
| Mr. Anil Suthar Dy. Manager Mechanical |
| Mr. Bhavesh Vasiyani Manager Non Destructive & Energy Management |
| Mr. Mitesh Prajapati Sr. Engineer Quality System |
| Mr. Sandeep Soni Manager Short Circuit 3– Savli |
| Mr. Amar Shah Dy. Manager Third Party Inspection |
| Mr. Asheesh Dhaneria Manager TM5(A) NPT Electronics, TM5 (B) NPT Electrical |
| Mr. Munaf Patel Manager Short Circuit 2 – Makarpura |
| Mr. Pankaj Chawla Manager ERDA (North) |
| Name of Employee |
|---|
| Mr. Laxman Bhekare Sr. Manager Admin |
| Mr. Rakesh A Patel Dy. Manager Appliance |
| Mr. Brijesh Sachdeva Manager Business Development ERDA (North) |
| Mrs. Sheetal Panchal Dy. Manager Cables |
| Mr. Nirav Taunk Manager Calibration |
| Mr. Umesh Soni Manager Electrical Diagnostics |
| Mr. Tejas Mistri Dy. Manager Energy Meter |
| Mr. Tirthashankar Vishwakarma Manager Impulse – Savli |
| Mr. Nitin Patel Dy. Manager Lamps & Luminaires & Solar |
| Mr. Pramod Patel Dy. Manager Maintenance (Civil & Electrical) |
| Mrs. Sneha Sheth Manager Solid Dielectrics |
| Mrs. Bhoomi Patel Dy. Manager Metallurgy |
| Mr. Shailesh Modi Sr. Manager Power Systems |
| Mr. Jeetendra Tahilwani Sr. Manager Transformers & Short Circuit 2 – Makarpura |
| Mr. Goutam Som Manager Switchgear & IP |
| Ms. Shefali Talati Dy. Manager TM4 Power Systems (R&D), Documentation |
| Mr. Kapil Sharma Dy. Manager Transformers |
| Mr. Nitin Doshi Sr. Manager ERDA (West) |
| Mr. Rajesh Marri Dy. Engineer ERDA (South) |
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ERDA's
Code of Conduct
Our Mission and Values statement clearly declares that we shall achieve excellence in our areas of operation. Achieving this excellence is not possible if we do not act with Integrity, Honesty, Impartiality, Dignity, Loyalty and Pride for the organization. We must always ensure that we live out those values every day.
One of our primary objectives is to help our customers, meet quality standards for virtually any market in the world and protect them against risk by ensuring compliance with local, national and international laws. The accuracy and validity of reports and certificates that we provide and maintaining the trust and confidence of our customers, their customers and others impacted by our work, are therefore important factors which contribute to our success.
Our objective is to achieve excellence by virtue of competence through R&D, testing, calibration, training and information dissemination to improve quality and reduce cost of equipment, materials and services for electrical industries, utilities and users of electricity.
ERDA's
CLIENTS & TESTIMONIALS
ERDA collaborates with Manufacturers, Distribution & Transmission Companies, Power Plants & Process Plants across India and Globe to meet their requirement for laboratory evaluation and contract research. Our state of the art laboratories along with highly competent manpower ensures proper evaluation of our client’s products and to get greater market access. With “Customer First” centric approach, more than 10,000 customers are part of ERDA family.
Precision Wire India Ltd. HAPPY CLIENT
“….On behalf of our company, I would like to congratulate & appreciate you on being able to successful completion of testing & witness of CTC/PICC & CCCR. It is because of the hard work & dedication of your team that made it possible to get the project done on the pre-decided deadline. I wholeheartedly appreciate the way you worked on this project & made it a success. We express our sincere gratitude to you & your team. Thank you for your cooperation & looking forward to more years to come…”
GR Power Switchgear Ltd. HAPPY CLIENT
“…Thank you so much for your kind support and prompt response towards completion of testing and immediate reports. We appreciate your capability and commitment towards customer satisfaction.
Keep up the good work….”
Radiant Enterprise HAPPY CLIENT
“…Once again you have proved that ERDA team is one the best in business and it is only possible due to strong, experienced, and dedicated work force like yours. Please accept our appreciation and we look forward to have more business in future…’’
Hitachi Energy HAPPY CLIENT
“…We at Hitachi Energy India Limited Bengaluru would like to appreciate the excellent support offered by the ERDA team (HV Division) during the compliance testing of our products.”
Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited HAPPY CLIENT
“…DHBVN is pleased to appreciate the efforts of ERDA team for providing the test report on very short notice in an emergency. We hope for the same cooperation & dedication from the officers be continued in future…”
Schneider Electric HAPPY CLIENT
“…Thank you ERDA team for your incredible work in Impulse testing. All of you provided good support. Thank you once again for your selfless assistance…”
R.B.Commercial Corporation HAPPY CLIENT
“…We are hereby very much thankful to ERDA- Savli team which have fully co-operated & helped us in getting our items tested & also providing immediately final test reports within a day by considering our emergency.
Truly entire ERDA – Savli team is so active & hard working in providing service to customer by considering their needs. We are thankful to entire ERDA team for their immediate help & co-operation to us…”
