Introduction: When cellulose chains that form paper insulation in transformers degrade they are known to produce a class of compounds called furfurals and this has been used an indicator of paper ageing for many years. However, the excellent correlation that is typically seen in laboratory studies between concentration of Furfurals (FFA) and reduced degree of polymerisation; an indicator of paper condition, is not usually seen in transformers as they age. The presence of FFA at relatively high concentrations (>1.5ppm), especially evidence of an increasing trend in concentration, is a good indicator that the paper is nearing end of life. When FFA is present at lower levels, or it is apparently stable, then the link to ageing is less clear.

Objectives: This project will look at the potential for identifying the early stages of insulating paper degradation by measurement of methanol and ethanol in oil. Earlier detection of cellulose breakdown will provide greater visibility of transformers that are ageing but not in danger of imminent failure and would improve longer term transformer replacement plans. It might also be possible to identify thermal design issues during heat run tests of new transformers.