Transformer oil degradation detection system based on color scale analysis

The rise in power transformer load results in degradation of the condition of the transformer oil and ultimately a deficiency in the distribution of electrical energy. This degradation can be slowed down by reconditioning transformer oil based on oil color detection. This research aims to design, test and validate a transformer oil color testing system based on color sensor and microcontroller. To obtain an accurate system, tests were carried out on selecting the types of sensors, the color of the chamber walls, and the shapes of transformer oil sample vessel used. The oil color scale of the samples was determined visually according to the ASTMD1500, 2009 standard as a benchmark. The test results showed that the TCS3200 color sensor was able to detect the color of all transformer oil samples. White chamber wall and test tube as oil sample containers were chosen to increase system accuracy. Overall, the system is able to detect the color of transformer oil, convert to the ASTMD1500, 2009 standard transformer oil color scale, determine the condition of the transformer oil and conclude the level of transformer oil degradation according to CIGRE-761, 2019. Validation results showed the system had an accuracy level of 92.65%.