Electrical Discharges in Dielectric Fluids, Correlation Between Amount of Energy Delivered and Dissolved Gases Produced

The longevity and reliability of high-voltage electrical equipment, such as transformers and circuit breakers, are significantly influenced by the formation of dissolved gases within dielectric fluids when subjected to electrical discharges. The presence of these gases can serve as an indicator of insulation degradation, potential faults, or other operational anomalies. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind gas formation due to electrical discharges is crucial for predictive maintenance and the prevention of unexpected equipment failures. This study aims to establish a correlation between the amount of energy dissipated during an electrical discharge and the corresponding amount of dissolved gases generated in dielectric fluids. The research was conducted using an uninhibited mineral-based dielectric fluid, which was subjected to controlled electrical discharges at four distinct energy levels: 1 Joule, 5 Joules, 10 Joules, and 15 Joules. A specially designed electrical circuit was used to apply these energy levels, allowing controlled release of electrical energy into the dielectric fluid. Following each discharge event, the composition and concentration of dissolved gases were analyzed using Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA), a widely recognized diagnostic technique in the field of high-voltage equipment monitoring. The results of the study confirmed that hydrogen (H<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf>), acetylene (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf>H<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf>), and trace amounts of ethylene (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf>H<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</inf>) were the predominant gases produced under these experimental conditions. These findings are consistent with previous studies, which indicate that electrical discharges within dielectric fluids primarily generate hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases due to the breakdown of molecular bonds in the fluid. The presence of acetylene is particularly significant, as it is commonly associated with high-energy discharges, such as arcing and partial discharges, which can lead to insulation failure over time.