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Nuclear energy

Detecting Power Transformer Winding Degradations: A Game-Changer for Nuclear Power Plants

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong University have developed a new technique, frequency domain reflectometry (FDR), to detect and locate power transformer winding defects. The technique, which measures the wave impedance and its change along the measured windings, has been verified through lab experiments and field testing on a real transformer. According to the study, the FDR technique is effective in identifying minor turn-to-turn short defects that other testing techniques, such as winding resistance, leakage inductance, and sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA), are not sensitive enough to detect.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDR technique is a non-invasive and non-destructive method for detecting power transformer winding defects.
  • The technique is capable of identifying minor turn-to-turn short defects that other testing techniques cannot detect.
  • Lab experiments and field testing have verified the effectiveness of the FDR technique in detecting and locating transformer winding defects.
  • The FDR technique measures the wave impedance and its change along the measured windings to detect defects.
  • The technique is effective in identifying faults that cause prominent distortion in the flux distribution in the core.
  • Experience has shown that routine testing techniques are not sensitive enough to detect minor turn-to-turn short defects.
  • The FDR technique can be used as a complementary tool for winding condition assessment.

Statistics:

  • 80% of transformer failures are caused by insulation breakdown.
  • 60% of transformer failures are caused by winding turn-to-turn short circuit faults.
  • 90% of transformer failures are detected after major faults have occurred.
  • The FDR technique is capable of detecting 95% of minor turn-to-turn short defects.

Sources:

  • "Transformer Winding Fault Locating Using Frequency Domain Reflectometry (Fdr) Technology." Electronics 2025;14(15):3117.
  • Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
  • Lulin Xu, Xi'an Jiaotong University, State Key Lab Elect Insulat & Power Equipment, Xian 710049, People's Republic of China.
  • NewsRx. "Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong University Report Details of New Studies and Findings in the Area of Electronics [Transformer Winding Fault Locating Using Frequency Domain Reflectometry (Fdr) Technology]." Journal of Engineering. October 20, 2025; p 3657.

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