Development and practical operation of perfluorocarbon immersed 275kV transformers with compressed SF6 gas insulation

A perfluorocarbon (PFC) immersed 275 kV power transformer with compressed SF₆ gas insulation has been under development. This paper clarifies the AC partial discharge inception voltage and time characteristics of PFC immersed insulation and also clarifies that a prototype 275 kV 100 MVA three-phase transformer could be operated without any trouble during long-term overvoltage tests. This prototype proved that it had AC partial discharge inception strength of higher than 1.5 times the AC test voltage and lightning impulse breakdown strength of 1.5 times the test voltage. A 275 kV, 250 MVA three-phase power transformer was developed and operated at the outdoor substation of the Chubu Electric Power Co., Japan. This transformer has been successfully operated to date and a detailed internal inspection of the transformer was carried out after one year and 9 months of successful practical operation. No significant abnormal condition was recognized