1.

INTRODUCTION

A transformer is a device that transforms electrical energy from one electricalcircuit to another
electrical circuit through the medium of magnetic field and without change in the frequency. Thus
transformer is an electromechanical energy conversion device. Transformer is the most widely
used device in both low and high current circuits. Low power transformers are air cooled whereas
large power transformers are immersed in oil for better cooling. In oil cooled transformers, the oil
serves as a coolant and also as an insulating medium. In a gas insulated transformer, gas is used as
an insulating as well as cooling agent. SF6 is an important gas used in these types of transformer.
The main advantage of gas insulated transformers is that they are environment friendly in nature
and can be recycled easily. These gases are non-flammable in nature and thus are able to remove
firefighting equipment from the transformer room. And thus the liquid or oil purifying process is
not used in the gas insulated transformers, the substation space is also minimized, gas abolishes
the risk of oil leakage. Conventional substations require, small installation size, protection against
pollution,moisture, noiseless operation, nonexplosive and flame resistant, reducedmaintenance,
minimal radio interference, but totally enclosed substations using SF6gas as insulation that are
also known as GIS is now in widespread use in the electrical power industry. The first delivery in
Japan of SF6 gas-insulated transformers in 1967 (four units of 66 kiva - 3000 kiva), Toshiba
predicted immense future prospects for this type of transformer that utilizes the features of SF6
gas known for its non-flammability and coordinative ability with environmental conditions. Since
then, coupled with incessantly continued research and development activities, Toshiba has
accumulated abundant experience in delivering large-capacity gas insulated transformers-for
example, two units of 77kv -20 MVA. SF6 gas-insulated transformers are characterized by their
outstanding non-flammability, insulation effects, and safety. On the other hand, SF6 gas-insulated
switchgear incorporates the most advanced SF6 gas application techniques. Fully gas-insulated
substations, adopting a combination of these transformers and switchgear, offer extra ease
for safety assurance, accident prevention, and inspection/ maintenance. Concurrently, substations
of this type are ideal for applications involving the needs for prevention of environment pollution,
resistance to surrounding conditions, or compactness of installation spaces. Such substations are
expected to lead the future trend. MEPPI'sGas Insulated transformers are designed to reduce fire
hazards and have less impact on the environment SF6 gas insulated type transformers are the most
clean and safe to operate.
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2. FEATURES OF A GAS INSULATED TRANSFORMER

Toshiba's SF6 gas-insulated transformers offer excellent insulation/cooling characteristics and

thermal stability. Additionally, these transformers possess the following features resulting from
containing the active parts in a tank sealed with nonflammable, harmless, and odorless SF6 gas.

High-level stability-
Even should the actual transformer develop an accident, or should a firebreak out on the installation
environment, combustion or an explosion will not occur. Since all live parts are housed in
grounded metal cases, maintenance and inspection can be achieved easily and safely.

Outstanding accident preventive characteristics-

Non-flammable structure employing no insulation oil contributes to minimizing the scope
of associated accident-preventive facilities such as fireproof walls, fire-fighting equipment, or oil
tanks.

Compactness of substation-
By directly coupling with gas-insulated switchgear, substation space can be minimized as the result
of compact facilities.

Simplified maintenance and long service life-

Because the transformers are completely sealed in housing cases, no contact exists with exterior
atmospheric air, thereby eliminating problems of degradation or contamination triggered by
moisture or dust accumulation. Constant enveloping of Components with inactive, dry SF6 gas
results in minimizing aging deterioration of insulating materials and prolonging transformer
service life.

Easy, clean installation-

SF6 gas can be quickly sealed into the transformer tank from a cylinder. Installation work never
contaminates surrounding areas, and ensures maintenance of a clean environment.
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Ideal for high voltage systems-

By increasing the seal pressure, SF6 gas transformers offer insulation performance comparable to
that of oil-insulated types, being ideal for high voltages of 22 kV to 154kV.

3. SF6-AN OVERVIEW

SF6 is the main gas commercially used in gas insulated transformer. SF6 gas issued instead of
conventional oil both as an insulating oil and as a cooling agent.

SF6 is Sulphur hexafluoride formed by chemical reaction of molten sculpture and fluorine.

It is colorless, odorless, non-flammable, non-corrosive and chemically stable.

High dielectric strength.

Quenches arc effectively and has excellent cooling properties.

Good thermal conductivity and excellent thermal stability.

It’s not poisonous and eco-friendly.

it can be recycled.

Rising demand for electric power in large cities has encouraged large-scale substations to be tucked
away underground in overpopulated urban areas, leading to strong demand for incombustible and
non-explosive, large-capacity gas insulated transformers from the view point of accident
prevention and compactness of equipment. In line with this requirement, several types of large
capacity gas insulated transformer. The gas-forced cooling type was considered to be available for
up to approximately60MVA, while all other gas insulated transformer with higher ratings are
liquid cooled.
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3.1 Introduction-
SF6 is a combination of sculpture and fluorine its first synthesis was realized in1900 by French
researchers of the Pharmaceutical Faculty of Paris. It was used for the first time as insulating
material, In the United States about 1935. In 1953,
the Americans discovered its properties for extinguishing the electric arc. This aptitude is quite
remarkable.

3.2 Physical properties-

It is about five times heavier than air, and has a density of 6.1 4kg / m3. It is colorless, odorless,
and non-toxic. Tests have been carried out replacing the nitrogen content of air by SF6 (the gaseous
mixture consisted of 79 % SF6 and 24 %oxygen): five mice were then immersed in this atmosphere
for 24 hours, without feeling any ill effects. It is a gas which the speed of sound propagation is
about three times less than in air, at atmospheric pressure. The interruption of the arc will therefore
be less loud in SF6 than in air. The dielectric strength of SF6 in on average2.5 times that of air,
and, by increasing pressure, it can be seen that the dielectric strength also increases and then around
3.5 bar of relative pressure, SF6 has the same strength as fresh oil.

The principal characteristics of the gas are as follows:

Molar mass 146.078Critical temperature 45.55°CCritical pressure 37.59 bars. In short, SF6 at
atmospheric pressure is a heavier gas than air, it becomes liquid at - 63.2°C and in which noise
propagates badly.

3.3 SF6 on the market:

SF6 which is delivered in cylinders in liquid phase, contains impurities (within limits imposed by
IEC standards No. 376). Carbon tetra fluoride (CF4) 0.03 %Oxygen + nitrogen (air) 0.03
Water 15 ppmCO2Traces.SF6 is therefore 99.99 % pure.

3.4 Chemical properties-

SF6 is a synthetic gas which is obtained as we have just explained by combination of six atoms of
fluorine with one atom of sculpture:
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You can see therefore that this reaction is accompanied by an important release of heat.
This approximately similar to coal combustion. Given that the energy released during synthesis is
the same as is needed in order to dissociate the final element, it can immediately be seen that:- 524
k. calories are necessary for molecular breakdown, we can therefore already expect that it will be
a powerful cooling agent.

The dissociation products before interruption of the

arc- At normal temperature, the gas is stable, and does not react with itsenvironment. In contact
with the parts where electric currents circulate, the gas is heated to temperatures of around four
hundred degrees SF6 gives the following decomposition products:
Thinly fluoride SOF2
Sulphur fluoride SO2F2
Sulphur tetra fluoride SF4
Sulphur deca fluoride S2F10
Thionyl tetra fluoride SOF4

SF6 also reacts with the materials that are found in its environment: With water (impurity in the
gas), it gives hydrofluoric acid HF, With air dioxide (impurity in the gas), it gives sculpture dioxide
SO2, With carbon dioxide (impurity in the gas), it gives carbon tetra fluoride CF4, With the araldite
casings which are high in silicon dioxide, it gives silicon tetra fluoride SF4.

The dissociation products after interruption of an

arc- An electric are develops high temperatures which can reach 15000°C.Atthese temperatures,
many dissociation products that we have previously studied disappear. It is thus that, besides the
impurities of the gas (water, air, carbon, and dioxide), there only remain: Sulphur fluoride SO2F2
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Carbon tetra fluoride CF4

Silicon tetra fluoride SiF4
Sulphurous anhydride SO2
You can therefore see that a large number of products have been dissociated by the electric arc.
The importance of the remaining products may be lessened by adding a powder (alumina silicate).
All these gases are heavier than air, and May, under certain conditions is poisonous.

3.5 SF6 Safety precautions-

Today there is no known dielectric and breaking agent combined better thanSF6 gas.
Initial state-
In its initial state, before it has undergone thermal stress (usually the electric arc); SF6 is perfectly
safe in normal conditions:-It is non-toxic. - It is UN inflammable. - It will not explode. This does
not mean that no precautions need to be taken: because of its lack of oxygen, this gas will not
support life. However, the concentration of SF6 would have to be high, since the International
electro technical Commission (IEC) has shown that five mice left for 24 hours in an atmosphere
of 79 % SF6 and 21 %oxygen will not only remain alive but will show no signs of abnormal
behavior. Man dies when the oxygen level of the gas he is breathing falls below 12 %.
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4. LAYOUT

Gas Insulated Substations are high voltage Substations that are compact, requiring little
maintenance when compared to air-insulated conventional Substations. Compressed Gas Insulated
Substations (CGIS) consist basically conductor supported on insulators inside an enclosure which
is filled with sculpture hexafluoride gas (SF6). The compactness is with the use of SF6 gas, which
has high dielectric strength. The voltage withstand capability of SF6 Bus duct is strongly
dependent on field perturbations, such as those caused by conductor surface imperfections and by
conducting particle contaminants. The contaminants can be produced by abrasion between
components during assembly or operations.

4.1. The actual layout-

Fig. Layout example of gas insulated substation

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Since gas insulated transformer does not need the conservator, the height of transformer room can
be reduced. In addition, its non-flammability and non-tank-explosion characteristics can remove
the firefighting equipment from transformer room. As a result, gas insulated transformer, gas
insulated shunt reactor and GIS control panels can be installed in the same room. With such
arrangement, a fullySF6 gas insulated substation can be recognized. SF6 gas-insulated
transformers arecharacterized by their outstanding non-flammability, insulation effectsand safety.
Concurrently, substations of this type are ideal for applications involving the needs for prevention
of environment pollution, or compactness of installation spaces. Such substations are expected to
lead the future trend. (Layout of a GIT in a GIS)

5. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES OF TRANSFORMERS

Oil-immersed transformers use mineral oil (also called transformer oil). Mineral oil has both good
electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. This maintains the tolerable dielectric strength
required for high voltage operation and also make the cooling of the windings and transformer
efficient. Oil-immersed transformers can be designed in two ways: one which is sealed without
ventilation during change of pressure and the other with a breather attached to inhale and exude
air when the pressure inside transformer changes. This design helps in designing the tanks
especially in case of internal faults. During the pressure change, there is a need of ensuring the
movement of oil above the internal components and also to make sure that the air inhaled by the
transformer is moisture-free. In order to overcome this problem an oil conservator is placed above
the transformer. The breather tube is attached to the conservator with a moisture absorbing material
like silica gel. Since in gas insulated transformer SF6 gas is used for insulation and being a gas
SF6 is compressible. Due to its compressibility, an increase in pressure only results in an increase
in density. This removes the chances of having excess pressure on tank. Thus there is no need of
a conservator and a breather in case of gas insulated transformer.
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Fig. 1 Typical oil transformer design.

For voltage regulations, on-load tap changers are normally used. However, with electrical
switching and moving parts during tap changing, tap changers usually causes frequent failure.
Thus to overcome this, and to allow better maintenance and faster replacement, the on-load tap
changers have been modulated. For tap switching, vacuum interrupters are used in gas insulated
transformers as the on-load tap changers are separated from the main tanks. This makes arc
removal easier and effective.it also increases the maintenance period and reduces the rate of faults.

6. MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OIT AND GIT

 Insulation:
Oil insulated transformer uses mineral oil or transformer oil for insulation or cooling
purpose. Whereas gas insulated transformer uses sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) at .14or .43
MPa at 20̊C.

 Solid insulation material:

Oil insulated transformer uses oil impregnated paper, pressboard etc. for solid insulation.
Whereas gas insulated transformer uses PET Film, PPS Film, Aramide paper pressboard
etc.

 Conservator:
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Oil insulated transformer necessarily requires conservator. Whereas gas insulated

transformer doesn’t need conservators or breathers.

 On load tap changers:

Oil insulated transformer uses arcing switches in oil as diverter switch and sliding contact for tap
selector. Whereas gas insulated transformer uses vacuum interrupter as diverter switch and roller
contact for tap selector.

7. COOLING

To place the cooling problem in perspective, the accepted rule of thumb is that the life expectancy
of insulation in all electric including all transformers is halved for about every 7°C to 10°C increase
in operating temperature, this life expectancy halving rule holding more narrowly when the
increase is between about7°C to 8°C in the case of transformer winding cellulose insulation.

7.1 Cooling apparatus-

Employs a cooling medium in liquid phase such as a Refrigerant R113 otherwise known as
tirfluorotrichloroethane or C2F3Cl3.Thus SF6 is used as a second cooling medium.

7.2 Cooling methods:

The design of an external cooling system is same for a gas insulated transformer is same as that of
an oil insulated type transformer. The different methods of cooling are:

1. GNAN type:
The gas natural air natural or GNAN method is the simplest of all. Here cooling is done by the
natural convectional flow of gas. During the convectional flow of gas, the upper portion of the
tank receives hot gas and the lower/vacant portion receives cold gas. With hot gas in the upper
side of the tank, due to transfer of heat by convection, conduction and radiation it comes cold and
recirculates continuously through the tank. Radiators are used to increase the surface area of the
tank. This is done because the heat dissipation rate is directly proportional to the area of the tank.
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2. GDAN type:
In gas directed air natural (GDAN) type, the rate of heat dissipation is increased by accelerating
the flow of gas by use of gas blowers in the predefined paths provided by the radiator. The gas
blower pushes the gas to the radiator segment for cooling. The heat dissipation in the radiator is
natural by means of conduction, convection and radiation.

3. GDAF type:
If the rate of flow of air is increased, it will definitely increase the heat dissipation rate. To increase
the flow of air, the cooling surface is given some additional fans blowing air. Along with forced
flow of air, gas blowers are employed to circulate the gas through a predefined path through the
insulation of conductors and core. Thus gas directed air forced type provides better heat dissipation
than that in case of GNAN due to the presence of the gas blowers and coolers. It is mostly used
for high rated transformer.

4. GDWF type:
In gas directed water forced type, the method of cooling is same as that in case of GDAF type.
Here instead of air water is used for the purpose of cooling. The hot gas is blown to the gas-water
heat exchanger by means of a gas exchanger. The gas-water heat exchanger contains cold water
for absorbing the heat of the hot gas.as the gas cools down it is recirculated through the core and
the insulation of the conductors.
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8. ACCESSORIES:
Toshiba's SF6 gas-insulated transformers are manufactured under thoroughgoing quality control
systems. To enable users to fully utilize these transformers, the following protective/monitoring
devices are provided as standard accessories. Table2 lists these standard accessories.
Dial thermometer
Pressure gauge
Temperature compensating pressure switch

8.1 SF6 gas temperature indicator (Dial thermometer)-

Measures temperature of SF6 gas sealed in transformer tanks. Gas is measured by the heat sensing
probe of a thermometer inserted into the protective cylinder provided in the tank or on the cover.
Since this protective cylinder maintains air tightness of the gas, the temperature indicator itself
can be removed. The temperature indicator is provided with alarm contacts and a pointer for
indicating maximum temperature.

8.2 SF6 gas pressure gauge (compound gauge)-

This gauge is used to measure the pressure of SF6 gas sealed in the transformer tank. The gauge
is a compound type that measures both positive and negative pressure, capable of measuring the
positive pressure up to 3.0 kg/cm 2 and the negative pressure up to 760 mmHg. Generally, only
the positive pressure is indicated during operation. Since vacuum suction is conducted when
sealing SF6into the tank, the graduations for negative pressure are provided for use during this gas
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sealing. The pressure gauge is provided with alarm contacts that actuate at the upper limit of
normal pressure during operation.

8.3. Temperature compensating pressure switch-

Leakage is detected of SF6 gas sealed in the transformer tank. Pressure in the transformer tank is
compared with pressure in the reference pressure chamber inserted into the protective cylinder
provided in the tank or on the cover. Therefore, regardless of temperatures in the transformer,
SF6gas leakage is accurately detected and the alarm contacts are actuated.
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9. COMPARISON OF GIT WITH OIT

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10. ADVANTAGE OF GIT

Non-flammability-
With non-flammable SF6 gas and oxygen-free equipment there is no chance of combustion of the
insulation in the tank. This reduces any chance of fire hazards. No need of firefighting equipment.
No need of oil collection tanks and pits outside the transformer room.

Tank-explosion Prevention-
With compressible SF6 gas, the rise in pressure of SF6 gas is very low. For same rating of OIT
and GIT the pressure rise during internal faults is shown in fig. 2.

Fig.2 Comparison of internal pressure rise rate (example).

Compactness-
By directly coupling with gas-insulated switchgear, substation space can be minimized as the result
of compact facilities. Thus it acquires less space area. With no use of oil in GIT, there is no need
of firewall or separate rooms for GIT and GIS. Thus more compact design can be obtained by
installing both GIT and GIS in the same room.
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No leakage of oil
Since GIT doesn’t employ use of transformer oils there is no risk of any oil leakage causing
pollution of water bodies. With no use of oil in GIT, there is no need of firewall or separate rooms
for GIT and GIS. Thus more compact design can be obtained by installing both GIT and GIS in
the same room.

Minimized substation height

Since ground clearance required for conductors can be made small in GIT and without any need
of conservators, the height of the transformer can be reduced. It can be up to 2-2.5 meters lower
than the conventional OIT for high capacity.

Light in weight
With no use of oil, the weight of GIT is reduced than OIT for same rating and capacity

Easy installation-
Oil or liquid purifying process is not necessary in case of gas insulatedtransformer making the
installation process easier.

Easy inspection and maintenance work-

Only SF6 gas pressure shall be basically monitored during periodically inspection.

Environmentally Friendly-
Electric power companies and electric equipment manufacturers in japan have made tremendous
efforts to reduce sf6 gas emission based on an agreed voluntary target. With careful gas treatment
and complete sf6 recovery systems, the amount of sf6 emission from gas insulated equipment has
been dramatically reduced as indicated by the bars.
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Reliability-
Extensive experience in designing optimum phase and feeder spacing dimensions according to site
conditions enable compact dimensions that reduce space requirements to less than 20% of
conventional air insulated substations.

Special Features-
Enhanced insulating properties and reduced long-term operational costs by means of sealed metal
enclosure filled with SF6 gas.

Maintenance-
Virtual elimination of long-term maintenance costs and contamination of critical components by
means of SF6 gas-filled metal enclosures, automatic monitoring of operating mechanisms and SF6
gas system.

Economic aspects-
Initial high investment is required for installation but the cost can be comparable for the less
maintenance, reliable, safe operation against conventional substation. Ability to interrupt out-of-
phase.
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No noise interferences-
Minimized operation noise levels allow installation in urban and sub-urban indoor substations.
Elimination of radio interference problems and individual painting of enclosures with the colour of
customer choice

11. DISADVANTAGES OF GIT

1. Installation of gas insulated transformers is very expensive. It needs to be balanced out by

its cheap maintenance over the life of transformer for being economical.

2. With presence of moisture and dust particles in insulated tank compartments, the frequency
of flashovers are increased. This may lead to a diectrin breakdown of SF6 gas. Thus
cleaniness of the compartment are highly desirable.

3. It take too much time for installtion of gas insulated type substation. Also during any
occcurence of faults, the time taken by the sysyem to recover and again work properly is
more.

4. With SF6 being a greenhouse gas, there are some environmental laws and regulations on
its emision. This make the handling and recycling of SF6 very cautious increasing the
maintenance cost, repair cost and may lead to installation of some additional equipmants.

5. The cooling system used in gas insulated type is complex because of the low thermal
conductivity of SF6. With such a complex cooling system, the chances of any equipment
failure is more which may lead to a fall in rating of transformer.
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12. FUTURE OF GIT

One of the major problems with use of SF6 gas as insulation is that SF6 is the major contributor
to global warming. It has 6 time sthe potential of global warming than CO2. Due to this emission
of SF6 may be pollution free but can cause severe environmental inbalance. In fact the Europian
Union has banned its use if not for high voltage equipment.
SF6 has a low density and lower thermal conductivity which reqire an additional cooling agent in
form of trichlorotiflouroethane ( C2Fl3Cl3 ). With arcing of SF6 harmful gases comprising
compounds of sulphur and flourine are also released to air causing breathing and other lung
problems. [4]
Considering these major problems, SF6 can be replaced by octaflourocyclobutane. It is a cyclic
combination of flourine and carbon atoms with 8 flourine atoms and 4 carbon atoms. It has a
density of 1.65 gm/cm3 which is higher than that of SF6. It has a dielectric strength 3.6 times than
the breakdown voltage of air. With absence of sulphur in its structure the risk of having poisonous
sulphur based gases at the time of arcing is completely eliminated. Octaflourocyclobutane has a
GWP (global warming potential ) of 10300 which is smaller to that compared to SF6 with 22800.

13. APPLICATIONS OF GIT

Hospitals, underground shopping centers, substations where a high level of fire safety is
required.

Water treatment plants and hydroelectric power plants where waterways must be kept
unpolluted.

Thermal power plants, chemical plants, public works facilities etc where high reliability is
required.
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Locations where safety against fire is essential Buildings such as hotels, department stores,
schools, and hospitals Underground shopping areas, underground substations Sites close to
residential areas, factories, chemical plants.

Locations where prevention of environment pollution is specifically demanded Water supply

source zones, residential quarters, seaside areas Water treatment stations.

Locations where exposure exists to high-level moisture or dust accumulation inside tunnels,
industrial zone.

14. CONCLUSIONS

Clearly gas insulated type transformer have many advantages over the conventional types of
transforners and it will surely replace them in the near future. The following points can be
concluded from above points:

1. Use of SF6 and other equivanlent gases working in similar way to SF6, environment-friendly and
pollution free.

2. The chances of being caught in any fire hazard or any explosion due to imflammable oils is
eliminated. Use of SF6 is explosion -free.

3. Design of transformer can be based on temperature and pressure of the gas and its pressure
characteristics needed for different applications.

4. Various methods of cooling can be applied as per the requirement of the design based on
transformer capacity and ratings.
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15. REFERENCES:

PAPERS:

[1] P. Transformers, “Gas Insulated Transformers (GITs),” no. October, 2013.

[2] Toshiba, “Toshiba Transformers,” p. 12.

[3] G. Appearance and G. Insulation, “A 10,000-Kva Gas-Insulated Transformer—A

Progress Report,” pp. 828–830.

WEBSITES:

[4] http://www.toshiba-tds.com/tandd/products/trans/en/gitrans.htm

[5] http://www.meppi.com/Products/Transformers/Pages/SF6Gas.aspx

[6]http://www.deccanherald.com/content/59128/states-first-gas-insulated-
transformer.html

[7] www.wikipedia.com
[8] https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/489349