Grid Solutions
Intellix BMT 330
Bushing Monitoring and Partial
Discharge Detection for Transformers Integrated Solution
Bushings account for a large proportion of High Voltage (HV) substation failures often causing severe • Monitors bushing conditions and detects PD
and costly damages. Preventive maintenance, early replacement and regular off-line testing have been activity in the main tank
employed to address this issue in the past. Now, technology exists that enables asset owners to detect • One-vendor for installation and services
impending failures and reduce their maintenance costs. • Can be stand-alone or easily integrated with GE’s
GE’s Intellix BMT 330 is an on-line system that continuously monitors the condition of the bushings
TM Kelman TRANSFIX family of DGA multi-gas units
and can also detect developing partial discharge (PD) activity in the transformer main tank. It will alert • Provides a more comprehensive view of the
personnel of fault conditions at an early stage and provide vital health information on the bushings and transformer’s condition
the transformer.
The Intellix BMT 330 can be utilized as a standalone system to monitor bushing insulation and partial Bushing Adaptor
discharge activity, or as an integrated, one-vendor solution with GE’s KelmanTM TRANSFIX Dissolved Gas
Analysis (DGA) multigas analyzer and PerceptionTM Fleet software providing a more in-depth view of the Protection
transformer’s condition and root cause of major transformer failures. • Bushing analysis and PD detection data
obtained using a single sensor
Key Benefits
• Marine-grade aluminum to withstand extreme
• Comprehensive monitoring of transformer bushings and PD activity on a 3 phase transformer or a environmental conditions
bank of 3 single phase transformers
• Redundant resistors ensure the bushing tapping
• One product combining on-line continuous bushing monitoring and partial discharge activity in the points remain grounded
transformer main tank using the same bushing adaptor
• Surge suppression circuit to always limit voltage
• One diagnostic software, GE’s Perception, used for bushing information, PD activity and DGA data from adapters
analysis, resulting in familiar easy-to-use information
• One supplier installing, servicing, ensuring proper communication and minimizing administrative
burden in order to lower the total cost of ownership of your transformer Minimal False Alarms
• Temperature compensated bushing monitoring
Applications • Discrimination against factors affecting and
causing the same effect on all bushings
Power Utilities
• PD correlated to humidity and neutral CT value
• Enables condition-based maintenance of transformer bushings
• Designed for various three phase configurations
Intuitive Software
Metals
• Familiar Perception software included for
• Monitors bushing conditions to avoid unplanned production stoppage download and visualization of data
• Monitors PD in over-stressed assets in aluminum or steel mills • Easy-to-use individual transformer software
that can be upgraded to simultaneously
Petrochemical monitor multiple transformers
• Detects arcing faults with transformers
• Flexible database/server options to
• Monitors bushing health to avoid catastrophic failures of transformers accommodate user requirements
Monitoring Transformer Bushings
Monitoring transformer bushings is critical, because bushings are constantly tapping points, the Intellix BMT 330 measures:
under high stress due to the line voltage and heat effect of current flow. • The change in bushing leakage current compared with the original values
These stresses can be further aggravated by the presence of micro cracks calculated from the bushing nameplate information and transformer
from manufacturing, loss of mechanical strength due to ageing, repeated operational voltage. As the change in current is proportional to the
thermal cycling (load + sun), pollution and external flashover melting the change in capacitance, the Intellix BMT 330 calculates the change in
porcelain, sludge and moisture in the insulating oil, and by the fact that new capacitance C1 of the bushing compared with when the bushing was
bushings have been made closer to design limits in order to reduce cost, installed, to gauge its dielectric capability and layer integrity.
size and weight.
• The timing differences between the 3 bushing current phases, which
These stresses can cause the insulation of the bushing to deteriorate. If left translate to phase angle differences relative to each other. Since a
undetected, this can lead to catastrophic failure in more than half the cases, change of phase delay equates to a change in power factor, we can
with violent explosions, large oil fires and broken shards of porcelain flying determine for each bushing the relative (compared to the others) change
about. This can result in the total loss of the transformer, collateral damage of power factor as a percentage of the nameplate value. This is used to
to nearby equipment, human injuries, environmental claims and fines or gauge small deterioration of the bushing insulation.
contractual penalties. The Intellix BMT 330 measures ambient temperature, humidity and the
temperature of the main tank. It correlates capacitance changes linked to
For years, testing bushings meant taking a transformer off-line on a regular
thermal expansion of the bushing and compensates for the measurements
basis and closely inspecting the bushings for cracks or imperfections,
being made at actual bushing operating temperature compared with
monitoring the internal oil levels, measuring capacitance within the bushing
nameplate values obtained off-line at 20°C.
itself (C1) or measuring the power factor (or tan-delta). Taking a transformer
off-line makes this approach impractical, thus minimizing the frequency
of testing to once every few years. A critical problem can easily develop in Partial Discharge Detection
between checks.
PD is a localized breakdown of a small portion of a solid or fluid electrical
With modern fast electronics, continuous monitoring of transformer insulation system that is under high voltage stress, which does not
bushings can now be technically achieved. Remote access to the data completely bridge the space between two conductors. PD on solid dielectrics
allows for continuous on-line monitoring of bushings and is now regarded results in localized gradual erosion of the insulation system that eventually
as “best practice” to better guard against catastrophic bushing failure. leads to failure of critical insulation.
Using the same bushing adaptors, the Intellix BMT 330 offers the added
The Intellix BMT 330 Bushing Solution advantage of measuring high frequency signals in order to monitor
PD activity, giving an added level of protection for the main tank of the
The Intellix BMT 330 continuously monitors the condition of bushings in real-
transformer. The amplitude of the PD pulses are recorded and used to
time and provides end users with the information they are used to receiving
calculate an overall measure of PD activity. Several methods are used to
from off-line tests, namely changes in capacitance and power factor (tan
discriminate between internal PD and external noise (corona discharge). The
delta), to assess the bushing dielectric efficiency and insulation integrity.
BMT 330 also provides Partial Discharge Phase Resolve (PDPR) diagnostics.
Using state of the art custom made adaptors connected at the bushing
Example of GE’s Intellix BMT 330 Solution Installed on a Three-Phase Transformer
Gas analyzer classifies • Through the same bushing
the fault types, providing
tapping points, the Intellix
valuable insights into the
BMT 330 monitors bushing
transformers condition Bushing Adaptors insulation health and checks
Transformer aging can for presence of PD activity
be calculated so that • Monitors up to 2 sets of 3
expensive failures can be bushings per Intellix BMT 330
avoided
• Advanced discrimination using
Transformer faults are additional sensors
detected in their infancy,
enabling fast remedial
response Intellix BMT 330
2 GEGridSolutions.com
GE’s Integrated Solution
Intellix BMT 330 with Kelman TRANSFIX DGA Perception Fleet Software
The Intellix BMT 330 can easily be integrated with GE’s Kelman TRANSFIX GE’s Perception Fleet software allows an operator to easily download and
DGA analyzer, giving the end user a unique all-in-one solution that provides visualize the data available from a critical transformer and use it to make
a more comprehensive view of the transformer’s overall condition, from better, more informed decisions. It offers ease of use, an intuitive interface,
bushing diagnostics and PD, to complete main tank monitoring. and familiar options that are common across all of GE’s Monitoring and
Diagnostic products. The software is an upgradeable tool, allowing users to
The Kelman TRANSFIX is an 9-gas on-line transformer monitoring unit.
view all relevant transformer data from one centralized point.
Using specially developed advanced photo-acoustic detection technology,
the TRANSFIX measures all significant fault gases. With the Intellix BMT 330, Perception often uses a vector sum on a polar
plot to easily highlight what is happening and eliminate common changes
Increased Asset Reliability affecting all bushings (load, temperature) that are not a source of concern.
Having an all-in-one integrated solution from GE will significantly increase
the ability to detect potential transformer problems at an early stage. The One-vendor Solution Provider
system will provide status on: Having a one-vendor providing the complete transformer monitoring solution
can effectively lower installation costs, as well as reduce the administrative
• Deterioration of the bushing insulation
burden of coordinating various maintenance crews. All products work together
• Partial discharge activity and communicate seamlessly with no interface or responsibility issues.
• Moisture content in oil
GE has extensive experience and worldwide resources available to deliver
• Developing key fault gases H₂, CO, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, CO₂ and CH₄ integrated monitoring solutions and assist customers with transformer
This helps to decrease the risk of unplanned downtime and improve challenges, including installations, commissioning, training and on-going
network reliability. technical support.
Application Examples
On the left hand side the Intellix BMT 330 is connected to a 3 phase transformer. On the right hand side, the Intellix BMT 330 is being used on a bank of
single phase transformers along with a spare transformer. Using external switches a spare transformer can be brought into service replacing one of the
bank transformers without interrupting the grid.
3 Phase transformer Single phase transformers
Phase C
Phase B
Phase A
Spare
transformer
Transformer
Bushings
Bushing Adaptors Intellix BMT 330 Perception Software Transformer Intellix BMT 330 Perception Software
Bushings
GEGridSolutions.com 3
Technical Specifications
DATA ACQUISTION RELAYS FOR USER-ADJUSTABLE ALARMS ENVIRONMENT
Bushings Monitored Maximum 2 sets of 3 • Two SPDT alarm relays (Type C) for caution and ENCLOSURE
bushings alarm levels Operating Temperature
Measurement Leakage current and • One SPDT alarm relay (Type C) dedicated to system Ambient -40°C to +55°C
relative phase angle faults (-40°F to +131°F)
Current range 2 to 200 mA • Relay Contact Ratings: 2A @ 240 Vac resistive load Operating Humidity 5 - 95% RH
Sampling Rate LF for bushing: 100kHz or 2A @ 30 VdcCO (non-condensing)
HF for PD: 100MHz ADDITIONAL SENSORS Enclosure Rating IP 55
Resolution Current: 0.01mA • Top oil temperature Power Supply 100-240 Vac ±10%,
Phase angle: 0.01 degree • Neutral CT 50-60Hz, 1.24-0.41A
Dimensions 600mm x 400mm x 163mm
ELECTRICAL OUTPUT (ENCLOSURE UNIT) COMMUNICATION 23.6” x 15.75” x 6.4”
BUSHING DATA PROTOCOL Installed weight 25Kg (55 lb)
• % Change in Capacitance • ModBus
BUSHING ADAPTORS
• % Change in Relative Power Factor • DNP 3.0 (optional)
Operating Temperature: -40°C to +90°C
• IEC 61850 (optional)
PARTIAL DISCHARGE DATA (-40°F to+194°F)
• Amplitude of the PD pulses (pC) INTERFACE at bushing tapping point
• Count of the PD Pulses (Units) • Serial RS-485
• Partial Discharge Index (mW) • Ethernet copper with RJ-45 connector (optional) OPTIONS
• Phase Resolve Partial Discharge (PRPD) • Ethernet multi-mode fiber optic with ST connector • 2 extra top oil temperature sensors for “3 single
(optional) phase tank” transformer application
FEATURES • 2 extra neutral CT for “3 single phase tank”
transformer application
SUNLIGHT-VISIBLE LIGHT INDICATORS
• Red – Alarm
• Amber – Caution
• Green – Power
• Blue – Service
Order Codes
BMT 330 xx xx xx xx Description
Number of Bushings B3 3 HV bushing measurements (standard)
B6 3 HV plus an additional 3 LV bushing measurements (6 in total)
Communications C0 Standard RS 485
C1 Ethernet copper with RJ-45 connector
C2 Multi-mode fiber optic with ST connector
Protocol P0 ModBus
P1 DNP 3
P2 IEC 61850
Mounting Stand M0 No mounting stand required
M1 Mounting stand
Bushing adapters, tailor made for your specific transformer bushings, and special cable for connecting them, to be ordered separately.
GE Grid Solutions
Lissue Industrial Estate East
Unit 1, 7 Lissue Walk
Lisburn BT28 2LU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 2892 622915
GEGridSolutions.com
GE, the GE monogram, Intellix, Kelman, TRANSFIX, TRANSPORT X, Perception, and Hydran are
trademarks of the General Electric Company.
GE reserves the right to make changes to specifications of products described at any time without
notice and without obligation to notify any person of such changes.
Copyright 2016, General Electric Company. GEA-12747C(E)
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