Study on frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy of epoxy resin impregnated paper bushings under damp conditions

Epoxy resin impregnated paper (RIP) bushings are widely used as transformer bushings and wall bushings, but this type of bushing is easy to be dampened. In order to study the effect of moisture on the bushings' insulation performance, a test device was established to simulate the moisture absorption process in the air or N2 gas. Based on the frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) method, FDS curves that indicate the dielectric loss factor (tan δ) and capacitance (C) under different frequencies were tested and analysed. The results demonstrated that the FDS curve moves to the high frequency direction with the increase of the moisture content, and there exist minus tan δ and a negative peak in low-frequency band. Since the moisture content is much lower than in the air, tan δ and C under power frequency of the bushing almost unchanged in the N2 gas. However, the tan δ under 0.1 Hz increases sharply with the increase of trace moisture, and the higher moisture content, the greater increase rate. A damp diagnosis method for RIP bushings is proposed based on the FDS curves' frequency translation characteristics and tan δ variation law. Also the results can give references for RIP bushings' insulation diagnosis.