This paper presents a novel analysis methodology to detect degradation in electrical contacts, with the main goal of implanting a predictive maintenance procedure for sectionalizing switches, circuit breakers, and current transformers in bays of electric transmission and distribution substations. The main feature of the proposed methodology is that it will produce a predictive failure indication for the system under operation, based on the spectral analysis of the load current that is flowing through the bay’s components, using a defined relationship similar to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) used in data communication. A highlight of using the proposed methodology is that it is not necessary to make new investments in measurement devices, as the already-existing oscillography measurement infrastructure is enough. By implementing the diagnostic system proposed here, electrical utilities will have a modern tool for monitoring their electrical installations, supporting the implementation of new predictive maintenance functions typical of the current electrical smart grid scenario. Here, we present the preliminary results obtained by the application of the proposed technique using real data acquired from a 230 kV electrical substation, which indicate the effectiveness of the proposed diagnostic procedure.

Sympathetic inrush current phenomenon occurs when a transformer is switched on in a power network containing other transformers that are already energized. This interaction significantly changes duration and magnitude of transient magnetizing currents in the transformers involved and may lead to misoperation of these equipment. Therefore, in this paper it is presented the results of electromagnetic analysis due to sympathetic inrush and inrush current phenomenon among single-phase 50 MVA transformers in a power substation in the northern region of Brazil. For this purpose, the nine single-phase transformers installed at SE Guamá forming three three-phase banks, were modeled in the ATP software to obtain the energization behavior. In this paper the electromagnetic analyzes are performed in steady state, so only the first peak is used. In this way, results of the electromagnetic behavior of transformers are presented and compared sympathetic inrush with inrush current.