Seismic response evaluation of 154 kV transformer porcelain bushing by shaking table tests

The use of electricity and communication between electronic devices is increasing daily, which makes the stability of electrical power supply vital. Since the 1990s, large earthquakes have occurred frequently causing considerable direct damage to electrical power facilities as well as secondary damage, such as difficulty in restoring functions due to the interruption of electric power supply. Therefore, it is very important to establish measures to protect electrical power facilities, such as transformers and switchboards, from earthquakes. In this study, a 154 kV transformer whose service life had expired was installed on the base fabricated by simulating the field conditions and conducting the shaking table tests. The dynamic characteristics and seismic behavior of the 154 kV transformer were analyzed through the resonance frequency search test and seismic simulation test that considers the front, rear, left, and right directions. Since the purpose of this study is to analyze the acceleration amplification in the bushing due to the acceleration amplification, the experimental results were analyzed focusing on the acceleration response and the converted acceleration amplification ratio rather than the failure due to the displacement response of the transformer. The seismic force amplification at the transformer bushing was evaluated by simulating the characteristics of electrical power facilities in South Korea, and compared with the IEC TS 61463 acceleration amplification factor. Finally, the amplification factor at zero period acceleration (ZPA) modified for each return period was summarized. The results of this study can be used as data to define the amplification factor at ZPA of the transformer bushing, simulating the characteristics of electrical power facilities in Korea.