Time-frequency analysis of DC bias vibration of transformer core on the basis of Hilbert-Huang transform

This paper presents a time-frequency analysis of the vibration of transformer under direct current (DC) bias through Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). First, the theory of DC bias for the transformer was analyzed. Next, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) process, which is the key in HHT, was introduced. The results of EMD, namely, intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), were calculated and summed by Hilbert transform (HT) to obtain time-dependent series in a 2D time-frequency domain. Lastly, a test system of vibration measurement for the transformer was set up. Three direction (x, y, and z axes) components of core vibration were measured. Decomposition of EMD and HHT spectra showed that vibration strength increased, and odd harmonics were produced with DC bias. Results indicated that HHT is a viable signal processing tool for transformer health monitoring.