BA-PNN-based methods for power transformer fault diagnosis

This paper presents a machine learning-based approach to power transformer fault diagnosis based on dissolved gas analysis (DGA), a bat algorithm (BA), optimizing the probabilistic neural network (PNN). PNN is a radial basis function feedforward neural network based on Bayesian decision theory, which has a strong fault tolerance and significant advantages in pattern classification. However, one challenge still remains: the performance of PNN is greatly affected by its hidden layer element smooth factor which impacts the classification performance. The proposed approach addresses this challenge by deploying the BA algorithm, a kind of bio-inspired algorithm to optimize PNN. Using the real data collected from a transformer system, we conducted the experiments for validating the performance of the developed method. The experimental results demonstrated that BA is an effective algorithm for optimizing PNN smooth factor and BA-PNN can improve the fault diagnosis performance; in turn, and the machine learning-based model (BA-PNN) can significantly enhance the accuracies of power transformer fault diagnosis.