The service life of a transformer is vitally dependent on the transformer's operating conditions and its environment. Loads are significantly higher in an industrial application than they are in normal grid operation. One way or another, it is important to be aware of and specifically monitor the weak spots of the transformer to prevent damage and disruptions at an early stage. We highlight six of the greatest risks for transformers and six solutions Reinhausen provides to minimize them.
Six challenges, six solutions – Intelligent sensors for safe transformers
How do I make my transformer safe? The intelligent MSENSE® sensors, combined with the ETOS® automation solution, ensure reliable operation.
Six challenges, six solutions – Intelligent sensors for safe transformers
How do I make my transformer safe? The intelligent MSENSE® sensors, combined with the ETOS® automation solution, ensure reliable operation.
17 %
of transformer failures can be traced back to a defect in the bushings
Solution No. 1: Monitoring the bushings
Solution No. 1: Monitoring the bushings
Overvoltage, increased temperatures, material and processing defects and natural aging – these are all factors that diminish the insulation properties of bushings. For this reason, the MSENSE® BM online monitoring system continuously monitors the condition of bushings and detects faults long before the transformer incurs damage.
12 °C
increase in winding temperature means a 75% reduction in transformer life
Solution No. 2: Measuring the hot-spot in the windings
Solution No. 2: Measuring the hot-spot in the windings
While conventional winding-temperature thermometers only offer a calculated average value, the fiber-optic MSENSE® FO system with up to 32 sensors measures the thermal state directly in the winding, allowing it to determine the exact temperature in real time. This allows optimal monitoring of the thermal load and results in a longer service life and greater grid stability. This system works in combination with ETOS® to respond to dynamic overloads.
3 %
less moisture in the insulation extends the transformer life by 35 years
Solution No. 3: Intelligent dehumidification for the transformer
Solution No. 3: Intelligent dehumidification for the transformer
The MTRAB® 2.5 dehumidifies and continuously monitors the respiratory cycle of the power transformer to prevent the ingress of moisture from the environment into the insulating medium. Thanks to temperature and humidity sensors combined with intelligent algorithms, the desiccant regenerates in a maintenance-free and cycle-optimized process, which saves inspection and maintenance costs. It has been tested and proven worldwide 80,000 times – even under the most extreme conditions.
26 %
of transformer failures can be traced back to anomalies in the on-load tap-changer
Solution No. 4: Checking the tap changer with vibroacoustic measuring technology
Solution No. 4: Checking the tap changer with vibroacoustic measuring technology
The MSENSE® VAM uses a vibroacoustic measurement procedure developed by Reinhausen to listen to the inside of the tap changer to detect mechanical anomalies long before they become a problem. In the process, this self-learning monitoring system based on artificial intelligence does not just indicate malfunctions and weak spots. It also gives recommendations for action. This procedure is the only one of its kind on the market, and can also be used for tap changers from other manufacturers.
30 ppm
is a critical value for moisture in the oil
Solution No. 5: Monitoring the transformer oil for moisture and gases
Solution No. 5: Monitoring the transformer oil for moisture and gases
An excess concentration of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and moisture in the oil is a primary indicator of possible damage in the windings with thermal and electrical causes. The MSENSE® DGA 2/3 early warning system sends out a warning as soon as the individually defined limit values have been exceeded. It can even be installed during ongoing operation and its use is reliable and safe, even under extreme conditions such as those in the Arctic, a desert or a rainforest.
45 %
of all transformer failures can be traced back to problems with the windings
Solution No. 6: Scanning the gas matrix in the transformer oil
Solution No. 6: Scanning the gas matrix in the transformer oil
For strategically important and critical transformers, a comprehensive dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of the insulating oil is vital for the condition assessment, fault qualification and operational reliability. With its globally recognized 8-gas matrix, the MSENSE® DGA 5/9 offers the option of intensive monitoring. This means that all the relevant parameters that indicate thermal and electrical defects can be determined at an early stage.
Using transformer data intelligently with ETOS®
