Ric Bates is Director Asset Management Business at Reinhausen Manufacturing and responsible for the service business in the USA. He worked for many years as a technician in the field as well as a service and operations manager and knows what is important when it comes to transformers.
5 tips for healthy transformers
How does my transformer stay fit? This is a question many operators around the world are asking themselves in view of aging fleets. Our service expert Ric Bates from the US shows what is important for long and safe operation.
5 tips for healthy transformers
How does my transformer stay fit? This is a question many operators around the world are asking themselves in view of aging fleets. Our service expert Ric Bates from the US shows what is important for long and safe operation.
1. Observe maintenance intervals for on-load tap-changers
Sounds simple, but is often ignored: Observe the maintenance intervals for the on-load tap-changer. The date of the next maintenance is based either on the service life of the on-load tap-changer or the number of switching operations. For some switch types, it is due after seven years or after 70,000 switching operations. The decisive factor is which occurs sooner.
2. Examine transformer oil at least once a year
Analyze the oil at least once a year. Similar to blood picture, which provides information about the health of a patient, the quality of the oil says something about the fitness of the transformer. Decisive factors for good oil quality are, for example, a low water content, a high interfacial tension, a high dielectric strength, and a low power factor. “Dissolved Gas Analysis" (DGA), which examines the ratio of gases dissolved in the oil, is particularly precise.
3. Check the oil level regularly
Check the oil level regularly: Since the oil also serves as an insulator, coolant and lubricant, it is necessary to check regularly whether the main tank, the on-load tap-changer tank and the bushings are sufficiently filled.
4. Check the dehumidification at the transformer
Regularly check the dehumidifier to make sure that no unacceptable moisture from outside enters the oil expander. This is because moisture in the oil reduces the life of the transformer. Have an expert check whether it is working reliably or whether the silica gel, which is important for water extraction, should be replaced.
5. Get specialists for inspection
Regular inspection is important. Our specialists check all installed components, such as bushings, fans, indicators, valves, motor drive and the control cabinet, for example, to detect leaks or corrosion at an early stage. By checking the function of the protective devices, we ensure that the transformer shuts down immediately in the event of a fault.
For a long transformer life
