To keep your transformers in optimal condition in sectors ranging from utilities transformer fluid analysis can help provide insight into current performance issues or prevent malfunctions and potential problems in the future.
If you’re in an industry with compliance standards, you’ll want to schedule periodic inspections and testing from a full-service electrical testing company with NETA-certified technicians and access to ISO 17035 accredited laboratory for testing.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the transformer fluid testing process and why it’s important to schedule a fluid analysis
The Role of Dielectric Liquid in Transformers
Dielectric liquid—also referred to as transformer oil or fluid—helps to protect a transformer in a few different ways. Transformer oil acts as an electrical insulator, protects the paper transformer insulation, helps dissipate heat from the core, and ultimately provides insight into the health of a transformer.
Transformer Oil Testing Methods
A proper transformer fluid analysis can pinpoint specific problems depending on the type of test performed. Here are a few types of transformer oil tests:
- Transformer moisture content tests (Karl Fischer Titration test)
- Dissolved gas analysis
- Dielectric strength test
- Color test
- Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)
These tests can help confirm any suspected root cause of an outage or performance issues.
Importance of Regular Transformer Maintenance
Because a transformer is such a vital piece of equipment, it is important that it stays efficient. A transformer breakdown can leave a neighborhood, business or entire city or state without power. Therefore, regular maintenance and inspections can reduce risks of safety incidents or sudden breakdowns, prolonging the transformer’s overall lifetime.
One primary hazard that can potentially damage a transformer is water formation. Catching moisture early and reversing the damage can save a transformer for more years of use.
Importance of Regular Transformer Maintenance
Since transformers are so important to much of our electrical infrastructure, regular maintenance is key in order for transformers to operate at peak efficiency. Routine maintenance and inspections can also reduce the risk of safety incidents or sudden breakdowns; replacing fluid as needed simply helps prolong the life of the transformer long-term.
Since a transformer breakdown can leave a neighborhood, business, or entire city without power, it’s a good idea to schedule routine fluid testing especially in harsh environments. Comparing old transformer oil to a baseline sample can also help you assess specific changes over time.
Schedule Transformer Testing With Power Products & Solutions
At Power Products & Solutions, we have the experience and expertise to inspect and repair transformers across the country. Our technicians update transformers according to the latest regulations and practices, such as the ANSI/NETA MTS-2023, to keep your area safe and reliable.
Power Products & Solutions is a NETA-certified company dedicated to ensuring our clients’ power systems are running as they should. We are available for emergency or after-hours service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year so that you can lean on us every time.
Contact Us today for more information and to schedule transformer oil testing or repair.