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The Maintenance of a Transformer

Technical Report · July 2021

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16988.10887

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Karrar S. Faraj Ali Make Khayoon

Al-Ma'moon University College ‫ﻛﻠﻴﺔ اﻟﻤﺎﻣﻮن اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬
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Al-Ma ’moon University College
Electrical Power Techniques Engineering Department
AC Machines Report

The Maintenance of a Transformer

‫ علي مكي خيون‬-: ‫أسم الطالب الرباعي‬

‫ الثالثة‬-: ‫المرحلة الدراسية‬
‫ مسائي‬- : ‫الثالثة الدراسة‬

E3-3 (A) -: ‫الشعبة‬

Supervised by

Assist. Lec. Karrar S. Faraj

1
Abstract
Electrical transformers are an expensive and important part of any
machinery. So for getting optimal performance and increased product life, it is best
to conduct regular maintenance checkups on your machinery.

There are basically two types of transformer maintenance. One is done on a regular
basis and the other is done at the time of urgency. If maintenance checkups are
done on a routine basis then you may not have to undergo breakdown maintenance
and hence save downtime.

Transformer Testing
Transformers may be tested with AC or DC voltage. Overall, AC voltage is
preferable to DC voltage for testing transformers because AC voltage
simulates the internal stress that the transformers experience during
operating conditions.

The following tests are routinely conducted in the field on the transformer:-

- IR test AC or DC hi-pot test (optional)

- Insulation PF test

- TTR test

- Polarity test

- Excitation current test

- Induced potential test (optional)

- Insulating fluid dielectric tests

- Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) tests

- Polarization recovery voltage test

- Transformer core ground test

- Frequency response analyzer (FRA)/sweep FRA (SFRA)

- DC winding resistance

2
Introduction

Being transformers static machines without any moving and turning

parts, they are very reliable machines, and if maintained properly, can last for 40
years or more. Also they do not trip or blow when oven-stressed (except under
extreme conditions), transformers are frequently overloaded and allowed to
operate well beyond its capacity.
However, use and ageing of electrical installations, similar to other installations,
is an origin of normal deterioration in electrical equipment that can
be accelerated by factors such as a hostile environment, overload, or severe
duty cycle.
Other causes of deterioration may be load changes/additions, circuit changes,
improperly set/selected protective devices and changing voltage conditions.
However, equipment failure is not inevitable if a checking and preventive
maintenance program is established.

3
The Idea main of Roport
Visual Inspection of Power Transformer

The most frequent attention given to power transformers is visual

inspection, which involves mainly checking the transformer’s general exterior
condition and cooling system.
Power transformers must be inspected regularly so that problems can be
detected early and corrected before major repairs are needed.
Inspections are done routinely, usually once a week, although the frequency can
vary from company to company and among transformers. For example, a
transformer may be checked more often if there is reason to believe that a
problem is developing.

Transformer Diagnostic and Monitoring

Transformer monitoring refers to on-line measurement techniques,
where the emphasis is on collecting pertinent data on transformer integrity and
not on interpretation of data.

Transformer monitoring techniques vary with respect to the sensor used,

transformer parameters measured, and measurement techniques applied. Since
monitoring equipment is usually permanently mounted on a transformer, it must
also be reliable and inexpensive.

Winding and On-Load Tap Changers (OLTC) failures dominate; consequently,

the focus of most monitoring techniques is to collect data from parameters that
can be used to assess the condition of winding and tap changers.
Dissolved gases in oil and partial discharges (PD) are common parameters
monitored related to winding and insulation condition.
Temperature and vibration monitoring are commonly used for assessing OLTC
condition.
Figure 1 shows the statistics distribution of failures in an oil-immersed
transformer.

4
The actions of preventive maintenance of transformers may be
synthesized as follows:

 Also read: EMF Equation of Transformer

 Routine inspections
 Sampling collection
 Tests
o Minor repairs
o Medium repairs
o Major repairs and overhauls
 Documentation and data record

5
 Monthly Basis Maintenance of Transformer
Let us first discuss about the action to be taken on power transformer in monthly basis.

1. The oil level in oil cap under silica gel breather must be checked in a one-month
interval. If it is found the transformer oil inside the cup comes below the specified
level, oil to be top up as per specified level.
2. Breathing holes in silica gel breather should also be checked monthly and properly
cleaned if required, for proper breathing action.
3. If the transformer has oil filled bushing the oil level of transformer oil inside the
bushing must be vidually checked in the oil gage attached to those bushing. This
action also to be done monthly basis.

Daily Basis Maintenance and Checking

There are three main things which to be checked on a power transformer on a daily
basis:

1. Reading of MOG (Magnetic Oil Gauge) of main tank and conservator tank.
2. Color of silica gel in breather.
3. Leakage of oil from any point of a transformer.
Yearly Basis Transformer Maintenance Schedule
1. The auto, remote, manual function of cooling system that means, oil pumps, air fans,
and other items engaged in cooling system of transformer, along with their control
circuit to be checked in the interval of one year. In the case of trouble, investigate
control circuit and physical condition of pumps and fans.
2. All the bushings of the transformer to be cleaned by soft cotton cloths yearly. During
cleaning the bushing should be checked for cracking.
3. Oil condition of OLTC to be examined in every year. For that, oil sample to be taken
from drain valve of divertor tank, and this collected oil sample to be tested for
dielectric strength (BDV) and moisture content (PPM). If BDV is low and PPM for
moisture is found high compared to recommended values, the oil inside the OLTC to
be replaced or filtered.
4. Mechanical inspection of Buchholz relays to be carried out on yearly basis.
5. All marshalling boxes to be cleaned from inside at least once in a year. All
illumination, space heaters, to be checked whether they are functioning properly or
not. If not, required maintenance action to be taken. All the terminal connections of
control and relay wiring to be checked an tighten at least once in a year.
6. All the relays, alarms and control switches along with their circuit, in R&C panel
(Relay and Control Panel) and RTCC (Remote Tap Changer Control Panel) to be
cleaned by appropriate cleaning agent.

6
7. The pockets for OTI, WTI (Oil Temperature Indicator & Winding Temperature
Indicator) on the transformer top cover to be checked and if required oil to be
replenished.

8. The proper function of Pressure Release Device and Buchholz relay must be checked
annually. For that, trip contacts and alarm contacts of the said devices are shorted by a
small piece of wire, and observe whether the concerned relays in remote panel are
properly working or not.
9. Insulation resistance and polarization index of transformer must be checked
with battery operated mugger of 5 KV range.
10.Resistive value of earth connection and riser must be measured annually with clamp
on earth resistance meter.
11.DGA or Dissolve Gas Analysis of transformer Oil should be performed, annually for
132 KV transformer, once in 2 years for the transformer below 132 KV transformer
and in 2 years interval for the transformer above 132 KV transformer.

7
Results of Report
After completing the writing of the report, I reached the utmost
importance of the topic of transformer maintenance, and this importance lies in the
importance of transformers that enter most of the countries ’energy productivity
development in addition to their multiple uses in various aspects and as they are also an
expensive device more than any machine. Therefore, optimal performance and increased
life of transformers must be obtained by means of Regular maintenance, and being
without moving parts, it is very reliable due to its working permeability beyond its
capacity.

8
 ‫‪References‬‬

‫‪1-‬‬ ‫مانويل بولوتينها ‪-:‬‬

‫ليسانس في الهندسة الكهربائية ‪ -‬الطاقة وأنظمة الطاقة (‪ - 4791‬المعهد التقني الفائق ‪ /‬جامعة‬
‫لشبونة)‬
‫ماجستير في الهندسة الكهربائية وهندسة الحاسبات ‪ /‬جامعة نوفا في لشبونة ‪ /‬مستشار أول في‬
‫مدرس محترف ‪ .‬المحطات الفرعية و أنظمة الطاقة ؛‬

‫‪2-‬‬ ‫موسوعة الويكيبيديا ‪.‬‬

‫‪3-‬‬ ‫‪https://www.electricalindia.in/maintenance-of- transformer/‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

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