A PRESENTATION ON THE

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF
TRANSFORMER EXPLOSION
AND THE
PREVENTION/REMEDIES
BY
ORIERE FIDELIS E.
MUHAMMAD JAMIU ATTA
CHIKEZIE CHUKWUMA D.
EJUMEGU SOLOMON ODION
EJIMOFOR ANTHONY ONYEBUCHI
SHIKLE NANLE NGURU
 INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A TRANSFORMER?

 To effectively understand the causes of transformer explosion and possible remedies,

weed to understand what a transformer is.
 A transformer is a static electric device (that is, without any moving parts in its basic
design) which transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits at the same
frequency and usually with a change in voltage and current.
 CAUSES OF TRANSFORMER
EXPLOSION
 Short-circuit Within the Transformer: When this occurs, an electrical arc is created
within the transformer, this arc vaporizes the oil within the transformer thereby creating
a pressure peak within the transformer which causes the transformer tank to rupture and
explode.
 Transformer Oil Failure: The oil within the transformer has certain at which it breaks
down. Also, the dissolved gases within the transformer are required to be within certain
percentages and ratios. Failure of these can causes the oil to break fail, thereby making
it a conductor instead of an insulator, hence causing transformer explosion.
 Failure of Insulation of the Winding: The windings of the transformer are electrically
insulated from each other. If this insulation fails either due to moisture absorption,
accidents during transportation, or whatever reason it may be, then the windings come
into electrical contact which can thereby cause the transformer to explode.
 CAUSES OF TRANSFORMER EXPLOSION
CONT’D

 Failure of the Cooling System: when the cooling system such as the cooling fans fail, then
transformer explosion can occur, because the transformer oil and the windings have been
designed to operate effectively only at certain temperature range.
 Failure of Lightning/Surge Arresters: When these fail, then the transformer becomes
vulnerable to lightning strikes and also system surge. This can also lead transformer
explosion.
 Failure or Sudden Cut of Conductor From the Bushing: When this happens when the
transformer is in service, then there is a very high risk of transformer explosion.
 Fault from the Load end: Faults from the load ends of our transformers have also been
found to be possible causes of transformer explosion in the system. A practical example of
this was the recent case of a 45MVA transformer explosion in Apo whereby initial findings
indicated that fault from the load end might be a possible cause of the explosion.
 CAUSES OF TRANSFORMER EXPLOSION
CONT’D

 Failure of Protective Devices: When our protective devices, either the relays or circuit
breakers fail to act during fault, the transformer gets exposed to unhealthy (fault)
condition and this can lead to transformer explosion, for instance, failure of the
restricted earth fault (REF) relay to operate when there is REF can lead to transformer
explosion.
 POSSIBLE REMEDIES/PREVENTION MEASURES
AGAINST TRANSFORMNER EXPLOSION

 Effective Recalibration and Testing of Protective Devices: Relays and circuit breakers should
be regularly recalibrated and tested to ensure that they are in perfect working condition.
 Regular Testing of Transformer Oil: Break down voltage (BDV) and dissolved gas analysis
(DGA) test should be regularly carried out on the oil to ensure they are in good status.
 It must be ensured that the transformer oil in the conservator tank must be at optimum level.
 Regular testing and servicing of the cooling fans
 Regular testing and recalibration of the oil and winding temperature meters to ensure they are
in good condition.
 Ensuring that conductors entering the transformer bushing are well secured at all times.
 Ensuring that protective devices especially at the secondary side of the transformer are always
in good condition so as to prevent fault from the load end having effect on our transformer.
SOME PICTURES FROM RECENT EXPLOSION OF
45MVA TRANSFORMER IN APO
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING