Oil testing in a transformer is just as a blood test in human body. A blood test provides a doctor with a wealth of information about the health of a patient. A sample of transformer oil, taken correctly, can tell service engineers a great deal about the condition of a transformer.
Oil is used both to cool the transformer and to insulate internal components. Because it bathes every internal component, the oil contains a great deal of diagnostic information. So a laboratory analysis of a sample can provide advance warning of developing conditions such as tapchanger arcing.
The oil tests can uncover several potential problems within a transformer. The same sample can contain evidence of soluble contaminants, dielectric contaminants, and acid materials present in the oil. With so much riding on transformer maintenance, it’s important to conduct and complete all of the recommended tests.
This is a video training series on transformer oil sampling or testing done by TxMonitor.
Transformer Oil Sampling – Part 1: Introduction
As always, safety first. We start our Transformer Oil Sampling series with a number of highlights on health, environmental and safety considerations when performing these tasks.
Please these are only guidelines and do not replace adequate competency and skills. Always follow the relevant company and legislative requirements for your particular work context.
Transformer Oil Sampling – Part 2: Bottle Sample
There are some sampling techniques better suited for certain types of oil tests than others.
The techniques described in this video should be sufficient to sample oil when common chemical and physical properties are analysed, such as Breakdown Voltage, Interfacial Tension, Acidity (or Neutralization Number), Colour and Visual Inspection.
Transformer Oil Sampling – Part 3: Glass Syringe
A sampling technique proven to produce repeatable results when testing the Dissolved Gas content or Moisture (Water) Content in the oil is by sampling with a Glass Syringe.
In this video we’ll learn how to execute this technique.
Transformer Oil Sampling – Part 4 : The Buchholz Relay
In this video, the fourth and final of the Oil Sampling series, you’ll learn how to extract a gas and oil sample from a Buchholz gas accumulation relay through a sampling device.
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