Do we need daily maintenance of power transformer?

power transformers are essential devices that transmit electrical energy from one circuit to another without changing the frequency. They are used in power generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial applications to provide different voltage levels and current values. power transformers are usually designed to last for 30 years or more, but they require regular maintenance to ensure their optimal performance and reliability. In this article, we will discuss the features, benefits, and methods of maintaining power transformers.

• What are the features of power transformer?

• What are the benefits of maintaining a power transformer?

• How to maintain power transformer?

What are the features of power transformer?

power transformers are classified into three types according to their capacity: large power transformers (above 100 MVA), medium power transformers (10-100 MVA), and small power transformers (below 10 MVA). They have different features depending on their size, design, and function. Some of the common features of power transformers are:

1. They are fluid-immersed to provide cooling and insulation.

2. They have primary and secondary windings that are wound around a magnetic core.

3. They have tap changers that adjust the voltage ratio according to the load demand.

4. They have bushings that connect the windings to the external circuits.

5. They have protective devices such as circuit breakers, relays, fuses, and surge arresters that prevent faults and damage.

What are the benefits of maintaining a power transformer?

Some of the benefits of maintaining a power transformer can be quantified by measuring the following parameters:

1. Load factor: The ratio of the average load to the rated load of the transformer. A higher load factor indicates a better utilization of the transformer capacity.

2. Power factor: The ratio of the real power to the apparent power of the transformer. A higher power factor indicates a lower reactive power consumption and a lower voltage drop.

3. Dissipation factor: The ratio of the resistive losses to the reactive losses of the transformer. A lower dissipation factor indicates a lower heating and aging of the transformer insulation.

How to maintain power transformer?

The maintenance of power transformers can be divided into two categories: preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance. Preventive maintenance is performed regularly to check the condition and performance of the transformer and to prevent potential problems. Corrective maintenance is performed when a fault or malfunction occurs in the transformer and requires immediate action. Some of the common preventive maintenance activities for power transformers are:

1. Visual inspection: Checking for signs of physical damage, oil leakage, corrosion, overheating, etc.

2. Oil analysis: Testing for moisture, acidity, dissolved gases, dielectric strength, etc.

3. Electrical tests: Measuring winding resistance, insulation resistance, turns ratio, short-circuit impedance, etc.

Thermal imaging: Detecting hot spots, loose connections, faulty components, etc.

Vibration analysis: Identifying mechanical defects, loose parts, resonance, etc.

power transformers are vital assets that require daily maintenance to ensure their optimal performance and reliability. By performing preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance activities regularly, we can improve the efficiency, extend the lifespan, prevent costly failures, ensure safety and quality, and comply with standards and regulations of power transformers. Therefore, we need daily maintenance of power transformer.