Monitoring Of Transformers Through Dissolved Gas Analysis

By Author: Adair Sawyer
Total Articles: 421
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The invention of the transformer was a pivotal point in the history of science, because it allowed the voltage of electrical currents to be stepped up or down, making it a relatively simple process to match an electrical current to specifications required for a particular purpose. In this modern world, with households filled with modern appliances and people dependent on various electronic gadgetry such as cell phones and computers, we make use of transformers on a daily basis without even realizing it. As with most equipment that deals with electricity, however, transformers need to be constantly monitored for problems and defects that might arise through its continued use, as it can be very dangerous for a transformer to malfunction. Today, monitoring of transformers can be done through a method known as dissolved gas analysis DGA which can provide a fairly accurate measure of the health of a transformer.

At its most basic, a transformer is simply a square-shaped piece of metal with multiple coils on opposite sides of the square. The difference in the number of coils on each side is what allows the voltage of the electrical ...
... current running through the transformer to be altered. Because of the sheer amounts of electricity that run through heavy-duty transformers, however, the transformers are placed in containers full of oil. The oil prevents the transformers from overheating and can also be used to monitor the health of the transformer. Previously, before the development of modern methods of monitoring of transformers, much more manual methods were used.

Simply put, a technician would disconnect the power to a transformer and remove the entire transformer in order to conduct an inspection to ensure that its integrity remain intact. This is, of course, an extremely inefficient method to carry out monitoring of transformers. Today, however, monitoring of transformers can be carried out remotely, without a technician ever having to get close to the transformer.

Dissolved gas analysis DGA was developed as a means of achieving monitoring of transformers and also of assessing their relative health. Dissolve gas analysis DGA operates on the principle that a malfunctioning or unhealthy transformer will produce certain gaseous products that then dissolve in the transformer oil. By placing probes on the transformer that measure the levels of dissolved gases in that oil, technicians are able to monitor the health of the transformer and make assessments regarding whether the transformer needs to be maintained or even replaced.

The sensors used for dissolve gas analysis DGA can be connected to a monitoring station far removed from the transformer itself, and the distance between the transformer and the monitoring station is only limited by the length of the wiring connecting the two. Of course, it would be ideal to have the monitoring station relatively close to the transformer because that would facilitate a quick response should an emergency situation develop with the transformer and immediate repairs were required. Without such a system, your transformers are constantly at risk of developing problems without your technicians ever getting the chance to detect them, and the results of that could be disastrous.

When it comes to monitoring of transformers, no other system can provide the level of quality and efficiency as the dissolved gas analysis DGA systems available from Dynamic Ratings!