War and transformer reliability.

Helium Shortage 5.0: the fifth major supply crisis in two decades.

The war in Iran, and delays in the Strait of Hormuz, have impacted a wide variety of supply chains, but one of the less publicised consequences has been a significant reduction in the global availability of helium. Helium performs a vital role in many industrial and medical applications, but it is also utilised by the laboratories that conduct routine spot-checks on power transformers. Lack of helium or raised prices could therefore impact transformer reliability, but in the following article JP Pouttu*, Director Power Business at Vaisala, explains why a lack of helium is not the real problem; it’s the reliance on spot-checking rather than continuous monitoring, that raises transformer risk.

Background
On March 2, 2026, Iranian drones struck Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial complex. QatarEnergy declared force majeure and halted LNG production, and with it, helium extraction. Qatar supplies roughly a third of the world's helium. The strike damaged around 17 percent of Qatar's total LNG capacity, and repairs could take up to five years.

The Strait of Hormuz closure compounded the disruption in an unexpected way: cryogenic containers already filled with helium and ready to ship were stranded.

The price response was immediate. Spot prices rose from around $500 (€440) per thousand cubic feet to $1,000–1,200 (€800-1000) within weeks, roughly doubling. Contract prices have risen up to 40 percent. In a prolonged disruption scenario, analysts project prices could exceed $2,000. Supply is expected to remain approximately 15 percent short* of demand through 2027, with some analysts predicting up to 30 percent if disruptions persist.

This is already being called Helium Shortage 5.0: the fifth major supply crisis in two decades, and the first to combine a production stoppage, a logistics blockade, and an active armed conflict with no clear end-date.

Coverage has focused on the expected casualties. South Korea sourced nearly 65 percent of its helium from Qatar in 2025 and produces around two-thirds of the world's memory chips: Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC are all exposed. MRI machines require around 1,500 litres of liquid helium to operate, with no alternative cooling method available. Hard drive manufacturers Micron, Seagate, and Western Digital have reported 20–30 percent price increases on their 2026 production allocations.

One downstream effect has gone largely unreported: dissolved gas analysis (DGA) for power transformers.

What is at stake.
DGA monitoring rests on a straightforward observation: the majority of power transformer faults do not happen without warning. They announce themselves in advance — as gases that dissolve into insulating oil over weeks or months before an acute failure occurs. Gas chromatography-based DGA, both in laboratory and field-deployed form, uses helium as the carrier gas.

Laboratory DGA services now require regular supplies of lab-grade helium, which has become harder to source and significantly more expensive over the past eighteen months.

Why monitoring isn't optional: the lesson from Heathrow.

On the night of March 20, 2025, a transformer fire at the North Hyde substation in West London shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly 18 hours. More than 1,300 flights were cancelled. Around 290,000 passengers were disrupted. Some 67,000 homes and businesses lost power. The airport, which handles £190 billion (€222b) of British air cargo annually, was effectively offline for a day because a single transformer failed.

The incident was, in the words of the Westminster Energy Secretary, "catastrophic" and "unprecedented." The NESO investigation found that the 57-year-old substation lacked adequate fire separation between transformers, meaning when one failed, it took the backup with it. Resilience had been assumed. It had not been verified.

The Heathrow case illustrates why condition monitoring is not a budget line to optimise. It is the early warning system that sits between an ageing asset and an uncontrolled failure. A transformer that sends advance signals — through dissolved gas patterns that DGA captures — is one that gives operators time to act. A transformer that fails silently, or whose monitoring has lapsed, does not.

This is not a hypothetical risk. Power transformer lead times never fully recovered from the post-pandemic supply chain disruption, and they are now under fresh pressure from surging demand driven by data centers, EV infrastructure, and grid expansion. The IEA warned in early 2025 that it now takes up to four years to secure large power transformers. There is no rapid replacement market.

The stakes are worth stating plainly. Electricity is not a commodity. It is the substrate that everything else runs on. Essential services rely on a stable and reliable supply of electricity - hospitals, intensive care units, traffic management, rail networks, heating systems, water treatment, food/beverage cold chains, communication networks, datacentres etc. None of this functions without a stable grid. And the grid depends on transformers that, in many cases, were built in the 1960s and 1970s and have no immediate replacement waiting in a warehouse.

When a critical transformer goes down unexpectedly, the consequences cascade, exactly as they did at Heathrow.

The hidden cost is not in the helium bottle.
Rising helium costs show up on invoices, but that is not the most significant risk. The more significant risk lies with lengthening periods between monitoring.

The value of online DGA monitoring is not what it measures when everything is fine. It is that it catches changes early, when maintenance can be planned and controlled. An unplanned transformer failure is an entirely different event: lost production, emergency procurement, potential collateral equipment damage, insurance excess, and regulatory attention.

If helium supply constraints force monitoring gaps, the line-item price increase is no longer the most interesting number on the page. The risk-weighted cost of operating without visibility is.

What are the options going forward?

1. Wait it out. Absorb the increased cost and hope the market eases. This can be defensible where online DGA is one layer within a broader laboratory-based condition monitoring program.

2. Switch carrier gas in the lab. Hydrogen is the most discussed laboratory alternative for gas chromatography. For field-deployed online monitors, the transition introduces its own complications: safety requirements, on-site generation or storage, and a new consumable supply chain to manage. A workable option for some labs; an awkward one for most field installations.

3. Reconsider the underlying measurement technology. Infrared light based NDIR measurement technology requires no carrier gas at all. It is a physically different approach that has been in commercial field use for over a decade. Vaisala's field-deployed NDIR monitoring solution has been operating for over a decade across 70 countries, from arctic substations to tropical grid infrastructure. It is no longer an emerging alternative. It is a proven one.

The right answer depends on fleet size, asset criticality, and how deeply the current monitoring architecture is built around helium-dependent measurement services.

Questions worth addressing now.
Helium price increases have not yet landed on every operational budget. Three questions are worth addressing before they do:

1. How exposed is your current DGA approach to carrier gas supply chain disruption?
2. What is the real cost of a missed alarm on your most critical assets?
3. When the next technology refresh comes, how does helium dependence factor into the evaluation criteria?

Heathrow was a case study in what happens when resilience is assumed rather than maintained. The helium crisis is a slow-moving version of the same problem: a supply chain dependency, largely invisible until it isn't, sitting inside the monitoring architecture that critical infrastructure depends on.

The helium crisis will ease eventually. The more durable question is whether helium-dependent monitoring still earns its place.

Summary
The Iran War has highlighted a risk in the helium supply chain, which therefore represents a risk to transformer spot-checking procedures. However, more importantly, the bigger picture is that this situation has served to highlight the level of entrained risk that exist in procedures that, by definition, allow risk to accumulate between spot-checks.

Spot-sampling creates gaps in transformer condition visibility. Continuous online monitoring eliminates that gap entirely, with no carrier gas, no delivery schedules and no lab backlogs. The helium shortage makes that gap visible. It was always there.

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* About the author: JP Pouttu is Director of Vaisala's Power Business Line, which develops helium-free, infrared-based online DGA continuous monitors for power transformer operators.

See also LinkedIn article: "As weather becomes more extreme, substation monitoring is more important than ever" by Martyn Williams CDir FIoD, Managing Director at COPA-DATA UK

@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #PAuto #Power

Intelligent condition monitoring for transformer substations.

For decades, transformer protection has primarily focused on preventing catastrophic failures caused by excessive temperatures. While this remains essential, modern power distribution networks require significantly more than simple overtemperature protection. Operators increasingly need comprehensive information about the actual condition of their assets in order to improve reliability, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce operating costs.

ZIEHL has introduced the UR series of universal monitoring relays, This follows their long-established TR250 temperature relay, which has been protecting transformers worldwide against overheating for decades. One of its most versatile members, the UR840IP, is already being deployed in the first transformer substations, where it transforms conventional monitoring into a comprehensive condition monitoring solution.

The UR840IP is a web-enabled universal relay equipped with Ethernet connectivity, making it an ideal platform for implementing holistic condition monitoring in distribution transformer substations. Rather than monitoring only transformer temperatures, it combines multiple process variables, stores operating data, communicates with higher-level control systems, and enables advanced diagnostics based on real operating conditions.

The result is a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution that transforms a conventional transformer substation from an isolated "black box" into a transparent, intelligent component of the modern smart grid.

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@UnnGmbh @PresseBox #ZIEHL #Power #PAuto

High quality transformers.

Anglia Components has signed an exclusive deal for Britain and Ireland with HAHN, the German manufacturer of standard and custom transformers and inductive coils. The wide product range includes among other things parts targeted at switch-mode power supplies, EMC and boiler-ignition applications.

“We have always focused on the highest product quality and customer-friendly service, and our guiding principle remains ‘performance that builds trust’" commented Marta Hahn, MD at Hahn. "We are delighted to sign an exclusive UK agreement with Anglia, since they also share our commitment to understanding what the customer needs and working to ensure we deliver exactly that.”

David Pearson, Anglia’s Technical Director added: “In keeping with our normal practice, we are holding inventory of HAHN’s comprehensive standard product range. However, we are especially excited to be able to offer designers access to HAHN’s renowned custom design services to deliver innovative product solutions.”

The full range of HAHN transformer and inductive coil products are available to European customers.

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@angliaComponent #Electronics #PAuto

Power Transformer respects the environment.

Innovative technology combines ultra-high voltage capacity with eco-friendly design for next-generation power transmission.

A first-of-its-kind Ester Oil-Immersed Power Transformer has been released to the market by smart energy solutions leader, CHINT, offering a sustainable alternative for use in the energy infrastructure.

"With the energy landscape evolving at a rapid pace, so is the demand for sustainable solutions. Our new 750 kV ester oil-immersed transformer is a significant leap in transformer technology offering substantial environmental benefits and efficiencies and aligns with the goals of modern energy strategies," said Kevin Ma, Power Transformer - Product manager at CHINT. "Its ability to operate at ultra-high voltages while maintaining eco-friendly characteristics makes it ideal for the future of power transmission and distribution."

Transformers are critical in enabling the efficient transmission and distribution of electrical energy. Traditional transformers use mineral oil as the insulation liquid which improves both production and treatment at a cost-effective price point. However, the use of mineral oil can have a negative environmental impact as it is derived from non-renewable sources, is a potential fire hazard due to its relatively low flash point and in the event of a spill or leak, can pose an environmental risk with soil or water contamination.

The new 750 kV Ester Oil-Immersed Power Transformer offers a sustainable alternative that is set to redefine standards in grid reliability, safety and environmental protection by using ester oils. This transformer is 99% biodegradable with a strong manufacturing capacity of 750 kV and below. Its high voltage rating allows it to be used in large-scale power transmission networks, opening up the benefits of ester oil to a wider range of applications.

These applications include:

• Ultra-high voltage transmission systems for long-distance power distribution
• Integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms into the grid
• Substations in environmentally sensitive areas or densely populated urban centers
• Industrial facilities requiring high power capacity and enhanced safety measures

Key features that set this transformer apart include:

• Use of Cargill's FR3 fluid, a renewable vegetable oil-based ester with excellent cooling and insulating properties
• Innovative winding structure and main insulation optimization for enhanced performance
• Improved exit turret simulation and verified cooling system for optimal efficiency

Benefits of ester oil include enhanced safety through an ignition point exceeding 355°C, which makes it less flammable and safer with a reduced risk of fire. Using ester oil also extends the life of transformer insulation, leading to longer transformer lifetimes and improved reliability. This results in fewer power outages and reduced disruption.

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@codacomms #Chint #PAuto #Power #Environment

Discharge monitoring ensures risks continually assessed.

The installation of a heavy transformer at an alpine location presented the Swiss company BKW with a number of unusual transport issues. Having overcome these challenges, BKW engineers detected small, but rapidly declining discharges after the transformer had been installed. Under normal circumstances they might have considered returning the transformer to the factory, but given the complexity and cost of doing so, a Vaisala OPT100 Optimus™DGA instrument was fitted to monitor the transformer continuously.

“Our initial tests showed that the transformer was working well,” explains BKW primary engineer Lukas Eggimann. “However, the detection of discharges, no matter how small, represented a potential risk, so the online DGA monitor was fitted to ensure that alerts would be issued if any abnormalities developed within the transformer.”

Alpine transformer challenges.
In response to increasing demand, and to increase the security and resilience of the power supply in the Gstaad region of Switzerland, an additional 75 MVA transformer 220 kV / 50 kV was required. However, the installation site was located high in the Alps with challenging access issues. For example, it would be necessary to climb steep roads and to cross bridges that are not designed for such heavy loads.

Two attached trailers were necessary to carry the transformer, along with a self-propelled vehicle, resulting in a total payload of 123 tonnes, which exceeded the capacity of some bridges. For example, it was not possible to avoid a narrow bridge with a 32-tonne limit, so substantial reinforcement had to be implemented prior to the transformer’s arrival (see photo right).

Ensuring transformer reliability.
Following installation, BKW’s transformers are thoroughly inspected by the company’s in-house diagnostic team, as well as the Technical Commission for High Voltage Issues (FKH). Partial discharges were detected during these assessments, although a strongly decreasing trend was observed over 4 to 5 hours. “There are a number of potential causes of these discharges,” Lukas explains. “For example, tiny fragments of metal could be present as a result of welding activity during manufacture of the compartment, or the discharges might be caused by other factors such as voids, bubbles or moisture. Whatever the reason, the concern is that they might later develop into serious problems resulting in transformer failure.”

The transformer had tested perfectly in the factory, the discharges were reducing rapidly during on-site measurement, and the costs and complexity of returning the transformer to the factory were prohibitive, so, in order to avoid any potential risk, the Vaisala DGA monitor was installed.

Why monitor continuously?
The traditional method for checking the performance status of transformers is to manually collect oil samples once per year for laboratory analysis. This spot sampling method provides an indication of dissolved gases and oil quality at one moment in time. In contrast, continuous DGA monitors are able to detect problems instantaneously – before they become serious. Continuous monitors are also able to reveal trends so that users can correlate gas levels with transformer load, for example.

The Vaisala OPT100 Optimus™ DGA can be installed in less than two hours and with autocalibration and IR reference measurement, the instrument is able to deliver reliable gas trending data. Vacuum gas extraction eliminates fluctuation caused by oil temperature or pressure, and hermetically sealed optics prevent sensor contamination. Moisture and hydrogen are measured directly in the oil with a capacitive thin-film polymer HUMICAP® sensor and solid-state sensors. Importantly, the OPT100 measures the total dissolved gas pressure of the oil and detects any air leaks in sealed transformers without the requirement to monitor oxygen – which can be a misleading measurement.

“The OPT100 is a risk reduction tool,” explains Vaisala’s Andreas Hilgers. “In Gstaad, BKW are using it to ensure that the very slight concerns revealed by the post-installation tests, are mitigated by reliable continuous monitoring. We have some customers that use Vaisala DGA monitors on all of their new transformers, and other users who only install them where, say, the transformer passes FAT tests, but not the site acceptance test.”

The OPT100 can be incorporated into power companies’ SCADA systems, but it is also able to provide secure standalone communications. Lukas says, “This is an important feature for cybersecurity because the addition of an instrument such as this should not provide an additional entry point for hackers.”

The ease of installation was also an attractive feature for Lukas. “Of course, it was good that we were able to install the OPT100 quickly and easily,” he explains. “But the typical lifespan of a transformer is 40 to 60 years, so it is equally important that the monitor can be removed easily at a later stage.”

Performance to-date.
The OPT100 was initially installed in 2022, and since that time both the transformer and the DGA monitor have performed well with no sign of any abnormalities. Good correlation has been shown between the OPT100 measurements and the results from samples taken and tested by FKH, and there have been no indications of increased gas levels in the transformer oil.

The fleet of BKW transformers is in very good condition, and is monitored regularly by offline diagnostics and oil sampling for analysis. If transformers exhibit any abnormalities, the monitoring interval is shortened as a first step, and if concerns remain, the installation of an OPT100 would be considered. “Our risk reduction strategy is therefore to take action when any abnormalities are detected – much like human healthcare,” Lukas says. “Continuous DGA monitors therefore represent an essential tool in our risk management strategy, and the OPT100 has been shown to deliver the reliability and peace of mind that we need – especially when the access road has a 32-tonne limit!”

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 @VaisalaGroup@_Enviro_News #PAuto #Switzerland

IoT and software analytics platform for oil transformers.

Advanced transformer monitoring and analysis service now available to businesses in Ireland.

Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure™ Transformer Expert service is now available to businesses in Britain & Ireland. Designed to help extend the life of oil transformers and meet regulatory requirements, the subscription-based service monitors the health of transformers using a combination of IoT sensors and advanced software analytics. The all-in-one and easy to deploy solution provides cloud-based analysis based on real-time data to deliver aging insights and risk assessment, in addition to expert advice and consultation.

Transformers play a critical role in energy networks, from electrical generation to consumption and powering industry. Downtime is extremely harmful for businesses, but replacing transformers is expensive. To increase uptime but avoid unnecessary spending, organisations need the ability to closely monitor, in real-time, the health and status of their transformers; which is a legal requirement in these countries.

EcoStruxure Transformer Expert helps alleviate these worries through features such as IoT monitoring and online health analysis. It also offers additional real-time insights into factors such as heat, oil temperature, water presence, noise, and vibrations, which could indicate if there is an issue that needs urgent attention. Visibility into their operations allows medium to large organisations to make data-driven decisions about the performance, maintenance, and lifespan of their transformers.

EcoStruxure Transformer Expert is a unique all-in-one, cost-effective, and easy-to-deploy monitoring system for oil transformers. Its features include:

• Predictive analytics: Using real-time monitoring data, Schneider Electric experts can help predict potential issues before they occur, allowing companies to schedule maintenance in a more efficient way. Advanced transformer monitoring tools and automated online analysis make it possible to track transformers’ operating state and trends that are mapped against safe limits. • Reliability: Knowing an asset’s health increases the equipment’s reliability and reduces the risk of downtime because maintenance can be scheduled based on a transformer’s actual need. Companies can assess short and long-term risks with recommendations based on industry standards. • Safety: Detecting early signs of potential problems improves overall transformer safety. • Data-driven decision making: Using real-time data makes it possible to make more informed decisions about maintenance and asset replacement. • Economic benefits: Extending asset life expectancy reduces the need for costly replacements, improving maintenance planning reduces maintenance codes, and reducing downtime saves money. oOo

EcoStruxure Transformer Expert in action at CERN.
CERN, one of the world’s largest centres for scientific research, adopted EcoStruxure Transformer Expert to improve the monitoring, risk assessment, and asset management of eight transformers. CERN, which uses 1.3 terawatt hours of electricity annually, needed a solution that could predict the remaining life of its aging transformers to facilitate smooth replacements, and prioritise upgrade decisions. EcoStruxure Transformer Expert is enabling CERN to maintain these critical assets and plan to replace them with minimal risk to operations.

David Pownall, Vice President, Services, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland: "We’re proud to be working together with CERN to successfully solve their transformer challenges. The project is a real-world example of our solution and shows how our collaboration with customers can solve their specific challenges. Extending equipment’s lifespan is an important way to decrease companies’ carbon footprint. Using EcoStruxure Transformer Expert, companies can maximise transformers’ lifespan, resulting in less waste.”

Extending transformers monitoring solution portfolio for higher flexibility.
Schneider Electric is offering the monitoring services as a software-as-a-service model, and a software-only offer for monitoring transformer fleets. This is where customers can upload and store their offline dissolved-gas analysis (DGA) reports and get initial insights and analytics about their transformers and prioritise high-risk equipment for closer monitoring and replacement planning, if needed. They are also offering the option to integrate it into an EcoCare membership: Schneider will perform advanced condition-based monitoring for the customer and provide insights to improve transformers performance, as well as core electrical distribution equipment in a customer’s installation.

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@SchneiderUKI @CERN @teamlewisglobal #PAuto #IoT #Ireland

Transformer monitoring.

As part of an initiative to safeguard reliable power output and reduce risk, a biomass power plant in the north of the Netherlands has installed a continuous transformer monitor. The Vaisala MHT410 continuously measures three key parameters in transformer oil – moisture, hydrogen and temperature. Owned and operated by the energy company Eneco, the Bio Golden Raand plant produces steam for local industry as well as power, with a capacity of approximately 135 MW thermal and 49.9 MW electrical.

Background.
Transformer materials can deteriorate over time, resulting in the potential for costly faults, repairs and downtime. However, the development of transformer faults results in the accumulation of dissolved gases in the transformer oil, so this oil is routinely tested as part of a preventative maintenance program. Eneco’s transformer gas monitor was installed to provide continuous data and reduce the requirement for periodic oil sampling and laboratory analysis.

Eneco Transformer

“We discussed our requirement for the early detection of potential issues with our local service provider, Flux Transformer Services,” explains Laurens Freriksen, a project manager and maintenance specialist for Eneco. “They suggested that we should consider using one of Vaisala’s online monitors to support the planning and optimization of preventive maintenance; to extend the lifespan of our transformer, and reduce the risk of unexpected and costly outages.”

Vaisala’s Andreas Hilgers then visited the site to demonstrate two options; the MHT410 which monitors a single gas (hydrogen), and the OPT100 which is a multi-gas DGA (dissolved gas analysis) monitor. Subsequently, the MHT410 instrument was installed by Flux TS, and Laurens says: “We have benefited from online measurements for around one year now, and it has been very reassuring to see low hydrogen levels in the transformer oil, irrespective of the transformer load.”

Bio Golden Raand Power Station.
Biomass is used as a feedstock at the Bio Golden Raand plant (NL) to generate energy from wood waste. This form of power generation helps to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. The plant uses non-hazardous Grade B waste wood. This type of waste may contain Grade A wood (mainly from packaging waste, scrap pallets, packing cases and cable drums, and process off-cuts) together with other waste wood sourced from construction and demolition activities, transfer stations, civic amenity sites and the manufacture of furniture from solid wood.

Every year, the plant processes approximately 300,000 tons of waste wood that arrives in Delfzijl (NL) by ship and truck from the Netherlands and surrounding countries. The wood is passed to a boiler fitted with a circulating fluidized bed furnace operating at 900°C. Flue gases from the furnace pass through three heat exchangers to a water steam circuit, where steam at 90 bar with a temperature of 520°C is produced. This steam can be delivered directly to local industry, or it can be used to drive a steam turbine, which in turn drives a generator that produces electricity.

Generator step-up transformers provide the critical link between a power station and the transmission network. These transformers step up the voltage from generator level to the transmission voltage level, which steps down the current and thereby reduces the loss of energy as heat and ensures efficient power transmission over long distances. Typically, generator transformers operate continuously 24/7 so they need to be extremely reliable.

Transformer oil.
Generator transformers are generally oil-filled to provide insulation and cooling. The transformer at Bio Golden Raand, for example, contains around 20 tonnes of oil. A special mineral oil is used for its chemical properties and dielectric strength, and this is routinely tested as part of an effective preventative maintenance program for the transformer.

Oil degradation occurs when its molecules break down under the influence of thermal and electrical stresses due to transformer faults such as discharges or hot spots, for example. This degradation raises the levels of hydrogen, carbon oxides and hydrocarbon gases in the oil. Hydrogen concentration increases with all fault types, but the ratio of hydrocarbons depends on the fault type.

Testing and monitoring transformer oil.
Traditionally, transformer oil samples are collected once or twice per year and sent for laboratory analysis to determine the level of gases. This spot sampling method provides an indication of dissolved gases and oil quality at one moment in time. The main advantages of continuous monitors therefore, are that they are able to reveal trends so that users can correlate gas levels with transformer load, for example. Importantly, by measuring continuously, DGA monitors can provide early warnings of faults.

The levels and trends of dissolved gases can be used for fault identification, and this is the subject of a Cigré Technical Brochure (Ref.783) on DGA Monitoring Systems. This document describes the different types of DGA monitors, and includes an impressive performance evaluation of monitors including Vaisala’s OPT100.

In addition to hydrogen, the MHT410 also measures temperature, which is a key indicator of faults. Moisture in oil is also measured by the device because moisture decreases the dielectric strength, accelerates cellulose (insulation) decomposition, and increases the risk of bubble formation at high temperatures.

DGA monitoring at the plant.
Explaining the reasoning behind the installation of the Vaisala MHT410, Laurens Freriksen says: “A power plant transformer is one of the most valuable assets in a power network - ours is around 10 years old and operates continuously. However, there is no redundancy so it is important for us to be able to monitor its condition and performance closely.

“We chose the MHT410 because it offered an opportunity for the early identification of potential problems, which is an important risk reduction measure. Early fault identification enables timely corrective measures such as transformer service, oil change, repairs and possibly transformer load management through customer engagement. If the transformer indicates a fault through increased hydrogen levels, it may also be necessary to deploy a multigas monitor such as the OPT100, in order to obtain a full fault diagnosis.”

Laurens Freriksen

Data from the MHT410 continuously feeds into the Eneco digital control system, which Laurens is able to access from his laptop. This means, for example, that he is able to track transformer load on the same screen as the MHT410 measurements. “The digitization of assets is an important issue for our industry, and this is a good example,” Laurens adds. “Remote access to live data informs decision making, lowers risk and was an enormous benefit during the Covid lockdown, because it meant that we could check the transformer at any time, from anywhere.”

The MHT410 has been set to raise a high level alarm at 100ppm hydrogen and a very high level alarm at 150ppm. In addition, an alarm will be issued if there is a sudden increase in the readings for hydrogen, moisture or temperature. However, Laurens is pleased to confirm that during the first year of operation there have been no alarms, with hydrogen readings typically ranging between 2 and 15ppm, with no significant effects during periods of high load.

Robust power transformer monitor.
Designed for quick and easy installation with almost no maintenance requirement, the MHT410 has a low cost of ownership. “This is important,” explains Andreas Hilgers. “However, the cost of DGA monitors is negligible in comparison with the value of the assets that they help protect, or in comparison with the cost of outages.

MHT410 Installation

“One of the main advantages of digitization is a reduction in the need for unnecessary site visits, so it makes sense to install a Vaisala monitor that does not incur an extra service requirement." Frans van Hofwegen from Flux TS agrees. He says: “This is a good example of cooperation between Vaisala, Flux and the end-user; combining knowledge and experience to achieve the desired goals. As the first MHT410 that we have installed in the Netherlands, the device at Bio Golden Raand represents a great start to our relationship.”

The MHT410 takes measurements with an in-situ probe, so there is no requirement for pumps or membranes. With no consumables or moving parts that could fail, the instrument is encased in an IP66-rated metal housing equipped with a weather shield. Every unit is individually tested for a pressure of at least 10 bar and also withstands vacuum conditions. Special attention has been given to EMC tolerance; for example, all electrical connections are isolated. In addition, the MHT410 has been designed to tolerate short-term power outages.

In brief.
For Eneco, the installation of the Vaisala monitor is essentially a risk reduction measure, but as Laurens explains: “It is very reassuring to have constant visibility of the transformer’s condition. However, the key advantage is that it buys us time – time to plan an effective strategy if oil conditions deteriorate - to optimize the performance of the transformer and to extend its working life.

“We are proud to be leading the way in the Netherlands with this form of digitization, and since the MHT410 was installed, we have received a great deal of interest from our colleagues in other sectors, such as wind power.”

@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #Eneco #Power #PAuto

Voltage transducers for the traction market.

The DVM series for insulated nominal voltage measurements in traction applications has been itroduced by LEM. This family of devices spans the range from 600-4200 VRMS and incorporates their proven and patented insulating technology. Despite achieving very high levels of isolation with a safety insulation voltage of 12 kV, the DVM transducer is compact, measuring only 138 x 63.4 x 69 mm.

It is fully compatible and out-performs the previous generation of transducers in terms of functions and performance with new improved levels of accuracy and temperature stability, thus greatly simplifying retrofits.

DVM is also suitable for base mounting, but with slightly different outline dimensions to take into consideration for primary and secondary connections locations for example. The DVM is 30% smaller in height, occupies 25% less volume and is 56% lighter! The reduction in size does not compromise the DVM’s high immunity against the external surrounding perturbations or against the high voltage variations. The new size is also an advantage when confronted with size constraints in modern railway propulsion converters.

LEM developed the DVM to be fully compliant with the International Railway Industry Standards (IRIS), providing engineers in the railway industry, who are working with both rolling stock and
sub-stations, with a versatile new transducer that is equally applicable to measuring network voltages, or the main converter DC link on-board trains. The feature set of the DVM voltage transducer also makes it an excellent fit for a broad range of medium to high voltage measurements in industrial markets.

DVM transducers measure voltages by a direct connection on their primary side, transfer the data across an internal isolation barrier and output a current from their secondary side; that is
proportional to the measured voltage thanks to LEM’s patented insulating digital technology. It
delivers an improved typical accuracy, compared to existing products, of +/- 0.5 % at +25°C with a higher stability in temperature. The technology used provides very high levels of immunity to external magnetic fields (almost insensitive) and electromagnetic disturbances (unmatched level). Combined with a highly focused internal electronic design applied on the printed circuit as well as for mechanical design performance reached in common mode condition are exceptional: 0.5% of nominal voltage as error generated with a recovery time of less than 50µs against a voltage of 4200 V applied with a step of 6 kV/us.

Its measurement frequency bandwidth (-3dB point) is 12 kHz and the DVM consumes typically only 30 mA when power supplied under +/-24 VDC (power supply range from +/- 13.5 to +/- 26.4 V DC). 2 kinds of current output ranges are possible either +/- 50 mA, or the standard industrial current-loop range of 4 to 20 mA for unipolar current measurements and one voltage output at 10 V for nominal voltage.

Other key features include a high level of partial discharge extinction voltage (5 kVRMS @ 10 pC) ensuring product long life, and its compliance to a range of internationally-recognised safety standards in addition to its adherence to IRIS specifications. It also exhibits a fast response time. A range of connection configurations, on both the primary and secondary side, increases flexibility for the user.

Designed by LEM in accordance with the latest standards applicable for traction and industry, the DVM uses materials that comply with all relevant fire and smoke requirements that are mandatory in railway applications. It is CE marked and is supplied with a five-year warranty, as are all LEM transducers.

#LEM #Transportation @NapierPR

Changing the guard

Tarak Mehta, the global head of ABB’s Transformers business, has been appointed to ABB’s Executive Committee as head of the Low Voltage Products division as of Oct. 1, 2010. He replaces Tom Sjökvist, who is retiring at the end of September.

Mehta, a US citizen, has been responsible for ABB’s Transformers unit since 2007. It is the world’s largest transformer business, with 16,500 employees.
“Tarak has driven growth in the Transformers business organically and through the integration of several niche acquisitions, developing a very competitive business with an innovative, market-focused portfolio and a robust service offering,” said Joe Hogan, ABB’s chief executive officer.

Mehta joined ABB in 1998 and has held various management positions in the Power Products division in the US, Sweden and Switzerland. Before joining ABB, he worked for 8 years at Cooper Power Systems in the US. Mehta has Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago.

Tom Sjökvist is retiring from ABB after 38 years with the company. He began as a trainee at ASEA in Sweden in 1972, and has since held a wide variety of roles in Sweden, the US, Germany and Switzerland. He joined the ABB Executive Committee in 2006 as head of the Automation Products division.

“Under Tom’s leadership, the business developed a rich portfolio of innovative technologies. In 2010, Tom became head of the Low Voltage Products division, which has proven an equally successful business with double-digit growth in its first half year,” Hogan said.