Detecting power transformer air leaks.

The new method, based on measuring total pressure of all dissolved gases in the power transformer insulation oil, will help customers detect andrepair any air leaks early. This can extend the lifetime of a transformer and lead to significant cost savings.

A uniquely accurate and reliable method for detecting air ingress in sealed power transformers is being brought to market by Vaisala. With the increased number of sealed transformers, ambient air leaks have become a significant issue as oxygen acceleratesthe aging of paper used in the insulation.

Measuring total gas pressure (TGP) is a step forward from the traditional measurement methods that are currently available in the market to detect air leaks. An oxygen sensor cannot detect an air leak, if there is a reaction in a transformer that consumes oxygen. Even if all oxygen has been consumed, TGP value will still give a reliable indication of a leak because the nitrogen value will both dominate and increase over time because it is neither formed nor consumed in the transformer. Additionally, TGP measurement can indicate if the nitrogen cylinder of a nitrogen blanketed transformer is empty – another task that oxygen measurement cannot detect.

“We are always looking for new solutions to help our customers to optimize their measurement needs and therefore wanted to develop an innovative, accurate and robust solution for detecting air leaks in transformers. We are very happy now to introduce this innovative new method, based on measuring total gas pressure,” says Teemu Hanninen, Product Manager from Vaisala’s Industrial Measurements.

The new measurement solution will be made available to the current customers via a software release for Vaisala’s Optimus™ DGA Monitor OPT100, which is the world’s first maintenance free dissolved gas analyzer for power transformers. For new OPT100s, the new software will be incorporated as a default factory setup.

“We are delighted to offer this software upgrade to our existing OPT100 customers and support them with an even more comprehensive solution unlike seen in the market before. Striving to develop both new solutions and improve the existing ones is deep in Vaisala’s DNA.” 

@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #Pauto