Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) in transformers is a very successful periodic screening method to identify transformers that may be having problems. It is a symptom-based assessment of health, rather than a condition-based assessment. That is because the gases themselves do not cause failure, but are just by-products of deteriorating insulation caused by abnormalities such as
hot spots or electrical discharges. The abnormalities are what might fail the transformer. If the transformer loses fault gases, the...
In general, the purpose of periodic screening with DGA for power transformers is risk assessment. Is any transformer likely to fail in service? If so, how severe is the problem? Previous articles in this series have described ways to improve DGA interpretation. In this article we provide a glimpse...
Dissolved gas analysis began as a simple "sniff" test: a technician would open the valve and smell the head-space gas, hoping not to detect the sharp odor of acetylene that could signal a problem. Today, there are guidelines and procedures for DGA testing (namely the IEEE C57.104 and IEC 60599...
This summer, Aevitas Inc. announced a partnership with Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. to bring improved access to premier transformer oil products across Canada. Aevitas will exclusively distribute Calumet’s new line of Caltran™ insulating oil — Caltran C50 — in the Canadian...
Reliability-based Dissolved Gas Analysis is a new methodology that provides the most correct interpretation of dissolved gas analysis available today. All DGA testing is intended to identify transformers with heat-generating faults that break down the transformer’s internal insulation...
The utilization of online dissolved gas analysis monitoring has proven to be one of the most effective predictors of overall transformer health and condition. A wide range of monitoring systems are available, offering multiple costs, features, and benefit combinations. Hydrogen MonitoringSingle or...
There are two standard methods from ASTM International: D877, Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using Disk Electrodes, and D1816, Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Oils of Petroleum Origin Using VDE Electrodes. VDE stands...
By Chris Rutledge, Product Manager, Dynamic Ratings, Inc. Introduction The utilization of online dissolved gas analysis monitoring has proven to be one of the most effective predictors of overall transformer health and condition. A wide range of monitoring systems are available, offering multiple...
By Chuck Hoeppner, Delta-X Research It’s often said that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. But how does one manage risk in the mission-critical, 24x7 world of energy utilities? It’s a challenging undertaking, anticipating future demands and ensuring the reliability...
By Leon White and Traci Hopkins, H2scan Corporation As distributed generation, electric vehicle load, and requirements for increased electricity reliability provide real-world challenges for electric utilities, asset managers must innovate to ensure their infrastructure is in good condition to...
As a philosophy and English major who has spent the last 20+ years working in the utility industry,I often come across topics that challenge me because I don’t have a science or engineering background. This article is an exploration of the basics around online DGA monitors, to better...
