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Electrical Transformers


Transformer Monitoring


Dielectric Voltage Testing – Standard Methods

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...

Transformer Protection


Transformer Software & Technologies


EFACEC case study

The EFACEC Group is leading the supply of integrated solutions and equipment in the market of power generation, transmission and distribution. The Group forms a complete value chain, from building turnkey projects to equipment manufacture, where integrated solutions are developed and designed in...

Transformer Testing & Maintenance


The Dissolved Gas Analysis Toolkit

Dissolved gas analysis: addressing the challenges of collecting samples BY DONAL SKELLY, GE’s Digital Energy business Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) is a technique for identifying and quantifying the gas formed in oil-filled electrical equipment because of either the natural aging of oil and paper...

Dielectric Fluids


Advancements in Dissolved Gas Analysis: Accounting for Gas Loss

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...

Power Transformers

transformer repair

Radiator Fin(s) Leak Repair

Radiator fins are notorious for leaking at various locations. One of which is where the fins are attached (welded) to the horizontal bottom-run header. Measurements are taken so a weir box can be installed to cover the fin(s) that are leaking. It is preferred the weir box will cover above the leaking area about 6".
This 6” cover will allow for urethane (poured into weir box) to adhere to the drier part of the fin(s) to assist with the sealing process. After pour, the technician will mark the outside of the weir box at the location(s) where the original leak was. This incase further work may be required for a better seal. After the urethane is poured and let to cure (usually overnight) the job is inspected to determined seal effectiveness. In the event we still have some leakage; whether the following day or later, an additional procedure may be performed. If leaking, the weir box is fabricated out of 11ga galvanized sheet metal which is thick enough for completing a 1/16" NPT. The technician will decide where (usually where it's been marked) and how many 1/16" D&T’s (drill & taps) are required. Once additional d&t's are completed, injection valves installed, then a special 2-part sealant (must be approved from a dielectric and DGA standpoint) will be injected. The thought is: now that there is cured urethane above the original leak(s) and we have marked the weir box for injecting close to that spot, we have created a bridging barrier for our sealant to back up against (so as not to extrude out the top of the weir box).

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