The transformer has key features such as the aptitude or electromagnetic integrity for transferring electromagnetic energy without excessive loss, overheating, vibration and noise, current carrier circuit integrity, dielectric resistance and mechanical resistance.
It also has different functional systems (dielectric system, mechanical system, electromagnetic system and current carrier system) in which potential faults and defects occur which evolve differently according to the system.
In the current carrier system, for example, defects can include gaskets, flawed contacts or deterioration of contacts, and faults such as localised hot points, open circuit or short circuit.
Lubrication Management – IK4-TEKNIKER has developed an innovative method for integral diagnosis of faults and defects in electric transformers, named “Maintenance based on function”, which allows for more information to be gathered, and therefore maximises their lifespan and the efficiency.
The function-based method relates the most probable faults and defects with the status identified in the defect identification method with the analysis of dissolved gases.
The objectives of function-based maintenance are:
- To integrate the results of the physicochemical, dissolved gases and furan analyses in the same diagnostic framework.
- To interpret the results of the analyses taking into account the mission of each system or component in the overall function of the transformer.
- To diagnose the status of the transformer component by component taking into account the specific defects or faults and characteristics of each of the components.
