Image for illustrative purposes
EXPERT OPINION
In a data-driven world where transformer owners want to have as much data as possible from their transformers, they start by monitoring the top oil temperature, winding temperature, pressure relief device, liquid level, tank pressure, sudden pressure, and various load tap changer (LTC) data.
When transformers fail without warning, they realize that more data is necessary. They then investigate single and multi-gas online dissolved gas analysis (DGA), partial discharge, bushing monitoring, acoustic vibration, etc. Then they build asset health centers and hire data scientists to manage the vast amount of data they didn’t realize would be such a monumental task to manage.
There must be a better way.
Large utilities on the bleeding edge of technology have found that all of this data comes at a price. While many monitors do not interface directly with transformer fluids, the online DGA monitor must measure gases either directly in the fluid, or extract gases from the fluid for measurement after extraction. Although multi-gas DGA monitors have become more reliable than they were 10 or 15 years ago, they are still complex machines that are installed outdoors in electric substations where they are subjected to all the elements weather forecasters have to offer.
Although multi-gas DGA monitors have become more reliable than they were 10 or 15 years ago, they are still complex machines that are installed outdoors in electric substations where they are subjected to all the elements weather forecasters have to offer.