AM Transformer Services

AM Transformer Services monitors the condition and change in transformer oil quality, helping to identify potential transformer oil related failures before they occur, reduce disruptions, and keep unscheduled maintenance to a minimum.

We offer 24 Hour Support!

The quality of insulating oil is vital to the functioning and early fault detection of power transformers in order to optimize equipment life.

AM TRANSFORMER SERVICES (PTY) LTD is a highly qualified transformer services company with over 25 years of experience in this field.

AM TRANSFORMER SERVICES (PTY)LTD will send a fully qualified team to do any work on your premises which include:

Oil Purification

Transformer Maintenance

Oil Sampling & Analysis

Electrical Scanning

Switchgear Maintenance

HV Fault Findings

Transformer Oil Testing

Transformer oil performs two vital functions namely Insulating and Cooling.

  • Moisture Content

  • Acidity Content

  • Dielectric Strength

  • DGA

  • Silica Gel Breathers

  • Furanic Testing

  • PCB Content

  • Moisture Content

    Transformer oil can be contaminated by moisture in one of the following methods:
    • Interaction between the air and transformer oil through the breather

    Check your silica gel and change on a regular basis.
    The new, orange, Silica gel is not as effective as the old silica (blue).

    • Leaks
    • Paper deterioration

    There is always a direct relationship between the moisture in the oil and the moisture
    in the paper. The operating temperature of the transformer will increase or decrease in
    step with the moisture concentration in the transformer oil.
    Moisture is electrically conductive, and thus will lower the insulating strength of the
    transformer oil.

  • Acidity Content

    The acidity content will increase over time in transformer oil. The interaction between moisture, temperature and oxygen will generate the acidity content.

    • Sludge will form in a transformer.

    This is a “jelly” which settles in-between the
    windings, or any other crevice in the transformer, and is extremely difficult to get out.

    An oil change should be consider as soon as the acidity level approach the 0.14 mgKOH/g oil mark, analyzed in conjunction with other results – DGA and Furanic.

     

    • High acidity will cause the paper deterioration to accelerate.

  • Dielectric Strength

    The dielectric strength of the transformer oil is a measure if the oil`s ability to withstand electrical stress without failure.

    The presence of moisture or particles will have a direct influence on the oil`s ability to insulate.

  • DGA

    The DGA is by far one of the most important tools for the transformer owner in detecting incipient faults in the transformer.

    The DGA should be done on regular basis as any internal fault will be detected months in advance.

    The DGA will detect the following problems months in advance with regular testing :

    • Overheating
    • Loose connections
    • Break in cellulose
    • Arcing
    • Partial discharge
    • Corona

  • Silica Gel Breathers

    Function :
    Silica gel breathers are fitted to oil filled transformers. The purpose of these silica gel breathers is to absorb the moisture in the air sucked in by the transformer during the breathing process.

    Thus the silica gel breathers provide an economic and efficient means of controlling the level of the moisture entering the transformer or conservator tank during the breathing process.

  • Furanic Testing

    The Furanic will determine the paper deterioration in the transformer.

    Recommended on a yearly basis for transformers older than five (5) years.

  • PCB Content

    PCB is purely a health and environment issue and will not influence the working of the transformer.
    PCB`s are linked to cancer, kidney and liver damage, and damage to digestive organs in humans. Transformer oil leaks can contaminate the soil and water table, which in turn will find contaminate the food chain.

    This is a very serious problem in South Africa and must be treated with respect and importance.

REASONS FOR USING A REPUTABLE LABORATORY:

The oil is tested to IEC,ASTM and ISO standards , helping you identify issues quickly.

  •   Identify if an oil is suitable for further use
  •   Detect whether  filtration is needed
  •   Enhance component life and reduce oil costs
  •   Maximize safety and prevent untimely failures
  •   Gain crucial historical data to understand changes or increases in key gases
CONTACT US

Protect Your System Reliability & Your Costly Assets

Preventing transformer failure is vital to the safe and reliable operation of any electrical network.

Transformer breakdowns usually cause power outages and interruptions.

To compound the damage , unforeseen repair and maintenance costs are incurred, and new unexpected equipment is required.

Testing the condition and quality of transformer insulating oil provides data showing the actual condition of the transformer, and its remaining lifetime. Information from oil analysis can help anticipate potential failures, and guide precisely targeted maintenance and replacement plans.

Transformer oil testing is a proven loss prevention technique that should be part of any condition based predictive maintenance program.

Essentially an early warning system, transformer oil testing allows management to identify maintenance priorities, plan work assignment schedules, and order necessary parts and materials.

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