Back to Transformer Basics-- Economic Diagnostic Maintenance

A transformer that is properly specified, manufactured, tested, and installed should require minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime. The object of any maintenance program should be to prevent unplanned outages and/or to extend the life of the transformer. The most important factor in extending the life of power transformers is maintaining the integrity of the oil/insulation system. The different types of transformer preservation systems are the main accessory item responsible for maintaining this integrity, but quite often the least considered and most neglected. This paper will briefly discuss the following items as applied to small, medium, and large power transformers. 1) The life cycles of a transformer and its dependence on the oil/insulation system and economic factors. 2) The application and maintenance of the four basic types of transformer preservation systems used on small, medium, and large power transformers. 3) A proactive diagnostic maintenance plan. 4) A reactive diagnostic maintenance plan using an event-action item matrix