A transformer manufacturer´s perspective of condition monitoring systems

The asset value of electrical plant owned by the electricity supply generation and distribution industry in the UK equates to billions of pounds sterling. The replacement value of the power transformers alone on the National Grid is about one billion pounds sterling. To be able to buy, fit and forget such valuable assets is not an option in today´s financial environment. Unless a power transformer is operating or is operational, it is worth only the value of its recyclable components. An asset can very quickly lose its value if it is not correctly managed to give optimum life performance. Here, the author describes how management of an asset such as a power transformer will almost certainly involve condition monitoring in some form or other