A prediction of distribution transformers aging based on tank infrared temperature measurements

This paper aims to establish criteria that correlate the distribution transformer tank temperature with the top-oil temperature, a parameter used to compute the life expectance. Therefore, an easy reading on the tank thermal behaviour through an infrared camera could be converted in a top-oil temperature. The results by the proposed methodology shown errors lower than 4°C. Consequently, this technique appears to offer an opportunity to improve the evaluation criteria for overload distribution transformer and the management of equipment overload capability.