Condition monitoring applied to power transformers-an REC experience

Condition monitoring and condition assessment is is a maintenance approach that is driven by financial, operational, and safety requirements. It must produce reliable information on plant condition to allow maintenance resources to be optimised and assist with the optimum economic replacement of the asset. The techniques of condition monitoring will form a vital part of future risk-based strategies. The author discusses the reliability of transformers and then discusses condition monitoring for transformers. Experiences with the technique are described for oil analysis, winding movement detection, and two-41 year old transformers. User´s requirements for condition monitoring are also discussed