Page 9 - Energize July 2021

NEWS

Transformer asset management service expansion and lab accreditation

ell known reliability Oilwatch cloud-based data management software which Beyond a quality management system,
solutions specialist guarantees consistency and accurate diagnostic reporting”, accreditation is a global standard which
WOilwatch have says Ian Gray, an internationally recognised industry expert. recognises the technical competence of a
established another transformer Oilwatch transformer division director Shiven Brijlal laboratory to perform specified tests.
insulating fluid laboratory in says, “I am always faced with the challenge of meeting and This assures our clients that we
Durban to expand on its existing managing clients’ expectations. In my experience, the core meet their expectations and conform to
Gauteng-based transformer client expectations fall into three main categories: quality, specific requirements. Reliable test data is
asset reliability service. speed and cost and we are committed to manage these in paramount to our organisation to provide
Transformers are critical order to be a world class service provider. recommendations on remedial actions based
apparatus for providing reliable We are proud of the Oilwatch team’s achievement on relevant standards and expert knowledge”.
energy. No one can precisely in attaining the coveted ISO/SANAS 17025 general
predict when equipment requirements for the competence of testing and calibration Contact Oilwatch, Tel 087 238-2188,
will fail, but it is essential to laboratories, which has been a culmination of teamwork support@oilwatch.co.za,
manage risk. Compared with and commitment to this quality standard. www.oilwatch.co.za
the cost of premature failure,
regularly scheduled oil testing
is a cost effective and sound
management practice that can
be used to extend the life of
transformers.
Dissolved gas-in-oil analysis
(DGA) is the most powerful and
cost-effective tool in improving
transformer reliability.
DGA detects a wide range
of problems in the early stages
and then throughout the
life cycle. It is a great asset
management tool for expensive
apparatus such as transformers
and has also been applied to
load (energised) tap changers,
oil circuit breakers and other
oil-filled devices. It has been
applied to a variety of dielectric
liquids beyond mineral oils,
including natural and synthetic
esters, silicone and high
temperature hydrocarbons.
It has now been firmly STABLE POWER
established that Duval triangles MEANS STABLE
and Duval pentagons fault
interpretation for dissolved PATIENTS
gasses (DGA) is one of the
best diagnostic methods to
determine the fault condition
within power transformers.
This technique for mineral
oil is now a part of IEC 60599
– 2015 and IEEE c57.104-2019
standards. Using fault categories
of Duval triangles and Duval
pentagons, the six basic types of
faults (PD, D1, D2, T3, T2 T1) are
detectable.
“These diagnostic tools
have been incorporated into the

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