MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

POWER TRANSFORMER WORKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAILY INSPECTIONS

Inspections: Daily
1. Read indications of dial thermometers (Oil and Winding Temperature). Compare them with the
data previously obtained. Also consider load current. Report major variances
Read indication of the dial oil level gauge on the conservator and level in oil filled bushings
Check oil leaks visually from radiators, flanges, pipes, and transformer tank.
Abnormal vibration can be checked comparatively easily by hand and listening to humming.
Check the breathing action in oil pot and discoloration (Blue to Pink) of silica gel visually. Also
check the color of oil in oil pot.
6. Check visually that all connections are normal with no discoloration due to local heating.
7. Check for water leaks from Rectifier Transformer Coolers and also whether the control valve is
opened. Check for blockage at the collection point(funnel) to the return sump

2.
3.
4.
5.

POWER TRANSFORMER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE

Prior to maintenance work commencement ensure that:

An Electrical Clearance has been issued

The equipment to be maintained has been made safe through opening of circuit breakers and
isolators, and that Circuit Main Earths are applied as detailed in the safety document.
All auxiliary Control Circuits have been isolated and fuses removed

1. Dust -Clean the transformer as dust may reduce cooling capacity of radiators.
2. Oil Leaks -Check for oil leaks. If oil leaks are due to gasket, tighten bolts or exchange gasket. In
case of oil leaks from welded parts, apply adhesive material or weld again on the leaking part.
3. Abnormal noise and vibration- Tighten all loose bolts, change bearings on oil pump and fan
motor if applicable
4. Silica gel breather- Replace or regenerate the silica gel if it shows serious signs of discoloration.
Check that silica gel breathers are dry, well sealed, and not blocked.
5. Connections- Clean and check tightness of all bolts and fittings. Replace missing bolts. Check
visual signs of overheating. Check bonding and earthing of all non-current carrying metal
structures
6. Bushings- Clean all porcelain bushings and check for leaks and damage/cracks and replace if
necessary
7. Lightning Arresters- Check that all lightning arresters are correctly earthed
8. Gas trapped in Buchholz relay- If any gas is trapped in the relay, Dissolved/accumulated gas
analysis (DGA) should be conducted.
9. Oil Tests- Take oil samples for tests (BDV using 2.5mm gap) and gas analysis (DGA). If any
measured values are not satisfactory, filtration or replacement of insulating oil is recommended.
10. Oil level- Top up with clean oil if low. Check that all oil control valves are open
11. Appearance- Check general appearance of all equipment and paint work. Repaint if need be

After Transformer Maintenance the following Tests must be carried out:

1. Temperature Tests (Winding & Oil) - Check oil level in thermometer pockets. Heat
thermometer bulbs and record maximum temperature. Compare readings with that of a
standard thermometer. Also record temperature at which Alarm and Trip cuts in and
compare with the setting.
2. Buchholz Test - Use the push button to check the Buchholz relay operation. The Gas Kit
is only used when no push button is available. Restore Buchholz relay to normal state
after tests.
3. Insulation Resistance Test - Disconnect conductors from transformer bushings, open
transformer neutral links, and remove earths as required, and using Insulation tester(2.5
kV or above), Megger the transformer between windings and between windings and
earth. Also Megger the LV and HV surge arresters. Polarization Index should also be
recorded.
4. Winding Resistance Tests- Winding resistance tests to be carried out for the two or
three windings depending on the transformer design. Results should always be recorded
for future reference.

Polarization Index Test

Polarization Index=Resistance after 10minutesResistance after 1minute

Apply a Voltage
Voltage=....kV
HV-LV

2.5kV for the specified time

1minute

10minutes

PI

HV-MV

LV-MV

HV-Ground

LV-Ground

MV-Ground

NOTE
Polarization Index
Less than 1.0
1.0-1.1
1.1-1.25
1.25-2.0
Above 2.0

Insulation Condition
Dangerous
Poor
Questionable
Fair
Good

WORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANFORMER PROTECTION TRIPS , ALARMS AND INDICATION

TESTS
The transformer shall be tested on site when:
The transformer has experienced a fault trip.
After maintenance
1.

Restore trip and closing supplies.

2.

Using the transformer protection schematic operate all relays ensuring that they initiate the
correct Annunciator and operate the master trip relay.

3.

Check that the master trip relay and direct contact trips from other relays operate the breakers as
indicated on the schematic.

4.

Check the operation of HV and LV breaker from local and remote control ensuring that with the
breaker selected to local, it does not operate from remote and when selected to remote it does
not operate electrically from local.

5.

Check all alarms and ensure that they update locally

WORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANFORMER PROTECTION BATTERIES AND CHARGER TESTS

CHARGER
1. Using the charger schematic, check indication and alarm relays
2. Check and record Charger operating mode: Float/Trickle/Boost
3. Record the Float/Boost Voltage
4. Check charger indicating instruments
5. Check correct fusing of charger outputs
6. Check integrity of all wiring
Expected Float and Boost Voltages
Lead - Acid Cells
Float Voltage=2.25V DC per cell
Boost Voltage=2.4V DC per cell
Norminal Voltage= 2.0V DC per cell
Nickel- Cadmium Cells
Float Voltage=1.42V DC per cell
Norminal Voltage= 1.2V DC per cell

BATTERY

1. Check integrity of battery stands

2. Check condition of cells
3. Disconnect the cable from the batteries to the charger and using a 500Volts Insulation tester,
Megger the cores to earth.
4. Using a voltage tester , measure cell voltage
5. Measure specific gravity of each cell
6. Check all terminals for tightness