News

Repairing a distribution transformer involves several steps to ensure it is restored to its optimal working condition. Here's a general outline of the process:

1. Safety First: Before any work begins, ensure all safety protocols are followed. This includes wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as rubber gloves, safety glasses, and hard hats. Ensure the transformer is completely isolated from the power source and grounded.

2. Visual Inspection: Start with a thorough visual inspection to identify any obvious signs of damage like cracks, leaks, corrosion, or burned components. Check for loose connections, damaged wiring, and debris accumulation.

3. Oil Analysis: If the transformer uses oil for cooling and insulation, it's crucial to test the oil quality. This may involve draining a sample and sending it to a lab for analysis to check for contaminants, moisture content, and acidity levels. If the oil is contaminated or degraded, it will need to be replaced.

4. Degaussing (if necessary): If there has been a fault resulting in magnetic saturation of the core, degaussing might be required to remove residual magnetism.

5. Internal Inspection: Depending on the severity of the issue, you may need to open up the transformer to inspect the windings, core, and other internal components. This step often requires specialized tools and knowledge.

6. Component Replacement: Replace any damaged or worn-out parts such as faulty windings, bushings, tap changers, or insulation materials. Ensure replacements meet the original specifications.

7. Reassembly and Vacuum Filling: After repairs, reassemble the transformer carefully, ensuring all seals and gaskets are correctly installed. If oil was drained, refill the transformer with new, clean oil under vacuum to remove air and prevent oxidation.

8. Testing: Perform various tests to confirm the transformer is functioning correctly. This includes a dielectric strength test to check the insulation, a turns ratio test to verify voltage transformation, and a load test to assess performance under real-world conditions.

9. Oil Treatment (if applicable): If the transformer oil was not replaced but found to be in acceptable condition after analysis, it might still require treatment to improve its properties, such as filtration to remove particulates or the addition of inhibitors to enhance its lifespan.

It's important to note that transformer repair should only be carried out by trained professionals due to the complexity and potential hazards involved. In some cases, severe damage might lead to the decision to replace rather than repair a transformer.