Why Trending DGA Results Is More Important Than a Single Test
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools available for assessing the condition of oil-filled power transformers. By measuring gases dissolved in transformer oil, DGA can provide indications of conditions such as overheating, partial discharge, arcing, and insulation degradation. However, while a single DGA test provides valuable information, the real diagnostic […]
PCBs in Transformer Bushings: What Happens After a Bushing Leaks or Fails?
When evaluating the PCB status of a transformer, the oil in the main transformer tank is typically the primary fluid tested. However, older oil-filled transformer bushings can contain insulating fluid with PCB concentrations that differ from the oil in the main tank. Under normal operating conditions, routinely sampling the oil inside a sealed bushing is […]
Transformer DGA Testing: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools available for evaluating the condition of oil-filled transformers. By measuring gases dissolved in the insulating fluid, DGA can help identify developing thermal and electrical conditions before they lead to more serious equipment problems. However, collecting DGA data is only part of the process. […]
How to Determine if Your Transformer Oil Contains PCBs
Determining whether transformer oil contains PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) is an important part of managing older transformers and electrical equipment. Although PCBs have been restricted for decades, they may still be present in older insulating fluids or equipment due to historical use, previous servicing, fluid handling, or cross-contamination. The only reliable way to determine whether PCBs […]
Every Transformer Oil Sample Tells a Story
Every transformer oil sample contains valuable information about the condition of your asset. Through comprehensive transformer oil diagnostic testing, developing problems can often be identified long before they result in unplanned outages, expensive repairs, or premature transformer failure. By analyzing the condition of the insulating oil, utilities and industrial facilities gain the data needed to […]
Choosing the Right Transformer Oil Testing Package for Reliable Asset Management
Keeping transformers operating reliably starts with a diagnostic program that matches the needs of each asset. While routine oil testing is an essential part of transformer maintenance, a one-size-fits-all approach often fails to provide the level of insight needed for different transformer types, operating conditions, and reliability goals. At MVA Diagnostics, we offer a comprehensive […]
Transformer Oil Analysis Test Packages
Effective transformer maintenance starts with the right diagnostic strategy. MVA offers a comprehensive range of transformer fluid testing packages designed to support everything from routine condition monitoring to advanced diagnostics. Our standard testing packages provide a proven foundation, but we also customize diagnostic programs based on transformer design, insulating fluid, operating environment, criticality, and reliability […]
Transformer Oil Diagnostics: Understanding Oil Aging and the Transformer Life Cycle
The condition of transformer insulating oil is one of the best indicators of overall transformer health. Over time, heat, oxygen, and moisture drive oxidation and chemical changes that degrade both oil and cellulose insulation. Interfacial Tension (IFT) and Acid: IFT is the leading indicator of oil oxidation. As oil oxidizes, acids and polar compounds form, […]
Furan Analysis: What It Reveals About Transformer Insulation Health and Aging
Furan analysis: a window into transformer insulation health When cellulose insulation in a transformer degrades, it produces furanic compounds that dissolve in the oil. Measuring these compounds gives us a critical insight into the condition of the cellulose insulation without invasive sampling. Here’s what each compound tells us: 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5HM2F): Often linked to wet insulation […]
Interfacial Tension (IFT)
ASTM D-971 Interfacial Tension of Oil against Water by Ring Method IFT is a fluid test used to determine the presence of oxidation by-products, polar contaminants, and other decomposition products. These can be acids, oxidation intermediate compounds, varnishes, and other fluids that are in the fluid. These compounds generally lower the IFT value, and that […]