Transformer life management-condition monitoring

Perhaps the principal reason for many specification writers calling for condition monitoring is to provide detection of incipient faults. There are other important uses to which condition monitoring may be used and these include assurance that the plant is operated within predetermined operating limits (and that transient excursions beyond these limits will not cause damage to the transformer), operation of backup equipment and the assessment of plant availability (either for planned maintenance or end of life prediction). The level of condition monitoring employed is likely to increase as experience is gained of the various systems available. In general, the initial cost of condition monitoring equipment is more than offset by the potential improvement in operating efficiency and extended life of the transformer.