Breather in transformer

Transformers are one of the key assets and most expensive equipment in electrical utility companies. The life of the transformer generally depends on the longevity of solid insulation. Of the several factors that determine the life expectancy of solid insulation, those that have the greatest effect are temperature, moisture and oxidation. The temperature of solid insulation is the primary factor in transformer aging if moisture in the insulation is at a normal level (≤ 0.5 %). The moisture in the insulation also has a great impact on the life of insulation and is not usually a consideration in loss of life calculations. Moisture is always present in the insulation system. The rate of thermal aging of paper is proportional to its moisture content. Aging calculations are based on ≤ 0.5 % moisture content with a corresponding aging acceleration factor of one. If the water content of paper is doubled, its life in terms of mechanical strength is halved. Moisture in solid insulation can also lead to bubble formation because it reduces the bubble inception temperature and reduces also the dielectric strength of the insulation system. The three major contributors to the level of moisture in the insulation system are residual moisture from manufacturing, commissioning and maintenance processes, moisture produced by the aging of cellulose, and moisture from the atmosphere. This paper discusses reducing moisture ingress from the atmosphere. Liquid preservation systems limit the expos...

Table of Contents • • • • • • What is the function of breather in power transformer? The breather is used in the transformer to filter out the moisture from the air. Breather consists of silica gel which absorbs moisture from the air. Conservator tank present at the top of the transformer which allows adequate space for expansion of oil. What is a free breathing transformer? The free breathing transformers are equipped with a cushion under the cover or a conservator to allow the oil to expand, at the temperature variations. As it is not hermetic, the oil is always in contact with the air. Moisture is kept at bay through the use of dehydrating salts contained in special filters (breather). READ ALSO: How much nicotine is in rajnigandha? Which chemical is used in breather? Explanation: The chemical used in the breather of the transformer is Silica Gel. The function of a breather in transformer is to absorb moisture from air. The silica gel is a desiccant. It has good properties of adsorbing and holding water vapors. Why oil is used in breather? Silica gel crystal has tremendous capacity of absorbing moisture. When air passes through these crystals in the breather; the moisture of the air is absorbed by them. The oil in the oil sealing cup acts as barrier between silica gel crystal and air when there is no flow of air through silica gel breather. What is explosion vent in transformer? The purpose of the explosion vent in a transformer is to prevent damage of the transformer t...

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Transformer – Principle of operation A transformer is a static device that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When an alternating current flows in the primary winding of a transformer, a varying electromagnetic field is generated which induces EMF in the secondary winding. The magnitude of the induced EMF is proportional to the turns ratio. Parts of a transformer Parts of a transformer The following are the various transformer parts: • Core • Winding • Insulation • Tank • Terminals and bushings • Transformer oil • Oil Conservator • Breather • Radiators and fans • Explosion vent • Tap Changers • Buchholz relay 1. Core The core provides a low reluctance path for electromagnetic flux and supports the primary and secondary windings. It is made by stacking thin sheets of high-grade grain-oriented steel which are separated by thin insulating material. In order to minimize the hysteresis and eddy currents, the carbon content of the core steel is maintained below 0.1%. When it is alloyed with silicon, eddy currents can be reduced. A typical three-phase transformer core is shown in the picture above. Each limb carries the primary and secondary winding of each phase. The limbs are magnetically coupled by the yokes. There are two types of core constructions: core type and shell type. In shell-type construction, the windings are surrounded by the core as shown below: Source: To know more about transformer cores, their construction and desi...

Transformer parts, In this article I discussed about transformer parts. According to construction transformer consists of following parts. • Steel tank • Core • Windings • Conservator • Breather • Thermometer • Pressure relief pipe • Valves • Buchholz relay • Bushings • Tap changing switch • Oil gauge • Radiator • Cooling fans • oil pumps • Transformer insulation Steel tank : It is a main part of transformer. It is steel made box. Transformer core is placed inside this tank. Windings and other helpful devices are placed inside this tank. It is filled with insulating oil ( mineral oil ). It have usually cylindrical or cubical shape depending on transformer construction. It is coated internally and externally with colour for safety point of view. Colour coating also provide protection in case of winding connection with tank accidentally. Core of transformer : Core is made with laminated steel sheet in all type of transformers to provide continuous magnetic path and also to provide minimum air gap. For this purpose silicon enriched steel is used. Sometimes heat treatment is also used on steel to increase permeability of steel. hysteresis losses also decreased in core with increase in permeability. By making core laminated eddy current losses also reduced in core. Laminations of core also insulated from each other through varnish. Windings : Single phase transformer have one primary and one secondary winding. But three-phase transformer consists of three primary and three seco...

Dehydrating breathers are designed to absorb moisture caused by the intake of air into the transformerduring thermal contraction of the oil mass.Our dehydrating breathers contain salts of chemically pure silicon oxide, calledsilica gel, with colored indicator, whichabsorb themoisture and atmospheric humidityand prevent oil contamination.