News & Events

Tests of Serveron TrueGas™ Headspace Transformer Gas Monitors Provide Compelling Support for Detection of Fault Gas Bubble Generation and Accuracy of Analysis

Results of Separate Tests Performed on Active Transformers Presented at Conference

New Orleans, LA — Substation Equipment Diagnostics Conference ÷ February 19, 2001 — Today at the Substation Equipment Diagnostics Conference in New Orleans, the results of two separate tests of the Serveron TrueGas™ headspace transformer gas analyzer will be presented in technical sessions. These tests provide the first documented evidence that certain transformer faults generate measurable fault gas bubbles in the headspace of sealed, nitrogen-blanketed transformers, and that online monitoring of this headspace gas matches the results of standard dissolved gas analysis.

The studies were performed on active transformers at two different utilities and proved the efficacy and accuracy of the TrueGas headspace monitors. For sealed, nitrogen-blanketed transformers, the TrueGas headspace analyzer is a cost-efficient, effective alternative to drawing oil samples for dissolved gas analysis. TrueGas monitors are designed and manufactured by Serveron, the electric power industry’s first dedicated provider of turn-key equipment and services to monitor the health of electric generation, transmission, and distribution substation equipment.

TXU Gas & Electric Study

TXU Gas & Electric, a major utility in Texas, will present the results of its use of a Serveron TrueGas headspace gas analyzer on a large auto transformer that had an active internal fault. The sealed transformer, manufactured in 1968, was a critical node in the utility’s grid. The TrueGas headspace gas analyzer provided critical data that TXU Gas & Electric utilized to avoid a potentially catastrophic transformer failure.

TXU installed early versions of Serveron’s TrueGas headspace gas analyzer on the transformer, programmed to take regular and frequent measurements of the dissolved gases in the headspace, and downloaded the monitoring data for analysis via modem. The utility also performed standard laboratory DGA based on drawn samples of the insulating oil. By comparing the data from these tests, TXU showed for the first time conclusive evidence that measurable fault gas bubbles were generated and detected in the headspace before being absorbed in the oil during certain transformer faults, and that results of on-site gas chromatography testing with the TrueGas instrument correlate with the results of standard laboratory analysis.

The presentation of this study will be on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at the Inter-Continental Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Green Peter Hydroelectric Facility Study

At the conference, Serveron will also present the results of a separate study performed at the Green Peter hydroelectric facility in Foster, OR, on a sealed, nitrogen-blanketed transformer installed in 1967. In this study, for the first time two TrueGas instruments were installed and operated on a single active transformer: a headspace unit, connected directly to an outlet from the headspace; and an oil phase unit, collecting oil from the bottom of the cooling loop. Both instruments took samples and provided online dissolved gas analyses every four hours using the units’ rugged internal gas chromatograph.

This study is also the first time transformer fault gas generation has been analyzed in "real-time" on site. Typical transformer fault gas analysis is performed by drawing oil samples that are sent to off-site laboratories. With this study, on-line DGA data shows gassing behavior tracked vs. transformer load and cross-correlated with daily temperature fluctuations, giving transformer engineers better visibility and insight into actual transformer operation.

The Green Peter results showed conclusively that the TrueGas headspace analyzer is highly reliable and capable of precise automation of sampling. The instrument provides accurate measurements of transformer fault gases and highly accurate and repeatable measurements of gassing trends, giving transformer engineers insight into the dynamic operation of the transformer as gassing events occur due to changing conditions.

The presentation of this study will take place at 1:00 PM, Monday, February 19, 2001 at the Inter-Continental Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

About Serveron

Serveron Corp. was founded to help electric power utilities worldwide deliver reliable power at the lowest cost. Serveron's innovative instrumentation, continuous monitoring services, and Web-accessible data analysis promise to improve reliability and maintenance efficiency across the grid. Serveron offers Battery and Cell Management (BCM)™ battery condition monitors, TrueGas™ on-site dissolved gas analyzers, and remote, on-line monitoring services for power utilities.

Copyright © 2001-2004 Serveron
SERVERON® is a registered trademark of Serveron Corporation