REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND FINE ARTS
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Case Study
Transformer Failure Due to Oil Leakage

Submitted By:
Abacan, Carl Markvince _____________
Advincula, Arji S. _____________
Arano, Wilbert _____________
Arceo, Franco _____________
Asi, Bryan P. _____________

Submitted to:
Engr. Ma. Lourdes V. Balansay
Instructor

August 18, 2017

 I. INTRODUCTION
India’s manufacturing sector, heavy
industries, various global service centres are all
dependent on reliable power supply. This
underlines the principle that ‘No Power-No
Business’. This makes it utmost important that
‘Transformers’, the heart of substation, must
function reliably. Failures of critical transformer-
assets not only impact industries but other
consumer categories also affect the economy of
the country and have social and political
ramifications.
A transformer is a vital equipment that
connects the generation to various types of loads.
The right kind of design, manufacture, test,
operation and protection increase normal life of
transformer.
All power utilities are much worried these
days due to high rate of failure of distribution
transformers and service. The failure rate of
transformers in India is in the order of 12 to15%
as against less than 1% in developed countries.
No one wants to share responsibility of failure.
Manufacturers often blame the users for running
the transformers in overload for single phasing or
unbalancing. Users are of the opinion that the
cause of failure is due to faulty design or bad
materials or poor workmanship. But the fact is –
responsibility should be shared equally by both.
II. CASE STUDY
Oil inside the transformer serves as a coolant
and insulator due to it has a High dielectric
breakdown and Low viscosity.
Cooler: During voltage up/down the temperature
of the windings of transformer increases, oil is
used to cool down the temperature.
Insulator: It acts as an insulator between the
windings. It increases the resistance between the
windings and avoids short circuit.
If the oil leaks from the transformer tank
due to some reason, the oil level in the tank will
drop. In the worst case, the connections to
bushings and parts of the winding will get
exposed to air. This will increase the temperature
of the windings. This in turn, would damage the
insulation of the winding. Apart from this moisture
can get in through the leak, and degrade the
transformer oil – leading to an overheated
transformer.
In power transformer, the conservator
tank is provided with an oil level indicator having
an alarm facility. If the oil level drops below a
predetermined level, the alarm will ring. It allows
the operator to initiate necessary actions. But in
distribution transformer, oil level indicator with
alarm facility is not provided. Only a small
transparent window (gauge) placed conservator
tank to see the oil level is provided. It shows the
level of the oil directly, being able to see from the
outside. When the crystal is dirty, you can wipe it
off with a rag. Periodic checking of this window is
not done in India. So, many of small transformers
fail due to decrease in oil level.
Oil leaks can occur from many parts of
transformer tank: Radiator fins, Bad welds,
cracked voltage bushings, Gaskets, Butterfly
valves controlling the flow of oil between the
radiator and main oil tank.
Oil leaks in gaskets
Oil leaks from transformer gasket, if it has
aged, lost elasticity and cracked as it cooled
much further than its normal operating range.
This is often a slow weeping rather than a
catastrophic failure; however, over a time, the
weeping can cause a serious amount of oil loss.

Oil leakage from radiator
Radiator fins are a common area for oil
leaks. Fins are made from thin metal to aid heat
transfer. The downside of that thinness is that
internal corrosion due to water ingress and
separation or external environmental corrosion
can quickly penetrate and spill the oil.
level should vary slightly with the
temperature changes.
3.) Correct the adjustment of the gasket if oil
leaks from it. Many times even after
correct adjustment, the gasket oil leak is
not stopped, then the gasket will have to
be replaced with a new one. A gasket
with low elasticity such as lead type must
always be changed with a new. Do not
use the old one again.
4.) Leaks from a radiator can be repaired by
welding. This requires that the
transformer must be taken offline and
drained before it can be welded.
5.) Proper inspection of a transformer is the
best way to prevent oil leakage.
Preventing leaks is as important as
sealing them.

III. CONCLUSION

The leaks from a transformer tank is caused by

bad welds,

IV. RECOMMENDATION

1.) Transformer tanks should be regularly

checked for any signs of cracks that may
lead to oil leakage. Inspect carefully for
any oil leaks within the tank.
2.) Monitoring of oil level should be done
regularly by observing the oil level gauge.
If the level gauge is equipped with a
pointer, document its position, as the