4/4/2011 Buchholz relay - Wikipedia, the free en…

Buchholz relay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the field of electric power distribution and transmission, a Buchholz

relay is a safety device mounted on some oil-filled power transformers
and reactors, equipped with an external overhead oil reservoir called a
conservator. The Buchholz Relay is used as a protective device sensitive
to the effects of dielectric failure inside the equipment.

Depending on the model, the relay has multiple methods to detect a failing
transformer. On a slow accumulation of gas, due perhaps to slight
overload, gas produced by decomposition of insulating oil accumulates in
the top of the relay and forces the oil level down. A float switch in the
relay is used to initiate an alarm signal. Depending on design, a second
float may also serve to detect slow oil leaks.

If an arc forms, gas accumulation is rapid, and oil flows rapidly into the
conservator. This flow of oil operates a switch attached to a vane located
in the path of the moving oil. This switch normally will operate a circuit
breaker to isolate the apparatus before the fault causes additional
damage. Buchholz relays have a test port to allow the accumulated gas to be withdrawn for testing. Flammable gas
found in the relay indicates some internal fault such as overheating or arcing, whereas air found in the relay may only
indicate low oil level or a leak.

Buchholz relays have been applied to large power transformers at least since the 1940s. The relay was first
developed by Max Buchholz (1875–1956) in 1921 [1].

Names like beechwood relay or beech relay are an indication of incorrectly translated German language manuals.

References
1. ^ http://www.transformerworld.co.uk/buchholz.htm Tutorial T5

External links
Buchholz relay technical specifications from Electromotoren und Gerätebau Barleben GmbH
(http://www.emb-online.de/pdf/01-02-08-02%20Prospekt%20Buchholzrelais%20ENGLISCH.pdf)
Contains a detailed description (in English) of the Buchholz detection principles and mechanisms
Koncar A.k.a Rade Koncar , Buchholz relays , for power and distribution transformers. [1]
(http://www.koncar-nsp.hr/eng/prikaz.asp?txt_id=1732)
Buchholz Relay (http://www.pbpowereng.co.uk/pdf/PBSIWeir_Mk10%20Buchholz.pdf)

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Categories: Safety switches | Transformers (electrical) | Electric power stubs

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