Transformer

Oil conservators
Oil-immersed transformer over 1 600 kVA

Installation and Operating Instructions

For the operational security of oil-immersed transformers it is important that the oil should be General
maintained constantly in good condition. In order to achieve this first of all the transformer oil to be
used must be chosen carefully and secondly an oil conservator must be fitted to the transformer.
The purpose of the oil conservator is as follows:
a) To protect the warm oil against contact with the oxygen in the atmosphere and thus prevent
deterioration of the oil.
b) To contain the changes in oil volume which occur during thermal cycling.
c) To prevent the entry of air and hence also the condensation of water on the inside of the
transformer tank.
The oil conservator is connected to the transformer tank by a pipe. The conservator is filled with oil to Method of
such a level that when the transformer is cold this pipe and the lower part of the conservator always operation
remain filled with oil. In this manner the entry of air into the tank is prevented. As the transformer
heats up and the volume of the oil increases the level in the conservator rises.
During operation heating of the oil occurs quite slowly and due to the separated mounting of the
conservator the oil there remains considerably cooler then that in the transformer tank. To assist the
cooling action, the oil which is passing from the transformer tank to the conservator is diverted by a
shield fitted over the inlet stub. Thus the surface layer of the oil which is in contact with the air
remains cool and as it is also relatively small, deterioration of the oil is practically negligible.
If, after a number of years of operation, condensed water or rust particles should be deposited into
the oil, it is impossible for these to find their way into the transformer with the oil as the connecting
pipe stub projects into the conservator for a distance of approx. 40 mm and hence there is always a
layer of oil left at the lowest part. This remaining oil sludge can be drained through the drain plug
which is fitted.
A general view of the conservator is given in the illustration on page 2. At the lowest point of the Design
cylindrical vessel a the connecting stub b projects into the conservator. A pipe connects stub b with
the highest point of the transformer tank. Fitted over the end of the connecting stub inside the
conservator is a shield c which is open at the bottom and has a small air hole in the top.
The oil level in the conservator may be easily checked by means of an oil level gauge d of the glass
tube type. An indicator mark on the side of the conservator behind the glass tube gives the correct oil
level when the temperature is +20 °C.
The oil level gauge is fitted with 3 temperature markers e, f, and g to indicate the oil level at -20 °C,
±0 °C and +20 °C. The indicating mark on the side of the conservator must naturally coincide with the
+ 20 °C temperature marker.
In the event of breakage of the glass tube it can be replaced but first the cock h in the lower
mounting bracket i must be closed. Next remove the screws from the glands k on the lower
mounting bracket i and the upper mounting bracket l. Then unscrew and remove the upper mounting
bracket complete from the conservator. The defective glass tube can now be taken out and replaced
by the new one. The gauge is then reassembled in the reverse order to the above. The interior of the
conservator is connected with atmosphere through the breather m, and is filled with oil through the
screwed plug n.

TW 414 e 1/2 1/97

 Transformers supplied overseas and to special order are fitted with dehydrating breathers. These are
fitted to an elbow o in place of the breather m. Flange p is for fitting an oil level monitor and q is the
drain plug.

Mounting lf the oil conservator has been removed from the transformer for shipment to site it and the
interconnecting pipe must first be refitted to the transformer as shown in the drawing supplied. The
elevation of the conservator above the transformer tank given in the drawing must be strictly adhered
to, for if it is mounted too high the pressure in the transformer tank will be too great and if it is mounted
too low there is the possibility that the oil level in the bushings will be insufficient. Before the
conservator is filled with oil (See instructions TW 018) it and the interconnecting pipe must be dried out.
During operation the oil level should be closely watched, it should not be allowed to fall below the mark
appropriate to the ambient temperature during operation. A coloured glass bead floating on the oil
surface in the glass tube facilitates reading of the oil level. The coloured bead should always be visible,
but if the level has fallen so far that the bead has disappeared into the lower mounting bracket oil should
be added as soon as possible to bring the level back to normal.
Operational As a result of the lower ambient temperatures during winter the volume of the oil will be less than in
checks summer; for this reason with the onset of winter the oil level should be checked, even if the
transformer is not in operation. In the event of a low level oil must be added. Failure to observe these
instructions could permit a pocket of air to form under the transformer tank cover which will assist the
formation of condensation and can, under some circumstances, result in damage to the transformer.
If the transformer is fitted with a Buchholz relay any drop in oil level will cause the relay to operate the
alarm.
As has already been stated the oil conservator is designed for a minimum oil level associated with a
minimum average temperature of -20 °C. In cases where ambient temperatures below -40 °C are
experienced, this will mainly be with outdoor installations, the addition of more oil to maintain the level
can be avoided by heating the transformer. The simplest method of doing this with a transformer which
is out of service is to run it on no bad.

Printed in Germany TW 414 e 2/2 1/97