CONDITION ASSESSMENT

摘要

Power transformers are often situated at strategically critical locations in power supply systems, and as a result the financial consequences of their failure can easily exceed their actual asset value. The real challenge lies in implementing the right action at the right time. Here, a definite trend has emerged: Asset managers are moving from Time-Based Maintenance (TBM) to Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) or even Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM), where decisions are no longer driven by an average timeframe defined by observations and past experience, but instead taking into account the actual condition of the equipment and the level of reliability required to fulfil its function. Given that the average age of power transformers and industrial transformers in most countries is around 25-30 and 15-20 years, respectively, and considering the increase of the typical failure probability with the transformer age, actions clearly needs to be taken to ensure their continued reliability and functionality.