Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) for Power Transformers
DGA - Dissolved Gas Analysis explained
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) of power transformers is critical to condition-based maintenance (CBM), identifying faults and preventing unplanned transformer outages. The gas levels in transformer insulation liquids can indicate the existence of a fault, and the gassing trends, ie. the rate of change in gas levels can be used to determine its severity.
The key fault gases in DGA are hydrogen , methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Intelligent monitors for DGA
Utilities and industrial clients can now safely increase equipment performance, prolong lifespans, plan for timely maintenance, and prevent unexpected outages.
Dissolved gases appearing in transformer oil indicate a fault, while the rate of change in gas concentrations is used to determine the severity of the fault.
A multi-gas DGA monitor, like the Optimus DGA monitor, is your best choice for critical transformers, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the transformer's condition. On the other hand, a single-gas monitor, such as the MHT410, can be used as a simple early warning indicator.
Total gas pressure
Maximize your power transformer's operational life
Total gas pressure is a groundbreaking method for detecting air leaks into your transformer. It's a robust, reliable, and intuitive method to ensure your transformer is still sealed against ambient air and its oxygen.
Oxygen will prematurely age and weaken the paper in your transformer's windings, potentially shortening your transformer's operational life by years. Total gas pressure is the answer. And comes as standard in the Vaisala Optimus™️ OPT100 online DGA monitor.
What Makes Vaisala’s DGA Monitor Unique?
The Vaisala Optimus uses a patented Vacuum Gas Extraction technology, which results in a much more complete extraction of the dissolved gasses as compared to traditional Head Space and other separation methods.
This leads to more accurate and reliable results, independent of the oil type, age or the Total Dissolved Gases.
For actual gas measurement, the monitor uses infrared (IR) gas sensing technology, where Vaisala’s own tunable IR filters allow a wider range of IR scanning offering better gas selectivity. The measurement has integrated vacuum IR reference, which is used continuously to eliminate any drift mechanisms like decrease in light source intensity.
With all this we are able to achieve the best long term stability and measurement performance with nothing to service or maintain.
Benefits of Vaisala’s DGA Monitoring Technology
Stability
High gas extraction rate, novel vacuum IR reference method and patented autocalibration leads to more reliable results and excellent long-term stability.
Long Lifetime
Maintenance free operation through robust design and hermetic metal structure of the oil and gas handling system.
No moving parts in the optical IR measurement module.
No consumables and no gas cylinders.
Out of the Box Performance
Online DGA monitoring provides real time view of the transformers condition.
Enabling corrective actions taken on time.
Maintenance-Free Total Cost Savings with the Optimus™️ DGA Online Monitor
You get maintenance-free monitoring with the Vaisala Optimus™ DGA – no consumables, mechanicals or need for calibration. Compared to traditional DGA monitors, the Optimus offers real-time monitoring with no false alarms, no maintenance – and no extra lifetime costs.
By providing reliable trend data in real time and without false alarms, Vaisala DGA Monitors help you detect upstream problems.
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) product highlights
Optimus™ DGA Monitor OPT100
Moisture, Hydrogen and Temperature Transmitter MHT410
Moisture in oil probe MMP8
Multiparameter Transmitter DPT145
Turn your DGA data into Duval Triangles and Pentagon
Visualize the state of your power transformer, with Duval Triangles, Pentagon, and gassing trend graphs. Supports IEC & IEEE standards, as well as data import & export.
