One of the primary causes of transformer failure is sludge in the oil. Sludge is just one of the oxidation decay by-products, formed when the aging transformer oil oxidises as the hydrocarbons in the oil react with oxygen dissolved in the oil.

These decay products attack the solid insulation and the sludge affects the ability of the oil to act as a dielectric and to transfer the heat effectively. If the aging is left unchecked, the oil's ability to protect the cellulose insulation is also compromised, resulting in component failure.

WearCheck's newly-launched oil regeneration process restores the old transformer oil by removing the sludge and by-products of the degradation process and other soluble oil decay products. When our oil regeneration process is complete, the regenerated transformer oil has a lower acid content, improved tan delta and interfacial tension values.

Simply purifying the oil does not remove the by-products of the degradation process, such as acids, aldehydes and peroxides, which bind together to form sludge.

Some of the advantages of oil regeneration are that it restores the oil to “like new” condition; it extends the life of the transformer; the cost for regenerated oil is much lower than new oil; it facilitates the removal of suspended sludge particles and acids; and it is environmentally friendly as the old oil is re-used, reducing the dependency on fossil fuels.

Click here for further information on our regenerated oil programme, or contact WearCheck on (031) 700-5460