Cooling Inefficiency Behind Transformer Overheating
"A steady temperature rise in the transformer went unnoticed by standard systems until Kavaken’s analysis revealed a cooling inefficiency caused by clogged ventilation grills."
The Impact
The Issue
Abnormal behavior was detected in the transformer temperature readings. Possible root causes included oil leakage from the low-voltage bushing joint, hermetic relay oil level reduction, improper sealing in wiping glands, thermal trip failure, or reduced cooling performance due to clogged ventilation components.
The Action
Kavaken identified transformer temperature levels that were significantly higher than those of similar turbines, pointing to a cooling issue. The maintenance team inspected the unit and cleaned the fan ventilation grills. Following the cleaning, the temperature trend declined steadily, confirming that the reduced airflow had been the main cause of overheating.