To repair, or replace? That is often the question when dealing with transformers. While Cosmostat Power is home to many skilled repair technicians, more often than not, we will advocate for the replacement of a transformer, as it tends to be the most cost efficient solution for resolving transformer-based problems. However, the decision ultimately isn’t up to us, so we’ve made it our mission to be an informative resource to help guide you towards the right transformer solutions.

Oil filled transformers are a popular transformer type, and like all transformers, they will eventually need to be replaced. If you’re in possession of an oil filled transformer, there are a few key tells and tests that you can use to determine if it is time to start looking for a replacement. Some of them are fairly common sense, but others you may not have thought of.

1. DGA Oil Tests

A dissolved gas oil test, or DGA test, is a test that reveals the dissolved gasses in transformer oil. Gases within a transformer can be the result of a breakdown of the materials the transformer is made up of. This can provide valuable insight into the health of your transformer. Depending on which gases within your transformer are revealed to be high, it may be time to replace your transformer.

2. Infra-Red Scans

Much like an X-Ray at the doctor’s office can illustrate problems in your body, a scan of your transformer can provide similar, analogous information. An intra-red scan of your transformer can allow you to take note of any bushing or connections that might be running hot. You can use this information to determine if the weak points in your transformer are repairable, or if it’s time for a replacement.

3. Leaks

Leaks can usually be repaired, but sometimes, and onslaught of leaks can be indicative of a larger problem at play. If you are consistently spending money repairing leaks in your transformer, it may be a sign that a larger failure is on it’s way. You can avoid the massive financial loss of a transformer failure by replacing it before it’s too late.

4. Noise & Vibration

Transformers are similar to cars in that if they sound broken, that’s a safe bet that it’s worth looking it. Sound as a performance indicator is more relevant to dry-type transformers, however, if your oil filled transformer is one of the loudest noisemakers of your infrastructure, you should investigate into it’s health and performance.

5. Old, Flaking Paint

Believe it or not, this simple cosmetic indicator could be a sign that your transformer is on it’s last leg. A transformer that is near failure and needs to be replaced will often run hot. A symptom of this is that it make warp the exterior paint, or cause it to start to flake. Now, if you have a 25 year old transformer with a few paint chips, don’t be too alarmed, but if consistent paint damage is happening alongside other warning signs, it may be time to reach out for a replacement.

6. Color

Look at the color of the oil your transformer contains. If it is black or dark in color, that is a sign that it took a hit or surge. If your transformer underwent this level of strain, it’s a safe bet that it is simply limping along, and looking into a replacement might will you avoid total failure.


Contact Cosmostat Power for New Oil Filled Transformers

A transformer failure is no small ordeal. It can incur a massive amount of time and financial loss. That’s why it is always better to be proactive about the health of your transformer. If you are debating about replacing your transformer, call Cosmostat Power transformers before it becomes and emergency situation. We can advise you on the amount of time your transformer might have left, and if you decide a replacement is the right move for you and your business, we can provide you with a top performing machine that will last for decades, so that worrying about your transformer health can be a thing of the past. 

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