ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
(OP)
Hi everyone,
I currently have a situation whereby the Tap Changer sometime leaks insulating oil through its breather. I have researched the Tap Changer to Main tank configuration from the product manual(how they are physically mounted), and noticed that they both have separate conservators.
My diagnosis are:
I would like to hear from you guys if you have ever experienced something similar with ABB UZE Tap Changer or any other Tap Changer. What do you think about my diagnosis? Any input will be more than welcomed.
Thanks.
I currently have a situation whereby the Tap Changer sometime leaks insulating oil through its breather. I have researched the Tap Changer to Main tank configuration from the product manual(how they are physically mounted), and noticed that they both have separate conservators.
My diagnosis are:
* 1st Option - The leaking only occurs during high Tap Changer arcing activity, forcing oil through the breather
* 2nd Option - Insulating oil is leaking from the main tank into the tap changer tank, thereby increasing the oil level beyond the breather. This alternative would require a considerable amount of oil leaking through the gaskets. We have checked around the Tap changer for any signs of leaking and can't find any.
I would like to hear from you guys if you have ever experienced something similar with ABB UZE Tap Changer or any other Tap Changer. What do you think about my diagnosis? Any input will be more than welcomed.
Thanks.






RE: ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
Option 2. No oil level gauges present? I'm aware of a separator board that leaked and required replacement many years ago. Not sure what symptoms occurred.
RE: ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
Check whether the oil in the conservator is above the maximum level marked on the conservator? or the level gauge is showing wrong oil level.
RE: ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
As far as I know, all of our leaking tap boards have been older kinds of LTC as we only started using ABB tap changers somewhat recently. In some cases of slow leaks, we have just added a periodic maintenance task of draining a few gallons from the LTC every few months. Replacing the tap board is a considerable amount of work. The outage has usually taken at least a week, plus time to setup & put away the vacuum processing rig.
RE: ABB UZE Tap Changer Sometime Leaks Insulating Oil Through The Breather
Smart manufacturers sometimes provide the main conservator and OLTC conservator at same level, by piggy riding the OLTC conservator on the side of main conservator. In that case, in the unlikely event of a above type leak, user can continue the service till the time of planned maintenance.A short time solution,provide a temporary vertical extension pipe on breather pipe,so that you can come out of topping up.