
AVO Diagnostic Services | Electrical Equipment Fluid Testing
Laboratory Diagnostic Services
AVO's Diagnostic Service Centers are located throughout the world to deliver to you responsive service and industry leading analytical testing of electrical insulating materials.
Tests include:
— DGA
— Fluid Quality
— Diagnostic Programs
— Furanic Compound Analysis
Benefits
— Experienced team of Chemists
— Emergency response 24/7
— Competitive prices
— Rapid turn-around times
— Pre-emptive fault detection
— Prioritize scheduled maintenance
— ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories
— Direct access to results by our customer portal
Features
— Advanced testing services
— Status of new & repaired units
— Detect problems during warranty
— Critical for CBM & RCM programs
— An R&D department involved in private & association projects
__________________________________________________________
DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is widely accepted as the most reliable tool for the earliest detection of incipient faults in fluid filled electrical apparatus. Analysis of the quantity of each of the fault gases present in the fluid will identify fault processes such as corona, sparking, overheating and arcing.
The single most informative diagnostic test
Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is widely accepted as the most reliable tool for the earliest detection of incipient faults in fluid filled electrical apparatus. Under normal operating conditions very little decomposition of the dielectric fluid occurs. However, when a thermal or electrical fault develops, dielectric fluid and solid insulation will partially decompose. Analysis of the quantity of each of the fault gases present in the fluid will identify fault processes such as corona, sparking, overheating and arcing.
Benefits
- Pre-emptive fault detection
- ID deteriorating conditions
- Reduce unplanned failures
- Prioritize maintenance schedules
- Maximize warranty benefits
- Identify problems early
- Critical for CBM & RCM programs
- Recommendations for follow-up
- Tests
- Inspections
Features
- Comprehensive test report
- Diagnostic interpretation
- State of the art equipment
- Accurate detection limits
- Better reproducibility
- Trending of current & historical DGA analysis
- DGA reports available via email, fax & online
- In-house experts available to assist in DGA analysis interpretation
__________________________________________________________
QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR DIELECTRIC FLUIDS
To ensure safety, continuity of service and efficient low-cost maintenance, insulating fluids must be regularly monitored with a program of physical, chemical & electrical testing.
A 'Blood Test' of your Insulating Fluid
The ability of an insulating fluid to serve as an effective insulator and coolant is adversely affected by deterioration.
To ensure safety, continuity of service and efficient low-cost maintenance, insulating fluids must be regularly monitored with a program of physical, chemical & electrical testing.
Whether the fluid is mineral oil, silicone, less flammable hydrocarbons, Askarel, natural or synthetic esters, AVO offers technical expertise and guidance for all tests performed.
Benefits
- Improve service continuity
- Preempt insulation fluid problems
- Minimize costly repairs
Features
- ID insulation fluid properties: physical electrical & chemical
- Comprehensive diagnostic report
__________________________________________________________
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
The EPA has designated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) an environmental hazard, concluding PCBs are both toxic and persistent.
Are you in compliance?
The EPA has designated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) an environmental hazard. The EPA has concluded that PCBs are both toxic and persistent.
AVO uses EPA Method 8082a in the USA, and ASTM D4059, or M.A.400-BPC in Canada. AVO is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for PCB in insulating fluid analysis. AVO has a proven history of providing accurate results. Our investment in state-of-the-art Gas Chromatographs (GCs) means:
— Quick
— Accurate
— Reliable
Benefits
- Evaluate environmental hazard
- Meet regulatory standards
Features
- Identify PCB levels, type, saturation
- Comprehensive written report
- Meets EPA and Canadian SOR/2008-273 requirements
__________________________________________________________
Furanic Compounds in Insulating Fluids
AVO's Furan analysis is a non-invasive alternative to expensive procedures that take your transformer units offline. Our procedure is based on the determination of oil soluble cellulose decomposition products.
How much life is left?
The degree of polymerization (DP) of paper can be determined in the laboratory utilizing ASTM method D-4243. Acquisition of a paper sample is an invasive and expensive procedure that requires taking the unit off line.
Furan analysis is a non-invasive alternative. The procedure is based on the determination of oil soluble cellulose decomposition products.
AVO Diagnostic Services can isolate these compounds from an oil sample and analyze them with High Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC. Knowing the insulation condition is key to loading and life expectancy of the transformer.
Benefits
- Determine loading capacity
- Estimate life expectancy
- Avoid transformer down-time
- Eliminate invasive & expensive procedures to acquire paper samples
Features
- Non-invasive alternative
- Determine insulation condition-based on correlation between the concentration of furanic compounds and DP
__________________________________________________________
FAULT, WEAR AND CONTAMINATION METALS
Metal analysis pinpoints the location of faults within transformers and provides other vital information about a transformer’s operation.
Metals, A diagnostic probe
Metal analysis pinpoints the location of faults within transformers and provides other vital information about a transformer’s operation. Whether testing for excessive wear in oil circulation pumps or the condition of LTC or OCB contacts, a diagnostic analysis can be quickly and accurately performed.
Benefits
- Pinpoint fault locations
- Prevent major failures
- Reduce outage time and maintenance spending
- Determine equipment condition
Features
- Analyze 8 metals (iron, copper, aluminum, lead, silicon, silver, tin & zinc)
- Other metals available by request
- Low detection limits
__________________________________________________________
METHANOL AND ETHANOL TESTNG
Methanol offers the greatest potential in in ageing measurement of oil-impregnated insulation.
Measurement of oil-impregnated insulation in transformers
It is generally accepted that the degree of paper insulation degradation or ageing correlates with a transformer’s useful or end-of-life determination, and having an understanding or clear picture of the chemical, physical, and electrical condition of the insulation system is essential to effectively managing its operation.
In the last decade, research at Hydro Quebec found that methanol offered the greatest potential in the ageing measurement of oil-impregnated insulation in power transformers. They demonstrated the link between the generation of methanol in oil and the degradation process of the paper.
Benefits
- Methanol correlates as an early-stage paper degradation marker
- Combined with a furan analysis, the combination of the two approaches can offer a better assessment across the entire lifespan of the insulation.
- Methanol testing can be used with both Kraft and Thermally Upgraded Kraft (TUK) solid insulation in electrical equipment systems.
- Current GC-Headspace technology utilized at AVO Diagnostic Services requires a small liquid sample (approx. 20 mls.) and offers the detection and reporting of methanol and ethanol at low part-per-billion levels
- Allows for the early detection of cellulose degradation markers and the full-life assessment of solid insulation
__________________________________________________________
See our locations and forms
For a list of AVO locations and forms, CLICK HERE.
__________________________________________________________
Contact Us
AVO Diagnostic Services is here to help you. Just CLICK HERE to reach us.