Oil leakage from transformer radiators can lead to a drop in oil level, reduced insulation performance, and even serious accidents such as equipment breakdown, short circuits, or explosions.
Oil leakage not only affects the normal operation of equipment but also brings multiple cascading risks, specifically:
Dropped oil level triggers protection device alarms: Long-term leakage will cause the transformer oil level to drop continuously. When the oil level falls below a set threshold, it may trigger the light gas protection device, affecting the stable operation of the system.
Degraded insulation performance leads to electrical faults: Too low an oil level may leave live joints, switches, and other components in an oil-free insulation state, making them highly susceptible to insulation breakdown and short circuits. In severe cases, it can lead to winding burnout or equipment explosion.
Accelerated insulation aging reduces equipment lifespan: Oil leakage damages the transformer's sealing, allowing outside air and moisture to easily penetrate the oil-paper insulation system, causing the insulation material to become damp and age, affecting its long-term reliability.
Reduced heat dissipation capacity leads to overheating. Accumulated oil on the outer casing hinders heat dissipation, and insufficient oil directly affects internal cooling, causing excessive transformer temperature rise and accelerating component wear.
Increased fire risk and deteriorated fire protection conditions. Transformer oil is flammable; oil accumulation on the ground can become a fire hazard, especially in high-temperature or arc-prone environments, posing a risk of fire or even explosion.
