Online DGA Monitor Provides Early Warning Diagnostics to Prevent Transformer Failures

May 1, 2012
LumaSense Technologies, Inc. has released the SmartDGA Guard, the latest offering in the company's new line of dissolved-gas analysis (DGA) monitors designed to help electric utilities improve grid reliability by diagnosing transformer faults before they lead to serious incidents.

LumaSense Technologies, Inc. has released SmartDGA Guard, the latest offering in the company's new line of dissolved-gas analysis (DGA) monitors designed to help electric utilities improve grid reliability by diagnosing transformer faults before they lead to serious incidents. Featuring the line's signature modular shape that enables faster installation, SmartDGA Guard allows utilities to cost-effectively, reliably and continuously protect their transformer fleets.

Using non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensing technology to detect faults, the LumaSense SmartDGA platform can help utilities achieve fleet-wide condition monitoring across generation, transmission and distribution assets. SmartDGA Guard is the second element of the portfolio, which also includes SmartDGA Gauge, an instrument that can help utilities more-effectively monitor transformer load tap changers (LTCs) for faults. By contrast, SmartDGA Guard is designed specifically to monitor the transformer itself and interface with LumaSense's winding hot spot temperature monitors to provide complete failure diagnostics.

"DGA has been an effective tool for many years, but the technology historically has had many shortcomings," said Vivek Joshi, LumaSense Technologies, Inc. CEO. "Measurements weren't always reliable, problems weren't identified early enough, and the cost was too prohibitive. SmartDGA overcomes those issues using proven technology to create a practical solution that is easier to maintain and saves money for utilities."

SmartDGA Guard can be installed in a matter of a few hours as opposed to days with present systems and can cost 50%t less than other monitors. The multi-gas instrument measures hydrogen, acetylene and carbon monoxide, as well as moisture. SmartDGA Guard requires no scheduled calibration, can be mounted single valve or to two valves, and is available with fully integrated communications for Smart Grid deployment.

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