Power and ElectricalTransformer Operation, Maintenance, Testing and Diagnosis
A power transformer is the most expensive single item in most substations and the one with the longest replacement lead time, so its condition governs both reliability and capital planning. This course covers keeping it in service. Delegates work through construction and operating principles, cooling and loading including the effect of overload on insulation life, and the protection and monitoring around it. Testing is the core: insulation resistance and polarisation index, turns ratio, winding resistance, power factor and capacitance, frequency response analysis, and what each result actually indicates. The course closes on interpreting a set of test results together to decide whether a transformer stays in service, and on planning life extension.
Course objectives
- Explain transformer construction, operating principles and cooling
- Assess the effect of loading and overload on insulation life
- Specify protection and monitoring appropriate to a unit
- Carry out and interpret the main electrical diagnostic tests
- Apply frequency response analysis to detect winding movement
- Read a full set of test results together to reach a condition judgement
- Plan maintenance, life extension and replacement
Who should attend
- Electrical and substation engineers
- Maintenance and testing technicians
- Asset managers in utilities and heavy industry
- Commissioning engineers
- Technical staff responsible for transformer fleets
Course outline
- 01Transformer construction, principles and cooling
- 02Loading, overload and insulation ageing
- 03Protection and condition monitoring
- 04Insulation resistance and polarisation index
- 05Turns ratio and winding resistance testing
- 06Power factor, capacitance and dielectric testing
- 07Frequency response analysis and winding movement
- 08Interpreting results together and deciding on service
- 09Life extension and replacement planning
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 6 October 2026 | Kigali, Rwanda | Classroom | R11,995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 29 October 2026 | Lagos, Nigeria | Classroom | R11,995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 17 to 21 November 2026 | Kampala, Uganda | Classroom | R11,995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 22 to 26 November 2026 | Windhoek, Namibia | Classroom | R11,995 per delegate | Register Now |