5 Reasons Transformer Testing is a Waste of Time

Transformer testing isn’t for everyone.

Still on the fence about transformer testing? Looking for a way to cut costs? This list is for you. Here are the five circumstances in which oil testing is just not worth the effort.

You don’t own an oil-filled transformer.

This is probably the best reason for skipping transformer oil testing. Sure, our technicians complete a thorough inspection when pulling samples, but it’s fairly difficult to complete a comprehensive report if there’s no transformer for us to look at. This argument is pretty watertight.

Your transformer doesn’t power anything important.

So, you have a transformer, but it doesn’t power anything important at your facility. It doesn’t power offices, machinery, equipment, electronics, or lighting. Who knows why it’s even there? It’s not doing anything besides taking up space in your substation. Skip your next test.

You're having a shiny new replacement transformer delivered and installed… tomorrow!

Congratulations! Nothing better than a brand new transformer to brighten up the place a bit! Let’s skip the testing on the old one. That said, you’re probably going to monitor the new one closely because of the high infant mortality rate of new transformers. (If you don’t know about those risks, it’s probably still best to call us.)

Your leadership doesn’t really mind if the operation shuts down for a while.

If a fault takes your transformer down, then everything downstream goes down, too. Repairs could take days to weeks. Replacing it, if needed, could take longer. Even months. But if the people at the top aren’t really concerned with the lost production time or massive unexpected CapEx, then who cares? It’ll be like an extended vacation!

You’re going to retire before that thing stops running.

Congratulations on your retirement! Please forward this page to the person who is next in line to take ownership of your substation so they don’t have to waste their time with testing, either.