R1 Transformer Breather (medium)

Description

The ‘R1’ Transformer Breather provides an economic and efficient means of controlling the level of moisture entering the conservator tank during the change in volume of the cooling medium and/or airspace caused by temperature gradients.

All our Transformer Breathers can be filled with a self-indicating silica gel desiccant.

The ‘R1’ Transformer Breather is manufactured from UV stabilised poly-carbonate. The clear polycarbonate body allows for clear visibility of the desiccant charge and enables users to check desiccant condition with ease.

The unit is mounted from a ¾” female pipe thread connection at the top of the breather. This connection point is also used for filling and emptying the desiccant within the breather. Two-way, low pressure valves are fitted in the base of the breather to ensure that the atmospheric air enters the desiccant when a negative pressure differential occurs within the equipment being protected.

Desiccant Refills

We supply desiccant refills for our full transformer breather range. Our indicating silica gel range changes colour when it becomes saturated and spent. Our refills include Orange Indicating Silica Gel or Blue Indicating Silica Gel.

This product can be purchased empty, or with the choice of Orange or Blue Indicating Silica Gel.

Orange Indicating Silica Gel. When saturated the gel will turn green.  When the green colour reaches the indicator line on the desiccant container it should be recharged with fresh desiccant or the complete assembly should be replaced.

Blue Indicating Silica Gel.  Blue silica gel contains cobalt chloride. When saturated the gel will turn pink.  When the pink colour reaches the indicator line on the desiccant container it should be recharged with fresh desiccant or the complete assembly should be replaced.

Silica Gel under optimal conditions will adsorb up to 30% of its own weight.  Silica Gel adsorbs, rather than absorbs, so it does not become wet, or swell in size as it works to trap damaging moisture.

Installation

The transformer breathers are supplied with a threaded sealing plug screwed into the top moulding to prevent any water vapour ingress whilst in store. This plug should be removed immediately prior to the unit being fitted to the air vent pipe of the transformer reservoir tank. Fit the breather and tighten using the spanner flats provided at the top of the unit. Maximum torque on threads is 9Nm/80lbfin.

NOTE: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SCREW OR UNSCREW THE BREATHER BY HOLDING THE BODY WITH YOUR HANDS, USE A SPANNER ON THE FLATS PROVIDED.

Replacing Spent Desiccant

The only maintenance necessary is replacing the spent desiccant as detailed below:

1. Unscrew the breather from the vent pipe.
2. Remove the perforated cover in the top moulding and empty the spent desiccant from the container. This material may be disposed of in a normal landfill site.
3. Fill the container with active desiccant, lightly tap the container to settle the desiccant and top up if necessary. We supply the desiccant refills  for our Transformer Breather range.
4. Replace the perforated cover and screw the recharged breather back onto the vent pipe.

Maintenance

Periodic inspection should be carried out to monitor the condition of the desiccant charge. The breathers are filled with beaded indicating silica gel desiccant. This material changes colour as it becomes saturated with water vapour. When the colour change reaches the indicator line on the desiccant container it should be recharged with fresh desiccant or the complete assembly should be replaced.

What is the function of Transformer Breathers?

As the name suggests “BREATHER” helps the transformer to breath i.e it helps to provide the flow of air from inside the transformer to the outer atmosphere, as well as the flow of air that comes from  the atmosphere (outside) into the transformer. The BREATHER is basically a cylindrical vessel in which silica gel is present through which non-moist air flow occurs in the transformer.