answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A Buchholz relay is used to monitor large Transformers for oil loss or insulation breakdown, and is located in an inclined pipe between the transformer itself and its oil conservation tank (located above the transformer).

It consists of a normally oil-filled chamber containing two floats: an upper float and a lower float. Each float is fitted with a Mercury switch, and the lower float is fitted with a deflection baffle.

If the oil level should drop, as a result of a leak in the transformer tank, the oil level in the relay will fall, and the upper float will deflect downwards, closing its mercury switch and triggering an alarm in the substation. Should the oil level continue to fall, the lower float will deflect downwards, closing its mercury switch and trigger the transformer's protection circuit -disconnecting the transformer.

Minor arcing due to a breakdown in winding insulation will generate gas; this will accumulate in the Buchholz relay, causing the oil level to fall, causing the upper float to deflect and trigger an alarm. A major breakdown in winding insulation will create a pressure wave which will travel through the Buchholz relay, causing the lower float's deflection baffle to deflect that float, activating the protection circuit and disconnect the transformer.

A test valve at the top of the Buchholz relay will allow any gas collected within the relay to be tested. The nature of the gas will indicate whether it is due to a breakdown of the oil, or of winding insulation.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is a buchholz relay?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Electrical Engineering

What is a function of a Buchholz relay?

A Buchholz relay is designed to detect a failing oil-filled power transformer. It will automatically disconnect the transformer and produce an alarm signal.


Why buchholz relay is used in transformer have ratings more than 750kva?

Buchholz Relay is a special type of relay and its only used in transformers, and the main use of this relay is transmission and distribution systemAnswerA Buchholz relay is used between a transformer and its expansion tank. So they are only used (1) where there is an expansion tank and, (2) in substations, where the associated protection relays can be installed.


Why to use buchholz relay in hermatically sealed transformer?

Buchholz relays are used with oil-filled transformers, and these types of transformerare not normally hermetically sealed, because the oil must be allowed to expand and contract with changes in temperature, and must be able to displace air within the tank. Air vents are provided for any resulting air displacement, and are normally fitted with silica-gel chambers to ensure any air entering the transformer when the oil contracts is dry.Buchholz relays are normally fitted in an inclined pipe between the main tank of the transformer and an elevated expansion tank, so that any gases formed within the tank pass up that tube and are collected within the Buchholz relay's chamber. A Buchholz relay is designed to set off an alarm in the event of a loss of oil or an excessive collection of gas within the relay; a further fall in oil level, or a catastrophic explosion within the tank, will cause the Buchholz relay to disconnect the transformer.


Why bucholz relay only connected in the pipe between conservator and transformer tank?

A Buchholz relay is a hollow, oil-filled, vessel, containing two pivoted floats, located one above the other, with each containing a mercury switch. It is located in an inclined pipe (3 - 7 degrees) between the transformer tank and its conservatory, or expansion, tank. The upper float initiates an alarm, while the lower float causes the protection sytem to disconnect the transformer.The Buchholz relay is provides protection for the transformer in the event of (1) a loss of oil, (2) minor electrical faults within the windings, and (3) catastrophic breakdown of winding insulation.(1) If an oil leak allows the oil level to fall below the level of the Buchholz relay's location (above the transformer), then the upper float pivots downwards, its mercury switch closes and initiates an alarm inside the substation. If the oil level continues to fall, then the lower float will pivot downward, and its mercury switch will also close, initiating a trip sequence that will disconnect the transformer.(2) Minor short circuits within the the transformer's tank will break down the oil, generating a gas which will bubble upwards through the tube between the tank and the conservator tank, and some of this gas will gather within the top of the Buchholz relay, causing the upper float to pivot downwards, initiating an alarm in the substation.(3) A catastrophic insulation breakdown will create a pressure wave within the oil, which will pass through the Buchholz relay on its way to the conservatory tank. This pressure wave will deflect the lower relay (which is also fitted with a flap, allowing it to react to a pressure wave), causing it to pivot downwards, and cause the transformer to be disconnected.Two stopcocks, located at the top of the relay enable testing the operation of the floats, and for taking samples of any gas captured within the relay. The colour of the gas is an indicator of the likely source of the internal fault (e.g. white -probably paper-based insulation failure; yellow -probably wood-based insulation failure). A sample of the gas can be passed through a silver nitrate solution -if it remains clear, then it is air; if it turns cloudy, then it is gas caused by insulation breakdown.So, as you can see, it is essential that the Buchholz relay is located between the transformer tank and the conservator tank.


What is the use of bucholz relay in transformer?

A Buchholz relay is located in an inclined pipe between a tranformer's tank and its expansion tank. It has two purposes: (1) to set off an alarm in the event of a loss of oil or the formation of an excessive amount of gas bubbles (likely caused by minor arcing between the turns of a winding), and (2) to disconnect the transformer in the event of a continued loss of oil, or a catastrophic fault within the transformer.

Related questions

What is a function of a Buchholz relay?

A Buchholz relay is designed to detect a failing oil-filled power transformer. It will automatically disconnect the transformer and produce an alarm signal.


Why buchholz relay is used in transformer have ratings more than 750kva?

Buchholz Relay is a special type of relay and its only used in transformers, and the main use of this relay is transmission and distribution systemAnswerA Buchholz relay is used between a transformer and its expansion tank. So they are only used (1) where there is an expansion tank and, (2) in substations, where the associated protection relays can be installed.


What is the angle of buchholz relay?

To enable any gases generated within the transformer to bubble along the pipe towards the expansion tank. The Buchholz relay itself isn't angled; it's the pipe in which its fitted.


What is the inclened angle of buchholz relay?

To enable any gases generated within the transformer to bubble along the pipe towards the expansion tank. The Buchholz relay itself isn't angled; it's the pipe in which its fitted.


Why buchholz relay is inclened at some angle?

The Buchholz relay is installed in an inclined position because of buoyancy. Slightly inclined so the gas bubbles will flow to the cover and then to the Buchholz relay and not stay in a pipe corner.


Why to use buchholz relay in hermatically sealed transformer?

Buchholz relays are used with oil-filled transformers, and these types of transformerare not normally hermetically sealed, because the oil must be allowed to expand and contract with changes in temperature, and must be able to displace air within the tank. Air vents are provided for any resulting air displacement, and are normally fitted with silica-gel chambers to ensure any air entering the transformer when the oil contracts is dry.Buchholz relays are normally fitted in an inclined pipe between the main tank of the transformer and an elevated expansion tank, so that any gases formed within the tank pass up that tube and are collected within the Buchholz relay's chamber. A Buchholz relay is designed to set off an alarm in the event of a loss of oil or an excessive collection of gas within the relay; a further fall in oil level, or a catastrophic explosion within the tank, will cause the Buchholz relay to disconnect the transformer.


What is the birth name of Bob Buchholz?

Bob Buchholz's birth name is Robert Buchholz.


What is the birth name of Horst Buchholz?

Horst Buchholz's birth name is Horst Werner Buchholz.


How tall is Justin Buchholz?

Justin Buchholz is 6'.


What has the author Bernard Buchholz written?

Bernard Buchholz has written: 'The Buchholz family tales' -- subject(s): Biography


When was Werner Buchholz born?

Werner Buchholz was born in 1922.


What is the population of Französisch Buchholz?

The population of Französisch Buchholz is 18,766.