ALSTOM Grid - Distribution and Transmission Transformers

ALSTOM Grid can provide specialist technical services associated with the provision of spares, inspection, maintenance, movement, installation, disposal, repair and up rating of transformers and tapchangers including auxiliary equipment such as On Line Condition Monitoring and Drycol Breathers.

TRANSFORMER FAULT DIAGNOSIS

With the backing of ALSTOM Grid's engineering department and the engineering research facilities, the customer service engineers have the capability to undertake extensive on-site investigations and repairs of transformer faults.

SITE ERECTION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The customer service department employs a trained and dedicated group of skilled transformer erection fitters, site supervisors and commissioning engineers who undertake the complete installation of transformers, commissioning, testing and 'setting to work'.

We are also capable of undertaking the organisation and programming of the other associated functions such as civil work, power cable installation and fire protection so that package contracts can be offered.

TAPCHANGER SERVICES

The company's service engineers have working experience on tapchangers of all manufacturers and are qualified to carry out major maintenance on all types, at site or at the Stafford Transformer works on a single or term contract basis.

TRANSFORMER REPAIRS

The company's service department retains engineering information on many types of transformers and tapchangers manufactured by its constituent companies and with the technical support of the Engineering group can offer a repair on any brand of transformer either in the factory or using the off-site investigation facility.

TRANSFORMER MOVEMENTS AND UPRATINGS

We have extensive experience in the movement and relocation and uprating of all sizes of transformers up to the largest generator and transmission units, in countries all over the world.

With the backing of computer aided design (CAD) drawing facilities within the engineering group the department is able to offer redesigned layouts in order to accommodate the equipment in the new location and advise and design the necessary cooling and control requirements to ensure the transformer is suitable for service.

MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS

ALSTOM Grid's service engineers are able to offer inspections, surveys and maintenance of transformers and tapchangers at site and to suit individual customers requirements.

In addition the department is able to modernise existing transformers by the replacement of components specified at the time of manufacture with modern equivalents.

All maintenance packages can be tailored to suit individual customer requirements.

TRANSFORMER AND TAPCHANGERS SPARE PARTS

The department offers a comprehensive transformer and tapchangers spare parts service to meet customer needs.

DRYCOL BREATHERS

As one of the world's leading manufacturers of high voltage power transformers, ALSTOM Grid has devoted considerable research and development efforts to devise a satisfactory method of maintaining the dryness of insulation during service life. This has resulted in an effective refrigeration device called DRYCOL.

The Drycol Breather has over 30 years of proven service. During that time, Drycols have been supplied across the world, in over 40 different countries, in some of the most hostile climates.

The Drycol Breather (A) operates by drawing moist, relatively warm air (B) by thermosyphon action from an air space (in this case in the expansion vessel above the transformer oil level), or from outside via the air inlet tube (C), and returning it to the conservator (D) as cold dry air. A series of thermoelectric (Peltier effect) modules are used to alternately cool and heat the units vertical central duct (E) in an automatic continuously repeated cycle, extracting moisture as frost and ice, and melting it to escape via a drain tube (F).

Drycols can be retro fitted to existing transformers to replace conventional desiccant breathers with minimal modifications.