COURSE OVERVIEW:

The Buchholz relay is the most critical mechanical protection device for oil-immersed transformers, serving as an early warning system for internal dielectric and thermal faults. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the gas-actuated relay’s design, focusing on its unique ability to detect minor incipient faults and major insulation breakdowns through oil flow and gas accumulation analysis. Participants will examine the fluid dynamics and chemical triggers that cause the relay to initiate alarm or trip signals, ensuring that transformer internal integrity is monitored with absolute precision.

The scope of this training encompasses the technical installation requirements, including the necessary pipe slope and oil conservator positioning required for optimal sensitivity. It addresses the mechanics of the float and surge flap assemblies, explaining how different fault types ranging from low-energy sparking to high-energy arcing interact with the relay’s internal components. The curriculum provides a framework for interpreting gas samples collected from the relay, bridging the gap between mechanical operation and chemical diagnostics to determine the exact nature of the internal disturbance.

Coverage includes rigorous testing methodologies, such as pneumatic functional tests and electrical continuity checks of the alarm and trip circuits. Attendees will learn the procedures for maintenance during transformer outages, including seal inspections and the verification of terminal box integrity to prevent nuisance tripping caused by moisture ingress. By focusing on both the mechanical reliability and the diagnostic intelligence of the Buchholz relay, the course ensures that substation personnel can maintain this vital protective link in the power system infrastructure.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Explain the physical principles of gas-actuated protection in transformers.
• Identify the internal components of a double-float Buchholz relay.
• Analyze the difference between gas accumulation and oil surge triggers.
• Execute professional pneumatic tests to verify relay functionality.
• Interpret the meaning of different gas colors and odors collected from the relay.
• Conduct chemical "Silver Nitrate" tests on collected gas samples.
• Implement correct installation procedures for piping and conservatory slopes.
• Troubleshoot causes of nuisance tripping and false alarms.
• Perform maintenance on terminal blocks and cable gland seals.
• Calibrate the sensitivity of the surge flap for high-energy fault detection.
• Evaluate the relay’s performance during oil filtration and degassing operations.
• Document inspection findings for long-term asset health monitoring.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This course is intended for Substation Maintenance Technicians, Transformer Specialists, Protection Engineers, and Technical Managers responsible for high-voltage oil-filled equipment.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximize the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.