Power plant transformer explosion and fire

The transformer is the key equipment for electric power transmission. It has been found that main transformer failures require an in-depth assessment because of the high failure frequency and the resultant reliability and safety implications. Transformers are considered as a critical equipment because of the large quantity of oil in contact with high voltage elements. In particular, experience has shown an increasing number of transformer explosions and fires in all types of power plants worldwide. Therefore, these phenomena have been investigated and are discussed in more detail in this paper with regard to causes for these events, potential influence of the age of the transformers and possible diagnostic measure in order to avoid such events. For that purpose different types of databases have been evaluated.