NEWSHEET10
TRANSFORMER PROTECTION
Other Fire Protection & Heat Detection Newsheets
The risk of Overheat and / or Fire conditions on Power Transformers and Generator sets remain high even where regular maintenance programmes are operated and where shielding , grounding and lightning arrestor devices are installed . With fire detection or protection ( combined detection + extinguishing ) systems generally specified or recommended by site operators and plant manufacturers .
The primary sources of fires vary of course depending upon whether the risk is a transformer or Generator , and includes overheating / ignition of diesel , dirty insulators , insulation deterioration which produces arcing and an associated overheat of the insulating oil causing the tanks to rupture which in turn produces further arcing and the commencement of a fire . Plus , lightning stikes on transformer units.
The most effective detection of the overheat condition ( pre- combustion ) or the fire itself is by DIGITAL LINEAR HEAT DETECTION . A combined detector and cable in one which monitors local temperature changes , and is able to operate continuously within adverse environments and areas of limited access and surveillance . The fixed temperature ( non length dependant ) line based system can be installed either directly onto the device it is protecting via plastic cable ties and mounts , or to very local extinguishing pipework ( where installed ) , and should be routed around all sides of the transformer or generator at BOTH top and bottom levels in order to maximise protection and ensure fastest response times .
Linear Heat sensor cables supplied and / or manufactured by PROLINE PROTECTION SYSTEMS LTD ,are colour coded for alarm temperature verification, flame retardant, corrosion and abrasion resistant (as standard), and offer U.L. listing or F.M. approvals as a minimum . When used in conjunction with an optional dedicated interface unit , they can also provide alarm point location facilities ( the identification by integral meter of the exact alarm point along a zone run of sensor cable with any interconnecting cabling calibrated out ) - Of particular advantage on pre-combustion detection situations where no visible flame exists !
For more information contact www.lineardetection.com or email proline@linedetect.com