Breathers are an important part of transformers that help in increasing their work life. Before we go any deeper into learning what a breather actually is and how it functions, we should understand what the ‘process of breathing’ is for a transformer.

What is breathing of a transformer?

When a transformer is working under heavy load, the insulating oil of the transformer gets heated and is expelled out of the conservator tank on the transformer. This pushes the dry air out of the transformer through a silica gel mesh. This is called breathing out.

When the oil gets cooled down, the air is again sucked inside the transformer. This process is called breathing in.

Breather

Construction

Now, the silica gel mesh mentioned earlier is the breather of the transformer. A transformer breather is usually a cylindrical vessel inside the transformer. Silica gel is attached on every side of the cylinder. The design is simple and easily manageable.

Silica is an extremely good moisture absorbent material. A new batch of silica gel can easily dry the air below a few points of -40°C. While in general it still manages to dehumidify the air below a dew point of -35°C.

Working Principle and functions

When the air is sucked in, in the process of breathing in, the moisture is absorbed by the silica to provide dry air to the transformer. A new batch of silica gel is bright blue in color. However, as it slowly keeps absorbing the moisture and dehumidifying the air, it changes to a shade of pink.

In such cases, the owners should replace the silica gel.

Power transformer parts are easily available in the market. Still, buyers need to check for product quality. If the buyer is looking for a silica gel dealer in Kolkata, he or she will find that there are quite a few in the city who supply the best materials or components for transformers.

Equitel is one such transformer spare parts dealer in Kolkata. The enterprise sells every essential component of a transformer from reputed brands of the industry at just the right prices. Buyers can find superior silica gel mats for their breathers and that too pretty easily via the company’s website.

In the breather, an oil cup is also attached inside the entry pipe. The function of the oil cup is to stop the dust particles from entering into the transformer. This keeps the transformer clean and increases the working life of the part.

Without dry and clean air, there are chances of the transformer getting damaged from the moisture.

Maintenance

Being an essential component inside the transformer, it is essential that the owners periodically keep checking the state of the breather. Unlike the core and the windings of the transformer, this directly does not affect the working of the device. However, without the breather, the transformer can get pretty faulty.

Regular replacement of the silica gel mesh and cleaning of the oil cup maintains a smooth airflow.

Power transformer parts are essential and need to be kept close at hand for the smooth functioning of the massive transformers maintaining our electrical supplies in cities and towns.