Tranformer Bushing Repair

Lapp Insulator Company, LLC
February 3, 2004
Bushing Repair

Maintenance and repair recommendations vary widely from one manufacturer to another. In all cases, the
user is advised to consult the manufacturer prior to attempting any bushing repairs.

Extreme caution should be taken when working on or around damaged bushings. Many bushings are
constructed with high compressive forces and can be dangerous when components are damaged. If
transporting the bushing is required, check with local regulations prior to shipment to determine oil PCB
level limitations.

The following are common repair needs that may be encountered by bushing users and general
recommendations for each:

a) Damaged Porcelain small chips or breaks in porcelain are not detrimental to bushing performance,
as modern electrical porcelain is a nonporous material. Larger chips or breaks generally will not
hinder performance either but may have improved appearance by painting over the area with a
suitable paint (bright colored paint is often used for safety purposes). Cracks in the main porcelain
body are cause for immediate replacement. Damages to petticoats that significantly reduce creepage
distances are also cause for bushing replacement or professional repair. Care should be taken when
working with damaged porcelain, as broken edges are often extremely sharp.

b) Damaged Oil Sight Glasses a cracked, chipped, or shattered oil sight glass often allows moisture to
enter into the bushing and is cause for bushing replacement or professional repair. To minimize
damage to the bushing core, it is recommended to wrap the affected area as soon as possible. Field
repairs are not recommended.

c) Malfunctioning Oil Level Gages an oil level gage that does not correctly indicate the oil level in the
bushing can lead to future problems and is reason for repair. Many oil level gages can be replaced
without disassembling the bushing. The mechanism that measures oil level, however, is internal to
the bushing and cannot usually be replaced in the field. The manufacturer or a professional repair
service should be contacted to determine if the gage design can be replaced in the field.

d) Leaking Seals loss of oil threatens the integrity of a bushing and may be cause for bushing
replacement or professional repair. Some leaks may be temporarily sealed using an oil compatible
sealant, but it is important to repair the seal as soon as possible. Professional repair services can
often eliminate the leak by disassembling the bushing and replacing the gaskets. The manufacturer
or a professional repair service should be contacted if a significant reduction in oil level has occurred.

e) Leaking Taps loss of oil into the bushing tap space can often be temporarily sealed with the
provided tap cover. Some bushing taps can be replaced in the field by positioning the bushing
horizontally and installing a suitable replacement. The manufacturer or a professional repair service
should be contacted to determine if tap replacement is possible in the field.

f) Damaged Taps damage due to electrical activity at the bushing tap can cause high or low power
factor readings and is reason for repair. Some bushing taps can be replaced in the field by
positioning the bushing horizontally and installing a suitable replacement. The manufacturer or a
professional repair service should be contacted to determine if tap replacement is possible in the
field.

g) Power Factor or Capacitance Abnormalities significant or rapid changes to power factor or
capacitance are often precursors to dielectric failure and may be cause for bushing replacement or
professional repair. Investigation should follow manufacturer recommendations and the guidelines in
section 10.2.1. Baking the bushing core in an oven, a popular remedy in the past, will not result in a
long term improvement in power factor. Field repairs are not recommended.

h) Overheated Terminals excessive heat at bushing terminals is most often caused by loose
connections or damaged threads. This situation can be corrected by tightening connections or
repairing damaged threads, where needed. In these cases, consideration should be given to the
duration the bushing was overheated and the impact on seals in proximity to the heat source.

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Lapp Insulator Company, LLC

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