Oil Sampling Process for Qualitrol DGA 150/250/400
All Qualitrol DGA units are equipped with a sampling valve. They re designed
for ease of sampling and all operate in a similar manner. Materials necessary
for oil sampling would be a syringe with a Luer fitting and proper tubing (if
needed).
See sampling ports
located on the DGA 150
& 400 models circled in
red.
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Step 1: Remove
the protective cap
on the sampling
port.
Step 2: Slowly open the sampling valve
counter-clockwise until a small stream of
oil begins to appear. Flush appropriate
amount of oil from the drain valve to
remove accumulated debris and excess
free water to obtain an accurate sample.
Step 3: Insert the Luer fitting of the sampling syringe into the valve and follow the
appropriate ASTM standard sampling procedure. If the DGA unit is located where the
sampling valve is not readily accessible, a simple sampling hose may be attached to extend
the reach.
Applicable Sampling Standards
ASTM D923: Standard Practice for Sampling Electrical Insulating Fluids
ASTM 3613: Standard Practice for Sampling Electrical Insulating Oils for Gas Analysis and
Determination of Water Content.
IEC 60475: Method of Sampling Liquid Dielectrics
IEC 60567: Guide for the Sampling of Gases and Oil from Oil-filled Electrical Equipment
and for the Analysis of Free and Dissolved Gases.
Step 4: After the oil sample
is retrieved, per the
applicable sampling
standards above, hand
tighten the sampling valve
clockwise until the stream of
oil stops flowing. Once hand
tight, turn another 1/8 of a
turn. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!
Step 5: Replace the
protective cap on the
sampling port and hand
tighten. Make sure that the
cap seats properly (metal
to metal with no gap) as
shown in the picture.
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Luer
fitting
Importance of Lab Correlation
Analysis of transformer oil from laboratory to laboratory can differ significantly. In order
to ensure that your Qualitrol DGA sensor is correlated to the laboratory of your choice, it
is important to take an oil sample once a year for comparison.
The value of hydrogen (PPM) can then be correlated to the Qualitrol 150/250/400 DGA
installed on the transformer either through the 509 or through the USB port under the
cap of the sensor with a terminal emulator program. This will ensure congruity to the
sensor in the field and the laboratory data.
Sampling Notes
A good sample is one that is representative of the bulk oil conditions within the
transformer. This would be a sample clear of debris, water, paper or metal particles, etc.
The amount of oil to flush out of the transformer to prepare for a sample depends on
the overall health of the transformer. To find specific techniques refer to ASTM
Practices D 923 and D 3613.
Galvanic fittings and plumbing (parts coated with zinc) can cause high amounts of
false hydrogen when they react with water. For best results drain valves and
surrounding components should be made of either brass, bronze, stainless steel, or
black iron when sampling for hydrogen.
When taking an oil sample always make sure that there is positive pressure on
the transformer tank! NEVER take a sample when the transformer is under
negative pressure! If there is no gauge, follow the procedures set forth in ASTM D 923
to determine the status of the tank pressure.
For best results do not leave the oil sample exposed to sunlight as it will degrade the
quality rather quickly.
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