Transformer Painting: The Importance of Painting Transformers

Transformer Painting: The Importance of Painting Transformers

December 12, 2019 Off By Helen Olsson

Downtimes cost a lot and it’s especially the case if it’s a power-related downtime. Everything depends on power and you might even lose customers in the case of an outage. Well, some downtimes are beyond control but others can be avoided by doing regular maintenance on your machines. One of the core power machines is the transformer but while you do maintenance, do you keep checking your transformer and substation coating? 

Why you should keep your transformer painted

When dealing with electrical machinery like transformers, you should never assume that all is well without doing regular checkups and maintenance. Transformer painting isn’t a regular procedure but it is important, according to Utility Service & Maintenance, Inc. They are actually quite durable machines with the ability to last up to 50 years but certainly not that long with its original paint. 

Painting your transformer is thus vital in ensuring that you can extend transformer life and utilize the machine to its full potential. This can only be achieved with proper transformer maintenance, including painting. By painting transformers you prevent rusting and eventual interruptions that cause downtimes, which might occur leaving you or your customers without power particularly if you are in the power generation, transmission or distribution service. Moreover, it might cost you more in replacing the damaged transformer with a new one!

Transformer Painting with Minimum Interruption

There are a number of the recommended steps that you should be undertaken to ensure that transformers are well coated with little interruption in a maintenance procedure: 

  • Cleaning. Cleaning is a preventive maintenance procedure that’s important for any painting project. The first step in the process is to remove any chalk, oil, or dirt, as well as any loose and flaking paint. To prepare your equipment for a fresh coat of paint, pressure washers and grinders are used to get down to the bare metal. 
  • Preparing the transformer. Once the surface has been cleaned, the transformer must be protected before painting can begin. This is done by masking insulators, gauges, and other parts to avoid paint contact. The same is done for important labels like nameplates.
  • Flow coating. Flow coating is the process used for painting radiators. It is the best transformer coating method that ensures a uniform, complete coating. It is applied at substation without dismantling the transformer, meaning little to no interruption of the power services.
  • Priming. A quality prime coat guarantees long-lasting results, and also provides a strong bonding surface for the finish coat. This is a vital step in ensuring excellent transformer coating results.
  • Finish coat. A finish coat should also be applied. This is done by applying a quality poly-silicone topcoat, which improves aesthetics and adds a layer of protection thus extending the serviceable life of your equipment. Also, the 0
  • reflective properties of the paint help your equipment to run at cooler operating temperatures.
  • Cleanup: The last step should be to replace fans and signs, tapes and any protective coverings used. This should leave the transformer and site looking brand new and ready to run for many more years to come!

Remember, transformers are high voltage machinery thus transformer painting and other maintenance procedures should only be done by licensed electrical maintenance professionals!