Oil Surge Relay-OSR of Transformer:

Oil Surge Relay-OSR is one of the auxiliary equipment of an oil-immersed type transformer.

It is mainly used to limit the damage to the on-load tap changer in case of failure. OSR is placed in between OLTC(On Load Tap Changer) tank and OLTC conservator.

Oil Surge Relay-OSR responds only by the rate of rising pressure resulting from internal arcing. When the rate of rising pressure oil crosses a certain value then alarm and trip contacts operate.

Separation should be arranged such that the oil in the OLTC chamber and transformer chamber should not be mixed together as shown in below fig.

In case of heavy faults due to a surge in oil OSR relay will operate and causes tripping of both HT and LT breakers of the transformer.

Checklist for OSR Tripping:

The oil in the OLTC tank may get contaminated, so the properties of the transformer oil may be changed after tripping the OSR relay. To ensure this the oil has to be tested and if any change in parameters observes, it has to be either replaced or oil filtration is needed.

The following testing have to do for the transformer oil

• BDV Test:

Break Down Voltage test is conducted to know breakdown voltage or dielectric strength of the transformer oil by using BDV kit. The dielectric strength of the oil is the most important property of oil. If the dielectric strength of the oil is reduced by water and impurities etc, a breakdown of the insulation can occur. Testing of the dielectric strength of the oil is normally conducted on-site to get a quick check of the purity of the oil.

• PPM Test:

Parts per Million test is to do for knowing the percentage of moisture content present in the transformer oil. Moisture content results in the dielectric strength of oil being reduced and flashover occurs.

• DGA Test:

The Dissolved Gas Analysis test is to identify various gas levels present in the transformer oil. Due to thermal and electrical stresses in the transformer, the gases are dissolved in the transformer oil. The dissolved gases are mainly hydrocarbon gases like Methane, Ethane, Ethylene, Acetylene, Propane, Hydrogen. Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide. With the help of DGA, the concentration of these gases in PPM can be known and can be cross-checked with the IS standard.

• Oil Level Monitoring:

The oil level must be monitored, a breakdown of the insulation occurs if the oil level gets too low.

• Silica gel Dehydrating Breather:

The silica-type breather is used for drying the air drawn into the oil conservator when they drop in load and temperature causes the oil to contract. The silica gel in the breather is able to absorb moisture to the extent of 20% of its own weight. When the silica gel gets saturated with moisture, the color changes from blue to pale pink and it has to be replaced.

Difference between Buchholz Relay and  Oil Surge Realy-OSR:

Generally, there is confusion between the operation of the Buchholz relay and the Oil surge relay.

So, Let me interpret the major differences between them.

Buchholz Relay

Oil Surge Realy-OSR

Buchholz relay is used for the protection of oil-filled transformers/reactors fitted with conservators against low oil levels and internal faults.

OSR is used to report any malfunction developed inside the On Load Tap Changer Chamber.

Buchholz relay is Gas actuated Relay.

OSR is Oil actuated Relay.

Buchholz relay should be mounted in the connecting pipe between the transformer and conservator tank.

OSR is installed in the pipe between the OLTC head and the oil conservator.

Buchholz relay is actuated by the gases flowing through and accumulated in the relay.

OSR relay is actuated when the flow rate of oil exceeds the preset value.

Buchholz relay detects the fall in oil level due to the formation of gases after an internal fault inside the transformer.

OSR detects excessive oil surges after any fault occurs inside OLTC Chamber.