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Methods of increasing the operating reliability of power transformers, autotransformers and shunting reactors in order to reduce the risk of damage, which accompany internal short circuits and equipment fires and explosions, are considered.

The radiational-thermal development of coil short circuits due to the action of partial discharges of the first kind when the windings of transformers, autotransformers and shunting reactors become contaminated with metal-containing colloidal particles, formed in the transformer oil as a result of the interaction of the oil with the constructional materials (the copper of the windings, the iron of the tank, the core etc.) is considered. Acriterion of dangerous contamination of the coil insulation of the windings by metal-containing colloidal particles is proposed, namely, 3% of the mass content of copper and iron in it, which, if exceeded, may serve as a basis for recognizing the state of transformers, autotransformers and shunting reactors at a voltage of 110 kV and above the limit. It is shown that filters for continuously cleaning the oil play a considerable role in prolonging the life of transformer equipment.

Measurements of the acidity, optical turbidity, surface tension, and color of transformer oil from 54 power transformers, autotransformers, and shunt reactors are reported. Changes in surface tension, optical turbidity, and color are found to obey adequate linear correlations, while the acidity has no correlation with any of these properties. Numerical criteria for the maximum permissible state (quality) of the oil with respect to optical turbidity and color are obtained. Recommendations to operating staff are provided for cases in which the criteria for optical turbidity and color are exceeded.

The results of a measurement of the contamination of the oil in 66 transformers by metal-containing colloidal particles, formed as a result of the interaction of the oil with the structural materials (the copper of the windings, the iron of the tank and core etc.), and also the results of measurements of the optical turbidity of the oil in 136 transformers when they were examined at the Power Engineering Research and Development Center Company are presented. Methods of determining the concentration of copper and iron in transformer oil are considered. The limiting values of the optical turbidity factors, the copper and iron content are determined. These can serve as a basis for taking decisions on whether to replace the silica gel of the filters for continuously purifying the oil of power transformers and the shunting reactors in addition to the standardized oil contamination factors, namely, the dielectric loss tangent and the acidity number of the oil.

The main indicators of the limit technical state of transformers and autotransformers, for which their further use is impermissible or inadvisable, are considered. The main elements of a power transformer which determine its limit state are the windings and the cores. Important indicators for estimating the technical state of the windings is the wear of the coil insulation, the degree of mechanical fastening of the windings and, in particular, the absence of dangerous deformations. Wear of the coil insulation is estimated from the degree of polymerization and the short-circuit resistance. The cores of the transformer become damaged fairly rapidly during operation. Normalized values of the above indicators are given as well as experience in using them in the Russian Federation and the Ukraine to estimate the limit state of transformers and autotransformers. The amount of inspection in order to reach conclusions on the technical state of a transformer and temporary measures until they are replaced are indicated.

Main aspects of the physicochemical condition of cellulose insulation of windings of power transformers with a long-term service life are analyzed with the aim of determining criteria on the possibility of prolonging the life of the insulation by washing with surface-active substances.