Dissolved gas analyser needs no maintenance or re-calibration for up to10 Years as well as no manual inspections of distribution transformers

H2scan has announced the increased availability of its Gen5 System for transformer oil dissolved gas analysis (DGA) monitoring applications. H2scan has increased production capacity of the Gen5 System to accommodate the increased demand worldwide for the Gen5 System as utilities choose real-time monitoring due to the decreased availability of personnel taking DGA samples due to COVID-19.

The Gen5 System is a first of its kind hydrogen sensor package based on H2scan’s application specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology that makes it small enough and cost effective to be used for distribution transformers.

The Gen5 System enables real-time hydrogen monitoring for reduced explosion and catastrophic risk and is ideal for use in distribution transformer applications, including those located in populated areas in neighbourhoods, under streets and industrial sites. The ASIC-based system delivers very high accuracy sensing at a dramatically reduced price point while still being the same reliable hydrogen sensing element that has been delivered worldwide since 2012 – over 15,000 hydrogen sensor elements sold with no replacements or recalibrations.   

The sensor system works with oil immersed transformers and offers real-time, or step-change monitoring to report hydrogen levels as they fluctuate. Its high accuracy sensor head can track hydrogen levels in the transformer oil from 25 ppm to 5,000 ppm at oil temperatures up to 105 degrees Celsius. The real-time monitoring is ideal for smaller transformers where power overloads can cause higher temperatures which drive up hydrogen levels more quickly.

The Gen5 System incorporates H2scan’s patented autocalibration technology, requiring no maintenance or re-calibration for up to 10 years. Total install or retrofit time of the Gen5 System is less than one hour. It’s IP68 rated and can withstand 14 days of being submersed in water up to 10 meters, making it ideal for underground vault transformers.

With its high 105-degree Celsius temperature and 25PPM to 5000PPM of hydrogen concentration, it’s ideal for monitoring wind farm and solar farm transformers. Additionally, the Gen5 System has been purchased and is being tested by the largest provider of traction transformers for use in powering electrical locomotives. Because locomotives are used to powering heavy freight loads, reliability and safety are critical in traction transformers.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting every industry around the world, the Gen5 System is a game changer for utilities wanting to eliminate manual sampling and substation visits by its maintenance crew and have real time measurements,” said Bharat Vats, H2scan’s Chief Growth Officer. “Given its lower cost - several thousands of dollars less than other systems -  the Gen5 System is ideal for utilities to use to retrofit their entire infrastructure.”

The Gen5 System is available now and shipping globally. H2scan has already received significant orders for the Gen5 System, with significant demand coming from the Asia Pacific region.

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