What Is Buchholz Gas Analysis?
Buchholz Gas Analysis involves extracting accumulated gases from the relay and performing qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis to determine the types of gases present. Each gas composition corresponds to specific fault types (thermal, electrical, or mixed), helping asset managers make informed maintenance decisions.
Test Standard
- Gas is extracted from the Buchholz relay using sealed, vacuum-tight gas extraction apparatus
- Volume and appearance of the gas are documented
- Gas is transferred into gas-tight syringes or vials
- Gas chromatography (GC) is used to identify and quantify key gases such as Hydrogen (H₂), Methane (CH₄), Ethylene (C₂H₄), Ethane (C₂H₆), Acetylene (C₂H₂), and Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Key Gases Measured
Insulating Liquids – Measurement of Relative Permittivity, Dissipation Factor (Tan δ) and DC Resistivity.
| Gas | Indicates |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen (H₂) | Partial discharges, corona |
| Methane (CH₄) | Low-temperature overheating |
| Ethylene (C₂H₄) | Medium to high-temperature overheating |
| Acetylene (C₂H₂) | Arcing, internal short circuits |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Paper insulation decomposition |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) | Aging of insulation paper |
Why Buchholz Gas Analysis Is Important
- Enables early detection of internal electrical and thermal faults
- Differentiates between minor issues and severe arcing
- Supports predictive maintenance and condition monitoring
- Minimizes risk of catastrophic transformer failure
- Ideal for offline diagnostics or post-protection tripping
Our Testing Workflow
- Vacuum gas extraction by trained engineers
- On-site or lab-based gas chromatography (GC)
- Precise ppm quantification and interpretation
- Cross-reference with DGA (if available) for enhanced fault diagnosis
- AI-enabled ERP report with graphical fault signature
Report Includes
- Total gas volume collected (mL)
- Gas composition (ppm for each hydrocarbon gas)
- Fault interpretation (thermal / electrical / insulation degradation)
- Color, odor, and volume analysis (if requested)
- Maintenance or shutdown recommendations
When Should You Request a Buchholz Gas Analysis?
- After Buchholz relay operation or trip event
- During routine major transformer inspections
- As part of a diagnostic investigation after oil alarms
- Before re-energizing critical transformers after fault
Why Choose Tru-FIL?
- Expert in transformer diagnostics and oil/gas analysis
- Portable gas extraction kits and pan-India field teams
- NABL-grade lab with precision gas chromatography
- ERP-integrated reporting and technical consultation
- Trusted by utilities, OEMs, and transformer service providers