1. The most common cause of transformer explosions is adverse weather.

Lightning strikes can

cause transformers to overload and explode. Sudden damage to transformers can also lead to

overloads. Freezing rain and high winds can each cause tree limbs to break free, falling on

transformers, and causing explosions. These explosions typically result in a bright green electrical

arc, sometimes visible from several blocks away.

A. REASONS OF TRANSFORMER EXPLOSION
Electrically Induced due to insulation failure, over voltage, surges, partial discharge or

static electrification.
Mechanically Induced due to conductor tipping, conductor telescoping or hoop buckling.
Thermally Induced due to overloading, failure of cooling system, blockage of axial spaces

or over excitation(over voltage or under frequency).

2.

Pressure Relief Valve inadequacy: Pressure Relief Valves are suitable for slow pressure rise

whereas pressure gradients developed during low impedance faults are extremely fast.

Transformers that have exploded were usually equipped with Pressure Relief Valves.
Buchholz and Rapid Pressure Relay inefficiency: transformer electrical protections are not

designed to react to sharp pressure gradients. During the 62 TRANSFORMER PROTECTOR tests,

the Buchholz always failed to detect any gas and oil movement or pressure variation.
Electrical Breaker opening time: the best breaker technology trips in 50 milliseconds, far too late

to prevent the explosion because most of the gases are generated within milliseconds after

short-circuit
Oil Level Monitor Device- Transformers with oil conservator(s) (expansion tank) often have an oil

level monitor. Usually, the monitor has two contacts for alarm. One contact is for maximum oil

level alarm and the other contact is for minimum oil level alarm.