Understanding Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)

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12 December 2025 Uncategorized

Understanding Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is one of the most effective diagnostic tools for evaluating transformer health. It detects gases dissolved in insulating oil, providing early warning signs of developing faults.

What Is DGA?

As electrical or thermal faults occur inside a transformer, they generate gases such as hydrogen, methane, ethylene, and acetylene. Measuring these gases allows experts to identify the type and severity of internal problems.

Common Gases and Their Meaning

Gas

Possible Indication

Hydrogen

Partial discharge

Methane

Low-temperature overheating

Ethylene

High-temperature overheating

Acetylene

Arcing

Carbon Monoxide

Paper insulation deterioration

Why Early Detection Matters

Early diagnosis allows maintenance teams to schedule repairs before a fault becomes critical, helping avoid expensive failures and improving equipment reliability.