Comprehensive Services
Kinectrics’ state-of-the-art laboratories provide clients with a wide range of transformer fluid and component monitoring services, from routine oil testing to complex analysis and large-scale R&D testing.
Unlike some assembly line oil testing and analysis services, our goal is to provide clients with the answers they need, i.e. real solutions, which go beyond simple acquisition of more reliable data.
We provide convenient oil testing packages tailored to meet specific client requirements and criteria for interpretation of data.
Additional facilities available for advanced work at our Kinectrics’ site include a high voltage testing lab for large-scale electrical testing, and environmental laboratories for biodegradation and toxicity testing.
Kinectrics laboratories operate 5 days per week. Additional services 24/7 are also available via our paging system.
Dielectric Fluids and Gases
The Petroleum Products Group (PPG) of the Analytical and Environmental Services Department (AES) provides routine testing (mostly ASTM based), consulting, and R&D services for dielectric fluids and related materials in support of electrical equipment operation, preventive maintenance and problem solving.
The PPG provides utilities with early warnings of incipient fault conditions. It is also a qualified technical resource centre for specifications, product recommendations, materials compatibility testing, materials property information, and the interpretation of oil test data.
Kinectrics’ laboratories are registered to ISO 9001 and testing is accredited to ISO 17025 by the Standards Council of Canada.
Sample tracking is computerized and oil test data are managed electronically by a powerful Oracle-based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
In addition, standard oil test data is provided in Transformer Oil Analyst (TOA) spreadsheet format and electronically ported to the client.
Kinectrics’ PPG areas of expertise include:
- Routine condition monitoring and advice - Approximately 30 ASTM and industry standard oil tests pertaining to dielectric fluids are routinely supported in our laboratories.
- Dissolved gas analysis via both automated vacuum and headspace extraction methods - Rapid, accurate fault gas analysis is available on a routine basis for oils, silicones and even Askarels (concentrated PCBs).
- Analysis of SF6 gas, and interpretation – SF6 analysis and data interpretation and diagnostic services. Databases are maintained for trend analysis.
- Askarel (PCB) monitoring - High PCB content dielectrics can be monitored for dissolved gas and other standard properties as well as determinations such as PCB/chlorobenzene ratio.
- “Green” Issues, PCB Contamination Issues - Waste management, oil identification, oil spill cleanup, PCB contamination measurement, fluid reclaiming / recycling / reinhibiting, environmentally-friendly materials, and disposal issues are all addressed.
- Lubrication Issues – Advice on the selection of switchgear or other lubricants and hydraulic fluids, and micro-sample testing techniques for predictive maintenance applications.
- Investigative and R&D services – Areas covered include: equipment life extension, accelerated aging and life studies, new material evaluations, flammability assessments, failure studies, experimental winding model tests, filter evaluations and detailed analysis of deposits or materials.
- Additional analyses – Comprehensive laboratory services are available for general and advanced analytical tests such as furanic material components and oil additives by HPLC and trace analysis of degradation products and contaminants by GC-MS, ICPMS, ICPAES, XRF, FTIR or other techniques.
- The Kinectrics PPG has completed several multi-year contracts providing high volume testing services for core tests required to maintain reliable operations for a major supplier.
