ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Condition monitoring of transformers

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a big square box that's usually outside big buildings or in the middle of a field? That's a transformer! Transformers help electricity travel from one place to another by changing the voltage.

Now, just like you need to go to the doctor for check-ups to make sure your body is healthy, transformers also need to be checked regularly to make sure they're working properly. This is called condition monitoring.

There are different ways to do condition monitoring, but one common method is using sensors that measure things like the temperature of the transformer, the level of oil inside it, and the vibrations it creates. These sensors send the information they collect to a computer system that analyzes it and gives people an idea of how well the transformer is working.

If there's a problem detected, like the oil is too dirty or the temperature is too high or low, the people in charge can investigate what's causing it and fix the problem before the transformer breaks down. This helps keep the electricity flowing smoothly and prevent power outages.

So basically, condition monitoring is like taking your transformer to the doctor to make sure it's working properly so it can keep doing its important job of helping electricity get to where it needs to go!