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Electrical Testing
See the Full Picture of Your Transformer's Health
See What Oil Analysis Can’t. Verify What Matters Most.
Electrical failures are among the most costly and disruptive transformer issues — and many develop without visible warning signs. Electrical testing provides early detection of internal faults, allowing you to act before minor issues become major failures. A risk-based approach ensures your most critical assets receive the highest level of attention.
Electrical testing with SDMyers delivers quantifiable, condition-based data that supports confident maintenance decisions and long-term asset reliability.
5 Reasons to Perform Routine Electrical Testing
Detect Faults Early
Identify insulation degradation and winding movement or mechanical damage.
Enhance Your Oil Analysis
Add context to oil analysis findings for a more complete diagnostic picture.
Reduce Risks
Minimize the probability of unplanned outages, costly downtime, and emergency repairs.
Be Proactive
Enable predictive, data-driven maintenance and confident decisions.
Protect Critical Assets
Extend transformer life by acting early, reducing risk, and protecting your equipment.
Specialized On-Site Electrical Testing
From baseline testing at installation to diagnostic electrical testing throughout the lifespan of your transformer, SDMyers runs thorough electrical tests using precision equipment that turn raw data into actionable insights about transformer condition. When trended over time, these insights enable predictive maintenance and risk prioritization.
What We Test
- Insulation Health: Is the system stable or degrading?
- Mechanical Integrity: Have windings shifted or been damaged?
- Connection Reliability: Are there loose or failing connections?
- Core Performance: Is the magnetic circuit functioning properly?
When We Test
- At Commissioning: Establish baseline before energization
- Post-Transport: Detect damage from shipping or handling
- Event-Driven Testing: Assess impact of short circuits or system disturbances after faults
- Condition-Based Triggers: Investigate abnormal results from DGA or performance trends
- Critical Assets: Monitor with testing every 1–3 years
- Routine Maintenance: Monitor condition over time, every 3–5 years
How We Test
AC Tests:
- Insulation Power Factor/Dissipation Factor Test
- Power Factor Tip-up Test
- Single-Phase Excitation Current Test
- Transformer Turns Ratio Test
- Bushing Power Factor Test
- Liquid Insulation Power Factor Test
DC Tests:
- Insulation Resistance Tests (Megger)
- Dielectric Absorption
- Polarization Index (PI)
- Step Voltage Test
- Core Ground Test
- Overpotential Test (Hi-Pot)
- Winding Resistance
How Our Electrical Testing Process Works
01
Assess & Plan
SDMyers customizes general electrical testing guidelines to match your specific equipment.
02
Test & Measure Responses
Using a series of routine tests, we can evaluate the condition of insulation, windings, mechanical integrity, and ground systems.
03
Combine Results
When coordinated with data from oil tests, a reliable picture of the transformer's internal condition begins to evolve.
04
Take Corrective Action
SDMyers helps you decide on the services needed to correct the problems and when to schedule future tests.
Why Perform Electrical Testing With SDMyers
Trained experts in electrical testing
SDMyers’ Field Service team goes through extensive training on specialized equipment to provide expert testing execution, relying on 60+ years of experience.
Precision equipment
Diagnostics and recommendations
Our diagnostics team uses advanced tools and expert interpretation to guide you through your options and send results to your Transformer Dashboard®.
Comprehensive maintenance strategy
With solutions for every transformer condition, we help you build a reliability plan tailored to your needs, combining corrective, preventative, risk- and condition-based maintenance strategies to bring you end-to-end transformer care.
Certifications & Standards
We align with industry standards and best practices to deliver accurate testing, sound diagnostics, and safe fieldwork.
Resources
We’re the transformer experts so you don’t have to be. Explore resources backed by 60+ years of end-to-end transformer care experience and diagnostics data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical testing evaluates the internal condition of a transformer by measuring how its components respond to electrical signals. It helps identify issues with insulation, windings, core, and connections.
Oil analysis assesses the chemical condition of insulating fluid, while electrical testing evaluates the physical and electrical integrity of internal components. Both are complementary and should be used together.
Electrical testing should be strategically performed throughout the transformer lifecycle to ensure reliability and performance, and testing frequency should align with transformer criticality, age, and operating environment. Most transformers should be tested every 3–5 years, while critical assets may require testing every 1–3 years or after significant events like faults or relocation.
No. Most electrical tests require the transformer to be de-energized and isolated to ensure safety and accuracy.
Electrical testing should be conducted by trained professionals, like the experts at SDMyers, using specialized equipment to ensure accurate results and proper interpretation.
Connect with a Reliability Expert
Get a free quote or consultation — we’re here to help.
Call (330) 630-7000 or fill out the form to connect with an SDMyers transformer expert today.
