BPL Global Delivers Breakthrough Transformer Monitor

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BPL Global®, Ltd. (BPLG), a smart grid technology company providing solutions from the substation through the distribution network, announced today a breakthrough transformer monitoring solution with the delivery of the Serveron® TM1™ On-line Transformer Monitor for distribution and other power transformers in the grid.

The TM1™, which is already deployed with utility customers in the United States and internationally, delivers an industry leading price to performance benefit to the electric utility industry. For the first time, the benefits of on-line condition monitoring can be realized across the entire power transformer fleet. Dissolved gas analysis ("DGA") is the single best indicator of transformer health. BPLG has successfully delivered DGA-based on-line transformer monitoring on a global basis with a proven business case supporting transformer failure avoidance, reduced maintenance costs and deferred capital expenditures.

Hydrogen gas buildup in transformer oil is an early indicator of incipient transformer faults. The Serveron® TM1™ continuously monitors hydrogen (H₂) PPM Levels using DGA and can be programmed to alarm based on PPM Levels and/or Rate of Change (ROC), warning operators of potentially disruptive transformer faults and pending failures. Optional moisture-in-oil measurement is also available.

Because DGA monitors should be as reliable as transformers, BPLG has solved the major reliability issues with previous generation single gas monitors causing poor measurement accuracy and high levels of maintenance and replacement. This breakthrough, patented design has no membrane and does not require sensor replacement, consumables, or scheduled maintenance. The TM1™ significantly reduces the cost of ownership for electric utilities and improves the accuracy of hydrogen gas monitoring.

"The TM1™, with its breakthrough price/performance is the latest addition to our industry-leading portfolio of on-line transformer monitors," said Peter Londa, CEO of BPLG. "It provides utilities with the information needed to maintain the reliability of distribution transformers and extend the life of these critical assets. Our family of best-in-class transformer monitors protects the largest asset class in the electric grid – Power Transformers."

BPLG's portfolio of Serveron® transformer monitors, including models TM8™, TM3™ and TM1™, provides data of dissolved gas levels in the insulating oil of power transformers through a diagnostic tool that delivers critical analysis and insight into possible fault conditions that can lead to catastrophic failure. By accurately detecting trace levels of targeted gases, BPLG's transformer monitors assist utilities in achieving the highest levels of safe power transformer operation by significantly reducing the likelihood of outages, lowering maintenance costs of power transformers and deferring capital expenditures by extending transformer life.

About BPL Global
BPL Global® (BPLG) provides electric utilities with a suite of smart grid solutions for advanced distribution automation from substations through customer premises. Our solutions collaborate across the grid, helping utilities increase efficiency and reliability to improve their financial, operational and environmental performance. BPLG combines our experience in applying smart grid solutions with our market-leading technology to successfully serve leading utilities around the world. www.bplglobal.net

SOURCE BPL Global, Ltd.