We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using this website you agree with our cookie policy.
Comprehensive insulating oil testing for oil-filled circuit breakers (OCBs) — turning time-based maintenance into condition-based action.
TJ|H2b’s Breaker Oil Analysis (BOA®) provides a comprehensive evaluation of your oil-filled circuit breaker’s insulating oil — combining dissolved gas, particle, and fluid quality data into a single condition rating.
BOA® is non-invasive, reliable, and easily implemented alongside your existing maintenance program. Using traditional ASTM methodology alongside particle profiling, the diagnostic identifies contact deterioration, fluid degradation, and interrupter wear (baffles, arc chutes, housings).
Maintenance costs may be reduced up to 92% depending on the type of maintenance program.
Typically, maintenance is required on only 3–5% of units annually — BOA® identifies which ones, so crews aren't opening tanks that don't need it.
Deferring unnecessary OCB maintenance frees up personnel to support critical infrastructure and higher-priority maintenance needs.
Knowing which units actually need work in advance makes manpower allocation and repair preparation far easier to plan around.
Savings on maintenance costs can be significant, and costly, unplanned failures can be averted.
TJ|H2b has tested the insulating oil from more than 70,000 tanks on distribution and transmission oil-filled circuit breakers. Utilities that have implemented BOA® found that the deferral of internal inspections has not compromised reliability. When used with other maintenance tools as a part of a condition-based maintenance program, BOA® can enhance reliability and reduce overall maintenance costs.
See the table below for the outcomes of a six-year BOA® program from one of our clients:
| Year | Total OCBs | OCBs Tested | Total OCB Overhauls | Total Code 4 OCBs | Interrupter Failures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2,420 | 639 | 332 | 48 | 4 |
2 | 2,420 | 422 | 232 | 39 | 5 |
3 | 2,420 | 678 | 176 | 11 | 3 |
4 | 2,420 | 521 | 42 | 26 | 3 |
5 | 2,420 | 527 | 54 | 28 | 1 |
6 | 2,420 | 321 | 68 | 23 | 0 |
*Source: TJ|H2b BOA® six-year program overview. | |||||
Every BOA® report returns a Code 1 through 4* rating. These codes are a starting point to determine how much testing is required and if condition-based maintenance or immediate action is needed.
Once you receive your report, TJ|H2b offers free, 24/7 consultation services to help interpret results and provide guidance.
All parameters within acceptable limits. Retest within 12 months.
After performing a BOA® test on your breaker, you will receive a condition rating. The recommended sampling interval ranges from ‘immediately’ to ‘annually’, depending on the condition of your unit. Please refer to the scoring methodology or reach out to TJ|H2b for further explanation on recommended intervals.
BOA® condition codes, in general, indicate the following+:
+Some variations of the recommended mitigations or retest intervals may occur at the discretion of the laboratory based on information provided. With breakers, we are dealing with a complex subject involving a number of variables. As such, general “rules of thumb” with regard to sampling intervals cannot be applied in every case. A number of other factors must be taken into consideration, such as:
As such, the appropriate action is up to the discretion of the Asset Manager who is best placed to take other influencing factors into account according to established internal procedures. Our codes and recommendations, while based on a vast amount of experience as well as guidelines published by IEEE and other standards bodies, are to be taken only as useful guides.
Breaker Oil Analysis (BOA®) includes a condition rating, diagnostics, and potential remediation actions where applicable. Upon receipt of the report from TJ|H2b, we recommend that results and diagnostics are reviewed promptly, following internal procedures. If further support is needed, TJ|H2b offers free, 24/7 consultation services to help you understand reports and provide guidance.
TJ|H2b recommends following the latest revision of ASTM D923 (Standard Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids) or an equivalent standard in order to ensure consistent, high-quality sampling practices. TJ|H2b has developed a tool to help you meet the standard and take a proper, representative sample every time: Turbulent Flush Sampling System.
Get a comprehensive, lab-verified read on your circuit breaker’s condition, and a clear plan for what to do next. Request BOA® testing before wear becomes failure.
TJ|H2b provides equipment-specific oil diagnostics and consultation services to give as complete an analysis as possible. For more information, select a diagnostic.
We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using this website you agree with our cookie policy.