Buchholz Relays

Simple operation, high reliability and a very long life-time characterize our Buchholz relays according to DIN EN 50216-2 as well as IEC 60076-22-1. Find out more about our type deversity.

Buchholz Relays

The Buchholz relay was developed in 1921 by Max Buchholz, Oberrat (senior councillor) at Preußische Elektrizitäts-A.G. (Prussian electricity company) in Kassel. Since that time it has been an important protection and monitoring device for insulating liquid filled transformers with conservator and choke coils. It also allows separate monitoring of oil-filled bushings or cable terminal boxes. It is mounted in the cooling cycle of the device to be protected and responds to faults such as gas generation, loss of as well as high flow rates of the insulating liquid.

For transformers with hermetical closure by means of a hydro-type compensator (rubber sack) in the conservator, the Buchholz relay can be used also as monitoring device (air cell failure relay) of the hydro-type compensator.

The Buchholz relay is suitable for open-air as well as indoor installations.

General

The type diversity of the Buchholz relay is tailored to norms and standards as well as to special customer demands. The type of relay to be used depends on the nominal rating and construction features of the device to be protected. Our range of products permits optimum adaptation to actual requirements.

Elektromotoren und Gerätebau GmbH (EMB GmbH) provides more than 70 years experience in producing Buchholz relays and other protective devices for liquid-cooled and liquid-insulated devices. It ranks today among the most distinguished manufacturers of this type of equipment.

EMB Buchholz relays are in compliance with EN 50216-2 as well as IEC 60076-22-1 and are known for their easy operation, high reliability and extremely long life. The functionality of the EMB Buchholz relays is given by using all conventional insulating liquids. The functionality in combination with new insulating fluids will be tested in close cooperation with the manufacturers.

EMB has been certified according to: DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, AEO F, Known Consignor (Airfreight Security) and EAC. Further certifications have been awarded by well-known independent test laboratories such as TÜV Rheinland and TZO.

Design Features

Casing

The casing is made of weather-resistant cast aluminium alloy provided with a paint coating. It is supplied either with flanged (Fig. 1/ Number 1) or threaded connection (Fig. 2/ No.2). The different casing designs available are shown in Single-Float Buchholz Relays and Double-Float Buchholz Relays. Others are available on request.

To check the switching system for proper function, the casing is provided with sightglasses (Fig. 2/ No. 3). The sightglasses provided with scales permit reading of collected gas volume. The relays can be provided with hinged lids (Fig. 1/ No.4) to protect the sightglasses.

Cover

The cover is made of weather-resistant cast aluminium alloy provided with a paint coating. The upper section of the cover accommodates the terminal box (Fig. 3/ No. 1). In front of the terminal box are arranged the bleeding valve (Fig. 3/ No. 2) and the test key covered by a cap nut (Fig. 3/ No. 3) as well as a plate (Fig. 3/ No. 4) with instructions for actuating the test key. The terminal box accommodates the earth terminal (Fig. 3/ No. 5) and bushings (Fig. 3/ No. 6) for the terminals provided in the base of the cover. The number of these bushings determines the design of the switching systems in terms of type and quantity of the magnet contact tubes.


The terminal box is sealed by an cap (Fig. 3/ No. 7) so that it is safe to touch and protected against pollution. If the cap is opened instructions for installation (Fig. 3/ No. 8) are shown e.g. the graphic symbol and the connection diagram. The cable can be inserted through the cable gland (Fig. 3/ No. 9).

Function

The Buchholz relay is used for the protection and monitoring of insulated liquid-filled transformers with expansion tank and earth leakage coils. It is installed in the cooling circuit of the unit to be protected and reacts to faults such as gas formation, loss as well as excessive flow of the insulating liquid with a warning or disconnection signal. This prevents devastating damage to the transformer or even its destruction.

The Buchholz relay is installed in the pipe between the tank of the device to be protected (transformer, reactor) and the conservator. During normal operation it is filled completely with insulating liquid.

Due to buoyancy the float of the single-float relay and both floats of the double-float relay are at their top position.

The upper and lower switching systems form a functional unit in the single-float Buchholz relay so that in the event of a fault the transformer is immediately disconnected from the power system.

In the following the function of a Buchholz relay is explained using the example of a double-float Buchholz relay. If a fault occurs inside the transformer, the Buchholz relay responds as follows:

Gas Accumulation

Fault:Free gas is available in the insulating liquid.

 

Response: The gas in the liquid moves upwards, accumulates in the Buchholz relay and displaces the insulating liquid level. As the liquid level falls, the upper float moves downwards. The moving float actuates a switch contact (magnet contact tube). An alarm signal is tripped. The lower float is not affected as from a certain gas volume the gas flows through a piping to the conservator.

Insulating Liquid Loss

Fault: Insulating liquid loss due to leakage.

 

Response: As the liquid level falls, the conservator, piping and Buchholz relay are emptied. First, the top float lowers and causes an alarm signal. When now the loss of liquid continues, the lower float sinks and actuates a switch contact so that the transformer is shut down.

Insulating liquid flow

Fault: A spontaneous incident generates a pressure wave moving in the direction of the conservator.

 

Response: The liquid flow reaches the damper arranged in the liquid flow. If the flow rate exceeds the operating value of the damper, the latter moves in flow direction. Due to this movement a switch contact is actuated so that the transformer is disconnected. After release of the pressure wave the lower switching system returns to its starting position.

Buchholz relays manufactured by EMB are equipped with a damper held by a permanent magnet.

Technical Data

The technical data listed in table named below are applicable to all Buchholz relays in standard version manufactured by EMB. EMB Buchholz relays are in compliance with DIN EN 50216-2 as well as IEC 60076-22-1.

ParameterDataNotes
VoltageAC 5 V - max. 250 V
DC 5 V - max. 250 V
 
CurrentAC 0,01 A - max. 6 A
DC 0,01 A - max. 6 A
Cos φ > 0,5
L/R < 40 ms
Switching capacityAC max. 1500 VA
DC max. 1250 W
 
Dielectric strengthAC 2500 V
AC 2000 V (NO-contact, NC-contact)
AC 1000 V (CO-contact)
Between electric circuit and earth Between open contacts

Temperature range:

  • Ambient temperature
 

 

- 40 °C to +55 °C
- 40 °F to +131 °F

Climatic testing acc. to
DIN EN 60068-2-78: 2002-09

Others on request

Temperature range:

  • Operating range
    • Temperature of insulating liquid
 



- 40 °C to +115 °C
- 40 °F to +239 °F

Till +135 °C requires type code 21

Temperature range:

  • Operating range
    • Viscosity of insulating liquid
 


1 mm²/s to 1100 mm²/s
Insulating liquidMineral oilOthers on request
Resistance against vibrationVibration: 2-200 Hz, 2 g
Shock: 25 g, 6 ms
Acc. to class 4M6 following
DIN EN 60721-3-4
Resistance to pressure0,25 MPa 
Resistance to vacuum< 2,5 kPa 
Insensitivity to magnetic fields25 mTStatic magnetic field of any direction and polarity
Switching system:
  • Switching elements
  • Damper

 

Response time of damper


Magnet contact tube
Held by magnets

 

< 0,1 s

 
Response of switching system in case of:
  • Gas accumulation
  • Insulating liquid flow
    Pipe diameter DN of 25 mm, 50 mm or 80 mm
 

200 cm³ to 300 cm³
Min. 0,65 to max. 3,00 m/s ± 15 %


Others on request
For possible data see
Ordering Data/Type code
Others on request

Cable glandM20x1,5; M25x1,5Others on request
Nominal installation position0° to 5°Ascending towards conservator
IP codeIP 56Others on request
Casing colourTwo-component texture paintOn polyurethane basis

Options

Cable Gland *

ExplanationCode
M20 × 1,5: 1 cable gland and 1 dummy plug1
M25 × 1,5: 1 cable gland and 1 dummy plug2
M20 × 1,5: 2 cable glands3
M20 × 1,5: 2 cable glands and 1 additional dummy plug3B
M25 × 1,5: 2 cable glands4
M25 × 1,5: 2 cable glands and 1 additional dummy plug4B
M20 × 1,5: 1 Harting connector and 1 dummy plug5
1/2“ NPT: 1 cable gland and 1 dummy plug6
1/2“ NPT: 2 cable glands7
Cable gland: Kundenwunsch9

* Mandatory order data

Casing Colour *

[Translate to Englisch:]

ExplanationCode
Casing colour RAL 7001 (silver-grey)41
Casing colour RAL 7033 (cement-grey)44
Casing colour RAL 7038 (agate-grey)45
Casing colour RAL 7035 (light-grey)46
Casing colour RAL 9002 (grey-white)48
Casing colour RAL 7032 (siliceous-grey)49

* Mandatory order data

Equipment

ExplanationCode
Metal plate15
With oil drain plug (only double-float Buchholz relays)28
With premounted Harting connector
(The option is indicated by a letter after the code. For further information, please ask for special reference material.)
59

 

Special Designs

Sensors (only double-float Buchholz relays)

ExplanationCode
Gas volume sensor – NM series
(Note: Explanations to code 60)
60
Temperature sensor
(Note: Explanations to code 61)
61
Moisture-temperature sensor
(Note: Explanations to code 62)
62

 

Climate-proof version / IP code

ExplanationCode
Climate-proof version for extreme frigid open-air conditions below -40 °C34
Climate-proof version for Offshore36
IP code 6639
IP code 6739B

 

Insulating Liquid

ExplanationCode
Insulating liquid silicone oil20
Insulating liquid based on ester21

 

Switching System

ExplanationCode
Upper switching system equipped with two magnet contact tubes35
Lower switching system equipped with two magnet contact tubes25
Upper and lower switching system each equipped with two magnet contact tubes33
Lower switching system equipped with three magnet contact tubes99
Upper switching system equipped with two magnet contact tubes,
Lower switching system equipped with three magnet contact tubes
55
Upper and lower switching system each equipped with three magnet contact tubes77
Lower switching system equipped with four magnet contact tubes88
Upper switching system equipped with two magnet contact tubes,
Lower switching system equipped with four magnet contact tubes
89
Two-level gas alarm system (Note: Explanations to code 17A)17A
Separate disconnection (Note: Explanations to code 17B) 17B
Testing of the switching systems by means of compressed-air and test key
(only double-float Buchholz relays, Note: Explanations to code 32)
32
Damper held in response position
(only double-float Buchholz relays, Note: Explanations to codes 23)
23
Solid floats (Insulating liquid flow max. 1,50 m/s ± 15%)16
Alarm for gas accumulation between 250 and 300 cm³18

 

Special Request

ExplanationCode
Special design approved by RWE, Germany24
Special design approved by E.ON, Germany24B
Special design approved by LEAG, Germany24C
Special request (on special agreement with customer)29
Contact

Please contact us! We are glad to advise you and help with your selection.

Otto-von-Guericke-Allee 12
39179 Barleben
Phone +49 (0) 392 03 / 79 - 0
Fax +49 (0) 392 03 / 53 30