Which component is crucial to monitor for electrical faults in a transformer?

Monitoring the secondary winding of a transformer is crucial for identifying potential electrical faults because this is where the transformed voltage is delivered to the load. Any issues such as short circuits, insulation breakdown, or overloading can originate from the secondary winding, leading to serious operational problems and reliability concerns. By keeping a close watch on this component, technicians can detect abnormalities in voltage levels, current flow, and temperature, allowing for early intervention before a fault escalates into a major failure.

While the housing insulation, primary circuit, and cooling system are important for overall transformer health and operation, the secondary winding is typically the focus for fault monitoring due to its direct impact on power delivery and the associated risks of failure. The secondary winding experiences the effects of load variations and is directly involved in the electrical output, making it a key indicator of performance issues.