Inside the Eight Truths of Transformer Reliability

When it comes to transformers, there are certain non-negotiables that every reliability program must get right. At PowerTest26 in Nashville, Jon Bucciarelli, president of SDMyers, went over those key considerations with EC&M Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson on March 2 following his presentation on “The Eight Truths of Transformer Reliability.” Hosted by NETA, the InterNational Electrical Testing Association, PowerTest26 brought together some of the most respected subject matter experts in the electrical power industry. In this interview, Bucciarelli explains that transformer failures should not be viewed as isolated electrical events, but as broader reliability and business failures that can have significant operational and financial consequences. Outlining several core principles for improving reliability programs, including applying asset criticality when prioritizing maintenance, understanding the insights available through dissolved gas analysis and oil testing, and recognizing the impact of operational stressors such as loading, temperature, moisture, and oxygen on insulation aging, Bucciarelli also discusses the importance of turning monitoring data into actionable maintenance decisions and evaluating transformers based on loading history and fleet-level risk management rather than nameplate age alone.