SDB

Self dehydrating breather

Self dehydrating breather type SDB

The SDB maintenance free air breather was 1. Low environmental impact.
developed by COMEM with the goal of The SDB does not require periodical maintenance of the silica
achieving at least three important aims. gel salts, which effectively reduces the consumption of this
particularly precious natural raw material.

2. Reduction of maintenance costs.

Utilities that manage power transformer systems can
drastically reduce the servicing time required by their
personnel, as they no longer need to replace the salt.

3. Guarantee greater safety and control in the drying

function and thus of the transformer.
The technical features used in the SDB serve for constant
monitoring of the low humidity value of the incoming air to
the conservator.

SDB
Moisture can be reliably absorbed, thanks to the double tank solution

The flow of hot air generated by the fan prevents any possible This exclusive patent pending system of drying with double
formation of ice in the entrance filter, if the air breather is tanks offers the advantage of ensuring that, during intake
installed in areas with glacial climate. of the air into the transformer conservator, the air breather
After regeneration of the salts in tank A, the solenoid valve is de- tank in function is always the one with dehydrated salts and
energized and the airflow through tank B is inhibited. NOT the one subject to simultaneous regeneration.
To ensure that the next time the salts in this tank are also
dehydrated, regeneration of the salts in tank B automatically follows.

SDB-030 SDB-015 SDB-010

with double tank with coaxial tank single tank to be used in combination
with SDB-030 or SDB-015

2
Advantages Operating principle
• Continuous monitoring of the increased silicagel weight and con- In normal operation the outside air breathed by the conservator
trol at every cycle of correct salt regeneration. passes through the salt tanks “A” and in this passage any moisture is
• Overall reduction of the environmental impact with respect to eliminated.As they absorb the moisture in the air, the weight of the
conventional air breathers, as salt replacement is no longer salts increases which is constantly monitored by a weighing cell.
needed. The data collected is sent to an electronic control circuit (Patent
• Overall reduction of maintenance costs for the transformer, as the pending solution).
operation of salt replacement is eliminated. When the weight increase exceeds the preset value (value
• Reduction of the number of inspections to the new air breather, established with an experimental test process), a solenoid valve
that can be made together with normal maintenance of the trans- blocks the passage of air through the salt tank A and deviates it
former. through “plenum chamber” B. At the same time, a heating system
• Thanks to the double tank solution, we can drastically reduce any inside tank A is activated. The water vapor leaving the silicagel is
moisture entering the transformer. expelled outward by a fan, that also dissipates the heat. Inside the
salt, a probe controls the temperature of the heating element.

Diagram during normal operation Diagram of operation during regeneration

of tank A

To conservator To conservator

Plenum Tank A Plenum Tank A

chamber B chamber B

Electroniccontrol Electroniccontrol
circuit circuit

Air inlet/outlet Air inlet/outlet

3
Overall dimensions type SDB-030

302 (11.88")

88.5

CENTERING

12
SCREWS

711 (28")
753 (29.64")

M10

ANTIVIBRATION = = ANTIVIBRATION
INLET/ INLET/ 30 110 213 DEVICE
DEVICE 195 (7.68")
OUTLET AIR OUTLET AIR
323.5 (12.79")

N°2 CABLE GLANDS TYPE

M25x1.5

X DETAIL

394 (15.5") Ø130

EYE-BOLT Ø42

X DETAIL N°4 HOLES Ø14

100 (3.93")
EYE-BOLT

The double tank solution is reliable and drastically reduces any moisture entering the transformer

4
Overall dimensions type SDB-015

CENTERING
SCREWS

12 (0.47")
721 (28.38")
764 (30.07")

M10

ANTIVIBRATION
DEVICE

INLET/ 30 (1.18") 110 (4.33") 213 (8.38")

N°2 CABLE GLANDS TYPE
OUTLET AIR M25x1.5
323 (12.71")

DETAIL X

X DETAIL N°4 HOLES Ø14 (0.55")

EYE-BOLT

100 (3.93")

EYE-BOLT

Ø42 (1.65")

Ø130 (5.12")
207 (8.15")

The coaxial tank allows you to have the advantages of the double tank while having a compact configuration

5
Overall dimensions type SDB-010

CENTERING
SCREWS

12 (0.47")
MAIN TANK
CONNECTION (1/4"G)

713 (28.07")
756 (29.76")

M10

ANTIVIBRATION
DEVICE 110(4.33") 213 (8.38")
INLET/
OUTLET AIR
30 (1.18") 323.5 (12.73")

DETAIL X

N°4 HOLES Ø14

X DETAIL

100 (3.93")

Ø42

Ø130 (5.12")
207 (8.15")

The single tank used in combination with the SDB-030 or SDB-015 allows you to have the same advantages
as the other models while reducing the total cost.

6
SDB-010 operating principle

During the normal operation the oil conservator intakes air that At the same time, a heating system inside tank 1 is activated. The
passes through the metallic filter. The metallic filter stops dust, water vapor leaving the silica gel is expelled outward by a fan
sand and other particles from the contaminating air. The air then that also dissipates the heat.
passes through the salt tank 1. Inside the salt, a probe controls the temperature of the heating
The salt tank is filled with silica gel that absorbs the moisture. element.
The dehydrated air goes through piping to the oil conservator. During the functioning of the device, the weighing cell
When the silica gel absorbs the moisture in the air, the weight temperature is monitored by a temperature sensor mounted in
of the salt increases and is constantly monitored by a weighing the upper part.
cell. When the weight increases and exceeds the pre-set value a After the salt regeneration in tank 1 (timed regeneration), the
solenoid valve blocks the passage of air through salt tank 1 and solenoid valve is de-energized.
deviates through the main self-dehydrating breather by the pipe No maintenance is required for replacement and regeneration of
connected on one of the two plug. the desiccant.

SDB-030 SDB-010

7
Self dehydrating breather type SDB

SDB-010 SDB-015 SDB-030

Standard connection flange DN40 flange in accordance with standard UNI EN 1092-1:2003

Maximum oil volume 45 m3, 40 tons oil, 12,000 gals 45 m3, 40 tons oil, 12,000 gals 90 m3, 80 tons oil, 24,000 gals

Standard color RAL 9002

Ambient temperature -40-60 °C / -40-140 °F ***

Degree of protection IP45 in accordance with EN60529 (except power panel)

Weight 22 kg / 48.5 lb 28 kg / 61.7 lb 37 kg / 81.6 lb

tank 1 with approx. 2 kg / 4.4 lb
tank 1 with approx. Two tanks with approx.
Salt weight and tank 2 with approx.
2.0 Kg / 4.4 lb of silica gel 3 kg / 6.6 lb of silica gel each
1.5 Kg -/ 3.3 lb of silica gel
Vibration damping Optional antivibration supports can be anchored to the transformer
Special painting for moderate salinity areas.
Environmental application
Special treatment for off-shore areas (on request) acc. to ISO 12944
Functional test Available

Power panel

Degree of protection IP65 in accordance with EN 60259

Ventilation valve Available

Cable gland (optional) Two M25x1.5 (Fig. 2/H)

4 mm2, AWG 24-10 flexible cables with or without terminals.
Wires
For digital/analog output advised 4x1 mm2 (4x0.00155”2) / 2x1 mm2 (2x0,0155”2) shielded twisted pair cable
Power supply

Supply voltage 230 VAC ± 10% 50/60 Hz

Current consumption Max 100 mA

Current consumption
2.5A****
(during regeneration process)
Heating element insulation 2 kV 50/60 Hz, 1 min, power terminals - ground /// contacts - ground
Voltage Current Braking capacity
Breaking capacity 230V AC 2A cosϕ >0,5
500VA
30/100/220V DC 10/03/0,12A L/R < 40 ms
Analog output

Signal output 4-20 mA (dielectric strength between electronic card and analog output 1000 V)

Digital output (optional)

Supply voltage 24V DC ± 10% polarized

Digital output Serial RS485 (Modbus protocol)

Signal contacts

Power failure 1 change over contact, maximum 2 A at 230 V AC

System failure 1 change over contact, maximum 2 A at 230 V AC

** For critical environmental conditions please contact COMEM

*** Below -20 °C / -4 °F the inscriptions on the display disappear until the temperature reaches over -20 °C / -4 °F again
**** At -40 °C / °F the current consumption during the regeneration process is 4.5 A

8
Wiring terminals

Standard:
- POWER FAILURE (terminals 22-24-21) - change-over contact:
NO contact: terminals 24-21
SYSTEM POWER POWER ANALOG RS 485

NC contact: terminals 21-22 FAILURE FAILURE SUPPLY OUTPUT GROUND OUTPUT

- POWER SUPPLY: 12 14 11 22 24 21 31 32 41 44 1 2 3 4

terminals 31-32
- SYSTEM FAILURE (terminal 12-14-11) - change-over contact:
NO contact: terminals 14-11
NC contact: terminals 11-12
- ANALOG OUTPUT 4÷20 mA:
terminals 41-44
- DIGITAL OUTPUT RS485 (optional): + - + - B A

DC Supply: terminals 1-2 230V AC 4÷20 mA 24V DC

Digital Signal: terminals 3-4

- DATA LOG

Available on demand: RS 485

POWER POWER ANALOG
- POWER FAILURE (terminals 22-21) - NC contact:
HEATER
ON FAILURE SUPPLY OUTPUT GROUND OUTPUT

NC contact: terminals 24-21 12 14 11 22 21 31 32 41 44 1 2 3 4

- HEATER ON (terminals 12-14-11) - change over contact:

NO contact: terminals 14-11
NC contact: terminals 11-12
- ANALOG OUTPUT 4÷20 mA:
terminals 41-44
- DIGITAL OUTPUT RS485 (optional):
DC Supply: terminals 1-2 + - + - B A

Digital Signal: terminals 3-4 230V AC 4÷20 mA 24V DC

- DATA LOG

9
Self dehydrating breather type SDB

Identification codes
1 (letter) E Air Breather
2 (letter) C Corrosion protection = moderate salinity areas acc. to ISO 12944
5 Corrosion protection = off-shore areas acc. to ISO 12944
3 (letter) A SDB-030
B SDB-015
C SDB-010
4 (letter) A With flange DN40 acc. to UNI EN 1092-1:2007

Model selection
The below number and size of Self Dehydrating Breathers are ‘Rule of Thumb’ recommendations for the devices in question. This is to
be considered as a guide only and should not replace good design and engineering practice and experience

SDB type Power consumption* Silicagel**

Tap Changers SDB-010 575 W 2 Kg

Network transformer < 40 MVA SDB-015 575 W 2 Kg

Network transformer >40 MVA <200 MVA SDB-030 575 W 3 Kg

Network transformer >200 MVA 2xSDB-030 1150 W 6 Kg

Phase shifting transformers SDB-015 575 W 2 Kg

Shunt reactors >40 Mvar <200 Mvar SDB-030 575 W 3 Kg

Shunt reactors >200 Mvar 2xSDB-030 1150 W 6 Kg

HVDC transformers 2xSDB-030 1150 W 6 Kg

Furnace transformers SDB-030 575 W 3 Kg

GSU transformers 2xSDB-030 1150 W 6 Kg

* during the heating procedure

** main tank

10
11
Strada Regionale 11, Signolo 22 Due to technical product updates, the information
contained in this catalogue may be subject to change
36054 Montebello Vicentino (VI) - ITALY without notice.
Tel. +39 0444 449311
© Copyright 2013 COMEM.
Fax +39 0444 449352 - 440359 All rights reserved.
E-mail: [email protected]
Ed. 02/2013
www.comem.com