Transformer vibration monitoring using a wireless sensor network

Transformer vibration monitoring is often at present implemented under laboratory conditions. If it is to be used for preventative maintenance in the field, remote access, limited energy usage and data communications have to be taken into consideration. The present work describes results of a system using an IEEE 802.15.4 based wireless sensor network, a matrix of accelerometers and a communications gateway to measure the distribution of frequency amplitudes across a transformer tank surface.