Reliable transformers – keeping data centres operational Data centres have become core to modern business and government operations. Because every transaction, every file and every critical system depends on uninterrupted power, downtime can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory consequences. Here, Mawethu Ngubo, T&D Business Development Specialist at ACTOM T&D makes the point that the first step to maintaining power stability is ensuring transformer reliability. Plant maintenance, test + measurement
are in place, maintenance must go beyond surface checks. Regular testing, monitoring, and predictive tools can spot early signs of trouble before they develop into serious failures. By investing in routine condition checks and acting quickly on potential issues, operators can extend transformer life, reduce downtime, and keep data centres running smoothly. Enhanced reliability Modern transformer technology prioritises reliability and responsibility, oering robust solutions for various applications. Dry-type transformers are particularly well-suited for use in data centres data centres due to their minimal maintenance requirements, environmental friendliness, and inherent safety features like self-extinguishing insulation. For applications demanding higher eiciency, liquid-insulated transformers using fire-safe fluids provide comparable performance and can oer enhanced protection against overheating and fire hazards. Alongside such design improvements, modern monitoring systems make it possible to track key performance indicators in real time, such as temperature, voltage, load levels, and insulation strength. By keeping a constant eye on these factors, operators can spot small issues early and take corrective action before they grow into costly failures. This approach makes safety and sustainability central to transformer operation, ensuring that data centres stay secure, eicient, and prepared for the future. Reducing costs and ensuring operational continuity Because the reliability of transformers is key to operational continuity for data centres, Implementing redundancy strategies, such as deploying multiple transformers or units with higher capacities, enables maintenance activities or unexpected failures to occur without disrupting critical operations. Furthermore, energy-eicient transformer designs oer a significant advantage as data centres expand, as they reduce power losses and decrease cooling demands. Achieving long-term reliability calls for: stable power, safe and sustainable transformer design, and proactive maintenance with ongoing monitoring. Prioritising these three areas helps to keep data centres operational, protects client trust, and minimises the risk of costly downtime. Although they are o¦en operating behind the scenes, transformers have a profound impact on data centres. They keep servers running, data secure, and operations uninterrupted. Investing in safe, sustainable transformers, and maintaining them well, flips a potential vulnerability into a competitive edge. For data centres, reliability is much deeper than hardware – it is the foundation on which trust, uptime, and long-term success are built.
Reliable, fit-for-purpose well-maintained transformers ensure steady power supply to keep data centres running smoothly.
T he operational continuity of a data centre is directly linked to the performance of the transformers in the power network. Robust design, meticulous maintenance, and real-time monitoring are therefore essential for preventing failures and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Without reliable transformers, data centres face a much higher risk of downtime. Transformers make sure that servers, storage, and networking equipment receive the right amount of power at all times. They also protect sensitive systems from surges, spikes, and other power disturbances that could damage equipment or cause outages. In busy, high-density data centres, even a small power fluctuation can quickly spread across racks of servers and disrupt operations. The impact of this kind of disruption goes far beyond disrupted operations. Lost transactions, interrupted services, and damaged data can all carry serious financial and reputational costs. This is why transformer reliability needs to be recognised as a business priority. By keeping the power supply stable, reliable transformers prevent outages, keep operations running smoothly, and help data centres maintain the trust of their clients. Common causes of transformer failure Transformers may fail as a result of various causes, and each one can put a data centre at risk of costly downtime. One of the most common issues is overloading, which happens when a transformer is forced to carry more demand than it was designed to carry. This causes overheating and can lead to sudden failure. Insulation inside the transformer also wears out over time, especially in hot or humid conditions, which raises the risk of short circuits. Power surges and faults in the wider electrical system can cause immediate damage, while dust, poor airflow, or other environmental stresses make problems worse. The best way to prevent these risks is to take a proactive approach. It starts with choosing transformers that are sized for current needs and allow for future growth. Once the transformers
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22 Electricity + Control FEBRUARY 2026
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