MESSKO® MTraB®–

MAINTENANCE-FREE DEHYDRATING
BREATHER
OF THE PREMIUM SERIES
TWICE AS RELIABLE AND
SIMPLY EFFECTIVE.
WW W.R EIN HAU S E N.COM
MESSKO ® MTraB ® PREMIUM SERIES

MESSKO® MTraB® PREMIUM SERIES –

THE WAY TO ASSET MANAGEMENT.
Longer and longer operating times coupled
with constantly growing current densities
for power transformers have led to
continuously increasing demands on
quality and the reduction of life cycle
costs of transformers and equipment.

Conventional dehydrating breathers, which are still filled with

silica gel or similar drying agents, are still in use in many places
today for typical applications (transformers, on-load tap-chan-
gers or industrial processes). The absorbing capacity (hygrosco-
picity) of the drying agent is exhausted after 3 to 12 months
depending on the type of application, and the drying agent must
then be replaced. The periodic visual inspections and the regular
replacement of the drying agent represent a significant cost
factor. MESSKO® MTraB® DB100 and DB200D-T with filter heater

The MESSKO® MTraB® maintenance-free dehydrating breather is

the perfect solution to this problem. The silica gel in the silica
gel chamber is dehydrated by a sensor-controlled heater element
that is installed. This minimizes the visual inspections, and the
expensive, regular replacement of the drying agent is no longer
necessary. With more than several tens of thousands installed
units since its introduction to the market in 2003, the MESSKO®
MTraB® dehydrating breather has contributed to the significant
reduction of the life cycle costs for many customers around the
world. In addition, a transformer’s total operating reliability is
increased since there is no more risk of moisture penetration if
the conventional dehydrating breather is replaced too late.

Features / Options

l Controller (α, β and γ) adjusted to application-specific

model of the devices (see table of applications)
l Use of glass cylinders to optimize the regeneration process and
for excellent weather resistance
l DIN flange for optimal mounting
l Test button for performing self-tests
l Filter heater for use down to –50 °C (optional)
l Data logger for recording of important MESSKO® MTraB®
events (optional)
l Offshore model with special flange, lacquered connection
box as per protection class C5-M and stainless steel cable
gland (optional)
l Protection of electrical cables from damage such as animal
bite (optional)
MESSKO® MTraB® DB200
THE PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION:
SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE.
During normal operation, the air flowing to the oil conservator
is guided over the drying agent (silica gel) which then dehy-
drates the air. The degree of air moisture in the pipe is measured
continuously with a moisture sensor and the results are for-
warded to the electronic controller.

If the moisture content (% rF) of the air in the pipe exceeds

a certain specified value, the self-regulating heater element
in the silica gel chamber is activated. The water vapor es-
caping from the silica gel condenses on the specially desig- MESSKO® MTraB® DB100
ned bottom element and drips out of the stainless steel filter.

The temperature sensor is used by the controller to monitor the

correct operation of the heating element. An additional heating
system (optional) can also be used to prevent the filter system Test button
from freezing when outside temperatures are low.

The measured temperature value of the pipe line (dehydrating

breather) is output by the controller as an analog signal. Mal-
functions of the controller or the heating system are indicated
on a fail-safe, continuously powered contact.

Many power companies have started retrofit programs and

are replacing conventional dehydrating breathers with the
MESSKO® MTraB®. The MESSKO® MTraB® is the perfect solution
for these retrofit projects, because it is available in many
different flange designs!

MESSKO® MTraB® stainless steel filter and filter heater

Comparison:
MESSKO® MTraB® PREMIUM SERIES Conventional dehydrating breather
The visual checks can be reduced to a minimum and performed Regular visual inspections to check the degree of moisture of the
together with other inspection and maintenance work drying agent during the entire operating lifetime of the transformer
Massive cost savings since the expensive, regular replacement Regular replacement of the drying agent during
of the drying agent is no longer necessary the entire operating life of the transformer
Sensor-controlled “heating up” of the silica gel; Tremendous costs due to frequent refilling of the drying agent,
control via moisture and temperature sensors in particular in areas where humidity is always high
No environmental pollution or disposal problems Environmental pollution and problems with disposal
because of old drying agents because of old drying agents
More efficient dehydration due to larger contact surface Less efficient dehydration
and the physical setup
Maintenance-free system; increased operating reliability High risk for the transformer when maintenance is not performed
THE RIGHT MESSKO® MTraB®
PREMIUM SERIES TYPE FOR
EVERY APPLICATION.
α-controller*): Recommended for use on on-load tap-changers,
arc suppression coils and traction transformers. The dehydrating
breather is only heated when needed (its state is monitored for
hydration).

β-controller*): Self-learning system which is recommended for use

on transformers with cyclical loads (see table of applications). In
addition to monitoring the hydration, a time window is determi-
ned during which the oil conservator exhales, and the dehydrating
chambers are regenerated.

γ-controller*): Recommended for special applications such as

cavern transformers, furnace transformers and GSU transformers
with non-periodical breathing behavior. If the moisture content
of the air flowing in the direction of the transformer exceeds
a specified value, the silica gel chambers are regenerated in
sequence.

MESSKO® MTraB® DB200G

Application MESSKO® MTraB® PREMIUM SERIES Controller*

Tap changers DB100 α
Arc suppression coil (Petersen coil) DB100 α
Air-filled junction box DB100 α
Traction transformers DB100 α
Network transformers ≤ 40 MVA DB100T β
Network and generator step-up transformers > 40 MVA ≤ 200 MVA DB200T β
Generator and network intertie transformers > 200 MVA DB200D-T or 2 x DB200T β
Phase shifting transformers ≤ 40 MVA DB100T β
Phase shifting transformers > 40 MVA ≥ 200 MVA DB200T β
Phase shifting transformers > 200 MVA DB200D-T or 2 x DB200T β
Shunt reactors ≤ 40 MVar DB100T β
Shunt reactors > 40 MVar ≤ 200 MVar DB200T β
Shunt reactors > 200 MVar DB200D-T or 2 x DB200T β
HVDC transformers DB200D-T or 2 x DB200T β
Furnace transformers DB200G γ
Cavern transformers DB200G γ
GSU transformers DB200G γ
THE MESSKO® MTraB® DATA LOGGER.
The MESSKO® MTraB® data logger lets you record the functional
progression of the dehydrating breather (including the silica gel
regeneration process) and thus also the air exchange of both the
transformer and the on-load tap-changer. This information can
then be read on a mobile computer. You can use the included
software to evaluate the data and further optimize operational
readiness and life span of the transformer.

MESSKO® MTraB® control unit with data logger

MESSKO® MTraB® PREMIUM SERIES Technical Data

Material All outside parts resistant to weather, transformer oil, salt water and UV;
Offshore model available on request
Flange connection DIN flange similar to DIN 42562-3; customer-specific flanges on request
Color Flanges: natural anodized; junction box: RAL 7033 or 7038
Setup Inside and outside
Ambient temperature 0 to +80 °C (alternative for HT version: -50 to +80 °C)
Type of protection IP 55 as per EN 60 529
Weight DB100: approx. 8 kg; DB200: approx. 12 kg; DB200D: approx. 28 kg; DB200G: approx. 31 kg
Drying agent Colorless, non-poisonous silica gel
Self-monitoring 1 x signaling relay for regeneration active/inactive; 1 x signaling relay for device error
Terminal box
Junction box Ventilated and heated to prevent water from condensing
Cable glands 3 x M20 x 1.5 or 3 x 1/2“ - 14 NPT
Connection terminals 4 mm2, AWG 24-10 (single-wire or flexible with core end sleeve)
Status indication LED outside: 1 x green LED: power on; 1 x yellow LED: regeneration active; 1 x red LED flashing: device error;
Analog output
Output -40 to +80 °C (temperature of the air in the pipe connection piece)
Output signal 4 to 20 mA (0 to 1 mA or 0 to 20 mA optional)
Fault signal < 3.6 mA (only for 4 to 20 mA output signal)
HT-Version
Filter heater We recommend the HT version with filter heater for use in cold regions (ambient temperature
under -5 °C for 20 consecutive days) to ensure function at lowest temperatures (20 W)
Cable protection Protection of electrical cables from damage such as animal bite (optional)
Messko GmbH
Gewerbegebiet An den Drei Hasen
Messko-Platz 1
61440 Oberursel, Germany

Phone: +49 6171 6398 0

Fax: +49 6171 6398 98
E-mail: messko-info@reinhausen.com

www.reinhausen.com/messko

Please note:
The data in our publications may differ from
the data of the devices delivered. We reserve
the right to make changes without notice.

IN2072/09/01 EN – MESSKO® MTraB® PREMIUM SERIES –

MS99089104 - 05/17 – ©Messko GmbH 2017