UP sees 33% decline in transformer damage

Uttar Pradesh appears to be turning the tide on one of the most persistent causes of local power outages—transformer failures

Uttar Pradesh appears to be turning the tide on one of the most persistent causes of local power outages—transformer failures. The number of transformer damage incidents across the state fell by nearly 33% in a year, suggesting that preventive maintenance, closer monitoring of overloaded equipment and fixing responsibility for transformer burnouts are beginning to yield results.

Data from the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) shows that transformer failures declined from 4,009 in 2024 to 2,709 in 2025, a reduction of 1,300 incidents.

The decline has also been recorded among transformers of 100 kVA and above, which handle comparatively heavier loads and are consequently more exposed to overloading and thermal stress.

Financial accountability

One of the key measures credited with improving transformer reliability is the power department’s decision to introduce financial accountability for transformer damage.

Under an order issued in March, the cost of repairing burnt transformers can be recovered from officials considered responsible, with the amount distributed among engineers at different levels depending on the capacity of the transformer.

For transformers of 10-63 kVA, the recovery is divided as 50% from the junior engineer, 30% from the sub-divisional officer and 20% from the executive engineer.

For 100-250 kVA transformers, the junior engineer and SDO bear 40% each, while 20% is recovered from the executive engineer.

For larger 400-1,000 kVA transformers, the recovery is divided among the junior engineer, SDO and executive engineer at 30% each, with the remaining 10% assigned to the superintending engineer.

Officials attribute the reduction to increased preventive inspections, better monitoring of transformers and timely action against overloading and other factors that contribute to equipment failure.

Despite the improvement, power engineers continue to identify overloading as one of the biggest threats to transformer life.

When a transformer operates continuously beyond its rated capacity, the temperature of its windings rises. Sustained overheating gradually damages insulation and can ultimately lead to winding failure and a complete burnout.

The problem becomes particularly acute during summer and other periods of peak demand, when consumption rises sharply and distribution transformers are pushed closer to—or beyond—their designed capacity.

Engineers have also identified low or deteriorated transformer oil as another important factor behind failures.

Sandeep Bhagia, managing director, Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, said bringing down the number of transformer damages is appreciable but it doesn’t mean we should relax. Instead, reports on the condition of transformers serving larger areas should be periodically submitted to senior officers so that corrective measures can be taken in time and consumers spared unnecessary inconvenience.