Moisture Reduction
Protect Your Transformer's Lifespan Without a Day of Downtime
Why moisture is your transformer's silent killer.
Moisture doesn’t just live in your transformer oil. It also lives in the paper insulation, where the real danger lies. The paper insulation provides the electrical insulation that keeps conductors safely separated. It also has to withstand the mechanical and electrical stresses a transformer experiences as it ages. As moisture degrades the paper, it grows brittle and loses that strength in ways that can’t be undone.
The math is unforgiving: every time moisture content doubles, paper lifespan is cut in half. And every year you delay, you lose approximately two years of reliable service. Degraded paper insulation also dramatically increases your risk of flashover and dielectric failure. This kind of catastrophic event can take your operation offline without warning.
If one transformer is showing moisture alerts, the rest of your fleet is likely only a step behind.
Your Moisture Removal Options:
DryMax®
Online passive dehydration system that connects directly to a live transformer for as long as it takes to remove moisture from oil and paper insulation while it remains in service.
Field Dehydration
Uses heat and vacuum to remove moisture from the oil as it circulates through the unit.
Field Dry Out
Heat and direct vacuum are applied to the transformer tank after the unit is completely drained of fluid. Cold traps are used to collect and measure the drying process.
Factory Dry Out
The transformer is removed from service, drained, and transported to a transformer repair facility. Ovens, heat and vacuum equipment, and vapor phase drying are used to dry the transformer.
Specifications
DryMax®
Field Dehydration
Field Dry Out
Factory Dry Out
Important note: Leak repairs should be addressed prior to proceeding with the chosen method of dehydration.
DryMax® - The Online Passive Dryer Solution
An online passive dryer is the most recommended field procedure to dry a transformer. Unlike traditional moisture-reduction methods that force you offline, DryMax® connects directly to your live transformer and runs for as long as needed to completely remove moisture from oil and paper insulation. From the moment of installation, it prevents further degradation of your paper insulation while actively restoring your transformer to optimal condition.
The result: Extended transformer life, reduced failure risk, and zero disruption to your operations.
Choose Your DryMax® Deployment Strategy
Flexible programs designed to protect your entire fleet.
Service-Only Program
Best for: Multiple transformers with immediate moisture issues
- Get remedial moisture reduction without long-term equipment investment
- Ideal when you need to address several units quickly
- Full SDMyers service and support included
- No capital commitment required
Mobile Installation
Best for: Fleet-wide moisture management
- One DryMax® unit services multiple transformers
- Equipment moves across your fleet as needed
- Addresses the full scope of your moisture challenges
- Most cost-effective for multiple wet transformers
Permanent Installation
Best for: Critical transformers under extreme loads
- One dedicated DryMax® unit per transformer
- Installed for the lifetime of the equipment
- Continuous protection for your most essential assets
- Complete service package included
Equipment Redeployment
Best for: Existing DryMax® owners
- Update your current unit with remote monitoring
- Full service and reinstallation support
- Maximize your existing investment
A Complete Fleet Protection Approach
01
Assessment & Planning
We evaluate your fleet's moisture levels and operating conditions to recommend the optimal combination of programs for your specific needs.
02
Installation & Connection
DryMax® units are connected to your energized transformers with minimal disruption. Service begins immediately.
03
Active Moisture Removal
DryMax® continuously processes oil, removing moisture from paper insulation while your equipment operates normally.
04
Monitoring & Adjustment
We track moisture PPM levels throughout the process, adjusting as needed until stable, acceptable levels are achieved.
Why Partner with SDMyers?
60+ years of transformer maintenance expertise.
Partner with reliability experts who understand that transformer moisture is rarely an isolated problem.
Fleet-wide thinking.
We help you protect all your equipment, not just today's problem.
Energized solutions.
Keep operating while we restore your assets.
Tailored programs.
No one-size-fits-all — we design solutions for your operating reality.
ISO-certified quality.
Consistent service backed by industry-leading standards.
Ongoing support.
From installation through monitoring, we're your long-term partners.
Resources
We’re the transformer experts so you don’t have to be. Explore resources backed by 60+ years of end-to-end transformer care experience and diagnostics data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transformer moisture reduction is the process of removing water from both the insulating oil and the paper insulation inside a transformer. This is critical because moisture accelerates insulation aging, reduces dielectric strength, and significantly increases the risk of failure.
Moisture causes irreversible damage to paper insulation — the most critical component of your transformer. As moisture levels rise, insulation strength drops and aging accelerates. In fact, every time moisture content doubles, the expected life of the insulation is cut in half.
Yes. Advanced online drying solutions like DryMax® are specifically designed to connect to energized transformers and remove moisture continuously — without requiring downtime. This allows you to improve transformer health while maintaining normal operations.
DryMax® continuously circulates and processes transformer oil, removing moisture and creating conditions that draw water out of the paper insulation. Over time, this reduces total moisture content throughout the transformer system — not just in the oil.
The timeline depends on the transformer’s size, condition, and moisture levels. Moisture reduction is not an instant process — especially when removing water from solid insulation — but DryMax® begins protecting insulation immediately and continues improving conditions over time.
Talk with a Transformer Expert
Get a free quote or consultation — we’re here to help.
Call (330) 630-7000 or fill out the form to connect with an SDMyers transformer expert today.
