Amid preparations for the 2015-2016 winter season specialists of Ulyanovsk Distribution Grids, a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC (a member of Rosseti Group of Companies) inspect operational availability and technical condition of oil facilities operated and maintained by the branch. Inspections of oil facilities included checks of oil line arrangement, condition of oil sump tanks and auxiliary equipment, operability of air-drying filters. Specialists re-applied surface coating on all reservoirs and oil lines and reconditioned signage, conventional and warning signs and hazard symbols. All valves and fittings were inspected and replaced as needed. Substation Service employees completed maintenance of oil cleaning facilities and inspection of the lighting system. Special consideration was given to keeping oil facilities and people safe and secure. Specialists checked operability of earth-fault protection for tanks and reservoirs and availability of fire-fighting equipment. Where necessary, oil spill containment and diversionary structures to contain oil-contaminated drainage in case of emergency were reconstructed. Specialists of the regional service for insulation and surge-voltage protection perform transformer oil sampling. Oil samples undergo stringent quality testing procedures, to verify compliance with all applicable standards and requirements. Quality assurance tests are carried out at the accredited laboratory, using state-of-the-art equipment and up-to-date testing methods. Besides, specialists carry out periodic checks to ensure required quality and availability of transformer oil service stock. A minimum inventory level for transformer oil is set as two percent of oil in oil-filled equipment. “All technical and organizational measures are aimed to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of oil facilities used for storage and pre-operational handling of transformer oil used at our power facilities,” noted Nikolay Kolesnikov, Deputy Chief Engineer for Technical Development and Operations of Ulyanovsk DG.