When transformer health is in question, utilities need quick answers. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) remains one of the most powerful tools for detecting early warning signs, but results are only valuable if they are accurate, delivered fast, and accessible in the field.
For years, the Doble Myrkos has set the standard for on-site DGA. With the launch of Myrkos 2, Doble has set the benchmark higher.
Steve Brauer, in Multi-Gas DGA, Condition Monitoring Division at Doble, says Myrkos 2 continues to deliver what utilities value most: lab-quality results in just minutes, and on the transformer site. Central to this accuracy is the Myrkos 2 ShakeTest™ method, a technique that extracts gas directly in the oil sampling vessel. By eliminating the transfer step required by other analysers, ShakeTest prevents gas loss and contamination, ensuring more reliable results.
Unlike infrared-based systems that can be skewed by alcohols, acids, or heavy hydrocarbons in the oil, Myrkos is a portable gas chromatograph, the same trusted technology used by DGA laboratories worldwide. Each gas species is separated and measured individually, giving utilities confidence in the data even for older transformers with complex oil chemistry. And it works with all types of transformer liquid: mineral oils, silicone, and both natural and synthetic esters. Accuracy is ensured through daily calibration with NIST-traceable gas, a standard practice in leading labs. And with up to nine hours of autonomous battery life, Myrkos 2 is designed for a full day of testing in the field without interruption.
Making measurement easier
On top of its trusted accuracy, Myrkos 2 introduces several improvements that make it easier and more efficient to use in the field. A redesigned aluminium-alloy calibration gas cylinder extends shelf life from 18 months to 30 months (2.5 years), reducing replacement needs and lowering maintenance costs. The portable controller has been upgraded with a larger 14-inch display, making results easier to view and analyse on site.
Myrkos 2 is also more easily portable and durable. All tools, cables, and accessories fit into a weatherproof rollable case, facilitating transport across substations or between job sites. Improved cable management, a more accessible power switch, and clearly marked stowage for each accessory make set-up and take-down simpler and more intuitive. A reinforced mechanical design reduces the risk of damage in transport.
Ease of use extends into the software as well. The updated PPMreport4 platform introduces expanded acceptance criteria that simplify daily calibration while continuing to guide users through every step, from oil sampling to report generation. Together, these updates enable field teams to focus on making decisions, rather than troubleshooting equipment.
Key features
The gas chromatography method used in Myrkos 2 provides laboratory-grade sensitivity and accuracy in the field, which infrared-based systems cannot easily match. Results are available in as little as two minutes, enabling quick, confident decisions without the delays of sending samples to a lab. For added diagnostic power, Myrkos 2 can also measure oxygen and nitrogen levels with a second ShakeTest sample.
Software support further enhances the user experience. PPMreport4 offers guided workflows and customisable reports. Included with Myrkos 2, MyrkosView and InsideView provide intuitive diagnostic tools that help engineers move from data to action. The test kit thus provides an integrated solution that, as well as producing accurate on-site DGA results, also makes them easy to interpret and share across teams.
With Myrkos 2, utilities have the accuracy and sensitivity they’ve come to expect together with enhanced portability, durability, and usability. Field crews can rely on Myrkos for fast, lab-quality insight without waiting for lab confirmation, and utilities benefit from tools that help them make confident, data-driven decisions to protect critical assets.
When it comes to transformer health, every minute, and every measurement, matters.
For more information visit: www.doble.com