Research   The MTH Model Click for document #1-2 In 1995, an extensive research program on the energetic transfer phenomenon that occurs within a transformer during a short-circuit was implemented. The mechanism of oil decomposition under thermal effects was analyzed and resulted in the development of a Magneto-Thermo-Hydrodynamic model (MTH). Accurate calculations were performed on transformers whose operational characteristics were previously measured experimentally. MTH model calculation was validated in collaboration with SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, France Transformers. Electrical arc simulation meshing Power Plant Transformers Click for document #3 Due to the generator inertia, power plant transformers suffer harsher fault conditions than transmission and distribution transformers. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the explosion of a power plant step-up transformer to design a system capable of preventing any kind of incident on any kind of transformer. During this investigation, it was discovered that electrical arcs inside transformer oil could produce pressure gradients from 300 up to 930 bar/second (4,300 to 13,500 psi/sec). The adjacent picture shows the MTH technique used  to simulate electrical arcs.       2-D Pressure Relief Valve fluid flow image, 60% opened. Pressure Relief Valve Click for document #4 For more than 30 years, Pressure Relief Valves have been used to protect transformer tanks. However, all transformers that explode are equipped with this device. The incapability of Pressure Relief Valves to release the pressure in these cases led  to conduct their dynamic mechanical study. In fact, such calculation could not be conducted until the pressure gradients during short-circuit conditions were discovered . Click for documents #1 and #3 Pressure Relief Valves are limited by: • The spring inertia that delays their response time and opening • The U-shaped exhaust evacuation that creates energy losses and reduces the pressure evacuation speed • Their geometry because when it is half opened, the evacuation surface does not exceed 15% of the maximum evacuation surface   Evolution of pressure with different protection systems for a small 60 bar/second (870psi/s) pressure gradient. Transformer Protector; and Pressure Relief Valve comparison Click for document #4 The Transformer Protector and Pressure Relief Valve behaviors have been simulated under the same short-circuit conditions in order to compare their performances. For each simulated case: • The Transformer Protector surpassed the Pressure Relief Valve and prevented the transformer tank explosion • The Pressure Relief Valve never avoided transformer tank explosion