Description

A silica gel breather is a moisture absorber that protects electrical equipment, like transformers, by drying the air drawn into the equipment's conservator tank during temperature changes. It consists of a container filled with silica gel crystals, a powerful desiccant that physically absorbs moisture from the air. As air passes through the gel, its moisture is captured, preventing it from degrading the transformer's insulating oil and thus maintaining the equipment's dielectric strength and lifespan. The silica gel changes color (typically from blue to pink or orange to green) as it absorbs moisture, signaling when it needs to be replaced or regenerated.