The mechanical condition of transformer windings is closely related to its withstand ability to short-circuits.Therefore

it is of great significance to investigate the corresponding detection method. The vibration-based analysis has received extensive attention because it can sensitively reflect the mechanical condition of windings

easily to be applied to on-line monitoring

and has no direct electrical interference to the system. We reviewed the relevant literature

including the research on the vibration mechanism and characteristics of the core and windings

correlation between the internal vibration and tank vibration

influence of non-fault factors on transformer vibration characteristics

and the extraction on the vibration features of the faulty windings and the relevant diagnosis. Moreover

we discussed the equivalence in simulating the core’s modal characteristics

the limitation of the traditional mass-spring-damping model of winding axial vibration

the internal vibration transmission characteristics to the tank

and the diagnosis based on discrete frequency as well as the broadband vibration signals.At last

we proposed the content and direction worthy of further research in the future

including establishing core’s vibration models with the interaction between silicon steels

investigating the influence of transformer oil on vibration characteristics of windings and the core

analyzing the contribution of different vibrating sources to tank vibration

and enhancing the research on vibration-based mechanical condition monitoring through broadband vibration signals.