Transformer Oil Analysis: Insulation and Equipment Safety
What are Transformer Oil Tests?
What is Transformer Oil?
Transformer oil provides both electrical insulation and helps to cool the system. Factors such as electrical or thermal stress, chemical contamination cause malfunctions in transformers. Transformer oil is especially important in the cooling of transformers. Transformer oils must undergo testing and analysis for a number of reasons:
- Determination of basic electrical properties
- Determining the suitability of the oil for use
- Increasing component lifetime
- Reduction of oil cost
- Determination of the wear and tear of the transformer
- Electrical or thermal failures
- Determination of oil quality
Importance of Transformer Oil
- Providing Insulation: Transformer oils provide electrical isolation so that the high-voltage components inside the transformer can operate without damaging each other. This requires measuring the electrical durability and conductivity of transformer oils.
- Cooling: The transformer generates a large amount of heat when operating. The oil helps to transport this heat and prevents the transformer from overheating and causing damage. The cooling capacity is directly proportional to the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the oil.
- Protection and Cleaning: Transformer oils protect and keep metal surfaces clean. It plays a preventive role against problems such as oxidation and corrosion.
What are Transformer Oil Tests?
| Moisture analysis |
IEC 60814 |
| Dielectric Casting |
IEC 60156 |
| Acidity |
IEC 60296 |
| Interfacial surface tension (IFT) |
ISO 6295 |
| Dissipation factor and resistivity (DDF) |
IEC 60247 |
| Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) |
IEC 60567
IEC 60599 |
| PCB tests |
ASTM D4059 |
| Furan analysis |
IEC 61198 |
| DBPC Analysis |
ASTM D4768 |
| Density |
ASTM D4052 |
| Viscosity |
ASTM D445 |
| Corrosive Sulfur Test |
ASTM D1275B |
| Oxidation |
IEC 61125 |
| Sediment and mud |
AS 1883 |
| Flash Point |
ASTM D3828 |
| Pour Point |
ASTM D97 |
| Particle Count |
NAS 1638
ISO 4406 |
| Wear Metal Analysis |
ASTM D5185 |
| Degree of Polymerization |
ASTM D4243 |
Why Transformer Oil Analysis is Necessary?
- Equipment Safety: Regular analysis of transformer oil enables early detection of potential failures in high-voltage systems. If the electrical properties of the oil are degraded, this creates a risk of failure. Regular analysis minimizes the risk of failure.
- Oil Quality Monitoring: Transformer oil can oxidize over time, which can contaminate the oil and degrade its electrical insulation properties. Oil analysis monitors the level of oxidation and whether the oil is contaminated.
- Long-Term Efficiency: Efficient operation of transformers requires keeping the oil clean and efficient. Contaminants in the oil can reduce transformer performance. Oil analysis ensures that the oil provides consistently high performance.
- Environmental and Occupational Safety: Failures and high voltage losses can lead to serious environmental and safety risks. Transformer oil analysis identifies and prevents these risks at an early stage.
Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Transformer Oil Analysis. We also provide services in Mineral Oil Analysis.
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