Transformer oil helps in insulation, works as a cooling agent, dissipates heat, and also comes with other benefits. Along with traditional naphtha oil and paraffinic oil, nowadays, many other alternatives are also available.
This article discusses four usually unknown aspects of transformer oils, which are
- Transformer oil vs. Synthetic Fluids
- The History of Mineral Transformer Oils
- The Precautions for Transformer Oil Breakdown Voltage Test
- The Reasons for Choosing a Reliable Company for Buying the Oil
Transformer Oil vs. Synthetic Fluids
Although most transformers today still use mineral oils, alternatives are available too. Various synthetic fluids can replace mineral oil as they come with a high fire point. i.e., over 300 degrees C. Also, they have higher flash points than regular mineral oils.
So, they are ideal for use in indoor areas and other places where you can face potential fire hazards. Pentaerythritol tetra fatty acid natural and synthetic esters are the most popular alternatives to mineral transformer oils.
The alternatives, including synthetic fluids, are biodegradable, which makes them more acceptable among people. Anyways, their costs are a little higher than regular mineral oils. For this reason, some people still cannot opt for it wholeheartedly.
Why and How Mineral Transformer Oils came into use
The history of the mineral transformer oils you see today traces back to the mid-1880s. Previously, transformers were built without any oil in them. They were small and dry. In 1887, Elihu Thomson started using oil in them.
He used oil to disperse the heavy heat from the transformer’s core platform. Thus, he aimed to increase the longevity of the machines. Also, he realised the necessity of insulation.
Eventually, transformer oil was invented and new types of oil are constantly emerging besides mineral oils.
Precautions for transformer oil breakdown voltage test
It is well-known that to ensure the oil’s quality, you must run a BVD test. BVD stands for Breakdown Voltage Test. However, taking certain precautions is essential for the test, which are as follows:
Precautions to be taken for sampling
- You should not take samples at the dead corners where the oil flow is insufficient.
- Seal the sample properly until it is used in the test.
- You should perform sampling on sunny days.
- Wash the sample bottle well with detergent and distilled water.
- For oil-filled equipment, you should take samples from the lower valve.
The precautions for BVD tests
- Make sure that the test shell is grounded well before the test begins.
- You should rinse the electrode surface in the tester with transformer oil, which is already qualified.
- Check the distance between the tester electrodes with a standard feeler gauge.
- You must rinse the test cup 2-3 times first and then take the sample of the oil.
- The transformer oil must stand in the cup for at least 5 to 10 minutes to remove the air bubbles inside it.
- The tester’s boosting speed should not be very fast. Around 3000V/s is appropriate in this matter.
- Maximum test breakdown voltages are as follows: 35KV for 35KV; 110KV~220KV for 40KV and 330KV and above for 60KV.
- Every test must be stirred for 60 seconds, and then it should be left to stand for 5 minutes.
Why You Should Choose a Reliable Brand for Buying Transformer Oil
All oils, however, are not of the same quality. Hence, buying the oil from a reliable brand ensures its quality and benefits. Some of them are:
- The company provides a wide range of transformer oils, including suitable grades conforming to benchmarks and international standards.
- The oils are developed through efficient R&D efforts.
- Reliability regarding performance is ensured with them.
- The high-quality oil ensures a long lifespan for the transformer machines.
Before You Go
While buying the oil, be sure about all essential details, including grades, acidic components, water content etc. Run the BVD test and check its quality through other necessary tests. Thus, you can buy the best quality products.
Buy Transformer Oil online at L&T-SuFin
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