1266 J. Wada et al.

: Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition of Transformer Insulating Oil

Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition

of Transformer Insulating Oil
- Establishment of the Evaluation Method
and Application to Field Transformer Oil
Junichi Wada, Genyo Ueta, Shigemitsu Okabe
Tokyo Electric Power Company
4-1, Egasaki-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-8510, Japan

and Tsuyoshi Amimoto

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
651, Tenwa, Ako-city, Hyogo, 678-0256, Japan

ABSTRACT
To operate power transformers long-term, as well as ensuring their insulating
reliability, it is important to study age-related decline in various insulating oil
characteristics and the method used to evaluate the same adequately. Previous studies
showed that age-related decline in insulating oil characteristics was caused by trace
components in oil produced during oxidation degradation. To maintain and manage
aged insulating oil rationally, a specific diagnostic method must be studied, based on
measurement of the trace components in oil that cause degradation in these insulating
oil characteristics. The present study evaluated the sensitivity to detect various
components based on the amount of trace components produced in oil during oxidation
degradation for field-aged insulating oil for 34 transformers in various degradation
conditions. A study was also conducted to evaluate the degradation condition based on
the ratio of trace components produced in oil. Consequently, the detection sensitivity
levels were in the order of carbonyl value, saponification value, peroxide value, and
total acid value. As the ratio of the saponification value – the so-called final product –
increased, the degradation of insulating oil developed further. With the above study
results, methods of evaluating the dissociation property in the preceding study and the
breakdown voltage with the degree of water saturation taken into consideration were
combined to establish a comprehensive method of evaluating aged oil. This was then
applied to field-aged insulating oil as an example, whereupon the need to replace
insulating oil could be evaluated.
Index Terms - Insulating oil, aging, dissociation property, breakdown voltage,
dissipation factor, volume resistivity, evaluation method.

1 INTRODUCTION transformers in the actual field, while studies on maintenance

IN recent years, more and more highly aged transformers
have been operated beyond the manufacturer’s originally
designed life [1]. Since no proven record has yet been
established for transformers operated for particularly extended
periods, a number of studies have been conducted on the age-
related degradation of insulating oil and paper [2, 3]. For
insulating oil in particular, the decline in characteristics can be
observed under long-term operating conditions of
Manuscript received on 6 March 2014, in final form 14 October 2014,
accepted 14 October 2014.
and management methods are also promoted [4-7]. Now that
many highly aged transformers are in operation, there must be
adequate consideration of the age-related decline in insulating
oil characteristics.
The age-related degradation of various insulating oil
characteristics (breakdown voltage, volume resistivity,
dissipation factor, interfacial tension, total acid value, etc.) is
considered attributable to the generation and increase in trace
components in oil, which were not present when the oil was
new. In preceding studies, to identify the components causing
such degradation, the authors investigated the production
tendency of components in insulating oil due to aging and

DOI 10.1109/TDEI.2014.004633
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 22, No. 2; April 2015
their influence on various characteristics. Consequently, it was
concluded that characteristics which were satisfactory when
the oil was new had declined over the years due to the
oxidation degradation of various components (source
components: hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, etc.). This was
attributable to the influence of, for example, heat and oxygen
during the transformer operation and the change in quality of
components adversely affecting the insulating oil
characteristics (degradation causing components: carbonyls,
organic acids, etc.) [8, 9].
To maintain and manage aged insulating oil rationally, a
specific diagnostic method must be studied by measuring the
trace components in oil that cause these insulating oil
characteristics to decline. To this end, focusing on the
dissociative and hydrophilic properties of trace components in
oil, their influence on breakdown voltage, dissipation factor,
and volume resistivity was studied as well as methods of
evaluating the same. Consequently, based on measurement
values of the dissipation factor (80 qC value) and volume
resistivity (normal temperature), an indicator to determine
whether thermal dissociation had occurred was derived. In
addition, the influence of the water content in oil on the
breakdown voltage was reviewed with respect to the
correlation with the degree of water saturation and it was
found likely to decline within a certain bandwidth; regardless
of the oil type [10].
The present paper studies a method to comprehensively
evaluate aged oil based on previous studies on the degradation
development mechanism and the influence of trace
components in oil on the decline in insulating oil
characteristics. To be specific, in Section 3, trace components
produced in oil during degradation will be measured for field
insulating oil of 34 transformers actually in operation to study
the substances potentially indicating degradation. The
substances to be used as an indicator are determined based on
Figure 1. Oxidation degradation reaction of hydrocarbons.
1267
comparison of the detection sensitivity (measurement
value/determination limit value) of the trace components in oil.
A study will also be conducted on the influence of the
increase in the substance used to indicate the electrical
characteristics (dissipation factor, volume resistivity, and
breakdown voltage). Subsequently, Section 4 will establish a
diagnostic flow for degraded oil, based on an overview of the
methods used to evaluate the degraded oil obtained in the
preceding studies in addition to the study in Section 3, and
also show examples of its application. The evaluation methods
obtained in the preceding studies refer to the method used to
evaluate whether there is a thermal dissociation property and
that to evaluate the influence of water content in oil on the
breakdown voltage. Three patterns of insulating oil following
different operational periods (12, 27, and 37 years) sampled
from 66 kV class distribution transformers at primary-side
voltages are used as example applications of the diagnostic
flow for degraded oil.
2 OXIDATION DEGRADATION PROCESS
OF COMPONENTS IN INSULATING OIL AND
METHOD TO EVALUATE THE SAME
2.1 CHANGE IN OIL COMPONENTS DUE TO AGING
OF INSULATING OIL
Figure 1 demonstrates the oxidation degradation reaction of
hydrocarbons, or the main insulating oil components. Here,
RH indicates hydrocarbons, while the symbol · indicates
radicals. Heat, light, or similar phenomena activate
hydrocarbons to break the C-H bonds and produce free
radicals, which then react with oxygen to produce peroxides.
Subsequently, several chain reactions occur, later stopping
when inert substances are produced. As the oxidation reaction
develops, alcohols and water are formed, whereupon
aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, organic acids, esters, and
others are assumed to be produced.
1268 J. Wada et al.: Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition of Transformer Insulating Oil

Except for some sulfur and nitrogen compounds, insulating from a total of 34 transformers, covering a wide variety of
oil comprises hydrocarbons, while as the oxidation units from six different manufacturers (shown by A to F) with
degradation of hydrocarbons develops, various oxidation a range of 34 manufacturing years; from 1966 to 1999 and
degradation components are produced [11]. Since the voltage classes from 66 kV to 500 kV. Insulating oil brands
oxidation degradation products of hydrocarbons are polar also vary widely by transformers from three petroleum
substances, they have a high affinity with water and function companies (shown by Į to Ȗ) with a total of six brands. For
to increase the saturated water content of insulating oil [12]. field transformer oil samples, the insulating oil characteristics
Conversely, since water and organic acids are produced in the obtained and respective test methods used are summarized in
oxidation degradation process, dissociated ions are considered Table 2. The test methods of the electrical and chemical
to decrease the breakdown voltage [13, 14]. characteristics are in accordance with their respective IEC or
JIS standards. Six types of components in insulating oil,
2.2 METHOD TO ANALYZE FIELD TRANSFORMER namely peroxide value, carbonyl value, alcohol value, total
OIL acid value, saponification value, and ester value, are used to
The specifications of the field transformer oil used in the indicate and assess the development of degradation based on
present study are shown in Table 1. Insulating oil is sampled the development process in Section 2.1.
Table 1. Transensformer specifications in field transformer oil survey and outline of data on insulating oil samples collected.
Item Outline
Number of transformers in oil sampling 34
Manufacturer Six: A (5 units), B (7 units), C (6 units), D (2 units), E (7 units) and F (7 units)
Range: 1966 to 1999
Year of manufacture
1960 to 1969 5 units 1970 to 1979 13 units 1980 to 1989 9 units 1990 to 1999 7 units
Rated voltage of 66 to 500 kV
Voltage class
500 kV 5 units 275 kV 20 units 66 kV 9 units
Oil companies: 3 (D, E, J)
Brands: 6 (D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, J1)
Insulating oil brand
11 12
D1 D2 D3 2 units E1 4 units E2 3 units J1 2 units
units units
Actual field oil temperature at sampling 3 ºC to 57 ºC

Table 2. Various insulating oil characteristics and test methods.

Test item Test method Remarks
In an oil sample, place ball electrodes 12.5 mm in diameter
Breakdown
Tested in accordance with IEC 60296[15] opposed to each other at an interval of 2.5 mm and measure the
voltage
Electrical breakdown voltage. Related standard: JIS C 2101
characteristics At 80 °C, apply 250 VDC/mm, measure the current within one
Volume resistivity Tested in accordance with JIS C 2101[16]
minute of application, and derive the volume resistivity.
Dissipation factor Tested in accordance with IEC 60247 [17] Related standard: IEC 60296.
Evaluate the amount of iodine isolated when potassium iodide is
added to the sample oil using sodium thiosulfate and express the
result numerically in terms of the milligram-equivalent weight
Peroxide value Tested in accordance with JIS K 2276 [18]
per kg of the sample oil (meq/kg). This method uses the property
of peroxide generated in the initial stage of insulating oil
oxidation to react with potassium iodide and isolate iodine.
Since carbonyls are produced when hydroperoxide, or the
primary oxidation product, is decomposed, carbonyls react with
Carbonyl value Tested in accordance with JIS K 0050 [19] 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to produce hydrazine, which
turns into reddish violet quinoid ions under alkaline conditions.
This test uses this process.

Chemical Alcohol value Tested in accordance with JIS K 6241 [20] Use gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GCMS) for analysis.
characteristics Dissolve the sample in combined toluene and ethanol solvents,
Total acid value Tested in accordance with IEC 62021-1[21] add alkali blue 6B as an indicator and estimate the total acid
value by titration using a standard potassium hydroxide solution.

Add 2-butanone to the sample oil to dissolve it and then add a

known amount of potassium hydroxide-ethanol solution, heat and
Saponification circulate it for saponification, and subsequently titrate using an
Tested in accordance with JIS K 0070 [22]
value acid standard solution and obtain the amount of potassium
hydroxide consumed to calculate the saponification value of the
sample oil.
Indicates the value obtained by subtracting the total acid value
Ester value Tested in accordance with JIS MK 0070 [22]
from the saponification value.
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 22, No. 2; April 2015 1269

3 MEASUREMENT RESULTS OF THE peroxide value, alcohol value, carbonyl value, total acid value,
COMPONENTS OF ACTUAL FIELD and saponification value. Table 3 shows the ratios of the
detected concentrations. For total acid values, even though
INSULATING OIL one of the values may exceed the insulating oil standard value,
or 0.03 mg KOH/g or less [15], it is still less than the
3.1 ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF OXIDATION
oxidation stability standard [23], or 0.40 mg KOH/g.
DEGRADATION COMPONENTS IN FIELD
For the alcohol and total acid values, the measurement
This section studies the validity of the degradation indicator
values did not differ significantly among samples and the
components; based on the measurement results of trace
ratios of the detected concentrations were 1.5 to 3.0. For the
components in oil for actual field transformers. To be specific,
peroxide, carbonyl, and saponification values, however, the
the ratios of the detected concentrations (measurement
measurement values differed significantly among samples,
value/determination limit value) of measurement values are
with differences in the detected concentrations ranging from
compared to study the detection capability of each component.
21.0 to 203. Since the ratio of the detected concentrations is
Figure 2 shows a comparison of the measurement results of
the value obtained by dividing the measurement value by the
2.5
Peroxide value
determination limit value, it indicates the resolution
performance of the relevant component. Consequently, the
Peroxide value concentration in oil

2.0 resolution performances were in the following order from high

to low: Carbonyl value > Saponification value > Peroxide
1.5 value > Total acid value > Alcohol value.
(meq/kg)

Of the oxidation degradation products in aged oil, peroxide,

1.0 carbonyl, and saponification values also varied significantly
Average: 0.88 meq/kg among the different sample oils and are thus considered
0.5 capable of detecting age-related oxidation degradation.
Conversely, it is difficult to use alcohol and total acid values
0.0 with low-resolution performance (small difference in
0 10 20 30 40 formation from the initial degradation stage to the sampling
Number of years elapsed (years)
(a) Peroxide value
1.2 0.035
Alcohol value Total acid value
Total acid value concentration in oil
Alcohol value concentration in oil

0.03
1.0
Average: 0.89 meq/kg
0.025
0.8
(mg KOH/g)

0.02
(meq/kg)

0.6
0.015
Average: 0.012 mg KOH/g
0.4
0.01

0.2
0.005

0.0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Number of years having elapsed (years) Number of years elapsed (years)
(b) Alcohol (d) Total acid value
2.5 0.35
Carbonyl value Saponifiable compounds value
Carbonyl value concentration in oil

0.3
concentration in oil(mg KOH/g)
Saponifiable compounds value

2.0

0.25

1.5
0.2
(meq/kg)

0.15
1.0 Average: 0.16 mg KOH/g
0.1

0.5 Average: 0.60 meq/kg

0.05

0.0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Number of years elapsed (years) Number of years elapsed (years)
(c) Carbonyl value (e) Saponifiable compounds value
Figure 2. Analysis results of oxidation degradation components in aged oil.
1270 J. Wada et al.: Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition of Transformer Insulating Oil
Table 3. Comparison of the resolution performance obtained from each degradation of insulating oil, and the saponification value for
measurement value. the final degradation stage.
Observed value
P A C T S
(meq/kg, mg KOH/g)
3.2 CORRELATION OF THE SAPONIFICATION
Lower limit value: A 0.10 0.72 0.01 0.01 0.01 VALUE CONCENTRATION AND THE ELECTRICAL
Maximum value: B 2.1 1.1 2.03 0.03 0.29 INSULATING OIL CHARACTERISTICS
Resolution
21.0 1.5 203 3.0 29.0 The previous section analyzed various components
performance: B/A
P: Peroxide value, A: Alcohol value, C: Carbonyl value
considered produced due to the oxidation degradation of aged
T: Total acid value, S: Saponifiable compounds value insulating oil. Consequently, it emerged that relatively aged
oil had a high saponification value and that final oxidation
stage) to evaluate aged oil. However, the total acid value was degradation products were likely to be detected in abundance.
not excluded from the indicator due to concern that, once it This section studies the influence of the saponification value,
starts increasing, it may do so at an accelerated pace and assumed to indicate the final product, on the electrical
sludge may be formed when it exceeds 0.1 mg KOH/g to 0.5 insulating oil characteristics. The methods used to test the
mg KOH/g. The ester value, obtained by subtracting the total electrical characteristics match the standards listed in Table 2.
acid value from the saponification value, is also used as an The electrical characteristics obtained include the breakdown
indicator to assess the degradation tendency. voltage, dissipation factor, and volume resistivity. For the
breakdown voltage, tests repeated five times are conducted
Table 4 shows the evaluation of chemical compounds and the average value between the second to fifth times is
obtained in the preceding study (hydrophilic and dissociation determined as the test result. The dissipation factor shows
properties) with an additional resolution performance item measurement values at 80 qC, while the volume resistivity
[10]. As described in Section 2, hydrocarbons transform in a
shows one-minute values when 250 V is applied at 80 qC and
stepwise manner from peroxides to esters during oxidation
zero-minute values when 10 V is applied at room temperature
degradation. The preceding study obtained the characteristics
(25 qC).
of an aldehyde concentration (carbonyl value) proportional to
the hydrophilic property. Accordingly, the carbonyl value was The electrical characteristics with respect to the
detectable with high sensitivity and is expected to have the saponification value are compared in Figure 3. Here, the
effect of limiting the decline in breakdown voltage when the dotted lines approximate the data, while the dashed lines
water content is increased. As for the dissociation property, its indicate the maintenance management standard values of
correlation can be observed with the total acid value, which insulating oil after commencing operation [5]. Since the
has a low-resolution performance. However, the dissociation maintenance management standard values differ among JEC,
property can be evaluated based on the correlation of IEC, ANSI, etc., the values for a voltage class of 420 kV or
dissipation factor and volume resistivity. more in the IEC standard, the most stringent, are shown for
Based on the above results, Section 4 will evaluate the reference. The dissipation factor tended to increase in
degradation level using a total of five indicators, including the proportion to the saponification value. When the
total acid and ester values in addition to the peroxide value for saponification value is 0.01 mg KOH/g, or the minimum
the initial oxidation degradation stage, the carbonyl value detectable level, the dissipation factor was 0.19 %, close to the
(aldehyde) related to the hydrophilic property (water maintenance management standard value of IEC.
receptivity) for the intermediate product stage during the
Both volume resistivity and breakdown voltage tended to
decline with increasing saponification value. Since the volume
Table 4. Evaluation of the property of oxidation degradation products at each
degradation stage. resistivity cannot be simply compared with the standard value
Water Dissociation Resolution
due to the difference in measurement temperatures,
Compound State measurement values at 25 qC were compared with the
receptivity property performance
standard value at 20 qC. Where the saponification value was
Hydrocarbon Initial state u u ----
0.28 mg KOH/g, the volume resistivity at 25 qC was 1.6u1012.
Initial state of Therefore, volume resistivity is likely to be lower than the
Peroxide
degradation
u u ż
standard value with the increase in the saponification value,
Intermediate
depending on the voltage class of the transformer in which oil
Alcohol state of u u u
degradation is used and the applicable standard. As for the breakdown
Intermediate
voltage, even though it does not decline to near the standard
Aldehyde state of ż u ż value level for any insulating oil, it tends to decline with the
degradation increase in the saponification value, meaning the latter is also
Final state of an important indicator of breakdown voltage. As mentioned
Organic acid ¨ ż u
degradation above, the electrical characteristics tended to decline
Final state of significantly in proportion to the increase in the saponification
Ester ¨ ¨ ¨
degradation value, meaning the latter is very likely to be an indicator
ż: High, ¨: Middle, u: Low component of the final product.
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 22, No. 2; April 2015 1271
10
4 STUDY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC FLOW FOR
AGED OIL AND ITS APPLICATION
4.1 DIAGNOSTIC FLOW FOR AGED OIL
Dissipation factor (%)

1 Based on the study results in the preceding sections, the

components necessary to evaluate the breakdown voltage,
dissipation factor, and volume resistivity of insulating oil are
< 0.2% mainly organic acids and esters and the saponification value
0.1
represents the characteristics of both combined. The criterion
for the first diagnostic stage is the level of the presence of
Diccipation factor (%) organic acids and esters, or in other words, the saponification
Min. 0.2%, >420kV, IEC level. A low saponification value means no age-related
0.01
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
oxidation degradation of insulating oil can be observed.
However, a high saponification value means the insulating oil
Concentration values of saponifiable compounds in oil (mg KOH/g)
is considered degraded by oxidation. Whether the increase in
(a) Dissipation factor with respect to the saponification value oxidation degradation products affects the insulating oil
characteristics depends on whether oxidation degradation
products are dissociated. Dissociation affects the breakdown
1.E+16
voltage, dissipation factor, and volume resistivity [10].
According to the results of the preceding study, whether
dissociation has occurred can be found; based on a correlation
Volume resistivity (ȍ˜cm)

1.E+15
of the zero-minute value of volume resistivity and the
dissipation factor at 80 qC. Where the dissipation factor level
1.E+14 along the vertical axis exceeds the average, thermal
25 ºC
dissipation is very likely to have occurred.
80 ºC
1.E+13 Since the breakdown voltage is affected by the water content
in oil, the former must be studied based on its correlation with
> 2u1012 (20 ºC)
water content. Even at the equivalent water content level, the
1.E+12
Volume resistivity, 1 min, 80ഒ (ȍ ዘcm)
Volume resistivity, 0 min, 25ഒ(ȍ ዘcm)
influence on breakdown voltage is less significant if the
Max. 2E+12, 20ഒ, >420 kV, IEC
Max. 1E+11, 90ഒ, >420 kV, IEC
saturated water content is high. Consequently, the breakdown
1.E+11 > 1˜1011 (90 ºC) voltage is evaluated by correlation, not with the water content at
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
measurement but with the degree of water saturation (water
Concentration values of saponifiable compounds in oil (mg KOH/g) content at the measurement/saturated water content). Based on
the preceding study results, the breakdown voltage values with
(b) Volume resistivity with respect to the saponification value
respect to the degree of water saturation were within a certain
bandwidth [10]. Where the measurement value exceeds the
bandwidth, polar substances with non-dissociation properties
85 affecting the increase in saturated water content in aged oil may
potentially be present in abundance. Conversely, where the
80
Breakdown Voltage (kV/2.5mm)

measurement value is below the bandwidth, it is desirable to

75 take measures with the replacement of the insulating oil in mind
because the breakdown voltage may potentially decline further
70
due to the influence of the water content. From the perspective
65 of using the bandwidth for evaluation, the relational expression
between the breakdown voltage and saturated water content is
60 derived. In an area of 50 kV/mm or more, which is stringent
55 among the maintenance management values during operation,
the relationship shows linearity, whereupon the following
>50 kV/2.5mm Breakdown voltage (kV)
50 Min. 50 kV/2.5 mm, >420 kV, IEC equation can be obtained, provided the lower bandwidth limit is
45
expressed by an approximate equation:
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 BDV (>50 kV/mm) < -104.8 ×DWS + 81.4 (1)
Concentration values of saponifiable compounds in oil (mg KOH/g) BDV: Breakdown voltage (kV/mm)
(b) Breakdown voltage with respect to the saponification value DWS: Degree of water saturation (actual water content in
oil/saturated water content)
Figure 3. Change in the electrical characteristics with respect to the The diagnostic flow for aged oil, obtained based on the
saponification value in aged oil. above diagnostic concept, is summarized in Figure 4.
1272 J. Wada et al.: Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition of Transformer Insulating Oil
Analysis of component
[Evaluation of the degradation level using the
ratio of the indicator component produced]
Sap. C. V (mg KOH/g) / 0.29 << 0.5
ĺ Oxidation develops and age-related degradation can
be observed.
Car. V (meq/kg) / 2.03 > 0.5
ĺ The effect to restrain the breakdown voltage decline
[Evaluation of the dissociation property]
D.F < 6.0×108 ×VR-0.673
Ye
No
The influence of the degradation level on the
insulating oil characteristics is insignificant.
[Evaluation of the breakdown voltage with
respect to the degree of water asaturation in oil]
Ye
BDV<-104.8×DWS+81.4
No
The influence of the increase in water
content on the breakdown voltage is
insignificant.
There is a strong need for a study to replace insulating oil.
Sap. C.V: Saponifiable compounds value
Car.V: Carbonyl value
D.F: Dissipation factor, 80 qC
VR: Volume resistivity, 0 min, Room temperature
BDV: Breakdown voltage, kV/2.5mm
DWS: Degree of water saturation (actual water content
in oil/saturated water content)
Figure 4. Diagnostic flow for aged oil.
4.2 EXAMPLES DIAGNOSTIC FLOW APPLICATIONS
USING FIELD TRANSFORMER OIL
Examples applications of the diagnostic flow
established in Section 4.1 to field transformer oil are
shown in Figures 5 to 7. Insulating oil was sampled from
66 kV class distribution transformers at primary-side
voltages and covering three operational periods, namely
12, 27, and 37 years. Table 5 shows the ratios of the
degradation products used as indicator substances
(measurement value/maximum value), the dissipation
factor (80 qC value), volume resistivity (zero-minute
value at normal temperature), breakdown voltage, and
degree of water saturation.
According to the diagnostic flow in Figure 4, the
degradation condition of insulating oil was evaluated as the
first stage. Based on the measured saponification values, oil
in Cases B and C is determined to have degraded over the
years. For reference, Figure 5 shows example evaluations of
the degradation level, using the ratio to the maximum value
measured to date for the indicator substances for aged oil. In
Case A, the carbonyl value dominates and the degradation
level is determined to be low. In Cases B and C, however,
the saponification and ester values prevail and the oxidation
degradation is considered to have developed. Subsequently,
the dissociation property is evaluated in the second stage. In
Figure 6, the threshold value to evaluate the dissociation
property of aged oil is shown and the data of insulating oil
used this time are plotted. In Case B, despite high volume
resistivity, the dissociation property can be slightly observed
because the dissipation factor tends to increase. In Case C,
the characteristics of both volume resistivity and dissipation
factor have declined and a high dissociation property is
determined.
Finally, in the third stage, the influence of water content on
the breakdown voltage is evaluated. Since the measured
carbonyl values are 0.5 or less in Cases B and C, the
hydrophilic property is low and there is concern that the
breakdown voltage declines due to the increased water content.
Figure 7 shows an example evaluation based on the
relationship of breakdown voltage with the degree of water
saturation in oil. The degree of water saturation in insulating
oil is 0.093, identical for the three cases. This is calculated
based on a saturated water content of 86.2 ppm and a
measured water content of 8.0 ppm for all insulating oils
covered this time. Since the breakdown voltage was 71.6
kV/2.5mm or less according to the evaluation of the
Peroxide value: X / 2.1
1
0.5
Carbonyl value:
Total acid value:
X / 0.03 Case: A X / 2.03
0
Case: B
Case: C
Saponifiable compounds Ester value: X / 0.29
value: X / 0.29
Figure 5. Example degradation level evaluation using the ratio of degradation
products in aged oil (measurement value X / maximum value).
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 22, No. 2; April 2015 1273

Table 5. Measurement results of field transformer oil.

Saponifiable Volume
Elapsed Peroxide Carbonyl Ester Total acid Dissipation Breakdown Degree of
Case compounds resistivity,
years value, value value value factor, % voltage ,kV/2.5mm saturation
value ȍ·cm
A 12 0.24 0.80 0.034 0.034 0.00 6.3E+13 0.19 75 0.093
B 20 0.048 0.14 0.59 0.59 0.33 1.4E+14 0.51 70 0.093
C 37 0.095 0.084 0.97 0.97 0.33 1.6E+12 8.34 70 0.093

Ratio of the indicator substance: Measurement-/Maximum values.

breakdown voltage in Cases B and C using equation (1), 5 SUMMARY

there is concern that the breakdown voltage may decline The present paper proposed a method of evaluating aged oil
with an increase in water content in future. Following the based on the findings of preceding studies on the degradation
evaluation using the diagnostic flow, it was determined that development mechanism and the changes in various insulating
the degradation condition of insulating oil in Case A was at oil characteristics. The evaluation method established for aged
the level of the initial stage, while the degradation oil was applied to actual field insulating oil to evaluate the
condition was at the level of the intermediate to last stage need for consideration to replace the insulating oil.
in Cases B and C. Given concern that the breakdown
voltage may decline in Cases B and C due to the increased The examination results are summarized as follows:
dissociation and/or water, it is determined that a (1) Based on the measurement results of trace components
replacement insulating oil must be considered. in oil for actual field transformers, a study was conducted on
the degradation indicator components. Consequently, the
detection sensitivity tended to be in the following order from
10
Case: C high to low: Carbonyl value > Saponification value> Peroxide
D.F=6.0u108uVR-
0 673 value > Total acid value > Alcohol value. The saponification
Dissipation factor, 80 °C (%)

value was likely to be proportional to the decline in electrical

characteristics with the development of degradation, raising
1 Case: B the prospect that it could be used as an indicator to evaluate
the degradation level. As for the carbonyl value, due to the
high hydrophilic property, it was shown to be potentially
useful as an indicator to show the effect to limit the decline in
0.1 Case: A
breakdown voltage associated with increased water content.
(2) Evaluations of the dissociation property and breakdown
voltage with respect to the degree of water saturation from
among the achievements of the preceding studies were added
0.01
1E+12 1E+13 1E+14 1E+15 1E+16 to establish a diagnostic flow for degraded oil. According to
Volume resistivity, Room temperature, 0 min (ȍ˜cm) this diagnostic flow, the degradation level is initially evaluated
based on the ratio of the degradation products, whereupon the
Figure 6. Example dissociation property obtained from the correlation of the
electrical characteristics of aged oil. dissociation property and breakdown voltage are evaluated.
The diagnostic flow can be used to evaluate the need to
replace aged oil.
100 (3) The diagnostic flow established was applied to actual
Case: BDV= field oil for evaluation, whereupon three patterns of insulating
Breakdown Voltage (kV/2.5mm)

oil used for different operating periods were broadly classified

80
Case: B, Case: into the initial stage level and the intermediate to last stage
level. Insulating oil at the initial stage level had a low
60 saponification value with a low dissociation property, while
>50 kV/2.5mm the breakdown voltage with respect to the degree of water
saturation was high. However, for aged oil that was
40
determined to be at the intermediate to last stage level, the
need to consider replacement emerged due to the low level of
20 the characteristics.
Based on the findings obtained in the present study, a
0 diagnostic flow to evaluate the degradation of field insulating
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 oil was established. The authors believe that these studies will
Degree of water saturation help establish a more advanced method of diagnosing
Figure 7. Example of the evaluation of the breakdown voltage with respect to insulating oil degradation and maintenance measures for
the degree of water saturation in aged oil. degraded insulating oil.
1274 J. Wada et al.: Method to Evaluate the Degradation Condition of Transformer Insulating Oil
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Junichi Wada received the B.S. and M.S. degrees
from Tokyo Denki University in 2004 and 2006,
respectively. He joined Tokyo Electric Power
Company in 2006. Currently, he is a researcher at the
High Voltage & Insulation Group of R&D Center and
mainly engaged in research on insulation
characteristics of electric power equipment.
Genyo Ueta received the B.Eng., M.Eng. and Dr. Eng.
degrees in electrical engineering from Doshisha
University in 2000, 2002 and 2013, respectively. He
joined Tokyo Electric Power Company in 2002.
Currently, He is a researcher at the High Voltage &
Insulation Group of R & D Center and mainly
engaged in research on insulation characteristics of
electric power equipment.
Shigemitsu Okabe (M’98) received the B.Eng.,
M.Eng. and Dr. degrees in electrical engineering from
the University of Tokyo in 1981, 1983 and 1986,
respectively. He has been with Tokyo Electric Power
Company since 1986, and presently is a group
manager of the High Voltage & Insulation Group at
the R & D center. He was a visiting scientist at the
Technical University of Munich in 1992. He has been
a guest professor at the Doshisha University since 2005. He works as a
secretary/member at several WG/MT in CIGRE and IEC. He is an Associate
Editor of the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation.
Tsuyoshi Amimoto received the B.S. degree in
chemistry from Ibaraki University in 1992. He joined
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in 1992 and has been
engaged in the research and development of material,
diagnosis for transformers. Mr. Amimoto is a member
of Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and The
Japan Petroleum Institute.