Testing & Commissioning of Electrical Equipment

Presentation on:
Measurement Of Dielectric Strength Of Transformer Oil
 What is Transformer Oil
Transformer Oil Types
Transformer Oil? Properties

Standard
Physical meaning of the What factors affect the
tests performed
dielectric strength dielectric strength
on insulating oil as
of transformer oil of transformer oil
per IS: 1692-1978

Content Dielectric strength test

Ways to maintain a high
How to measure the or procedure of testing
level of the dielectric
dielectric strength the breakdown valve
strength of transformer
of transformer oil (BDV) of the
oil
transformer oil

Animation clip of
References
BDV testing
What is Transformer
Oil?
➢ Transformer oil (also known as insulating oil) is a
special type of oil which has excellent electrical
insulating properties and is stable at high
temperatures. Transformer oil is used in oil-filled
electrical power transformers to insulate, stop
arcing and corona discharge, and to dissipate the
heat of the transformer (i.e. act as a coolant).
➢ Transformer oil is also used to preserve the
transformer’s core and windings – as these are fully
immersed inside the oil. Another important
property of the insulating oil is its ability to prevent
oxidation of the cellulose-made paper insulation.
The transformer oil acts as a barrier between the
atmospheric oxygen and the cellulose – avoiding
direct contact and hence minimizing oxidation. The
level of transformer oil is typically measured using a
MOG (Magnetic Oil level Guage).
 There are two main types of transformer oil used in
transformers:
➢ Paraffin based transformer oil
➢ Naphtha based transformer oil
Transformer Naphtha oil is more easily oxidized than paraffin oil. But the
product of oxidation – i.e. sludge – in the naphtha oil is more
Oil Types soluble than the sludge from the paraffin oil. Thus sludge of
naphtha-based oil is not precipitated in the bottom of the
transformer. Hence it does not obstruct convection circulation
of the oil, means it does not disturb the transformer cooling
system.
Although Paraffin oil has a lower oxidation rate than Naphtha
oil, the oxidation product (sludge) is insoluble and precipitated
at the bottom of the tank. This sludge acts as an obstruction to
the transformer cooling system.
Another problem with paraffin-based oil that the dissolved
waxes inside of it can lead to a high pour point. Although this is
not an issue in warmer climate conditions (such as India).
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, paraffin-based oil
is still commonly used in many countries (such as India) due to
its high availability.
 Some specific properties of insulating
oil should be considered to determine
Transformer the serviceability of the oil.
Oil Properties
The properties (or parameters) of
transformer oil are:

• Electrical properties: Dielectric strength,

specific resistance, dielectric dissipation factor.
• Chemical properties: Water content, acidity,
sludge content.
• Physical properties: Interfacial tension, viscosity,
flash point, pour point.
 1. Dielectric strength test
Standard tests
2. Crackle test
performed on 3. Acidity Test
insulating oil as per 4. Sludge test
IS: 1692-1978 5. Flash point test, etc.
 The physical meaning of dielectric strength can be explained using an
example. With a gradual increase in the voltage applied to the
transformer oil, the oil resistance will sharply drop to zero after a while.
It means that the oil has lost its dielectric properties and began to pass an
electric current. The voltage at which an oil breakdown occurs is known
as breakdown voltage.
Physical meaning In practice, the breakdown voltage of dielectrics depends on their
thickness: the thicker the material layer is, the higher value its
of the dielectric breakdown voltage has. But if you take two dielectrics of different origin
with the same thickness, then their breakdown voltage will be different.
strength of Therefore, a parameter that characterizes the ability of materials to resist
a breakdown was introduced — that is dielectric strength. In the simplest
case, it equals the breakdown voltage and thickness ratio of a dielectric.
transformer oil Dielectric strength is measured in V/m, but other units are also used in
practice:
➢ kV/mm;
➢ kV/cm;
➢ V/mcm, etc.
Physically, dielectric strength is the electric field intensity in a dielectric
upon reaching which a breakdown occurs in this place. Before moving
on to the matter of dielectric strength measurement, let’s discuss what
this parameter depends on for the case of transformer oil.
 ➢ Fresh and pure transformer oil usually has the
dielectric strength sufficient for use in high-voltage
What factors affect equipment.
➢ But while in use, the oil is affected by various factors:
the dielectric high temperature, moisture, ambient oxygen, and high
voltage. As a result, the oil becomes contaminated
strength of with harmful impurities: mechanical particles, water
and gas bubbles. Specifically, they reduce the dielectric
transformer oil strength. Water is the main enemy to the dielectric
strength of transformer oil.
➢ In switching devices, the dielectric strength of oil
decreases in proportion to the number of switch
operations. It stems from increased content of the coal
which is formed due to the occurrence of an electric
arc.
 ➢ As a rule, the dielectric strength of transformer oil is
determined in a laboratory environment using special
instruments. The classic method of dielectric strength
measurement involves the use of a high-voltage transformer
How to measure with a voltage regulator and a measuring cell into which a
transformer oil sample is poured. There are also two
the dielectric electrodes in the cell, the shape and the distance between
which are determined by applicable standard.
strength of ➢ The voltage on the secondary winding of the transformer
gradually rises until a dielectric breakdown has occurred. The
transformer oil breakdown voltage value is recorded.
➢ The breakdown voltage values for different samples of the
same oil may differ; thus, in practice, the mathematical
expectation of breakdown voltage is used which is calculated
as an average based on several measurements taken in a row.
Dielectric strength is calculated by dividing the obtained value
of breakdown voltage by the dielectric thickness which
coincides with the distance between electrodes in this case.
Dielectric strength test or procedure
of testing the breakdown valve (BDV)
of the transformer oil

➢ Standard test device is used for this test. The cup in which
the oil is kept is called the test cell.
➢ The internal dimensions of the test cell are 50mm x 90mm x
100mm. Two spheres of brass of 3mm diameter are
joined at the end of the test electrodes.
➢ These electrodes are fitted at 40mm above the bottom of
the cell. The distance between the two electrodes is kept
4 + 0.02mm.
➢ First the test cell is cleaned with petrol and dried. Then the
sample of oil to be tested is filled. The level of oil is
kept above the centre line of the electrodes.
➢ This test cell is kept in the testing device. Oil is allowed to
settle for about 20 minutes after the cover is closed.
➢ Then the voltage across the electrodes is
increased slowly. If the insulating oil is of
good quality, it will withstand 100kV for
one minute without producing the arc.
➢ The voltage at which the arc starts and
persists divided by the distance
between the electrodes is called the
dielectric strength.
➢ The test is performed for minimum
three times. The meter shows the
reading both in kV and kV/mm.
Good insulating oil has 1
dielectric strength of 40kV/mm for
one minute.
 The ways to maintain the dielectric strength of
transformer oil arise from the causes of its decrease. The
most efficient ways consist in purifying the oil using
special equipment on a periodic basis:
Ways to maintain a ➢ filtration units;
high level of the ➢ degassing thermal vacuum units (removal of water and
gases);
dielectric strength ➢ zeolite units (removal of water);
of transformer oil ➢ comprehensive plants combining various work
processes and able to filter, dry, and degas transformer
oils.
Using the dielectric strength units of measurement and
the oil processing units makes it possible to extend the
service life of oils, as well as to enhance the reliability of
transformers, high-voltage circuit breakers, on-load tap
changers, and other high-voltage equipment.
Animation
clip of BDV
testing
 REFERENCES
➢https://www.electrical4u.com/transformer-insulating-oil-and-types-
of-transformer-oil/
➢https://globecore.com/dielectric-strength-measurement-of-
transformer-oil/
➢https://youtu.be/nZAg_A1tb0o
➢https://youtu.be/mJWcav1sCfQ
Thank
you