NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ,

RAIPUR

High Voltage Engineering

TOPIC :- Testing of Break down strength of

transformer oil

TERM PROJECT

Name - vineet chopra

Roll no. - 19117100
Branch - electrical eng. (6th sem)
Subject - HVE
Guided by - K. Chandrasekaran
 Introduction

 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).

 Transformer Oil Types :-

paraffin based transformer oil :- 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.

Naphtha based transformer oil :- Naphtha oil is more easily

oxidized than paraffin oil. But the product of oxidation – i.e. sludge

– in the naphtha oil is more 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.

 Transformer Oil Properties :-

1. The dielectric strength of transformer oil is also known as the

breakdown voltage (BDV) of transformer oil. Breakdown voltage is

measured by observing at what voltage, sparking strands between

two electrodes immersed in the oil, separated by a specific gap. A low

value of BDV indicates presence of moisture content and conducting

substances in the oil.

2. For measuring BDV of transformer oil, portable BDV measuring kit

is generally available at site. In this kit, oil is kept in a pot in which

one pair of electrodes are fixed with a gap of 2.5 mm (in some kit it

4mm) between them. Now slowly rising voltage is applied between

the electrodes. The rate of rising voltage is controlled at 2 KV/s and

observe the voltage at which sparking starts between the electrodes.

 That means at which voltage dielectric strength of transformer oil

between the electrodes has been broken down.

3. The specific resistance of oil is a measure of DC resistance

between two opposite sides of one cm3 block of oil. Its unit is

ohm-cm at a specific temperature. With increase in temperature the

resistivity of oil decreases rapidly

4. Minimum standard specific resistance of transformer oil at 90oC is

35 × 1012 ohm–cm and at 27oC it is 1500 × 1012 ohm–cm.

5. Dielectric dissipation factor is also known as loss factor or tan

delta of transformer oil. When a insulating materials is placed

between live part and grounded part of an electrical equipment,

leakage current will flow. As an insulating material is dielectric in

nature the current through the insulation ideally leads the voltage by

90o. Here voltage means the instantaneous voltage between live part

and ground of the equipment. But in reality, no insulating materials

are perfect dielectric in nature.

6. Moisture or water content in transformer oil is highly

undesirable as it affects the dielectric properties of the oil adversely.

The water content in oil also affects the paper insulation of the core

and winding of a transformer. Paper is highly hygroscopic.

7. Acidic transformer oil is a harmful property. If oil becomes acidic,

the water content in the oil becomes more soluble in the oil. The

acidity of oil deteriorates the insulation property of paper insulation

of winding. Acidity accelerates the oxidation process in the oil. Acid

also includes rusting of iron in the presence of moisture.

8. the viscosity of transformer oil can be said that viscosity is the

resistance of flow, in normal condition. Resistance to flow of

transformer oil means obstruction of convection circulation of oil

inside the transformer. Good oil should have a low viscosity so that

it offers less resistance to the conventional flow of oil thereby not

affecting the cooling of a transformer.

 Transformer Oil Testing
Transformer oil needs to be tested to ensure that it works for today ’ s

standards. Testing standards and procedures are defined by various

international standards, and most of them are set by the ASTM.

Oil testing consists of measuring the breakdown voltage, and other

chemical and physical properties of the oil, either through portable test

equipment or in a laboratory. Through proper testing, the transformer’s

lifespan is increased, reducing the need to pay for replacement.

 Breakdown voltage is measured by observing at what

voltage, sparking strands between two electrodes
immersed in the oil, separated by a specific gap. A low
value of BDV indicates presence of moisture content
 and conducting substances in the oil.

 What Factors Are Tested :-

1. Standard Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in

Electrical Apparatus

2. Acid number

3. Dielectric breakdown voltage

4. Liquid power factor

5. Interfacial tension

6. Specific resistance

7. Corrosive sulfur

8. Visual examination

 These tests will help determine if the oils are clean and will create a

baseline of properties that need to be tested periodically. Although

there are a large number of tests that are available, they are

expensive. So it ’ s best to use them as diagnostics if an issue occurs

during primary testing.

What is the transformer BDV test of oil?

BDV test means the Breakdown Voltage Test. This test is performed for

verifying the dielectric strength of the oil of the transformer. Dielectric

Strength is the maximum capacity to resist the voltage of insulating oil.

This test demonstrates the dielectric Strength of Transformer Oil.

What is ppm in transformer oil?

PPM stands for Parts Per Million. It is used to measure the weight of

moisture divided by the value of oil. The moisture content in oil lowers

the insulating system dielectric strength that permits flashover to harm a

transformer. For example, for mineral oil, a generally accepted

maximum moisture content is 35 ppm.

What is the Colour of transformer oil?

Typically, oil is yellow, orange, or somewhat red when fresh and will

work as proposed. As the oil ages, it transforms into brown or black

colour, and its efficiency weakens.

 Common Problems When Testing

Fault Key Gas Results

Corona Low energy discharges create methane and hydrogen and

Hydrogen
discharge smaller quantities of ethylene and ethane.

Large amounts of hydrogen or acetylene or minor quantities of

Arcing Acetylene
ethylene and methane can be produced.

Overheate Carbon
If cellulose is overheated, then it will produce carbon monoxide
d Cellulose Monoxide

Overheating oil will produce methane and ethylene (300 degrees

Methane
Overheate F) or methane and hydrogen (1,112 degrees F). Traces of
and
d Oil acetylene might be created if the unit has electrical contacts or if
Ethylene
the problem is severe.
 Why is Transformer Oil Testing Important
 Determine essential electrical properties of transformer oil

 Identify if a certain oil is suitable for future use

 Detect whether regeneration or filtration is needed

 Reduce oil costs and enhance component life

 Prevent untimely failures and maximize safety