2011 IEEE International Conference on Dielectric Liquids
Factors Affecting the Ageing of Transformer Oil in
150 / 20 kV Transformers
Sotirios Missas - Michael G. Danikas
Democritus University of Thrace
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Xanthi, Greece
mdanikas@ee.duth.gr
Abstract—The aim of this paper is the study of various
parameters affecting the ageing of transformer oil in
transformers of 150/20 kV. 44 samples of oil were taken
from such transformers. The transformers function in the
major Athens area, Greece. Parameters, such as
breakdown strength (measured with a Foster test cell,
according to IEC 156/95), oil colour (with a chromometer
than meets the specifications PIN 51517-ASTM P155),
humidity (measured with the Karl-Fischer method,
according to IEC 814), interfacial tension (which is of
importance especially in the early stages of ageing,
measured according to ASTM D971-91) and tanδ (with a
system counting tanδ values with maximum accuracy from
0.00001 to 4.0, measured according to IEC 247) were taken
into account. Transformer ageing is strictly related to the
rate of ageing of its whole insulation, and mainly of the oil.
Thermal and mechanical stresses have as a result the
oxidation of oil and the degradation of its insulating and
cooling properties. Humidity and foreign particles also
consist factors contributing to the decrease of oil dielectric
strength and its premature failure. Foreign particles
combined with humidity result in a decrease of interfacial
tension of the oil. A colour index close to 3 is not necessarily
an objective indication regarding the quality of the oil. One
of the main conclusions is that all aforementioned
measured parameters should be taken into account. One
should not base his judgment about the quality of oil on
only one or two of the above parameters. Special attention
is given to the way one gets the oil samples. In case of
contradictory results, a repetition of sampling and the
corresponding parameter measurements are required. The
frequent and careful oil sampling in such transformers is
recommended in order to avoid malfunctions. In general,
from the transformers investigated in the context of this
work, in only very few cases oil filtering was required and
none of the transformers was found to function with oil
requiring replacement.
Keywords-transformer oil; breakdown voltage;
diagnostic methods
978-1-4244-7354-0/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE
Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANA. Downloaded on June 06,2021 at 23:53:29 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
Ioannis Liapis
Public Electricity Corporation
Athens, Greece
I. INTRODUCTION
Transformer oil is one of the main factors determining the well
being of a network system. Various studies performed on
transformer oil showed that this is influenced by many
parameters, such as electrode area, stressed volume,
contamination by foreign particles, voltage waveform, number
of cycles of filtering etc. [1-4]. Larger electrodes, for example,
contribute to the decrease of the dielectric strength of the oil.
Heavier contamination contributes to its lowering of dielectric
strength. On the contrary, an increase of the number of cycles
of filtering may give an increase of the dielectric strength. On
the other hand, dielectric strength is not the only parameter
affected by voltage stressing or ageing. Oil colour, its tanδ, its
interfacial tension, its resistivity, may be affected as the oil
ages [5].
Oil colour is an indication of ageing but it is not always a
reliable parameter showing the state of the oil. It cannot be
used independently of the other parameters. Interfacial tension
is influenced by the presence of particles on the surface of the
oil. Its rate of change may be fast during the first stages of
ageing and it slows down afterwards. A sudden change of the
interfacial tension may mean problems of compatibility
between the oil and another liquid or it may even be the result
of a random pollution. A low value of dielectric strength may
mean presence of foreign particles in oil. On the other hand, a
high value of dielectric strength may not necessarily mean the
absence of foreign particles, it may well mean that the
presence of pollution particles is not large enough to
deteriorate the oil [6]. The loss factor (tanδ) depends on the
degradation of the oil from oxidation or in conjunction to the
presence of foreign particles. The resistivity is sensitive in the
presence of substances which can be dissolved in oil,
byproducts of ageing and other oxidation products. It is
closely related to tanδ. Low resistivity values have as a result
the increase of tanδ. On the contrary, high resistivity values
mean a low content of free ions and particles which can form
ions [7]. Humidity may be due to oxidation, to the degradation
of the paper insulation or even to the transpiration of the
transformer. Humidity may cause the reduction of the
dielectric strength [8].
Special attention was given as to how one gets the oil
samples. Oil sampling was performed according to
specification ASTM D923. No dust and humidity should exist
in the surroundings. All parts and means that are used in oil
sampling should be clean with care. For the transportation of
the oil sample, appropriate glass cells should be used. The
sampling cells should be cleaned, dried and hermetically
closed. Before using them, the cells should be washed with oil
from the transformer the oil of which has to checked. The oil
samples must be protected from the influence of light. The oil
samples must be taken when the oil is hot. Care should be
taken so that no foreign particles or pollution exist in the oil
sample under investigation.
In this paper, 44 transformers of 150/20 kV of the major
Athens area are investigated. Parameters such as, oil colour,
oil dielectric strength, its humidity, its surface tension, its tanδ
and its resistivity were checked.

Photo 1 Chromometer for oil colour characterization

II. DIAGNOSTIC METHODS

Warning signs about the state of a transformer are, among

others, a big increase of partial discharges (>> 2500 pC), a
visible deterioration because of foreign metallic and carbon
particles, the presence of humidity in the solid insulation about
3-4 % and the presence of sludge.
Several diagnostic methods were used in order to see the
quality of the transformers in question. The characterization of
the oil colour (DIN 51517 – ASTM 155) was performed
through a device (chromometer) including standard glass disks
and two glass jars with lid. The colour is characterized from 1
(good oil) to 8 (poor oil) (Photos 1 and 2). The colour of a
sample is not always a reliable factor for the determination of
the quality of the oil and it should not be used independently
for the characterization of the oil. The control of dielectric
strength was measured by a typical Foster test cell, according
to IEC 156/95. The control of moisture in the oil was measured Photo 2 Glass jars of a chromometer for oil samples
by a Metrohm – 684 KF Coulometer, consisted of a glass
container with a stirrer titration in which the reagent from
container storage is added. The device is fully automated and
once the experimenter gives the settings, it measures the
moisture content of the oil (Photos 3 and 4). The control of
interfacial tension (ASTM D971 – 91) was performed via a
tensimeter, which gives the value in dynes per centimeter in a
direct reading. The device that performed measurements of
tanδ and of specific resistance, is the BAUR-DTL fully
automated device for measuring dielectric losses of oils. The
whole procedure was based on the specifications IEC 247 and
ASTM D 924. Such a system has a fully automated process for
measuring dielectric loss, relative dielectric constant and
resistivity (Photo 5).

It is true that no single diagnostic method can give full

information as to the state of the transformer oil. The
aforementioned methods may give a better and more global
picture of its state.
Photo 3 Apparatus for humidity measurements

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANA. Downloaded on June 06,2021 at 23:53:29 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.

Photo 4 Calibrated glass container for the measurements of
humidity
Photo 5 Test cell for tanδ measurements
Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANA. Downloaded on June 06,2021 at 23:53:29 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the oil of the 44 investigated transformers
indicate that in general the dielectric strength and tanδ present
good values. All investigated transformers had a good
dielectric strength, whereas the big majority (98%) of the
transformers had satisfactory values of tanδ and only 2%
presented acceptable values. This is due to the systematic
control and the good maintainance. In case the results were not
acceptable, a second sampling was carried out and the results
were re-controlled. Dielectric strength and loss factor (tanδ)
are the two factors closely related to the ageing and the
oxidation of transformer oil. Regarding humidity, only 4 out
of the 44 investigated transformers presented bad values. 33
transformers presented acceptable values for humidity and 7
showed good values. It must be emphasized that humidity is a
very variable parameter since the slightest contact of the oil
with atmospheric air is capable of altering the oil
characteristics. The percentages of transformers were with
good (16%), acceptable (75%) and bad (9%) levels of
humidity. This means that only arelatively small percentage
had bad levels of humidity. Ageing affects both the colour and
the interfacial tension of the oil. The majority of the
transformers investigated (64%) had a good colour and only
36% presented bad colour. However, even a colour indication
nearing the value of 3 cannot always consist an objective
indication of the quality of the oil. The measurement of colour
indications should always be accompanied with measurements
of other parameters. However, although a quick change in oil
colour may give a warning, it is not always a reliable
parameter for the estimation of oil quality. Regarding
interfacial tension, the majority of the transformers had either
good (25%) or acceptable (30%) values, with a 45%
presenting bad values. The presence of foreign particles in
combination with humidity may reduce the interfacial tension
of oil. It is true that 45% of the samples had a rather bad
interfacial tension. However, this is not particularly
destabilizing since the other parametrs do not have
unacceptable values. All in all, the general state of the
investigated 44 transformers was satisfactory.
As future steps to be taken, gas chromatography is suggested
in order to acquire information on the past behaviour of the oil
and the use of anti-oxidants aiming at maximizing the lifetime
of the transformer. Construction of new substations is
suggested, so that the various loads be reduced. Finally, the
systematic control of the various aforementionmed parameters
should continue as a guarantee for the good functioning of the
transformers.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
Forty-four 150/20 kV transformers in service were
investigated and the parameters related to oil ageing were
measured. In general, it can be said that because of the
systematic and periodic control of the transformers, most of
the investigated parameters such as, dielectric strength,
interfacial tension of oil, humidity, loss factor and colour
showed reasonable values. It can also be said that the general
state of the transformers was satisfactory.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank Mr. A. Dratsas, Head of
large Projects Division (Public Power Company S. A., Athens)
and Mr. P. Theodorakis, Head of Transformers Department
(Public Power Company S. A., Athens) for their help and
support. They would also like to thank Mr. K. Stipas, head of
Transformers Repairing Unit (Public Power Company S. A.,
Athens) for his help.
REFERENCES
[1] J. L. Maksiejewski and H. Tropper, “Some factors
affecting the measurement of the electric strength of
organic liquids”, Proc. IEE, vol. 101, pp. 183-190, 1954.
Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANA. Downloaded on June 06,2021 at 23:53:29 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
[2] A. C. M. Wilson, “Insulating liquids: Their uses,
manufacture and properties”, Eds. Peter Peregrinus and
IEE, London, UK, 1980.
[3] N. Giao Trinh, C. Vincent and J. Regis, “Statistical
dielectric degradation of large volume oil insulation”,
IEEE Trans. Power App;. Syst., vol. PAS-101, no. 10, pp.
1-9, 1982.
[4] M. G. Danikas, “Breakdown of transformer oil”, IEEE
Electr. Insul. Mag., vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 27-34, 1990.
[5] V. A. Raynal, “Insulating oil in relation to the
maintenance of power transformers”, Trans. South Afr.
Inst. Electr. Eng., November 1970, pp. 508-540, 1970.
[6] I. A. R. Gray, “A guide to transformer oil analysis”,
Transformer Chemistry Services
[7] A. Bradwell, “Electrical Insulation”, Eds. Peter
Peregrinus, IEE, London, UK, 1983.
[8] P. Gill, “Electrical power equipment maintainance and
testing”, Eds. CRC Press, USA, 2nd edition, 2009.