2022 7TH INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED RESEARCH WORKSHOP ON TRANSFORMERS (ARWTR) – BAIONA - SPAIN, (23)24-26 OCTOBER 2022

The Impact of the Use of Dry Lubricating Compound

on the Dielectric Properties of Solid and Liquid
Insulation of a Power Transformer
Gopalan Ramesh Senior Member, IEEE, Ashutosh Sharma, MCIGRE and Hemang Thakkar

Insulation properties of power DNV in association with EGA conducted

transformers are affected by construction an experiment to study the effects of dry
materials used in power transformers. lubricating compound on the insulation
Dry Lubricants are used in power power factor and conductivity of solid
transformers for fasteners during insulation.
manufacture. One such dry lubricating
Experimental set up
compound is Molykote G Rapid Plus
®

Description Value for Molybdenum

Disulfide
Molecular 160.07
Weight
Appearance Black powder or solid in
various forms
Melting Point 1185 ° C (2165 ° F)
Density 5.06 g/cm3
Solubility in Insoluble Insulation Samples for testing. From the left, 1-A, 1-B, 2-A and 2-B
Water
Results
Dry lubricating compound affects 1.00E-05
Sample Reference
Ref-A Ref-B 1-A 1-B 2-A 2-B
0.035

insulation power factor of insulation if it 1.00E-06

0.030
Dissipation Factor or Tan Delta

falls on solid insulation during the

Front Side Conductivity- K Siemens

0.025

1.00E-07

manufacture. Increase in power factor 1.00E-08

0.020

results within a short span of service life 1.00E-09

0.015

(1-4 years). Moisture and contamination, 1.00E-10

0.010

aging, partial discharges affects the 1.00E-11

0.005

insulation power factor. 1.00E-12

0.000
1 2 3 4 5 6
Ref-A Ref-B 1-A 1-B 2-A 2-B
Reference Samples

Tan Delta at 23°C Tan Delta at 90°C

1.00E-13

Conclusion: Surface conductivity & Insulation Power factor of Insulation is affected by Dry
Lubricating Compound. Transformer manufacturers should use the compound with care and
study the effects of same during the service life of the transformer
DNV © 24 OCTOBER 2022