JMPS

J.M. PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD

DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

BY

LEE WAI MENG

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT & DIRECTOR
 CONTENTS
IEC 60422
MINERAL INSULATING OILS IN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -
SUPERVISION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDANCE.

IEC 60599
GUIDE TO INTERPRETATION OF DISSOLVED AND FREE
GAS ANALYSIS.

IEC 60567
SAMPLING OF GASES AND OIL FOR ANALYSIS OF FREE
AND DISSOLVED GAS.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD CONTENTS

 Introduction
Mineral oil is one of the most common material used for
transformers. The oil has two important functions. The oil need
to provide cooling and electrical insulation for the transformer.
Any deterioration in the oil can lead to the premature failure of
the transformer. When the mineral oil is subjected to high
thermal and electrical stress, gases are generated from the
decomposition of the mineral oil.

Different type of faults will generate different gases, and the

analysis of these gases will provide useful information about
the condition of the oil and the identification of the type of fault
in the transformer. The chemical analysis of these gases is
called dissolved gas analysis or DGA.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD Introduction

 Types Of Transformers

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD Introduction - 1

 Types Of Transformers

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 Mineral Oil

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 Solubility Of Water In Oil

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 Mechanism of Gas Generation
The cause for the gas generation in the mineral oil is the
breaking of the chemical bonds in the hydrocarbon
molecules of the mineral oil. Energy is needed for the
breaking of the chemical bonds and this comes from the
energy contained in the fault of the transformer. The
gases generated include hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4),
ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4), acetylene (C2H2), carbon
dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The chemical
structure of these gases is shown in Figure 1.

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 Figure 1 – Molecular Structure & Bonding

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 Mechanism of Gas Generation
These generated gases will initially dissolve in the oil and
cannot be seen by the naked eye. As the volume of
generated gases increases, more of these gases will
dissolve into the oil. There will come a point when the oil
will be totally saturated with the dissolved gas, and any
further increase in gases cannot be contained as
dissolved gas in the oil. The excess gases will come out
as free gas.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD Introduction - 7

 Mechanism of Gas Generation
Fault of low energy will favour the breaking of C-H
molecular bonds. More energy or higher temperature is
needed to break the C-C single bonds, C=C double bonds
and C≡C triple bonds in ascending order of greater energy
or higher temperature. Acetylene gas will require very high
temperature of at least 800 to 1200 degree Celsius to form
because it has a C≡C triple bond. Ethylene gas will form at
a lower temperature of more than 500 degree Celsius
because of the C=C double bond. Ethane and methane will
form at lower temperature because of the C-C single bond.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD Introduction - 8

 IEC 60422
Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment
 Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment –
Supervision and maintenance guidance

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 1

 Insulating Oil Used
In Transformers
Insulating oil forms a very significant part of the
transformer insulation system acting as an electrical
insulation as well as a coolant to dissipate heat losses.
The reliable performance of insulating oil in transformer
depends upon certain basic oil characteristics.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422- 2

 Properties Of Transformers Oil
• High dielectric strength to withstand the electric
stress imposed in service.
• Low viscosity so that its ability to circulate and
transfer the heat is not impaired.
• Low temperature properties down to the lowest
temperature expected at installation site.
• Resistance to oxidation to maximize service life.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 3

 Factors Cause Oil To Degrade
• Exposure to air and is therefore subject to
oxidation.
• High temperatures accelerate degradation.
• Presence of metals which act as catalyst for
oxidation.
• Undesirable contaminants like water and solid
particles.

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 Properties Of Transformer Oil

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 Viscosity
• The viscosity is describing the internal friction
between adjacent layers of oil
• The Viscosity shall not exceed 1800mm2/s at Lowest
Cold Start Energizing Temperature (LCSET).
• It is measured according to ISO 3104.

* ISO 3104:1994
Petroleum products -- Transparent and opaque liquids -- Determination of kinematic viscosity and calculation of dynamic viscosity

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 Viscosity
• The viscosity is an important controlling factor in the
dissipation of heat.
• Thus lower the viscosity, easier the oil circulates
leading to improve heat transfer.
• Viscosity is affected by temperature.
• At lower temperatures, the resulting higher viscosity
of oil is a critical factor with no circulation and thus
possible over heating at the hot spots.

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 Pour-Point
• The pour-point of mineral insulating oil is the lowest
temperature at which the oil will just flow.
• Changes in pour-point as a result of topping up with
different type of oil.
• It is recommended that the pour-point should be
minimum 10K below the LCSET.
• It is measured in accordance with ISO 3016.

* ISO 3016:1994
Petroleum products -- Determination of pour point
* LCSET - Lowest Cold Start Energizing Temperature

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 8

 Water Content
• A low water content of mineral insulating oil is
necessary to achieve adequate electrical strength and
low dissipation losses.
• High water content of insulating oil will cause the
breakdown voltage of the oil to decrease.
• The water content in the oil have a significant impact
on operating conditions and the lifetime of transformer.

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 Water Content
• Main sources of water content increase in transformer
insulation are:
• Ingress of moisture from the atmosphere
• Degradation of cellulose
• Typical value of water content shall be < 40mg/kg.
• It is measured in accordance with IEC 60814.

*IEC 60814 Ed. 2.0 b:1997

Insulating liquids - Oil-impregnated paper and pressboard - Determination of water by automatic coulometric Karl Fischer titration

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 Water Content In The Oil

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 Breakdown Voltage
• The breakdown voltage of transformer oil is a measure
of ability to withstand electrical stress.
• Dry and clean oil exhibits an inherently high breakdown
voltage.
• Measurement of breakdown voltage primarily indicate
the presence of contaminants such as free water and
solid particles.
• Typical value of the breakdown voltage shall be > 30kV.
• It is measured in accordance with IEC 60156.
*IEC 60156 Ed. 2.0 b:1995
Insulating liquids - Determination of the breakdown voltage at power frequency - Test method

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 Dissipation Factor
• The dissipation factor is a measure of dielectric
losses caused by the oil.
• Increased dissipation factor shows contamination
of the oil by moisture, particulars or soluble
contaminants or poor refining quality.
• It is measured in accordance with IEC 60247.

*IEC 60247 Ed. 3.0 b:2004

Insulating liquids - Measurement of relative permittivity, dielectric dissipation factor (tan d) and d.c. resistivity.

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 Color & Appearance
• The colour of insulating oil is given by a numerical
value based on comparison with colour standards.
• It is not critical property but useful comparative
evaluation.
• Rapid increasing or high colour number indicates of
oil degradation or contamination.
• The appearance of oil may show cloudiness or
sediments which indicate contaminants.

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 Interfacial Tension
• Interfacial tension is a measure of the molecular
attractive force between oil and water molecules at
their interface.
• Low interfacial tension sometimes indicates the
presence of undesirable contaminants.
• Minimum specification for new oil is 40 dyne/cm.
• Interfacial tension is measured in accordance with
ISO 6295.

*ISO 6295:1983
Petroleum products -- Mineral oils -- Determination of interfacial tension of oil against water -- Ring method

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422- 15

 Sulfur Content
• Sulfur content are present in transformer oil
depends on crude oil origin, and degree and type
of refining.
• At high temperature (>300°C) Sulfur containing oil
molecules decompose and react with metal
surface to form metal sulfides.
• Such reactions take place in switching equipment
and will impact the conductivity of contacts.
• Sulfur content is measured following ISO 14596.
*ISO 14596:2007
Petroleum products - Determination of sulfur content

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 Acidity
• The acidity (neutralization value) of oil is a
measure of the acidic constituents or contaminants
in the oil.
• Acids and other oxidation products will affect the
dielectric property of the oil in conjunction with
water and solid contaminants.
• High acidity accelerates the degradation of the
paper and causes corrosion of the steel tanks.

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 Acidity
• The rate of increase in acidity of oil in service is a
good indicator of the ageing rate.
• The acidity level is used as a general guide for
determining when oil should be replaced or
reclaimed.
• Oil analysis services normally suggests changing
the oil when acidity approaches 0.3mgKOH/g.
• Acidity is measured following IEC 62021-1.

*IEC 62021-1 Ed. 1.0 b:2003

Insulating liquids - Determination of acidity

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 Oxidation Stability
• The ability of mineral insulating oil to withstand
oxidation under thermal stress.
• It gives general information about the life
expectancy of the oil under service conditions.
• The property mainly depends on the refining
process and how it is applied to a given feedstock.
• Oxidation stability is measured in accordance with
IEC 61125.

*IEC 61125 Amd.1 Ed. 1.0 b:2004

Unused hydrocarbon-based insulating liquids - Test methods for evaluating the oxidation stability

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 Density
• In cold climate zone, density of the oil shall be low
enough to avoid that ice resulting from freezing of
free water is floating on the oil surface.
• This phenomenon possibly leading to fault
condition developing in flashover of conductors.
• Maximum allowed density is 0.89g/cm3 at 20°C.
• Density is measured in accordance with ISO 3675
but ISO 12185 as well is accepted.

*ISO 12185:1996
Crude petroleum and petroleum products -- Determination of density -- Oscillating U-tube method
*ISO 3675:1998
Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products -- Laboratory determination of density -- Hydrometer method

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 Flash Point
• Flash point is the lowest temperature to which oil
must be heated before its vapor will ignite but not
continue to burn.
• Breakdown of the oil by electrical discharges or
prolonged exposure to very high temperatures
produce lower molecular weight hydrocarbon to
cause lowering flash point.
• Safe operation of electrical equipment requires an
adequately high flash point.

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 Flash Point
• A low flash point may be an indication of the
presence of volatile combustible products in the
oil.
• This may result from contamination by a solvent
or cause of an extensive sparking discharges.
• A figure of minimum 135°C is used for flash
point in the standard.
• The flash point is measured in accordance with
ISO 3675.

*ISO 3675:1998
Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 22

 Definition Of Unused Oil
• The transformer is supplied to final user already
filled with mineral oil which has already contact
with insulating materials.
• Thus it is no longer consider as unused oil and
its properties have to be regarded even though
the transformer itself may not be energized.

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 Recommended Limits For Oil Prior
To Energization
Highest voltage / kV
Property
< 72.5 72.5 – 170 > 170
Appearance Clear, free from sediment and suspected matter
Color (Scale given in ISO 2149) Max. 2.0 Max. 2.0 Max. 2.0
Breakdown Voltage (kV) > 55 > 60 > 60
Water Content (mg/kg) 20 < 10 < 10
Acidity (mg KOH/g) Max. 0.03 Max. 0.03 Max. 0.03
Resistively at 90 °C (GΩm) Min. 60 Min. 60 Min. 60
Interfacial Tension (mN/m) Min. 35 Min. 35 Min. 35
Table 1 - Extracted from IEC 60422, Table 3.

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 Categories of Equipment

Table 2 - Extracted from IEC 60422, Table 2.

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 Application & Interpretation of Tests
Recommended action limits
Property Category Recommended action Notes
(refer table 2)
Good Fair Poor

Dark colour is a symptom of chemical

Clear and contamination or ageing.
Dark and/or
Colour and appearance All without visible As dictated by other tests
turbid Turbidity is a symptom of high water
contamination
content.

O, A, D > 60 50 - 60 < 50

B, E > 50 40 - 50 < 40 Good: continue normal sampling.

C > 40 30 - 40 < 30 Fair: more frequent sampling. Check other

parameters eg. water, particle content and
Breakdown voltage (kV) Tap changer of neutral end tap changers on O, A, B, C perhaps DDF/resistivity and acidity.
transformers. < 25
F Poor: recondition oil or alternatively, if more
Single phase or connected tap changers on O, A, B economical because other tests indicate severe
transformers. < 40 ageing, replace oil.

G < 30

O, A, D <5 5 - 10 > 10 Warning: when oil temperature during

Water Content (mgH2O/kgoil at 20˚C)
Good: continue normal sampling.
B, E <5 5 - 15 > 15 Fair: more frequent sampling. Check other
parameters eg. Breakdown voltage, particle
C < 10 10 - 25 > 25 content and perhaps DDF/resistivity and acidity.
Poor: check source of water, recondition oil or
F As per appropriate transformer.
alternatively, if more economical because other
tests indicate severe ageing, replace oil
G Not a routine test.
sampling is at or above 20˚C, values in
mg/kg as measured should always be
corrected to 20˚C before comparing them
to the corrected limit values of Table 4.
When the oil temperature during sampling
is less than 20˚C or where no significant
amounts of cellulosic insulation are
present, refer to Annex A.

O, A, D < 0, 10 0, 10 – 0, 15 > 0, 15 Good: continue normal sampling.

Fair: more frequent sampling. Check the
B, E < 0, 10 0, 10 – 0, 20 > 0, 20
presence of sediment and sludge.
C < 0, 15 0, 15 – 0, 30 > 0, 30 Poor: starting from a value 0, 15 the owner may
Acidity(mgKOH/goil ) wish to produce a trend analysis based on
specific Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Risk
Assessment (RA). A decision may then be made
F, G Not a routine test. at which point to reclaim the oil or alternatively, if
more economical and other tests indicate severe
ageing, replace the oil.

Table 3 - Extracted from IEC 60422, Table 5.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 26

 Application & Interpretation of Tests
Recommended action limits
Property Category Recommended action Notes
(refer table 2)
Good Fair Poor

At 20˚C

O, A > 200 20 - 200 < 20

B, C > 60 4 - 60 < 40

D > 800 250 - 800 < 250 Good: continue normal sampling.
Fair: more frequent sampling. Check other
E > 60 7 - 60 <7 Not a routine test.
parameters.
Resistivity (GΩm)
At 90˚C Poor: reclaim oil or alternatively, if more
economical because other tests indicate severe
O, A, > 10 1 – 10 <1 ageing, replace oil.

B, C >3 0, 2 – 3 < 0, 2

D > 50 10 – 50 < 10

E >3 0, 4 - 3 < 0, 4 Not a routine test.

Good: continue normal sampling.

Fair: more frequent sampling. Not a routine test. May be done as
O, A, B, C, D > 28 22 - 28 < 22
Poor: check the presence of sediment and desired.
Interfacial tension (m/Nm) sludge.

E Not a routine test

F, G Not applicable Refer to manufacturer’s best practice.

Table 3 (continued) - Extracted from IEC 60422, Table 5.

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 Corrective Actions
Cause of oil Change Symptomps Corrective Actions
• High Water Content
• Low Breakdown Voltage Value
Physical Reconditioning
• High Particles Content
• Turbid (not clear)
• High Color Value
• Low Interfacial Tension
Reclaiming /
Chemical • High Acidity Value
Change the Oil
• High Dissipation Factor Value
• Presence of Sediment or Sludge
Table 4 - Extracted from IEC 60422, Table 6.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 28

 Reconditioning And Reclaiming Of Oil
• If any of the tests indicates that the insulating oil is
not in satisfactory condition as stipulated by the
standard, it may be restored by reconditioning or
reclaiming it; or it may be completely replaced.
• Reconditioning is the removal of moisture and solid
materials by mechanical means such as filter,
presses, centrifuges or vacuum dehydrators.
• Reclaiming is the removal of acidic and
contaminants and products of oxidation by chemical
and absorbent involving Fuller’s earth, either alone
or in combination with other substances.

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD IEC 60422 - 29

 UNITS ESTER OIL SILICONE OIL MINERAL OIL

GENERAL PROPERTIES

Density at 20˚C g/ml 0.97 0.96 0.88

Kinematic viscosity at 20˚C mm²/s 70 50 (at 25˚C) 22

Kinematic viscosity at 100˚C mm²/s 5.25 15 2.6

Pour point ˚C -60 < -50 -50

Flash point ˚C 275 > 300 160

Autoignition temperature ˚C 438 435 280

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Neutralisation value mgKOH/g < 0.03 < 0.01 < 0.03

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES

Breakdown voltage kV > 75 50 > 70

FLUID COMPARISON TABLE

JMPS J.M.PANG & SEAH (PTE) LTD COMPARISON- 1