Types Of Transformer Oils and Their Characteristics: All you need to know

If you ever learn about the components of fluorescent lamps, high-voltage capacitors, or oil-filled wet transformers, you will hear about transformer oils. It insulates, works as a coolant, and has many other functions.

Anyways, you might think of buying them for your household or other reasons. Before you purchase them, here are some details about them to help you choose the right one.

This article discusses the various types and features of insulating oils or transformation oils.

What Makes Transformer Oils Different from Other Machinery Oils?

A transformer oil remains stable even at high temperatures. Due to its excellent insulating features, the oil is often used in various electrical appliances.

The critical properties are:

• High dialectic strength that ensures lesser power loss.
• Specific resistance that provides better insulation values.
• Transformer oil is known to be a high-performance lubricant.
• Its standard thermal stability and high flash point reduce evaporation losses.
• Even in adverse conditions, it shows excellent ageing characteristics.
• The temperature range for transformer oil is wider than many other similar products.
• The dielectric dissipation factor for tan delta is another crucial electrical property of transformer oil.
• The moisture or water content in the transformer oil can affect the winding of a transformer and the core’s paper insulation.
• The harmful acidic content in it makes it less useful as it makes the water content more soluble in the oil.

The Two Types of Transformer Oils

Usually, transformer oils are based on mineral oils. The two main types are:

• Naphthenic Oil
• Paraffinic Oil

Naphthenic Oil

It is a mineral oil derived from specific crudes with very low n-paraffin or wax. The features are:

• The pour point of this oil is lower than the paraffinic type due to its low wax content.
• It is more really corroded than other oil types.
• The boiling point is, on average, 425 degrees C.
• The oxidation product or sludge is more soluble in water for it than in paraffin-based oils.
• It comes with aromatic items at low temperatures.

Paraffinic Oil

It is another mineral oil derived from special crudes with a high amount of wax or n-paraffin. The features of the oils are:

• The boiling point is approximately 530 °C.
• It has a lower oxidation rate than Naphtha oil.
• The sludge is insoluble and remains at the tank’s bottom.
• The pour point is higher than naphtha oil due to its high wax content.

There is another way to classify transformer oil- type 1 and type 2. Type 1 transformer oil is used in appliances where normal oxidation resistance is needed. For higher resistance, type 2 is used.

Types of Mineral Oil Alternatives Used in Transformers

Although mineral oil has been a primary component of transformer oils for ages, alternatives are also popular. Pentaerythritol tetra fatty acid natural and synthetic esters are common mineral oil alternatives.

When a transformer leaks even a few drops of mineral oil, it can cause a fire. Due to this risk, people prefer to use these alternatives. They have a high fire point, i.e., over 300 degrees C. You can use them in high-fire-risk areas such as indoors.

Anyways, they are biodegradable. Moreover, they cost a little more than regular mineral transformer oils.

Researchers are currently working on developing vegetable-based formulations. Also, they are trying to develop nanofluids to be used in transformer oils since nanofluids can help to improve the stability and other properties of a transformer oil.

Testing Transformer Oil

The oil testing process can be classified into Furan analysis, PCB analysis, general electrical and physical tests, and dissolved gas analysis.

Regardless of its type, you must test a few factors in any transformer. It helps to understand the performance ability of the oil. The factors are as follows:

• Standard specification for the mineral oil used in the apparatus
• The voltage of dielectric breakdown
• Liquid power factor of the oil
• The specific resistance of the oil
• Interfacial tension
• Visual appearance
• Corrosive sulfur
• Kinematic Viscosity
• Density
• The number of acidic components

Transformer Oil testing is important in numerous ways and also helps to determine the essential properties of the oil.

Also, it makes sure whether the oil can be used in the future or not. It detects if regeneration of filtration is required. Moreover, it prevents untimely failures and improves safety also.

Buy Transformer Oil online at L&T-SuFin

Transformer oil can last up to 30 years or more if you buy it after proper testing. So, if you are planning to buy high-quality transformer oils, don’t forget to check out what the L&T-SuFin site has to offer. The oils are available at reasonable rates and L&T SuFin also provides financial and logistic support to ensure that the product is promptly delivered to your doorstep.