Transformer oil plays a pivotal role in the operation and longevity of electrical transformers, serving four vital functions. Firstly, it acts as a heat dissipater, ensuring that the core and coil of the transformer remain at optimal temperatures by facilitating thermal syphoning. Secondly, the oil must possess dielectric capabilities to insulate and protect the transformer’s components. Most crucially, it shields the solid insulation, typically paper, from damage that could weaken the transformer’s tensile strength and reduce its overall lifespan. Furthermore, transformer oil enables easy monitoring through regular testing in a laboratory setting, offering valuable insights into the equipment’s health. This article delves into the various types of transformer fluids, their colors, and the critical importance of proper maintenance practices for the safe and efficient operation of electrical transformers.
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The transformer oil serves four essential functions.
One: It needs to disperse heat from the core and coil. The oil in a transformer doesn’t just sit there. As it heats up, the oil will rise to the top and then go out into the tops of the radiator’s tubes. Here it will start to cool, it then starts to work its way down the radiator tubes and then back into the transformer at the bottom of the cooling tubes. The name of this process is Thermal Syphoning.
Two: It needs to have dielectric capabilities.
Three: We should prioritize the oil’s ability to safeguard the solid insulation (paper) within the transformer. Once the damage is done to the paper the tensile strength will weaken making the paper weaker, shortening the life of the transformer.
Fourth: Is not a function of the oil, but the advantage of oil is that you can pull a representative sample from the transformer and send it to a lab and see how the transformer is operating. There is a battery of different tests that are done on an oil sample ranging from oil aging tests to DGA tests and of course moisture content.
Manufacturers produce a wide variety of transformer fluids today. The most prevalent is still mineral oil, with quite a few different refineries that refine mineral oil. There are 2 types of transformer oil, Type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is an uninhibited oil and Type 2 has an oxidation inhibitor added to it. Oxygen is an aging accelerator when it gets inside the transformer. With most of the oxygen getting in through leaks. This is why it is so important to do visual inspections and repair any leaks that you find. The oxidation inhibitor will get used up after time, what that period comes down to is how much oxygen is in the transformer. The higher the amount of oxygen, the faster the inhibitor will deplete. Type 2 inhibited oil should be recommended.
The oil in the transformer also has a breakdown voltage (BDV). The dielectric breakdown voltage of an insulating liquid is of importance as a measure of the liquid’s ability to withstand electric stress without failure. This test looks for contaminants such as water, dirt, cellulosic fibers, or conducting particles in the liquid, one or more of which may be present. Lowering the dielectric of the oil. Parameters for ASTM D 877 and D Dielectric test are located in the IEEE Standard C57.106
There are a lot of different types of fluids and natural and synthetic esters fluids. So, It all depends on the application of the transformer and where you are going to place the transformer. So the color of oil is dependent on what type of fluid it is.
Some fluids like oil when brand new should be water white(clear) but as they age the color will change from water white to a dark brown even black if there is carbon build up in the transformer.
Some of the newer Natural esters are a light green tint. And of course, there are fluids out there that longer produced but, we might still have them in our electrical system, So, we need to be very careful if one of our in-service transformers develops a leak. When the fluid in the transformer is no longer in production, you must locate a compatible replacement fluid for the leaking transformer.
We have to remember that the most important reason why the fluid is in our transformers is to protect the solid insulation. So the good thing about oil is that when it gets questionable or unacceptable oil test results, you can clean it up and bring it back to acceptable levels.
The oxidation decay products are aggressive toward the solid insulation. This shortens the life of the equipment because it shortens the insulation life.
Hot oil cleaning removes these oxidation decay products including sludges from mineral oil-immersed transformers. The old dirty oil removed from the bottom of the transformer through an oil processor and then returned to the transformer. Depending on the test results and how many gallons of oil are in the transformer, will dictate how many passes are needed to bring your results back to acceptable levels. If all our test results are acceptable except the Oxidation Inhibitor, Southwest Electric can also do a reinbahiting process on your transformers. It is the same as Hot Oil Cleaning just a few less circulations through the oil processor saving time and money.
Still have questions or want to learn more about Southwest Electric’s Transformer capabilities please call 833-YOUR-SWE.
Do you have an idea that the power system would not be complete without the use of transformers? Actually! They assist optimally in the optimal transmission and distribution of power. One of these kinds of transformers is an oil-immersed transformer, which has an advantage over other types in that it can withstand more power and higher temperature settings.
In the following article, we shall discuss the principles, components, types, advantages, and basic maintenance routines of oil-immersed transformers.
“As the name suggests, the transformer is placed in a steel tank filled with insulating oil with moves around to keep it cool via convection but at the same time keep insulating it”
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Generally, transformers alter the voltage of alternating current (AC), either raising or lowering it. For transmission purposes over long distances, high voltages are preferred as they facilitate efficient and quick transmission. Lower voltages on the other hand allow safety in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Power distribution companies use oil-immersed transformers in medium and large ranges due to their durability, efficiency, and good cooling properties.
To better understand the phenomenon of Oil Immersed Transformers, it is crucial to know each part of the transformer along its role. The following are the major components:
Windings are composed of copper or aluminum and are protected from each other by some insulating organ.
The Oil Immersed Transformers are used in power distribution areas. These transformers simply work on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
Step 1) Input voltage supplied: An alternating current (AC) passes through the primary winding which surrounds a laminated steel core of the transformer. It causes a magnetic field to be generated.
Step 2) Magnetic flux induction: The generated magnetic field expands and collapses and AC cycles which in turn produces a changing flux in the core. The change in magnetic flux induces a voltage in the secondary winding, which is placed in such a way that it intersects with the magnetic field.
Step 3) Voltage Transformation: The primary and secondary windings have turns in a relative ratio and this determines the amount of voltage that will either step up or step down.
Step 4) Cooling and Insulation: The whole transformer is placed in insulating oil, usually mineral oil, which also acts as a cooling agent. During normal operation of the transformer, oil is used to disperse heat that is generated to prevent any overheating and insulating the windings and the core to avoid electrical breakdown.
Step 5) Output voltage supplied: The secondary winding transfers the voltage to the external circuit. So, the process of voltage adjustment is completed here.
In this way, oil-immersed transformers provide effective and safe means of voltage transformation for the various stages of electricity distribution.
Oil-immersed transformers are classified based on their cooling methods and come in a variety of options:
The oil-immersed transformers have high regard due to their ability to work under extreme conditions and factors influencing them. Here’s a quick look at the upshots of these transformers that would make them popular with any power management system.
Oil–immersed transformers can operate at optimal levels and last longer due to the regular required maintenance and preventive actions. Some key measures include periodic oil analysis to identify foreign substances and oil conditions, monitoring of oil to avoid its deep frying, and ensuring that the cooling system (radiators and fans) operates optimally.
The breather must be serviced by replacing the silica gel so that moisture does not accumulate, and the transformer must be visually monitored for any oil seepage. Over-temperature conditions that may result in overheating need monitoring, while the Buchholz relay should be regularly checked so that internal fault traces can be found.
Regular examinations for abnormal sound or vibration, coupled with the monitoring of the surroundings, serve to foresee any likely problem in good time. To conclude, irrefutably, electrical examinations, for example, insulation resistance tests are essential for malfunction prevention. The implementation of these actions considerably enhances the dependability and lifetime of the transformer.
For any business that needs uninterrupted electricity, oil-immersed transformers are essential. Their unique cooling, insulation, and design features enable them to efficiently cope with a number of functions, making them well-suited for modern power systems. Proper and regular maintenance work, especially preventive maintenance, increases their life span and keeps your operations free of interruptions.
Delixi manufactures state-of-the-art oil-immersed transformers that can withstand harsh conditions and perform at their peak. With Delixi, you get dependability and high technology suited for modern industrial power systems. Let Delixi bolster your power infrastructure.