Insulating Oil
RTRC Limited offers insulating oil testing services to assess the performance, safety, and longevity of transformer oils. These services are crucial for ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of electrical transformers.
Insulating oil testing is indeed a key diagnostic indicator in transformer health management. It plays a critical role in monitoring and maintaining the reliability, safety, and efficiency of transformers. Insulating oil (also known as transformer oil) serves multiple purposes, including insulation, cooling, and protection of transformer components against oxidation and contamination
Types of oil Tested
New Insulating oil
Mineral-based oil (naphthenic or paraffinic) refined, or freshly manufactured oil designed specifically for insulating and cooling electrical equipment such as transformers and switchgear..
Used Insulating Oil
Insulating oil that has been in service in electrical equipment and is subject to aging, oxidation, and contamination. It may contain impurities like moisture, dissolved gases, and oxidation byproducts (acids, sludge, etc.) that reduce dielectric strength and insulating properties of insulating oil due to chemical and physical degradation.
Ester Oil
Synthetic or natural oil made from esters, which are derived from organic compounds. Ester oils are eco-friendly alternatives to mineral-based oils. Ester oil is a viable natural alternative providing environmental, fire, safety & performance and life extension benefits over and above traditional mineral oils.
Both mineral oil and ester liquids are widely used as transformer insulating fluids, their chemical compositions and properties differ significantly, which necessitates distinct testing procedures. The key differences between the oils are:
| Feature | New Insulating Oil | Used Insulating Oil | Ester Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Fresh & Uncontaminated | Aged and potentially degraded | New and eco-friendly |
| Source | Previously used mineral based | Synthetic or natural esters | Mineral-based |
| Dielectric Strength | High | Lower than new oil | Comparable to new oil |
| Moisture Tolerance | Low | Low | High |
| Environmental Impact | Moderate | Moderate to high | Low |
| Fire Safety | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Biodegradability | Poor | Poor | Excellent |
Testing Facilities
Both mineral oil and ester liquids are widely used as transformer insulating fluids, their chemical compositions and properties differ significantly, which necessitates distinct testing procedures. Testing facilities as per national and international standards protocols are:
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls content (PCB)
- Polycyclic Aromatic compounds (PCA)
- Furfural and related compounds content (Contamination)
- Resistivity at 90 °C
- Metal Passivator additives.
- Inhibitors Content
- Di Benzyl di-Sulphide (DBDS)
- Potentially corrosive sulphur
- Particle (counts & size)
- Viscosity at low temperatures
- Interfacial Tension
- Dissolved Gas Analysis
- Pour Point
- Water content
- Break down voltage
- Density
- Flash Point
- Dielectric dissipation factor
- Appearance & color
- Potentially corrosive sulphur
- Total Sulphur content
- Viscosity at low temperatures
- Gassing Tendency
- Dissolved Gas Analysis
- Corrosive Sulphur
- Neutralization Value (Acidity)
- Oxidation Stability (3 parameters)
Complete Testing Facilities For Insulating Oil
| Specification | Products |
|---|---|
| IS 335: 2018 | Specification for New Insulating oil |
| IS 1866: 2017 | Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment supervision and maintenance guidance (Fourth Revision) |
| IS 16659:2017 | Unused natural ester for transformers and similar electrical equipment |
| IS 16081:2013 | Unused synthetic organic ester for electrical Purpose |
| IS 16899:2023 | Guide for acceptance and maintenance of natural ester fluids in transformers |
| IS 16099:2013 | Guide for maintenance of transformer ester in equipment |
| IEC 60422: 2013 | Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment supervision and maintenance guidance (Fourth Revision) |
| IEC 62770:2013 | Unused natural ester for transformers and similar electrical equipment |
| IEC 61099:2010 | Unused synthetic organic ester for electrical Purpose |
| IEC 62975:2021 | Guide for acceptance and maintenance of natural ester fluids in transformers |
| IEC 61203:1992 | Guide for maintenance of transformer ester in equipment |
Other Services
We are an internationally recognized testing laboratory, providing high-quality testing services to clients in over 20 countries.
