Factors affecting transformer oil and effective management

Factors affecting transformer oil

The design of transformers, the quality of new oil, and the operating conditions of transformers can all affect the performance of transformer oil during operation.

The impact of transformer design on the performance of transformer oil during operation: The distance between transformer coil turns and the distance between high and low voltage coils are related to the strength of the Transformer Power plant, while the strength of the electric field affects the oxidation stability of transformer oil; The size of the transformer body affects the oil capacity of the transformer; The design of cooling method is directly related to the operating temperature and circulation speed of transformer oil, thereby affecting the oxidation stability and electrical performance of the transformer.

Quality of new oil: It is recommended to use high-quality transformers to ensure a longer service life. It is recommended to request product certification from the oil supplier and conduct sampling to verify the typical quality data of the purchased oil. At the same time, these initial data should be retained for comparison with the sampled data during operation, which is very important for judging the trend of oil changes. When the purchased transformer oil needs to be mixed with unused oil products, it should be strictly tested according to the requirements of GB/T14542 "Guidelines for Maintenance and Management of Transformer Oil in Operation". Only after passing the mixed oil test can it be used.

The influence of transformer operating conditions on the performance of transformer oil during operation: The most important factor affecting the oil performance of transformers during operation is the operating conditions of transformers. The high operating temperature, local overheating, partial discharge, and leakage of transformers can accelerate the thermal oxidation reaction of transformers, further affecting the electrical performance of transformer oil.

Effective management of transformer oil

One of the special characteristics of transformer oil is that the invasion of external trace impurities (such as moisture, dust, fibers, surface active substances, etc.) will significantly change the electrical insulation ability of the oil (such as voltage resistance decrease, dielectric loss factor increase, etc.), which requires special measures for production, transportation, and storage.

The second particularity is that it needs to come into contact with various solid insulation materials and other components after being added to the transformer. The compatibility between the components of transformer oil and various solid insulation materials (such as varnish, cardboard, rubber, paint, adhesive, etc.) will also change the electrical insulation performance of the oil. This requires transformer manufacturers to clarify whether all materials used inside the transformer have mutual solubility with transformer oil (if there is solubility, the oil quality will deteriorate), and whether the solid insulation material is clean and dry (trace amounts of moisture will be inhaled and released between the oil and the solid insulation material, and dust will affect voltage resistance and dielectric loss).

So the management of transformer oil is not just the responsibility of oil producers, it runs through the entire process of sales and use. Containers, storage tanks, pipelines, pumps, samplers, sample bottles, etc. used in production, transportation, storage, loading and unloading processes must meet the requirements of "specialized, dry, and clean". Specialized means dedicated; Dry is dry; Clean is pure. Not following the "Three Character Classic" will result in huge losses for the enterprise.