What is transformer oil?
Sometimes referred to as insulating oil, transformer oil is a highly refined synthetic or mineral oil. Manufactured by leading global suppliers such as Nynas and Q8, it is specifically engineered to remain stable even at high temperatures and to prevent electricity from flowing to areas where it is not required or wanted. It is used to fill a range of high-voltage equipment, including large switches, circuit breakers and power transformers.Key functions of transformer oils
Providing high dielectric strength, transformer oils act as electrical insulators by creating a non-conductive barrier between live components and grounded parts, helping to prevent short circuits and unwanted electrical breakdown. Transformer oil also absorbs thermal energy created by copper and core losses, taking heat away from windings and transferring it to radiators or other cooling surfaces to help prevent overheating. When internal faults or electrical discharges occur, transformer oil can vaporise slightly, generating gas bubbles that may help suppress electrical arcs and reduce the risk of catastrophic failures. Transformer oil also protects components such as solid cellulose insulation and internal metal parts from corrosion, moisture and oxidation.Common types of transformer oils
Derived from refined crude oil, mineral oil is the industry standard for transformer oil and is a relatively low-cost solution. Its subtypes include naphthenic oil, which has high moisture and gas solubility and a low pour point, and paraffinic oil, which has a higher boiling point and improved oxidation resistance but a higher pour point. Natural ester oil is a bio-based fluid formulated from renewable vegetable oils such as rapeseed and soya. Fully biodegradable and offering superior moisture tolerance, it also has an extremely high fire point of more than 300°C. However, it is more expensive than conventional mineral oil. A man-made solution, synthetic ester oil is formulated using polyol esters engineered for more demanding environments. It offers biodegradability, high oxidation stability and a wide operating temperature range, but, like natural ester oil, comes at a significantly higher price than mineral oil. Silicone oil is another synthetic fluid, but it is formulated from silicone polymers. While non-biodegradable, it offers low flammability, extreme thermal stability and high dielectric strength. It is generally the most expensive option available.
De hemme transformatoroljene av toppkvalitet vi kan levere har blitt grundig testet, og har vanligvis bestått korrosjonstester inkludert ASTM D1275, DIN 51353 og IEC 62535, i tillegg til ASTM D3487-16 og IEC 60296 Edition 4.0. Slike produkter er perfekte for bruk i oljefylt elektrisk utstyr - typisk effektbrytere, likerettere, krafttransformatorer og brytersystemer.
Smøremidlene er i stand til å starte opp selv ved de laveste temperaturene, noe som eliminerer behovet for flytepunktsdempende midler, mens en høy dielektrisk styrke betyr at oljene kan takle ekstreme krav. Der det er nødvendig, er varmefjerning fra transformatorkjerner og viklinger muliggjort av spesialformulerte smøremidler, og i tillegg sikrer en lav viskositetsindeks enestående ledning og varmeoverføring.
Hvis du ønsker råd om riktig transformatorolje for utstyret ditt og tiltenkt bruk, kan du gjerne spørre ekspertene på Oil Store. Vi gir gjerne veiledning om dette, eller noen av de andre oljeproduktene vi lagerfører, på forespørsel.