Dielectric Fluid Sampling & Analysis Page 1 of 2

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 Field Services Overview Dielectric Fluid Sampling & Analysis
Acceptance &
Maintenance Testing
Burlington Electrical Testing procures
Infrared &
Ultrasonic Inspection
oil samples to perform a Dissolved Gas
Dielectric Fluid
Analysis (DGA) and an Oil Content
Sampling & Analysis evaluation of switchgear insulating
Protective Relay fluids in accordance with NETA and
Calibration & Testing IEEE/ANSI (C57.104-1991)
Power Factor specifications. Insulation fluids
Testing (doble) analyzed include Mineral Oils, PCBs,
Circuit Breaker Testing, Perc, R-Temp, and Silicone based.
Maintenance & Repair
Transformer &
Switchgear Testing Hydrocarbon, mineral-based, oils are
Retrofitting of Low commonly used in transformers as
Voltage Circuit Breakers insulating fluids because of their high
Cable Testing dielectric strength and chemical
Emergency Transfer stability. Under normal operating
Switch Testing, conditions little decomposition occurs
  
Maintenance, & Repair
  in these oils. However, under a fault
Grounding & Earth condition, the oil will undergo chemical
Resistance Testing degradation. This breakdown releases
Motor Testing & various gases and chemicals into the oil.
Surge Analysis
Only from a qualitative and quantitative
Generator Testing
analysis of the gases present, is it possible to distinguish such fault processes as Corona,
& Inspection
Battery Testing
Sparking, Overheating and Arcing occurring in the Transformer.
Transformer & Circuit
Breaker Bushing A Dissolved Gas Analysis can provide:
Replacement & Repair
Meter Calibration &
1. Indication of an ongoing problem
Repair
Switchgear Testing,
2. Prevention of a serious occurrence such as explosion or sudden outtage
Maintenance, Repair, 3. Advanced warning of developing faults
& Inspection 4. A determination of the improper use of the apparatus tested
Investigation & 5. Status checks on new and repaired units
Troubleshooting 6. A means to trend the levels in order to conveniently schedule repairs
Services
Cable Fault Locating
The interpretation of data from a DGA can be complex due to the many different characteristics
Planned Preventative
Maintenance Programs
and operating conditions that affect gas formation. Therefore establishing a baseline and
performing regular testing and monitoring the content is the best way to determine and control
 Engineering Services  
the fault process.

A summary of mineral oil analysis and interpretations can be found below:

Printer-friendly version of tables

Dissolved Gas
Interpretation Acceptable Limits
Analysis
Hydrogen* Thermal decomposition of the cellulose
500 ppm (0.05%) (Max.)
H2 insulation material - overheating condition.
Methane* Overheating or other fault conditions have
100 ppm (0.010%) (Max.)
CH 4 occurred or exist inside the transformer.
Ethane* Low energy arcing has occurred or exists
50 ppm (0.005%) (Max.)
C 2H 6 inside the transformer.

http://www.betest.com/fld_dielec_fluid.html 24/9/2007
Dielectric Fluid Sampling & Analysis Page 2 of 2

Ethylene* Transformer is operating hot or localized

50 ppm (0.005%) (Max.)
C 2H 4 overheating has occurred or exists.
Acetylene* High energy arcing has occurred or exists
0 ppm (0.00%) (Max.)
C 2H 2 inside the transformer.
Oxygen Thermal decomposition of the cellulose
20,000 ppm (2.00%) (Max.)
O2 insulation material - overheating condition.
CarbonMonoxide* Thermal decomposition of the cellulose
1,000 ppm (0.10%) (Max.)
CO insulation material - overheating condition.
Carbon Dioxide Thermal decomposition of the cellulose
10,000 ppm (1.00%) (Max.)
CO 2 insulation material - overheating condition.
* Combustible Gas
 
Oil Screen
Interpretation Acceptable Limits
Analysis
Moisture Content Reveals if transformer tank is sealed or 25 ppm ↓ 69KV XFRM (Max.)
cellulosic breakdown via the level of water 35 ppm ↑ 69KV XFRM (Max.)
present.
Interfacial Tension Reveals the presence of sludge. Precursor to 24 dyne/cm (Min.)
the insulation’s failure to properly cool the
unit.
Acid Number The amount of acidic or alkaline material 0.20 mg KOH/g-oil (Max.)
present.
Color Number Elevated number indicates oil contamination 0.5 (New Oil) – 8.0 (Worse
or deterioration of the oil. case )
Dielectric Reveals conductive contaminants in the oil 24 KVAC (Min.)
Breakdown such as metallic cuttings, fibers or free
water.
Specific Gravity Helps reveal if oil has been mixed with other Approx 0.875 @15°C
fluids.
Power Factor Reveals leakage current through oil. 0.5% ↓ 69KV XFRM @ 25°C
Elevated power factor reveals moisture, 1.0% ↑ 69KV XFRM @ 25°C
resins or fuel oils. (Max.)

Furanic Compound testing is used to determine the approximate age of transformer insulation
and to estimate the remaining life of the transformer.

This process is performed by first procuring an insulating fluid sample from a transformer (which
can be performed on line), and then analyzing the sample with a Liquid Chromatograph. The
chromatograph detects decomposed cellulose compounds in the oil.

The most significant compound is 2-Furfuraldehyde; concentrations of this compound correlate

the Degree of Polymerization (DP), which is a number that relates to the average number of D-
Glucopyranose monomers present in cellulose chain.

The higher the numbers of D-Glucopyranose monomers present the better the condition of the
insulation in the transformer.

The following chart gives a quick reference of the DP # to the age of the transformer.

   New Kraft Paper    1000 – 1300

   Middle aged Paper       approx. 500
   Old paper    less than 250   
   Dust    less than 150

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http://www.betest.com/fld_dielec_fluid.html 24/9/2007