Types and functions of transformer oil

1.Definition

Transformer oil is a liquid medium used in power equipment such as transformers, which mainly plays the role of insulation, cooling, arc extinguishing and protection. With the development of the power industry, the demand for transformer oil is also increasing year by year. According to the source of the oil, transformer oil is mainly divided into mineral oil, vegetable oil, silicone oil and synthetic ester oil. Let us briefly introduce the types of these oils and their functions.

2.Main types of transformer oil

Mineral oil transformer oil

Mineral oil is a traditional transformer oil with a history of nearly 100 years. It is mainly made of paraffin-based oil and cycloalkane-based oil, with good electrical and thermal properties. Mineral oil is widely used in high-voltage transformers, but for ultra-high voltage equipment, it is usually necessary to specially select suitable oil components, such as isoparaffin and cycloalkanes, to ensure the stability of the oil.

Vegetable oil transformer oil

Vegetable oil transformer oil is processed from natural vegetable oil, has a high ignition point and good electrical properties, and is biodegradable and renewable. Although vegetable oil transformer oil has advantages in environmental protection, its price is relatively high and its performance at low temperatures is not as good as mineral oil. Therefore, it is currently mainly used in places with high requirements for environmental protection.

Silicone oil transformer oil

The main advantages of silicone oil transformer oil are good high and low temperature resistance and strong electrical insulation. Silicone oil is often used in small-capacity transformers below 35KV, but in long-term use, silicone oil is easily affected by partial discharge and high temperature, resulting in a decrease in insulation performance. Therefore, silicone oil is generally not suitable for high-power and high-voltage equipment.

Synthetic ester transformer oil

Synthetic ester transformer oil is an environmentally friendly oil that can be quickly biodegraded and is suitable for places with high environmental protection requirements, such as offshore wind farms. It not only has good electrical insulation, but also has excellent fire resistance, oxidation resistance and aging resistance. Synthetic ester oil is particularly suitable for environments with more moisture and has stronger moisture resistance than mineral oil and silicone oil.

3.The role of transformer oil

Insulation role

The most important role of transformer oil is to act as an electrical insulating medium to prevent current from flowing in parts where it should not flow, and to ensure the safe operation of equipment. It is filled inside the transformer to isolate parts with different potentials and prevent current leakage.

Cooling effect

The transformer generates a lot of heat during operation. If this heat cannot be dissipated in time, it may cause the equipment to overheat. Transformer oil can effectively absorb and conduct heat, take away the heat through oil circulation, and maintain the normal temperature of the equipment.

Arc extinguishing effect

Transformer oil can effectively extinguish arcs in switch and circuit breaker equipment. The high temperature of the arc may cause equipment damage or even cause a fire, while the good thermal conductivity and rapid cooling ability of transformer oil can quickly extinguish the arc and prevent accidents.

Protective effect

Transformer oil also contains some antioxidant and anti-corrosion additives, which can effectively prevent oxidation and corrosion of metal parts inside the equipment and extend the service life of the equipment. In addition, transformer oil can be isolated from air to prevent equipment from getting damp, further improving its safety and reliability.

4.Summary

Transformer oil is a key component to ensure efficient and safe operation of transformers. According to different needs, choosing the right oil type can greatly improve the performance and service life of the equipment. Whether it is mineral oil, vegetable oil, silicone oil, or synthetic ester oil, they all play an important role in their respective fields. Therefore, understanding the types and functions of transformer oil can help us better choose suitable transformer oil and ensure the normal operation of power equipment.

Related Products