C

ooling Classes of Transformers

s a point of clarification, the cooling classes of transformers have

changed in recent years and are explained in the following information. The IEEE transformer cooling designations were changed
to become consistent with the IEC (IEC 60076-2: 1998). The new classifications are detailed in IEEE C57.12.00-2000.
The new cooling designations have four-letter descriptions that indicate
specific criteria relative to 1) the type of oil, 2) how the oil is internally
circulated, 3) what is used to cool the oil, and 4) how the oil is externally
cooled.
As an example:
What is used to cool the oil

ONAN
How the oil is internally circulated

How the oil is externally cooled

Figure 1 Cooling Designations

The cooling class is identified by the following methodology:

First Letter
Internal Cooling Medium in Contact with the Windings

K
L

Second Letter
Circulation Mechanism for
Internal Cooling Medium

The type of oil

Letter
O

by Ron Widup
Shermco Industries

Definition
Mineral oil or synthetic insulating liquid with fire point
300C
Insulating liquid with fire point > 300C
Insulating liquid with no measurable fire point

Letter
Definition
N Natural convection flow
through cooling equipment
and in windings
F
Forced circulation through
cooling equipment (i.e.,
coolant pumps) and natural convection flow in
windings (also called nondirected flow)
D Forced circulation through
cooling equipment, directed
from the cooling equipment
into at least the main windings

Third Letter
External Cooling Medium
Letter
A
W

Spring 2003

Definition
Air
Water
1

Fourth Letter
Circulation Mechanism for External Cooling Medium
Letter
N
F

Definition
Natural convection
Forced circulation [fans (air cooling) or
pumps (water cooling)]

Comparison of past transformer cooling designations versus present-day transformer cooling designations is detailed in the following table:
Present Designations
ONAN
ONAF
ONAN/ONAF/ONAF
ONAN/ONAF/OFAF
ONAN/ODAF
ONAN/ODAF/ODAF
OFAF
OFWF
ODAF
ODWF

Previous Designations
OA
FA
OA/FA/FA
OA/FA/FOA
OA/FOA
OA/FOA/FOA
FOA
FOW
FOA
FOW

For more detailed information on transformer

cooling class designations, see IEEE Standard
C57.12.00-2000, IEEE Standard General Requirements
for Liquid-Immersed Distribution, Power, and Regulating
Transformers.
Ron A. Widup, Executive Vice President/General Manager
of Shermco Industries, Inc., has over 20 years of experience in
the low-, medium-, and high-voltage switchgear and substation
market. He is a principal member of NFPA technical committee
70E (Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces) and
a member of NEC Code Panel 11. He is past president of NETA
and currently a member of the Board of Directors and Standards
Review Council. He is certified as a NETA Level IV Senior Test
Technician.

Figure 2 Comparison Table, Past/Present Designations

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