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I E CR E C l l M M E N D A T I ( l N
Publication
422
-- Firstedition
Premibre
6dition
1973
pourlamaintenance
Guide
etIasurueillance
deshuiles
isolanles
enseruice
guide
Maintenance
andsuperuision
forinsulating
oilsinseruice
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- all rightsreserved
Droitsde reproduction
r6serv6s
Bureau
Central
delaCommission
Electrotechnique
Internationale
1 , r u ed eV a r e m b d
Oendve,
Suisse
)
,}
L contenu technique des publications de la CEI est codstafiment revu par la Commission a.fin d'assure! qu'il reflete
bien l'tat actuel de 1atechnique,
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consultant les documents ci-dessous:
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Publications
For geneml terminology, readeN arc referred to IEC Publication 50: International Electote.hnical Vocabulary (I.E.V.),
which is issued in the form of separate chapters each dealing
with a specific field, the GeneEl Index being published as a
separate booklet. Full details of the LE.V. will b supplied on
request.
Symbolesgraphiqueset litt6raux
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Internationale
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R E C ( ) M M A N D ADTEI lLl A
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IECREC()MMENIlATI(lN
422
Publicalion
t dition
P r e m i i r6ed i t i o-n F i r s e
1973
pourlamaintenance
Guide
etlasurueillance
isolantes
des
huiles
enseruice
guide
Maintenance
andsuperuision
forinsufaling
oilsinseruice
PERP''ST \KAAN
IIMBAGA
r..rtriiol-r..
{ETF,I\IAGAAN
No. Ageoda
t qW
Tanggal ,9
--9-
D r o i td
s e r e p r o d u c t ri o
en
s e r v 6- s C o p y r i g-hatl l r i q h t sr e s e r v e d
A u c u n ep a r t i ed e c e t t ep u b l r c a t r onne p e u t e t r e r e p r 0 r l U int ei L r t i l i s 6seo u s
N o p a r t o f t h r s p u b l i c a t r 0m
n a y b e r e p r o d u c eodr u t r l i z e di n a n y
q u e l q u ef o r m e q u e c e s o i t t r t p a r a u c u np r o c e d ed, l e c t r o n i q roi eu m E c a - f o r m t r r a n y m e a n s ,e l e c t r 0 n ioc r m e c h a n i c a l ,
i n c l u d i n gp h o t o c o p y i n g
n t q u ey, c o m p r i sl a p h o t o c o per tel e sm i c r o l i l m s a
, n sl ' a c c o redc r i td e l ' i c l i t e u r . a n d m i c r o f i l mw, i t h o u p
t e r m i s s i oi n w r i t i n gf r o m t h e p u b l i s h e r .
Bureau
Central
delaCommission
Electrotechnique
Internationale
1 , r u ed eV a r e m b d
6eneve,
Suisse
iii:Ji?,3450
- 3 -
CONTENTS
Page
FonrwoRo
PnrnlcE
Clause
1. Introduction
2. Scope
7
7
l1
13
5 . Action to be taken
13
6 . Criteria
15
7. Test methods .
7. 1. S am p l i n g.
7.2. Electric strength .
7.3. Water content .
7.4. Dielectric dissipation factor .
7.5. Resistivity
7.6. Neutralizationvalue
7.7. Sedimentand precipitablesludge
7. 8. F las h p o i n t .
7.9. Interfacialtension
7. 10. Dis s o l v e dg a s .
7. l l . C o l o u r .
7.12. Appearance.
7.13. Oxidation stability .
7.14. Compatibility .
7.15. Other field tests
l5
15
l5
t5
l5
17
l7
t9
19
t9
l9
19
t9
t9
l9
AppExorx A1 -
2l
AppeNolx A2 -
23
25
Apprxolx B
F r c ung I
r7
32
- 5 -
FOREWORD
l) The formal decisionsor agreementsof the IEC on technicalmatters,preparedby TechnicalCommitteeson which all
the National Committeeshavinga specialinterestthereinare represented,
express,as nearly as possible,an international
consensus
of opinion on the subjectsdealt with.
2) They have the form of recommendationsfor international use and they are acceptedby the National Committees in
that sense.
3) In order to promote internationalunification,the IEC expresses
the wish that all National Committeesshould adopt
the text of the IEC recommendationfor their national rules in so far as national conditionswill permit.Any divergence
betweenthe IEC recommendations
and the correspondingnational rules should,as far as possible,be clearly indicated
in the latter.
PREFACE
This recommendation has been prepared by Sub-Committee10A, Hydrocarbon lnsulating Oils, of
IEC TechnicalCommittee No. 10, Liquid and GaseousDielectrics.
The drafts were discussedduring the meetingsheld in Tehran in 1969and in Brusselsin 1970.As a
result of this latter meeting a new draft, document l0A(Central Office)14,was submitted to the National
Committeesfor approval under the Six Months'Rule in October 1971.
The following countries voted explicitly in favour of publication:
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Czechoslovakia
France
Germany
Israel
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
South Africa
Srveden
Switzerland
Turkey
Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics
United Kingdom
Yugoslavia
- 7
lntroduction
Many countries possesscodes for the maintenanceof insulating oils in service.A comparative
examination of these documents has made it possible to propose an International Guide. The
values of the various characteristicsmentioned therein should be consideredas indicative only.
In fact, for the proper interpretation of results, account has to be taken of various factors, such
as the conditionsof use,the type of equipment,and the generalprogressionof the oil's characteristics.Referenceshould also be made to the equipmentmanufacturer'sinstructions.
lt is not intendedthat the contentsof this documentshould give the full detailsof the instructions which are necessaryto deal with all types of oil-filled equipment of all sizes.The intention
is to give a common basis on which more complete codes may be prepared when these are
necessary.
In the present Guide, the causesof oil deterioration are discussed,and recommendationsare
made for the various tests. Indications are also given regarding the type of treatment to which
the oil should be subsequentlysubjected,if applicable.
2.
Scope
This Guide appliesto mineral oils, both uninhibitedand inhibited againstoxidation, in service,
under normal operating conditions, in transformers, switchgearand similar electrical equipment
where oil sampling is permissible.These oils are of the same type as those described in IEC
Publication 296: Specificationfor New Insulating Oils for Transformers and Switchgear.
Application of the recommendationsof this document to oil in transformers of low power or
voltage (< I MVA or { 36 kV) may require variation in the light of local economiccircumstances
(seepreliminary remark No. 2 in Appendix Al).
3.
3.1
9 Any kind of deterioration of an oil is made evident by changesin one or more of the characteristicsmentionedbelow.
The appearanceof an odour and a change in colour, although not being of a decisivenature,
may, by comparison,give useful indicationsabout the trend of changein an oil.
The following contaminantsrnay be found in insulating oils in service.
3.1.1
Water
Water may originate from the atmosphereor be produced by the deterioration of insulating
materials.Its presenceis harmful; it may reducethe electricstrengthand the resistivityof the oil
and acceleratethe deteriorationof insulating paper.
Irlote. -- Resistivity and dissipation factor are adversely affected by undissolved water and to a much lesser extent
by water in solution, but a decrease of resistivity may sometimes be observed with no appreciable rise
in dissipation factor.
3.1.2
3.I .3
Polar substances
Theseare oil-soluble compounds resulting from oxidation of the oil itself, or from the solution
in the oil of externalcontaminantsor materialsused in the constructionof the equipment.
Measurementsof the dissipationfactor and to a lesserextent, resistivity and interfacial tension
of the oil enablesuch contaminationto be detectedand periodicallyassessed.
A comparisonof the rate of changeof the neutralizationvalue with that of one of thesethree
characteristicsgives, to some extent, an indication of the probable causeof the deterioration of
the oil. For example,a high value of dissipation factor associatedwith a low neutralizationvalue
may sometimesbe consideredas an indication of oil contamination other than of oil origin.
a) Dielectric dissipationfactor
This characteristicis very sensitiveto the presencein the oil of solublecontaminantsand ageing
products.Changesin this characteristicmay be monitored even when the oil is heavily contarninated.This determinationis thereforeof specialinterest.
b) Resistit,ity
For any given oil, there is generally a relationship betweendissipation factor and resistivity:
if the dissipation factor increases,there is a reduction in resistivity.
Useful additional information can be obtained when it is possibleto do the resistivity test at
both ambient temperatureand 90 "C. A satisfactoryresult at 90'C coupled with an unsatisfactory value at the lower temperature is an indication of the presenceof water or cold precipitable material, without undue chemical deterioration or general contamination.
ll -
3.1.4
Organic acidity
The acid products formed by the oxidation of the oil actively encourage deterioration of
insulating paper and pressboard.It is therefore essentialto detect and monitor this process.
The determination of organic acidity by measurement of the neutralization value is the most
convenientand direct method of assessing
the chemicalageingof an oil. The presenceof dissolved
COr in the oil (seeSub-clause3.1.6.)apparently increasesthis acidity, but dissolvedCO, content
is considerablyreduced if vacuum treatment is applied to the oil.
3.1.5
Precipitable sludge
This refers to sludge which is precipitated by adding n-heptane to the oil but which may be
subsequentlydissolved by the solvent specifiedin the test method (see Sub-clause7.7.2.). The
presenceof such a deposit, consisting of products formed at an advanced stage of oxidation, is
undesirableand is a premonitory sign of insoluble sludge.
3.1.6
Dissolved gases
Under normal serviceconditions, the production occurs of only small quantities of CO, CO,
and very small quantities of hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Large amounts of dissolved gases,
other than atmosphericcomponents, may be an indication of an incipient fault in the equipment.
3 . r . 7 Light hydrocarbons
Light hydrocarbons are formed during the degradation of oil under the influence of heat,
and/or electrical stresses.Large amount of these hydrocarbons may be an indication of an
incipient fault in the equipment. The presenceof some lower hydrocarbon deterioration products
may be detectableby measuringthe flash-point of the oil.
3.2
Special tests
3.2.r
t33.2.2
4.
5.
Action to be taken
The following casesare considered as a function of the degree of deterioration of the oil:
a) The characteristicsare normal: no action is necessary.
b) Only the value of the electric strength is too low: remove water and solid particles by reconditioning (e.g. filtering, centrifuging or vacuum dehydrating) (see Appendix B, Subclause83.2).
The efficacyof the treatment should be controlled. In casesof high humidity of transformer
oil, it may be necessaryalso to dry out the insulation of the active part of the transformer.
c) One or more characteristicsof the oil change rapidly: supplementary tests of the oil (see
S ub -c l a u s 4
e .3 ).
d) Several characteristicsare unsatisfactory: according to economic factors and local circumstances,it should be decided to examine the oil more thoroughly, to reclaim the oil or to
replaceit altogether.
In cases where oil is reclaimed or replaced, the equipment should be thoroughly flushed
before refilling, with special attention to the windings, to minimize contamination of the new
oil by ageing products (Appendix B).
6.
Criteria
The values of perrnissible lirnits for the different criteria listed in Appendices Al and A2
are given for guidance only and they should be interpreted in terms of the type and size of the
apparatus. Depending on such type and size, not all of the tests given in these Appendices need
to be done.
As a general rule, severalcharacteristicshave to be unfavourable in order to justify rejection
of an oil unless,of course,the electricstrengthis below the limits given. In such a case,irrespective
of the values of the other characteristics,appropriate action is essential.
7"
Test methods
7.1
Sampling
Under considerationbv IEC.
7.2
Electric strength
SeeIEC Publication 156: Method for the Determination of the Electric Strength of Insulating
Oils.
7.3
Water content
SeeISO Recommendation R 760.
Note.- Temperature
of the oil and transformeroperatingconditionsmust be notedat the time of sampling
(seeIEC sampling
rnethod).
7.4
-t77.5
Resistit,ity
SeeI EC Publications93 : Recomntertded
Methods of Test for Volume and SurfaceResistivities
of E lec tri c a In
l s u l a ti n gMa te ri a l s ,a nd IE C P ubl i cati on24T.
Carry ont the nteasurement
at 90 'C after a d.c. voltagegradientof 250 V/mm has beenapplied
for one minute.
- Anothertcmperature
l''lote.
may bc chosen.(Seerelationship
"resistivity-ten-rperatLlrc",
Figurc 1, page32.)
7.6
Netrtralization yalue
S eeIEC Pu b l i c a ti o n2 9 6 , C l a u s eI l .
7.7
7.7.1
Scope
This method coversthe detemrinationof sedimentand of precipitablesludgein usedinsulating
oils.
Sediment:any solid substaucewhich is insolublein the oil after dilution with n-heptaneand
in the solvent mixture mentionedbelow.
Precipitablesludge; oil deterioration prodircts or contarrir-rants,or both, which become
insoluble uporl dilution of the oil with n-heptaneunder prescribedconditions but which are
s olr , r b lien th e h e re u n d e r-me n ti o n esol
d ventrni xture.
7.1.2
Procedure
Thoroughlyagitatethe satttpleof used oil in the original container r.rntilany sedinelt is homoger r eou s lsyu s p e n d e idn th e o i l .
Weigh approximativelyl0 g of oil to the nearest0,1 g, in a stopperedconical flask apd introduce a volutne of n-heptanecorrespondingto l0 nrl for each granrmeof oil taken.
Tl-roroughlymix the sarnplerlnd solventand allow to stand il-rthe glassflask, in the dark, for
18-24hours.
If ersolid depositis observable,filter the solutionthrough a tared Grade 4 sinteredglasscrucible
with the assistance
of vacuum, rinsing the flask with lresh n-heptaneto ensurecompletetransfer
of the precipitateto the crucible. Wash the crucible ar-rdprecipitatewith heptaneuntil free from oil.
Allow any heptaneto evaporateand then dry the cruciblein an oven at 100-110'C for one hour,
cool in a desiccatorand weigh; calculatethe increasein weight of the crucible as a percentage
of the weight of oil taken. Denotethis value,representingthe total of insolublematerial suchas a
sedirrrentand precipitable sludge,as "A".
Dissolvethe precipitatedsludgein the crucible by treatrnentwith the rninirnum quantity of
Irlixtttre
a
of equal parts of toluene,acetoneand alcohol (either ethanol or isopropapolrnay be
Itsed.a purity of 95 \ being satisfactoryin either case), at approximately 50 'C, until no more
n'ill dissolve,aud collect the washingsin an accuratelytared flask. Distil offthe solvent; visual
exatninatiotrof the flask coutent at this stagewill show whether any residue(i.e. precipitable
s ludgein 1 h eo i l ) i s p re s e n t.
This n-raysltffice;if however a quantitativevalue is reqr-rired,
dry the flask in an oven at 100ll0'C for one hour, cool in a desiccatorand weigh. Calculatethe weight of residuein the flask
as a percentageof the weight of oil taken.
Denote such value as "8".
The difference"A-B", if any, will represent"sediment" in the oil.
- 1 9 7.8
7.9
Interfacial tension
SeeIEC Publication 296, Appendix.
Field test: interfacial tension of electrical insulating oils of petroleum origin against water
may be determined more easily in the field by the drop-weight method.*
7.10
Dissolvedgas
Under consideration.
7. ll
Colour
Any applicable National Standard for petroleum products may be used.
SeeISO RecommendationIS 2049.
7.12
Appearance
SeeIEC Publication296, Clause6.
7.13
Oxidation stability
Uninhibited oils: see IEC Publication 74: Method for Assessingthe Oxidation Stability
of
Insulating Oils.
Inhibited oils : under consideration.
7.14
Compatibility
The main characteristicsincluding oxidation stability are determined on a mixture of the
new
oil and the used oil. The ratio of this mixture is the same as that effectively chosen in practice.
If this ratio is not known at the laboratory, testsare to be made with a mixture containing
one part
of new oil and one part of used oil.
7.15
-21 -
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-23-
APPENDIX A2
INTERPRETATION OF TESTS ON OIL IN SWITCHGEAR
AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS *
Characteristicmeasured:
Electric strength
Testmethod:
IEC 156
Test venue:
Field or laboratory
Equipment voltage
Permissible
limit:
>l7okv
< l70kv
Breakdown voltagerequired
> 30 kv
> 20kv
Frequencyof test:
Seemanufacturer'sspecification
Action if outsidepermissible
limit:
-25-
APPE,NDIX B
81.
Scope
The scope of this appendix is to give general principles that can be applied to l-randling,reconditioningand replacingof insulatingoils. The generalrnaintenancerules to be followed may
be found either in IEC publicationsissuedby those Committeesdealing with a given type of
equipment,or in manufacturer'sinstructions.
The rnain precautions to take in handling, replacing and for processingto improve characteristicsof the oil are described.
There are two types of cleaningprocesses:
a) Reconditioning:
This involvesa processto elirninate,only by physicalmeans,solid particlesfrom the oil and
to decreasewater content to an acceptablelevel.
b) Reclaiming:
This involves a processto eliminate from the oil all contarninants,insoluble and dissolved,
to obtain, at the end of the process,an oil with similar characteristicsto those chosen for
the new product.
In this appendix, only the caseof " Reconditioning" will be exarnined.The applicability of
the " Reclaiming" of the oil dependson economicand local factors which are not considered
in this document.
If " Reclaiming " is consideredto be desirable,recommendationsmay be found in a suitable
document (seefootnote, page 15).
B2.
Handling
To ensuresatislactoryservice,the utmost care in handling the oil before filling into the equip.,
ment is essential.Drums used for transport and storageshould be kept under cover. In practice,
owing to contamination in the containers,difficulty may be experiencedin maintaining the purity
of the oil when it is transferred from one vesselto another, and once a vesselor drum has been
filled with moist oil, it is difficult to clean. Oil-handling equipment (pipework, pumps) should
be kept clean and free from moisture. Before use, this equipment should be carefully inspected
to ensurethat it is free from dirt and water. and flushedwith clean oil.
When oil is stored in drums, these should be placed in such a position that there is a head
of oil on the bung or plug to prevent the entry of water during storage.However, it is recogmzed
that storageof oil in drums is not alwayssatisfactory,and transferof such oil to electricalequipment through a suitable treatment plant is recommended.This also applies to oil in drums
which have been bent or otherwise damased in transit or storase.
-2783.
Reconditioning *
83.l
General consideratiorts
The physicalmeansthat are usedfor removing water and solidsfrom oil include severaltypes
of filter, centrifugeand vacuum dehydrator.
The best choice of temperature for purification depends on circumstances.If vacuum treatrnent is employed to remove water, temperatures up to 80 oC are advantageous;if not, it is
advisable to limit the temperature to 60 oC to prevent oxidation. If it is desirable to reduce
precipitable sludge (or free water without vacuum treatment),cold treatment may be appropriate.
B3.2
Reconditioningprocesses
83.2.1
Filters
Filter devicesare generally based upon the principle of forcing oil under pressurethrough
absorbing material such as paper. Filters of this type are capable of removing contaminants in
suspension,but they cannot remove them effectively when they are dissolved or in colloidal
form. Thesedeviceswill not remove air and in fact tend to aeratethe oil. The water-removing
ability of the filter is dependant upon the dryness of the filter media. When filtering oil
containing water, the filter medium rapidly comes into equilibrium with the water content of
the oil. A continuousindication of the water content of the outgoing oil is very helpful to follow
the efficiencyof the process.
83.2.2
Centrifuges
Another means for separatingcontaminantsin suspensionis the continuous centrifuge.In
general, the centrifuge can handle a much greater concentration of contamination than can the
conventional filter but cannot remove some of the contaminants as completely as a filter. Consequently, the centrifuge is generally found in use for rough bulk cleaning where large amounts
of contaminatedoil are to be handled.
Frequently,the output of the centrifugeis put through a filter for the final clean up.
-29-83.3
Application to electricalequipment
8 3 . 3 . 1 Direct purification
The oil is removed through a purilying plant into suitablecontainersand, when the electrical
equipment is to be refilled, passedthrough the purifier again into the equipment.This method
should be usedfor switchgear.It is suitable,too, for the smallertransformer,but care is needed
to ensurethat the core and windings are thoroughly cleaned.The oil-containinghousing of the
equipmentshould also be well cleaned,by meansof oil originating from the purifier. The direct
purification method requiresauxiliary oil containers,and drums are sclrnetimes
used.
83.3.2
Purificalion by circulation
The oil is circulated through the purifier, being taken frorn the bottom of the tank of the
electricalequipment and redeliveredto the top. The return delivery should be made smoothly
and horizontally at or near the surlacelevel to avoid, as lar as possible,mixing cleanedoil with
oil which has not yet passedthrough the purifier. The circulation method is particularly useful
f or r em o v i n g s u s p e n d e di n te rn a l c o n tami nati oni n equi pment,but al l adheri ngcontami nati on
will not necessarilybe rernoved.
Experiencehas shown that it is generallynecessaryto passthe total volume of oil thror.rghthe
purifier not lessthan three times, and equipmentof appropriatecapacityshould be chosenwitl-r
t his in m i n d . T h e fi n a l a mo u n tp a s s e dw i l l dependon the degreeof contami nati ou,and the process
must be continued until a sarnpletaken from the bottom of the electricalequipment,after the
oil has been allowed to settlefor a few hours, passesthe electricstrengthtest.
The circulation should preferablybe performedwith the electricalequipmentdead, and this is
essentialwhen using a purifier which aeratesthe oil. In an emergency,a transformermay be left
alive while circulation is proceedingprovided that there is a closed system of piping so that
aeration of oil is avoided, but this is not recommendedon transformersfor voltages above
I I kV. Aeration occurs mostly with centrifugal separators,other than those operating under
v ac uum ,a n d s h o u l d a e ra ti o nh a v e o ccurred,the oi l shoul d be al l ow edto stand for some ti me
before the equipmentis maclelive, accordingto the manufacturer'srecommendation.
84.
Replacement
The dirty oil is replacedwith cleanoil. This method is usefulwhen dealingwith small quantities
of oil in the smaller circuit-breakersand isolating-switchchambers.A small extra quantity of
clean oil is neededto rinse the interior of the tank and the immersedparts. It is essentialthat
the tank and the surfacesof conductorsand insulatorsbe kept free from fibres, and from moisture
from the hands of the working personnel;such moisture can easilyprovide sufficientcontamination to lower the electricstrensthof the new oil below standard.
There should be as little aerationas possibleduring the filling of tanks and, as far as possible,
the end of the deliverypipe should be held below the surfaceof the oil in order to avoid splashing;
alternatively,the tanks should be filled from the bottom. There should be a standingperiod of
not les sth a n o n e h o u r to a l l o w d e -a e rati onbeforecommi ssi orri ng
the equi pment.
3lB5.
-321000
Acceptable
d
o
.9'
.ir; ;
'P-.F
q U ,
o(t
.O C)
EE.
Ma u v a i s
Bad
0.5
0.2
120
T e m p 6 r a t u r ed e l ' h u i l e ," C
-C
Oil temperature,
Frc. l. -
t.