Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 399 (2016) 14

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Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jmmm

Dielectric breakdown strength of magnetic nanouid based on

insulation oil after impulse test
M. Nazari a,n, M.H. Rasoulifard b, H. Hosseini c
a

University of Urmia, Department of Mechanical Engineering Urmia, West Azerbaijan, PA57561-15311, Iran
University of Zanjan, Department of Chemistry Zanjan, PA 45195-313, Iran
c
University of Zanjan, Department of Electrical Engineering Zanjan, PA 45195-313, Iran
b

art ic l e i nf o

a b s t r a c t

Article history:
Received 15 May 2015
Received in revised form
26 August 2015
Accepted 7 September 2015
Available online 10 September 2015

In this study, the dielectric breakdown strength of magnetic nanouids based on transformer mineral oil
for use in power systems is reviewed. Nano oil samples are obtained from dispersion of the magnetic
nanouid within uninhibited transformer mineral oil NYTRO LIBRA as the base uid. AC dielectric
breakdown voltage measurement was carried out according to IEC 60156 standard and the lightning
impulse breakdown voltage was obtained by using the spheresphere electrodes in an experimental
setup for nano oil in volume concentration of 0.10.6%. Results indicate improved AC and lightning
impulse breakdown voltage of nano oil compared to the base oil. AC test was performed again after
applying impulse current and result showed that nano oil unlike the base oil retains its dielectric
properties. Increase the dielectric strength of the nano oil is mainly due to dielectric and magnetic
properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles that act as free electrons snapper, and reduce the rate of free electrons
in the ionization process.
& 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords:
Magnetic nanoparticles
Dielectric breakdown
Transformer oil

1. Introduction

1.1. Breakdown mechanism within insulating medium

Since Transformers are considered as one of the most expensive and the most important parts of the network of power
generation and distribution which their optimum performance is
dependent on many factors. Transformer mineral oil is one of the
most vital parts of the transformers, which is responsible for two
major tasks: as a cooling uid, it transfers to the outside heat
generated in the active parts of the transformer and as insulating
material, prevents passing electricity to outside of the electrical
components. Transformer oil has low thermal conductivity [1],
which causes limitations in performance of transformers, because
conditions such as excessive increase in temperature, and overloading causes an excessive local rise in temperature in areas of oil
(hotspot), so the efciency of the transformer oil is limited. In
recent decades, the use of dispersion of the nanoparticles within
the uid to improve thermal properties has attracted the attention
of scientists. This idea about transformer oil would be useful if
nanoparticles have no negative impacts on the electrical and dielectric characteristics. In this study, the dielectric breakdown
strength of magnetic nanouids based on transformer mineral oil
for use in power systems is reviewed.

One of the most important insulating components of oil is

breakdown voltage. Breakdown voltage of oil is voltage which oil
has not been able to resist the passage of electricity, and the
electricity will pass through it [2]. Molecular ionization of insulating medium which depends on electric eld is the key mechanism for breakdown in transformer oil [3]. Through the ionization, oil molecules turn into fast electrons and slow positive
ions, fast electrons are swept away to the positive electrode from
the ionization zone because an area of net positive space charge
quickly develops. Electric eld distribution in the oil is modied
during ionization such that the electric eld at the ahead of the
positive charge in the oil increases whereas at the positive electrode decreases. These electrodynamics processes cause a developing ionizing electric eld wave that vaporize transformer oil and
create a gas phase due to temperature raise. The result of oil vaporization is the formation of the low density streamer channel in
oil [4]. Streamers are structures having low-density which are
formed in parts of the oil in which electric eld gradient is high.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: meysam.nazari1988@gmail.com (M. Nazari).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2015.09.022
0304-8853/& 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1.2. Ferrouid in transformers

In recent years, many studies on the impact of nanoparticles on
the electrical and thermal characteristics of the transformer oil
have been done. Segal and colleagues [5] showed that the addition

M. Nazari et al. / Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 399 (2016) 14

of magnetic nanoparticles to transformer oil has not had bad inuence on insulation resistance of the oil and its AC breakdown
voltage approximately is equal to the base oil (oil without nanoparticles). Their results also showed that the impulse breakdown
voltage of magnetic nanouids based on transformer oil (called
ferrouid) for needle-sphere electrodes, when the needle is positive polarity, 50% improved compared to the base oil. Kopcansky
[6] showed that the DC dielectric breakdown voltage of magnetic
nanouids produced based on transformer oil with an average
diameter of nanoparticles 8.6 nm and volume fraction of 0.01 is
improved compared to transformer oil. Kudelcik [7] dispersed
magnetic nanoparticles with mean diameter of 10.6 nm in ITO 100
inhibited transformer oil, and showed that the humidity effects
will be magnied within base oil without nanoparticles. In other
words nano oil strengthens more than based oil against the
breakdown in the presence of humidity. They also examined the
change of breakdown voltage versus varying the gap distance
between electrodes and aimed that increasing the distance between electrodes ascends the breakdown voltage. According to
their results it was found that the optimum volume concentration
of nanoparticles is approximately equal to 0.2% which leads to best
results.
Because the magnetic eld within the transformer, many studies have been done on the interaction of magnetic nanoparticles
and eld. Ferrouids are temperature sensitive and when is used
in a power transformer, thermal convection occurs by two ways:
(1) due to the temperature gradient between the active part (core)
and the outer surface of the transformer and (2) because of the
temperature sensitive nature of the ferrouid, magnetically induced convection take places. In the central region of transformer
due to the high temperature of core, insulating oil is weakly
magnetized and in the outer surface region uid is strongly
magnetized (because of the low temperature) and because of this
eld gradient, magnetically induced convection takes place [8].
Segal [9] by considering the cooling efciency of ferrouid indicated that for magnetic nano oils with saturation magnetization
lower than 3.9 emu/gr, the cooling efciency improves comparing
to the base oil. Lee et al. [9] by applying a magnetic eld to the oil
under breakdown test concluded for the state of applying magnetic eld of oil breakdown voltage is 30% more than a state in
which there is no eld. They also demonstrated that magnetic eld
reduces agglomeration of nanoparticles and causes better dispersion of the nanoparticles within the oil. One of the main reasons
for the breakdown is the aggregation or clumping of nanoparticles.
Surfactants are organic materials which cover the surface of the
nanoparticles and lead to better dispersion within oil and prevent
accumulation of nanoparticles [10]. Magnetic nanouids based on
transformer oil have better stability in the presence of a magnetic
eld, and because of the use of surfactants, they have less sedimentation than a state in which there is no eld [11].

Fig. 1. Standard impulse full wave.

samples which is destructive for the breakdown voltage tests, so

after sample preparation in a volume of 500 cc, they are placed in
the sealed containers, and at least 10 h, samples were relaxed to be
evacuated bubbles in it, and they are ready to test.
2.2. Measuring the dielectric breakdown strength
In this study, for each sample, rst the AC breakdown voltage
measurement according to IEC 60156 was carried out using portable
Breakdown Analyzer BA 100 (produced by HIGH VOLTAGE technology) and then impulse breakdown voltage was measured using
an experimental set up. After this procedure, the AC breakdown
voltage was measured again (same as before) to study the dielectric
strength of ferrouids against the lightning impulse breakdown
voltage. In this way for impulse breakdown voltage measurement,
standard impulse waveform 1.2 by 50 s was used. As shown in
Fig. 1, in the standard impulse wave, voltage from zero to the peak
value has increased in the duration by 1.2 s, and to 50% of the
maximum amplitude in the duration by 50 s, has decreased [13].
To generate impulse voltage, an impulse wave generator
(PRODUCT of the HIGH VOLT COMPANY) was used and oil test
under impulse conditions using an experimental setup shown in
Fig. 2 was performed.
The impulse generator consisted of capacitors that they are
charged in parallel mode by loading resistance, and by sphere gaps
are disposed in series mode (theory of Marx generator). This
generator was set to generate impulse full wave up to the peak
voltage amplitude of 400 KV. Capacitors on the spheresphere
electrodes will be discharged. The electrodes with the gap distance
of 2.5 mm are placed in the test vessel and immersed in oil (Fig. 3).
The starting voltage was set at about 80% of the expected voltage to breakdown and stepped up in 510% increments. Five
impulses were applied at each level with at least ve minute of
relaxation time between shots. In 2 min rest period, with stirring,

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Preparation of nano oil
In order to prepare transformer oil-based nanouids, the uninhibited transformer oil NYTRO LIBRA and the magnetic nanouid developed by Ferro Tech Co., EFH-1, are mixed to produce our
transformer oil-based nanouid. EFH-1 originally contains 5%
Fe3O4 nanoparticles, 15% surfactant and 80% light hydrocarbon oil
[12].
Nanouid was dispersed within the base oil at volume concentrations of 0.10.6%, using ultrasonic device BANDELIN SONOPULS HD 2200 (200 w, 20 kHz) (20 min sonication with power of
80% for each sample). Sonication lead to produce bubbles in the

Fig. 2. Experimental setup.

M. Nazari et al. / Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 399 (2016) 14

Table 2
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

Starting voltage
(kV)
NANO OIL (0.1%) 40
44
48
52
Fig. 3. Schematic picture of experimental setup.

the sample was completely calm. After applying impulse on the

samples, the amplitude and the time for breakdown, using a
computer connected to the set-up, was recorded. All samples were
tested in the High Voltage and Insulation laboratory of the University of Zanjan.

54
52
50

Amplitude of applied impulse shock

(kV)
( 117.1) ( 116.2) ( 117.1) ( 116.8)
( 115.2)
( 126.4) ( 127.3) ( 126.1) ( 127.3)
( 128.1)
( 139.3) ( 137.9) ( 138.3) ( 139.0)
( 136.7)
( 151.3) ( 152.7) ( 150.7) ( 152.0)
( 151.5)
( 155.3) BREAKDOWN
( 131.1) BREAKDOWN
( 116.5) BREAKDOWN

Table 3
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

Starting voltage
(Kv)

Amplitude of applied impulse shock

(Kv)

3. Results and discussion

NANO OIL (0.2%) 40

The results showed a signicant improvement in dielectric

breakdown strength of the transformer oil after adding the magnetic nanoparticles to it.
Tables 16 respectively show the impulse breakdown voltage
of base oil and nano oil samples with volume concentration of 0.1
0.6%. The result indicated that the AC breakdown voltage of base
oil signicantly decreased after applying impulse current, while
this decrease is less in nano oil samples. In other word, nano oil
retains its strength against breakdown under impulse condition.
Table 7 includes the summary of AC and impulse test for samples.
As can be seen in Table 7 dielectric breakdown strength for nano
oil samples is improved comparing to the base oil.
Experiments revealed that the optimal volume concentration of
nano oil is approximately 0.3% which satises the impulse condition. Tables 1 and 4 respectively show the lightning impulse
breakdown voltage of the base oil and nano oil with volume
concentration of 0.3% in the negative polarity mode. As seen in the
Table, the lightning impulse breakdown voltage of base oil is
151.1 kV, while for the nano oil with concentration of 0.3% it is
equal to 175.4 kV. For nano oil with concentrations greater than
0.3%, we dealt a lower impulse breakdown voltage.
As seen in Table 7, nano oil with concentration of 0.6% has
lower impulse breakdown voltage than the base oil, while its AC
breakdown voltage is 29.7% better than the base oil even after
applying impulse current.
Increase the dielectric strength can be attributed to this reason
that magnetic nanoparticles by trapping and capture the free
electrons, have decreased speed of expansion of steamers, and
delay breakdown. When the oil is placed in an electric eld,
streamers in the distance between the electrodes begin to expand
until they reach the opposite electrode, and breakdown occurs. In
fact, when we are applying a voltage between two electrodes,
Table 1
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

Starting voltage (kV) Amplitude of applied impulse shock (kV)

Base oil 40
44
48
52
48
40

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

115.4) ( 115.7) ( 117.1) ( 115.8) ( 116.2)

127.5) ( 126.3) ( 128.1) ( 127.5)
127.8)
139.0) ( 138.7) ( 139.4) ( 138.8)
135.8)
151.1) BREAKDOWN
138.8) BREAKDOWN
112.2) BREAKDOWN

44
48
52
54
56
54
52

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

115.8) ( 117.3) ( 116.3) (

115.9)
127.2) ( 127.3) ( 126.5) (
128.2)
139.0) ( 138.9) ( 137.5) (
138.5)
151.8) ( 150.7) ( 150.7) (
150.5)
155.8) ( 154.7) ( 156.1) (
155.5)
159.4) BREAKDOWN
134.5) BREAKDOWN
110.4) BREAKDOWN

115.5)
125.8)
139.0)
152.0)
153.8)

which are located inside the nano oil, nanoparticles by trapping

the free electrons are charged, and they began to move, and given
that the gradient of the magnetic eld at a distance between the
electrodes due to the surface irregularities increases, therefore, an
accumulation of magnetic nanoparticles increases, and a bridge
between two electrodes is formed, and breakdown occurs. However, within nano-oil, spread speed of streamers due to the low
movement speed of charged nanoparticles is reduced, and the
breakdown occurs later.
In volume concentration greater than 0.3% (under impulse
condition) because of excess amount of nanoparticles, they start to
be agglomerated and form the chains near the electrodes, therefore free electrons escaping from one electrode to another overcome to insulation; However the nano oil retains its dielectric
strength against AC breakdown.

4. Conclusion
In this study, the dielectric strength of transformer oil after the
addition of magnetic nanoparticles to it in the spheresphere
electrodes mode was measured. Results revealed that adding
magnetic nanoparticles improves dielectric properties of base oil
and while base oil loses its breakdown properties after applying
impulse current, nano oil has better strength against breakdown.
Results also showed that in the volumetric concentration of 0.3%,
nano oil dielectric breakdown under AC and lightning impulse
condition respectively by 37.6% and 16.1% is improved compared to
the base oil, which was identied as the optimum volume concentration. Volume concentrations above this value led to a decrease in impulse breakdown voltage. Therefore, transformer oil
containing magnetic nanoparticles can be a good alternative to
transformer mineral oil in appropriate volume concentrations.

M. Nazari et al. / Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 399 (2016) 14

Table 4
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

Starting voltage (Kv)

Amplitude of applied impulse shock (Kv)

NANO OIL (0.3%)

40
44
48
52
54
56
58
60
62
60
58

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

Starting voltage
(Kv)

Amplitude of applied impulse shock

(Kv)

NANO OIL (0.4%) 40

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

44
48
52
54
56
54
52

116.8) ( 117.3) ( 116.3) (

115.9)
126.2) ( 128.3) ( 125.5) (
128.2)
138.3) ( 138.9) ( 137.5) (
137.5)
152.1) ( 150.7) ( 150.7) (
150.5)
154.8) ( 155.7) ( 155.1) (
155.5)
157.1) BREAKDOWN
128.5) BREAKDOWN
113.3) BREAKDOWN

115.5)
127.8)
139.0)
153.1)
154.8)

Table 6
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

Starting voltage
(Kv)

Amplitude of applied impulse shock

(Kv)

NANO OIL (0.6%) 40

(
(
(
(
(
(
(

44
48
44
40

115.4) ( 116.3) ( 115.2) ( 115.5)

116.7)
126.4) (-125.5) ( 125.6) ( 127.8)
126.4)
134.6) BREAKDOWN
115.2) BREAKDOWN
107.4) BREAKDOWN

Table 7
Dielectric breakdown strength of samples at different volume concentrations.
Samples

Base oil 0.1%

AC breakdown voltage (kV)

Lightning impulse breakdown
voltage per unit length between eletrodes (kV)
AC breakdown voltage (kV)
(after impulse test)

39.1
151.1

29.9

0.2%

0.3%

0.4%

0.6%

48.4 50.9 53.8 53.7 55.2

155.3 159.4 175.4 157.1 134.6

41.6

44.7

116.1) (
127.8) (
138.5) (
151.5) (
154.7) (
161.9) (
167.3) (
173.5) (

115.3)
127.2)
139.0)
149.9)
156.5)
161.9)
167.0)
173.5)

References

Table 5
Voltage levels and applied impulse voltage for breakdown.
Sample

116.7) ( 115.3) ( 115.2) (

125.7) ( 126.4) ( 125.7) (
139.4) ( 137.7) ( 139.3) (
151.1) ( 151.6) ( 150.4) (
156.3) ( 155.7) ( 155.3) (
161.9) ( 161.9) ( 161.8) (
167.5) ( 166.4) ( 167.3) (
173.5) ( 174.1) ( 174.1) (
175.4) BREAKDOWN
156.9) BREAKDOWN
123.0) BREAKDOWN

49.1

48.7

50.7

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