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P-11AIM:-PERFORM VARIOUS TESTS ON INSULATING OIL.

11.1 THEORY:

Insulating (mineral processed) oil is used in the power transformer, switch

Gear, starters etc. for insulation and cooling purpose. In circuit breaker it also acts
as a quenching medium.

The dielectric strength of the insulating oil decreases due to long use,
-contamination, ingress of moisture and frequent spark over etc. Due to the oil
being subjected to higher temperature and moisture. Contents a fatty acidic
circumstances it is required to be tested at regular interval of time. Substance is
developed in-the oil, which-makes oil-acidic.

For insulating oil as per IS : 1692 — 1978 following tests are carried out.

1. Dielectric strength test

2. Acidity test

3. Sludge test

4. Crackle test

5. Flash point test

6. Special test

In this experiment only main tests will be discussed.

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11.1.1Dielectric strength test :

Standard test device is used for this test. The cup in which the oil is kept is
called the test cell. Measurements of the cell are show in figure.

The internal diameter of the test cell is 50mm×90mm×100mm. Two spheres

of brass of13mm diameter are joined at the end of the test electrodes. These
electrodes are fitted at 40mm above the bottom of the cell. The distance between
the two electrodes kept 4 ± 0.02mm.

First the test cell is cleaned with petrol and dried. Then the sample of oil to
be tested is filled. The level of oil is kept above the center line of the electrodes.
This test cell is kept in the testing device. Oil is allowed to settle for about twenty
minutes after the cover is closed. Then the voltage across the electrodes is
increased slowly.

Test is performed for minimum three times. The meter shows the reading
both in kV and kV/mm. Good insulating oil has a dielectric strength of 40 kV/mm
for one minute.

Test of Dielectric strength test image

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11.1.2Crackle test :

For this test sample of oil is filled in a dry and clean container which can a
accommodate 250mm of oil, a rod of 12.5mm diameter is heated such that it
becomes light red in color. This rod is dipped up to the bottom and it is stirred. No
spark should be seen when the rod is stirred. This test is performed on two other
samples of the same oil in different quantities. Every time no sparks should be
seen.

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11.1.3Acidity test :

There are various methods to perform this test, but the simple test is as
follows. Take 50millimeters of meth elated spirit. Add some drops of
phenolphthalein in to it. Take KOH solution of 0.01 N in a burette. Add this a
solution in to the flask drop by drop until the spirit gets neutralized. This will be
indicated by the change in color of the spirit. Now again add KOH solution drop
by drop in the flask. Take the reading of the burette when this solution gets
neutralized. Acidity of the oil is given from the following formula:

Acidity of oil = 0.664×[quantity of KOH used In ml]

Acidity found from this formula gives the quantity of KOH required in mg to
neutralize one gram of oil. This value should be 0.5mg KOH/g.

Acidity test image

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11.1.4 Sludge test :

The impurities are added due to the chemical reaction in the insulating oil
when it is being use. These impurities are in the form of sludge. Mud due to the
rust, dust, fibrous material etc. Fiber scan be found by visual inspection chemical
test is done to find the amount of other solid impurities.

First the oil is made thin by adding n-heptanes in to it. Then this oil is passed
through the filter paper. Solid impurities will remain of the filter paper. Due to this
the carbonic substances are evaporated. If there is still some residue left out it is
the dust and mud. The blue part is due to the rust. The maximum proportion of the
sludge should be 1.2 % be weight.

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11.1.5 Flash point :

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This test is performed when insulating oil achieves high temperature due to
the internal fault and emits intense odor, for this test the sample of oil is kept in a
closed vessel with a spout. A thermometer is placed in the vessel. Vessel is heated
with the help of flame so the temperature of oil increases one by one degree
Celsius. It is understood that the vapor is coming out. This temperature is noted.
This temperature is called the flash point. Flash point of good insulating oil should
be 140° c or more.

Flash point test image

11.1.6 Other tests:

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Testes other then above are as follows. These tests are to be performed
before taking the oil in use.

11.2 Specific gravity:

Specific gravity of insulating oil is between 0.85 and 0.88 at 27° c so the
water in oil gets settled at the bottom of the tank. This specific gravity decreases by
0.000615 per degree Celsius rise in temperature.

11.3Viscosity:

Viscosity means the ability of the liquid to oppose the flow without the
influence of the external force. Viscosity of the insulating oil should be low
because it is also used as the cooling medium and for effective cooling, the oil
should flow easily. Moreover the oil should flow quickly to extinguish the arc in
the circuit breaker. The speed reduces when the viscosity is more. Its viscosity
should be 27° c stokes at 27° c.

11.4Pour point:

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Pour point is the minimum temperature at which the oil starts flowing. This
property becomes important when the transformer and circuit breaker have to work
in the cold season. This is because if the oil freezes in transformer buchholz relay
cannot work and it prevents the movement of the contacts in the circuit breaker.
Previously the value of pour point was 30° c as per IS: 335-1963 but as per the
amendment of 1965, it is kept as -20° c.

11.5 Power factor and resistivity:

Power factor and resistivity of the insulating oil show the presence of
moisture, polar compound soluble impurities and conducting impurities. At power
frequency power factor of the fresh oil should be 0.001 or less and the resistivity
should be 15 to 300×1012 ohm cm at 30° c.

OBSERVATION TABL

Sr no. Dielectric Gap Between Breakdown Breakdown

Medium two electrodes Voltage (KV) Voltage
(KV/mm)
1.

2.

3.

PROCEDURE:

Dielectric strength test of insulating oil:

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1. Put the oil tanks electrodes contacts in the oil testing kit.

2. Now switch on the supply mains.

3. Note down the reading of breakdown voltage [kV/mm] in observation table.

4. Now switch off the supply mains.

5. The setup of oil circuit testing kit is shown in figure.

CONCLUSION:

After performing this practical we can able to check the BDV [break down
voltage] of insulating oil and also test the dielectric strength of insulating oil by
automatic oil testing kit.

M.T&C.B:11: VARIOUS TEST ON INSULATING OIL