Non-destructive breakdown test for insulating oil
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)
A non-destructive breakdown (NDBD) measurement of insulating oil dielectric strength that is intended to be simple and reliable is presented. The purpose of the NDBD test is to establish the high-voltage insulating integrity of the oil, especially as a {open_quote}front-line{close_quote} test of oil condition on in-service apparatus. The measurement uses high voltages and high electric stresses so as to initiate a breakdown event. However, by incorporating high-speed pulse voltage technology to greatly limit the energy delivered to the oil by the test, the measurement is non-destructive and does not degrade the oil to a measurable degree. Operation of the test, results with transformer oil and comparison to standard ASTM destructive tests are discussed. There is no other in-situ insulation strength test for oil known at this time, and so the NDBD approach opens new opportunities to automate service assessment, increase reliability and reduce manpower needs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Cambias and Associates, Covington, LA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 269635
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR--105838; CONF-9411304--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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