Transformer Oil Testing

Transformer oil is crucial in the cooling process of a transformer. Electrical and thermal stress or chemical contamination can cause failures and reduced component life. Our transformer oil testing services offer you a complete solution to your transformer testing needs. We provide you with fast analyses to IEC, ASTM, and ISO standards, helping you identify issues quickly.

Why choose transformer oil testing from SGS?

We can help you:

• Determine the basic electrical properties of transformer oil
• Identify if an oil is suitable for further use
• Detect whether filtration or regeneration is needed
• Enhance component life and reduce oil costs
• Maximize safety and prevent untimely failures
• Gain crucial historical data to understand changes or increases in key gases and the rate of gas production with our LIMS software
• Access your results fast – your data and analysis reports are available via our live web interface, so you can access your data at any time

Trusted Transformer Oil Testing from a Leading Provider

As a leading supplier of transformer oil services, we offer you the expertise, resources and experience you need.

Our specific diagnostic analyses include:

• Moisture analysis – IEC 60814
• Dielectric breakdown – IEC 60156
• Acidity – IEC 60296
• Interfacial surface tension (IFT) – ISO 6295
• Dissipation factor and resistivity (DDF) – IEC 60247
• Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) – IEC 60567 and IEC 60599
• PCB tests – ASTM D4059
• Furan analysis – IEC 61198
• DBPC analysis ASTM D4768
• Density – ASTM D4052
• Viscosity – ASTM D445
• Corrosive sulfur test – ASTM D1275B
• Oxidation – IEC 61125
• Sediment and sludge – AS 1883
• Flash point – ASTM D3828
• Pour point – ASTM D97
• Particle count – NAS 1638 & ISO 4406
• Wear metal analysis – ASTM D5185
• Degree of polymerization – ASTM D4243

We also have the ability and expertise to test a wide range of mineral, synthetic ester, natural ester and silicone electrical oils to a variety of standards. Please see some examples below:

Standards

• Fluids for electrotechnical applications – mineral insulating oils for electrical equipment – IEC 60296
• Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment – supervision and maintenance guidance – IEC 60422
• Recycled mineral insulating oil for transformers and switchgear – specification – BS148
• Insulating liquids – specifications for unused synthetic organic esters for electrical purposes – IEC 61099
• Synthetic organic esters for electrical purposes – guide for maintenance of transformer esters in equipment – IEC 6293
• Fluids for electrotechnical applications – unused natural esters for transformers and similar electrical equipment – IEC 61203
• Specifications for unused silicone insulating liquids for electrotechnical purposes – IEC 60836
• Guide for the maintenance of silicone transformer liquids – IEC 60944

Gas Content

• Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) – IEC 60567 (modified)

Oil Quality (Routine Tests)

• Appearance and Fibers – IEC 60422
• Color rating – ASTM D1500
• Moisture Content – IEC 60814
• Acidity (potentiometric titration) – IEC 62021 part 1
• Breakdown voltage – IEC 60156
• Dielectric Dissipation Factor (DDF), Resistivity (IRes) and Permittivity – IEC 60247

Oil Quality (Complementary Tests)

• Interfacial Tension – ASTM D971
• Sediment content – IEC 60422 Annex C.1
• Sludge content – IEC 60422 Annex C.2
• Elemental Analysis by ICP – ASTM D5185
• Particle count – IEC 60970:1989 and 2007, ISO 4406

Oil Quality (Special Investigative Tests)

• Potentially corrosive sulfur (copper and paper) – IEC 62535
• Corrosive sulfur (copper strip) – ASTM D1275 B
• Corrosive sulfur (silver strip) – DIN 51353
• Dibenzyl Disulfide (DBDS) – IEC 62697
• Oxidation Stability – IEC 61125
• Aromatic content determined by FTIR spectrum (DDB) – IEC 60590
• Density – ISO 12185/IP365
• Kinematic Viscosity – ISO 3104/IP 71/ASTM D445
• Flash Point (PMCC) – ISO 2719/ IP34/ASTM D93
• Flash Point (Cleveland) – ISO 2592/IP36/ASTM D92
• Fire Point (Cleveland) – ISO 2592/IP36/ASTM D92
• Pour Point – ISO 3016/IP15/ASTM D97
• Total Sulfur by WDXRF – ASTM D2622
• Refractive Index – ASTM D1218
• Platinum-Cobalt Scale – ASTM D1209
• Polycyclic Aromatics – IP346

Additives

• Oxidation Inhibitor (DBPC) – IEC 60666
• Passivator content – IEC 60666 Annex B

Environmental

• Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) – IEC 61619 and IP 462

Paper Quality

• Furan analysis – IEC 61198
• Phenol analysis – IEC 61198 (modified) 
• Estimated Degree of Polymerization – calculation
• Methanol in Transformer Oil by GCMS – in house method

To find out more about our transformer oil testing services, contact us today.