PRODUCT MANUAL of TRANSFORMER OIL

Brief Introduction

Sinopec Lubricant Co.,Ltd. is the largest high-tier lubricant manufacturer and marketer in China with a production

capacity of over 1.46million tons of packaged lubricants per year. With 5 regional sales center across China, sales

subsidiaries all over the world, 11 lube oil & grease blending and manufacturing branches domestic and 1 branch

company in Singapore, as well as two independent R&D Centers in Beijing and Shanghai, It integrates the function of

lubricant manufacturing, research, storage, transportation, sales and service.

Equipped with world-class automatic blending and packaging production line, Sinopec Lubricant Co.,Ltd. provide over

2000 kinds of lube oils and greases in all 21 categories including engine oil, crankcase oil, industrial gear oil, hydraulic

oil, greases, anti-coolant, brake fluid, metal working fluid, marine oil and additives, etc., which are widely used in the

fields of aviation, space flight, automobile, machinery, metallurgy, mining, petrochemical engineering, power industry, etc.

As one of China Aviation Partners, Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd. is devoted to providing lubrication service for Shenzhou

series manned space craft and　

"Chang’e" series lunar probe satellite, making great contributions to the development of

China aviation and space aerospace craft.

With high-quality raw material and high-tech formulations evaluated by strict engine and bench tests, SINOPEC products

fully meet the requirements of special specification standards of ISO, API, DIN, JASO, etc. With stable product quality,

SINOPEC Transformer Oil

 A e r o s p a c e Te c h n o l o g y w i t h i n Yo u r R e a c h

the company has completed ISO16949 and HSE management system certification.R&D institutes in Beijing, Shanghai

and Chongqing all have ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation certificates, and can undertake application research

projects of both national and ministerial level, independently formulate various lubricant products to meet special market

requirements.

In the process of development, Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd. has gradually nurtured its unique brand culture and strategy

on international development. Insisting in building a high-tech, high-quality, international brand image, Sinopec lubricants

have entered into more than 50 countries and regions such as Southeast Asia, Oceania, America, Africa, etc. Service

network of marine oil have been set up in Singapore, UAE, the United States, South Africa and ready to expand to

Europe and America. In July 2013, Singapore Lubricants production base was Officially put into operation. In 2013, the

brand value of "SINOPEC Lubricant" boosted 3.79 billion us dollars, ranked 52nd in China's most valuable brand list in

2013 and 1st in Asian lubricant Industry.

Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd. has actively participated in international competition and made efforts in seeking long-term

cooperation relationship with relative industries to achieve mutual development.

SINOPEC Transformer Oil

Contents

Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

Property Requirements of Transformer Oil……………………………………………………………………… 2

Product Standard and Quality Performance of SINOPEC Transformer Oil………………………………… 3

OEM Certificates of SINOPEC Transformer Oil………………………………………………………………… 8

Property Advantages of SINOPEC Transformer Oil…………………………………………………………… 10

Accepting, Refilling and Changing of Transformer Oil………………………………………………………… 12

Management of Transformer Oil………………………………………………………………………………… 15

Questions and Answers…………………………………………………………………………………………… 16

 A e r o s p a c e Te c h n o l o g y w i t h i n Yo u r R e a c h

SINOPEC
Transfor mer Oil

Foreword
Transformer oil is one of the basic materials used in power transmission system, and mainly for insulation, cooling and heat
dispersion of oil-filled electrical equipment, such as transformer, reactor, mutual inductor and switch, etc.

A main function of transformer oil is to provide good electrical insulation performance. Through strict linkage control in
manufacturing, transporting and using of transformer oil, the oil provides extremely low conductivity and high breakdown voltage,
thus reducing power loss of electrical equipment. Electrical equipment will generate plenty of heat during power transmission
and transformation process, so the transformer oil is required to provide good heat-transmission capability. Through hot and cold
convection and circulating reflux, transformer oil with proper viscosity and low pour point can send heat out in time to avoid over
temperature of electrical equipment like transformer. In addition, transformer is mainly composed of copper wire, iron core and non-
conductive cellulose etc. To ensure a long service life of transformer, transformer oil must provide good antioxidant capacity.

SINOPEC transformer oil I-0 (No.10) of Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd has a production history over 50 years, and transformer oil
I-10 (No.25) and I-40 (No.45) are also the mature product with a production history over 20 years.

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 1

 Property Requirements of Transformer Oil

All specifications of transformer oil have index requirements on physical, electrical and chemical property, and main property
requirements are as follows:

1. Appearance tension of transformer oil in service is an indirect and effective

Clear and transparent, without suspended solid or deposit at method for checking whether there is soluble polar impurities in
bottom, the color usually is water white or straw yellow. oil resulted from aging. At initial aging phase of oil, the change
of interfacial tension is slightly faster. The change speed will
2. Density
slightly reduce till medium-term aging phase, while oil sludge
Density of oil has close relation with its compositions. As to
generated increases obviously. Therefore, measurement of
transformer oil, the density shall be controlled low enough to
interfacial tension also can reliably judge oil sludge generating
effectively prevent floating ice in oil under cold climate which
trend of oil in service.
will consequently affect insulation property of oil.
3. Kinematic viscosity 8. Breakdown voltage
Breakdown voltage is a very important index to check electric
Besides effect of insulation, transformer oil also provides
stress limit resistance of transformer oil, can be used to judge
effect of cooling and heat dispersion. As to transformer oil,
water content in transformer oil and pollution extent of other
proper high-temperature viscosity can ensure ideal effect of
suspended solid, and check drying and filtering level of oil before
cooling and heat dispersion of transformer oil during long time
filling it in equipment. Decreasing of breakdown voltage of oil in
service, while proper low-temperature viscosity can ensure
service is a signal for working danger of transformer. To avoid
working safety of lowest cold start of transformer.
affecting water content and impurities in oil by transportation
4. Pour point or other factors, users must remeasure transformer oil after
Pour point can reflects low temperature performance of filtering (dehydration) or other treatment before using.
transformer oil, from which low temperature environment for
oil can be estimated.
9. Dielectric dissipation factor
Dielectric dissipation factor refers to power loss resulted from
5. Flash point oil electrolytic polarization and conductance under electric
Flash point is a safety index of transformer oil during storage field. Pure hydrocarbon is non-polar compound, which never or
and use. Especially for supervision and control of transformer occasionally translocate under electric field, so no power loss
oil in service, flash point is an indispensable item. Descending will be generated. However, impurities in oil, such as gummy
of flash point indicates volatile combustible materials have matter and acid polar materials will translocate with change of
been generated from oil. Such low molecular hydrocarbon is power line direction under electric field, which consumes part
often generated during heating crack of transformer oil under of power for transforming into heat. Therefore, such impurities
high temperature, which is resulted from local overheating fault not only consume power, but also increase temperature and
of electrical equipment. Therefore, from flash point, it can be reduce working capacity of transformer, thus accelerating
observed whether electrical equipment have local overheating aging and deterioration of transformer oil. For transformer oil
fault. For oil newly filled in equipment and after repair, checking in service, dielectric dissipation factor can send signal earlier
flash point can discover whether there is light distillate mixed or than other indexes. From the value of dielectric dissipation
not, thus ensuring operation safety of equipment. factor, deterioration and pollution extent of oil can be judged.
6. Water content Generally, fresh oil has less impurities and polar components
Water content is a main factor affecting insulation property etc. so dielectric dissipation factor is less. However, when oil
of transformer and aging of oil. Increasing of water content deteriorates or mixes with other impurities, as increasing of
in transformer oil and insulation materials will directly result polar materials or impurities content in oil, dielectric dissipation
in decreasing of insulation property and aging of oil, which factor will increase too. Therefore, dielectric dissipation factor is
affects operation reliability and service life of equipment. To of vital importance for quality supervision of oil in service.
strictly supervise water content is a test item necessary for 10. Oxidation stability
ensuring operation safety of equipment. However, care shall be Affected by oxidation catalysis of iron core, copper core and
taken to water absorptivity of transformer oil. Therefore, users other metals and high oil temperature in service, transformer
shall implement vacuum dehydration treatment on transformer oil will age and form acid materials, and low molecular water-
oil before filling it in equipment by requirements of guide for soluble acid will corrupt solid insulation materials greatly. In
maintenance and supervision of transformer oil in service. addition, transformer oil will generate oil sludge after severe
7. Interfacial tension oxidation. The oil sludge separated will deposit on surface of
Interfacial tension refers to tension formed by interface iron core and coil, which results in bad thermal conductivity
between oil and water. Main functional groups of carboxylic and high temperature rise of solid insulating layer as well as
acid, alcohol and ester and other active materials in oil belong aging and cracking of solid insulation materials, thus greatly
to hydrophilic polar group, whose orientated arrangement threatening long time operation of transformer. Transformer
on the two intersectant interfaces will change molecular oil with good oxidation stability can not only reduce the cost
arrangement status on the interface, thus reducing interfacial of repair and oil changing, but also benefit long operation of
tension. The larger the interface tension value is, the less the transformer. Therefore, oxidation stability is an important index
hydrophilic polar materials in oil will be. To measure interfacial of transformer oil.

2 SINOPEC Transformer Oil

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Product Standard and

Quality Performance of
SINOPEC Transformer Oil

The SINOPEC transformer oil is blended with highly refined mineral type base oil and well-chosen anti-oxidizer. Without PCB, it is suitable
for insulation and cooling for transformer, oil immersed switch and other similar electrical insulation device. According to its low temperature
performance, the product can be divided into four grades including I-0(No.10), I-10(No.25), I-30(No.40), I-40(No.45). Wherein, I-0(No.10),
I-10(No.25) and I-40(No.45) conform to GB 2536-2011 national standard, and also satisfy quality requirements of IEC60296:2003 standard.
Transformer oil I-30(No.40) is manufactured by Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd according to company’s product standard which with reference to
IEC 60296:2003 standard.

Performance and characteristic，

technical specification and applications of SINOPEC transformer oil

Features and benefits Technical specification

Outstanding electrical insulation property, effectively preventing The product meets the following specifications:
occurrence of discharge in electric field GB 2536-2011
IEC60296:2003
Excellent oxidation stability, effectively preventing formation of
acidic material and sludge Recommended applications
Good heat conductivity, ensuring effective cooling of transformer As insulating and cooling medium for transformer of
330kV or below as well as electrical equipment with
core and coiling
similar requirements

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 3

 Typical Proterties
Typical properties of SINOPEC transformer oil I-0(No.10) (IEC 60296:2003)
Items Limits Typical data Test method
1. Function

GB/T 3535 or ISO 3016 or

Pour Point, ℃ ≯-10 -12
ASTM D97

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (40℃), mm2/s ≯12 11.38
ASTM D445

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (0℃), mm2/s ≯1800 68.96
ASTM D445

GB/T 7600 or IEC 60814 or

Water content (mg/kg) ≯40 24.0
ASTM D1533

Breakdown voltage (2.5mm), kV

No treated ≮30 49 GB/T 507 or IEC 60156
Treated ≮70 -

GB/T 1884 or ISO 3675 or

Density (20℃), kg/m3 ≯895 846.8
ASTM D1298

Dielectric Dissipation Factor (90℃) ≯0.005 0.0018 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247

2. Refining, stability

Appearance Bright and clear Bright and clear Visual

Acidity, mgKOH/g ≯0.01 0.005 IEC 62021-1

Interfacial Tension (mN/m) ≮40 49.13 GB/T 6541 or ISO 6295

Total sulfur content (m/m), % No general requirement 0.027 SH/T 0689 or ISO 14596
Corrosive sulfur Not corrosive Not corrosive DIN51353 ASTM 1275 B
Antioxidant additives, % 0.08~0.40 0.346 SH/T 0792 or ASTM D2668
2-Furfural content (mg/g) ≯0.1 ＜0.01 IEC 61198
3. Performance
Oxidation stability (120℃, 500hrs)
≯1.2 0.0445 IEC 61125 (method C)
Total acidity, mgKOH/g
Sludge, ％ ≯0.8 0.0044
DDF at 90℃ ≯0.5 0.007 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
GB/T 11142 or ASTM D2300
Gassing (μL/min) No general requirement 9.5
or IEC 60628A
4. Health, safety and environment
Flash point(COC), ℃ ≮135 168 GB/T 261 or ISO 2719
PCA content, % ≯3 ＜3 BS2000 Part 346
PCB content, % No detectable No detectable IEC 61619

4 SINOPEC Transformer Oil

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Typical Proterties
Typical properties of SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) (IEC 60296:2003)
Items Limits Typical data Test method
1. Function
GB/T 3535 or ISO 3016 or
Pour Point, ℃ ≯-20 -30
ASTM D97

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (40℃), mm2/s ≯12 8.976
ASTM D445

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (-10℃), mm2/s ≯1800 98.26
ASTM D445

GB/T 7600 or IEC 60814 or

Water content (mg/kg) ≯40 23.0
ASTM D1533

Breakdown voltage (2.5mm), kV

No treated ≮30 54.2 GB/T 507 or IEC 60156
Treated ≮70 -

GB/T 1884 or ISO 3675 or

Density (20℃), kg/m3 ≯895 847.6
ASTM D1298
Dielectric Dissipation Factor (90℃) ≯0.005 0.0002 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
2. Refining, stability
Appearance Bright and clear Bright and clear Visual
Acidity, mgKOH/g ≯0.01 0.007 IEC 62021-1
Interfacial Tension (mN/m) ≮40 46.7 GB/T 6541 or ISO 6295
Total sulfur content (m/m), % No general requirement 0.0058 SH/T 0689 or ISO 14596
DIN51353
Corrosive sulfur Not corrosive Not corrosive
ASTM 1275 B
Antioxidant additives, % 0.08~0.40 0.35 SH/T 0792 or ASTM D2668
2-Furfural content (mg/g) ≯0.1 ＜0.01 IEC 61198
3. Performance
Oxidation stability (120℃, 500hrs)
≯1.2 0.0822 IEC 61125 (method C)
Total acidity, mgKOH/g
Sludge, ％ ≯0.8 0.0075
DDF at 90℃ ≯0.5 0.0015 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
GB/T 11142 or ASTM D2300
Gassing (μL/min) No general requirement 20.1
or IEC 60628A
4. Health, safety and environment
Flash point(COC), ℃ ≮135 156 GB/T 261 or ISO 2719
PCA content, % ≯3 ＜3 BS2000 Part 346
PCB content, % No detectable No detectable IEC 61619

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 5

 Typical Proterties
Typical properties of SINOPEC transformer oil I-30(No.40) (IEC 60296:2003)
Items Limits Typical data Test method
1. Function
GB/T 3535 or ISO 3016 or
Pour Point, ℃ ≯-40 -51
ASTM D97

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (40℃), mm2/s ≯12 8.712
ASTM D445

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (-30℃), mm2/s ≯1800 423.4
ASTM D445

GB/T 7600 or IEC 60814 or

Water content (mg/kg) ≯40 27
ASTM D1533
Breakdown voltage (untreated), kV ≮30 55.4 GB/T 507 or IEC 60156
GB/T 1884 or ISO 3675 or
Density (20℃), kg/m3 ≯895 829.8
ASTM D1298
Dielectric Dissipation Factor (90℃) ≯0.005 0.0003 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
2. Refining, stability
Appearance Bright and clear Bright and clear Visual
Acidity, mgKOH/g ≯0.01 0.007 IEC 62021-1
Interfacial Tension (mN/m) ≮40 47.1 GB/T 6541 or ISO 6295
Total sulfur content (mass fraction), % No general requirements 0.0087 SH/T 0689 or ISO 14596
DIN51353
Corrosive sulfur Not corrosive Not corrosive
ASTM 1275 B

Antioxidant additive (mass fraction) , % 0.08～0.40 0.36 SH/T 0792 or ASTM D2668

2-Furfural content (mg/g) ≯0.1 ＜0.1 IEC 61198

3. Performance

Oxidation stability (120℃, 500hrs)

≯1.2 0.0822 IEC 61125 (method C)
Total acidity, mgKOH/g

Sludge (mass fraction), % ≯0.8 0.0075

DDF at 90℃ ≯0.5 0.0015 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247

GB/T 11142 or ASTM D2300

Gassing (μL/min) No general requirement 20.1
or IEC 60628A

4. Health, safety and environment

Flash point(COC), ℃ ≮135 162 GB/T 261 or ISO 2719

PCA content (mass fraction), % ≯3 1.96 BS2000 Part 346

PCB content (mass fraction), % No detectable No detectable IEC 61619

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Typical Proterties
Typical properties of SINOPEC transformer oil I-40(No.45) (IEC 60296:2003)
Items Limits Typical data Test method
1. Function
GB/T 3535 or ISO 3016 or
Pour Point, ℃ ≯-40 -54
ASTM D97

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (40℃), mm2/s ≯12 9.425
ASTM D445

GB/T 265 or ISO 3104 or

Viscosity (-40℃), mm2/s ≯1800 609.7
ASTM D445

GB/T 7600 or IEC 60814 or

Water content (mg/kg) ≯40 15.0
ASTM D1533

Breakdown voltage (2.5mm), kV

No treated ≮30 55.7 GB/T 507 or IEC 60156
Treated ≮70 -

GB/T 1884 or ISO 3675 or

Density (20℃), kg/m3 ≯895 848.2
ASTM D1298
Dielectric Dissipation Factor (90℃) ≯005 0.0004 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
2. Refining, stability
Appearance Bright and clear Bright and clear Visual
Acidity, mgKOH/g ≯0.01 0.008 IEC 62021-1
Interfacial Tension (mN/m) ≮40 44.6 GB/T 6541 or ISO 6295
Total sulfur content (m/m), % No general requirement 0.0048 SH/T 0689 or ISO 14596
DIN51353
Corrosive sulfur Not corrosive Not corrosive
ASTM 1275 B
Antioxidant additives, % 0.08~0.40 0.36 SH/T 0792 or ASTM D2668
2-Furfural content (mg/g) ≯0.1 ＜0.01 IEC 61198
3. Performance
Oxidation stability (120℃, 500hrs)
≯1.2 0.0478 IEC 61125 (method C)
Total acidity, mgKOH/g
Sludge, ％ ≯0.8 0.0036
DDF at 90℃ ≯0.5 0.0082 GB/T 5654 or IEC 60247
GB/T 11142 or ASTM D2300
Gassing (μL/min) No general requirement 20
or IEC 60628A
4. Health, safety and environment
Flash point(COC), ℃ ≮135 153 GB/T 261 or ISO 2719
PCA content, % ≯3 ＜3 BS2000 Part 346
PCB content, % No detectable No detectable IEC 61619

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 7

 OEM Certificates of
SINOPEC Transformer Oil

ABB certificate
SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) and I-40(No.45) have gained technology certificates from ABB Company (Sweden ABB AB
diagnosis and service department of power transformer).
SINOPEC transformer oil I-40(No.45) meets the requirements on high grade inhibited oil HI-A listed in the ABB materials specification
1ZBA117001-1. SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) meets the requirements on high grade inhibited oil HI-B listed in the ABB
materials specification 1ZBA117001-1.

8 SINOPEC Transformer Oil

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Siemens certificate
SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) and I-40(No.45) have gained technology certificates from Siemens Company.
SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) and I-40(No.45) can be used for all application cases discribel in TUN 901293
(Edition 2007) of Siemens.

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 9

 Property Advantages of
SINOPEC Transformer Oil

For no dewaxing procedure or pour point depressant, it is an accepted economic and effective method to prepare transformer oil from
naphthenic base oil in nearly a century. As advancement of oil refining technology and knowledge on transformer oil, it is recognized
that refining depth of base oil and compatibility with additive is essential for property of transformer oil. Quality of transformer oil is
dependant on specifications of transformer oil product. Throughout the transformer oil specifications worldwide, no specification
specifies raw oil for producing transformer oil. The reason is that basic compositions of mineral oil are mixtures of various hydrocarbons,
which occupy more than 95% of mineral oil, and others are non-hydrocarbon materials containing S, N and O. Through refining process
of oil, most non-hydrocarbon, polycyclic and condensed hydrocarbon component can be removed. Hydrocarbon component are poor
conductor for electricity, providing good insulation property and small loss of medium. Variety of hydrocarbon structure (such as alkane,
naphthenic hydrocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon) makes same distillation of transformer oil with completely different specific gravity,
viscosity, pour point and flash point etc.

At present, proper hydrogenation process for producing good transformer oil has been adopted internationally. Under certain
temperature, pressure and with catalyst, hydrogenation process makes chemical reaction between hydrogen and hydrocarbon,
which provides hydrogenation transformer oil with advantages, such as low viscosity, high flash point, low pour point and oxidation
stability etc., and further improved electrical property. Each large transformer oil manufacturer in China also adopts different extent of
hydrogenation process to improve quality of transformer oil. At present, SINOPEC transformer oil is also produced from hydrogenation-
isomerization dewaxing base oil with outstanding property, which has further improved quality of transformer oil.

Compositions:
For transformer oil after hydrogenation, the total naphthenic hydrocarbon content is almost the same as naphthenic base transformer oil.

Comparison of compositions in naphthenic hydrocarbon of transformer oil (measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer)
Hydrogenated transformer Naphthenic base Hydrogenated transformer Naphthenic base
Items
oil I-10(No.25) transformer oil I-10(No.25) oil I-40(No.45) transformer oil I-40(No.45)
Total naphthenic
80.2 84.4 79.9 82.3
hydrocarbon, %

Density:
Operating under extremely low temperature or temporary stopping in winter, transformer shall be able to prevent floating ice in oil to the
most extent. The floating ice won’t affect operation of transformer. However, when temperature rises, the floating ice will become liquid
water after melting. If the water flows to electrode zone, it will obviously reduce breakdown voltage to cause discharge danger. Under 0℃
and one atmospheric pressure, density of pure ice is 917kg/m3, which actually will change among range of 880kg/m3～920kg/m3. The
larger density difference between transformer oil and floating ices, the easier control the appearance of floating. Generally, density of
transformer oil shall be no more than 895kg/m3 under 20℃. With higher carbon and hydrogen ratio in alkane of naphthenic hydrocarbon
chain, so density of naphthenic base transformer oil is slightly higher. However, SINOPEC transformer oil manufactured on the basis of
hydrogenation maintains the advantage of low density, which ensures use safety under low temperature.

Viscosity:
Because transformer oil is used for heat transmission rather than lubrication, the transformer oil with lower viscosity is better while
ensuring flash point and other safety indexes. The lower the viscosity, the better fluidity of oil for heat transmission. In addition,
transformer oil should also provide lower low-temperature viscosity, which ensures transformer oil can be normally activated after
stopping in cold winter. SINOPEC transformer oil provides proper high-temperature viscosity and good low-temperature viscosity
benefiting heat transmission and low-temperature startup.

10 SINOPEC Transformer Oil

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Pour point:
N-alkanes can be isomerized through hydrogenation-isomerization dewaxing process, thus reducing wax content in oil greatly.
Therefore, hydrogenated transformer oil has broken through bottleneck of poor property under low temperature, and provides low pour
point satisfying the demands on low-temperature use of transformer oil.

Flash point:
With reasonable control of raw materials and manufacturing process of base oil, SINOPEC transformer oil provides obviously higher
flash point than that of other transformer oil, which certainly brings safety guarantee to transformer operating with electricity.

Electrical property:
For new transformer oil, electrical properties, such as breakdown voltage, dielectric dissipation factor and interfacial tension etc.
mainly depend on refining extent of oil during production procedure. With high depth of refining, water and impurities contained in
transformer oil may be fewer so that the electrical property will be better. Therefore, different transformer oil with similar refining extent
has little differences in electrical property. Base oil after hydrogenation is highly refined, which has little sulfur, nitrogen, metal and other
impurities, soluble or suspensible water. Therefore, SINOPEC transformer oil manufactured by hydrogenated base oil provides high
breakdown voltage and dielectric dissipation factor, thus ensuring use safety of transformer oil.

Oxidation stability:
Sinopec Lubricant Co., Ltd provides the unique bench for evaluating oxidation property of transformer oil in China. The bench simulates
actual operation conditions of transformer oil using in equipment, and the test result can properly reacts anti-oxygenic property of
transformer oil in service, which well corresponds to actual use life of transformer oil. The bench has provided joint test for various
transformer oil manufacturers and users in China for many years. Through bench test and data accumulation for many years, the result
indicates that SINOPEC transformer oil manufactured by proper hydrogenation provides obvious advantages on oxidation stability,
which means that hydrogenated transformer oil has a longer use life.

Sample no Result of bench test, hours Test time

Paraffin base solvent refining 1 2388 1997

Paraffin base solvent refining 2 2815 1997

Paraffin base solvent refining 3 2610 1997

Paraffin base solvent refining 4 2390 1997

Paraffin base solvent refining 5 2537 1997

Paraffin base solvent refining 6 2224 1999

Naphthenic base 1 1013 1998

Naphthenic base 2 1056 1990

Naphthenic base 3 1507 1999

Naphthenic base 4 1203 1999

SINOPEC hydrogenated transformer oil No.1 3548 2007

SINOPEC hydrogenated transformer oil No.2 ＞5000 2007

Conclusion:
SINOPEC transformer oil manufactured by hydrogenated base oil not only maintains good electrical property and other quality
advantages of solvent refining transformer oil, but also eliminates pour point difference with naphthenic base transformer oil, and
provides more advantages than naphthenic base oil on density, flash point and oxidation stability etc.

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 11

 Accepting , Refilling and
Changing of Transformer Oil

At different phases from fresh oil leaving factory to oil-filled transformer, transformer oil has different meanings mainly divided into three
phases as follows:
Fresh oil: Unused oil, which is fresh, has not contacted with materials and structural materials of electrical equipment, and whose
product quality reaches GB 2536-2011 or SH 0040-2007 standard.
Unused oil: fresh oil directly or through filling equipment filled in equipment before operation (energizing).
Oil in service: transformer oil filled in equipment which has been put into operation. For transformer oil at the above three
phases, GB/T 14542-2005 Guide for maintenance and supervision of transformer oil in service (which is reference to IEC60422-2005
Supervision and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oil in electrical equipment) provides corresponding standards on quality
and supervision.

1. Inspection of transformer oil before accepting and filling in equipment

Accepting of fresh oil:
For transformer oil leaving factory, transformer oil manufacturers shall inspect by GB 2536-2011 (which is reference to IEC60296-2003) or
SH 0040-2007 (which is reference to ASTM D3487-2006), and users shall accept by GB 2536-2011 or SH 0040-2007 standard.
Inspection of fresh oil before and after filling in equipment (unused transformer oil):
before filling in transformer, fresh oil must be vacuum filtered and purified to reach index requirements in GB/T 14542-2005 Inspection
of fresh oil after purification. Oil filled in transformer must implement hot oil circulation by stipulated requirements, and reach index
requirements in GB/T 14542-2005 quality inspection of oil after hot oil circulation, and satisfy related standard requirements before
energizing to operate.

Inspection of fresh oil after purification

Voltage level of equipment, kV
Items
500 or above 330~220 ≤110
Breakdown voltage, kV ≥60 ≥55 ≥45
Water content (mg/kg) ≤10 ≤15 ≤20
Dielectric dissipation factor (90℃) ≤0.002 ≤0.005 ≤0.005

Quality inspection of oil after hot oil circulation

Voltage level of equipment, kV
Items
500 or above 330~220 ≤110
Breakdown voltage, kV ≥60 ≥50 ≥40
Water content (mg/kg) ≤10 ≤15 ≤20
Gas content (Volume fraction), % ≤1 — —
Dielectric dissipation factor (90℃) ≤0.005 ≤0.005 ≤0.005

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Supervision of transformer oil in service:

After filling transformer oil in new transformer, because impurities (such as organic polar materials, solid particle impurities and fiber
etc.) may be solved while oil is contacting solid insulation materials and structural materials etc., which results in oil temperature rise
and quality deterioration after energizing, the quality of transformer oil in service and unused transformer oil has great difference.
Therefore, transformer oil in service shall be inspected by regulation of quality criteria, inspection items and frequencies of
transformer oil in service in GB/T 14542-2005.

Quality criteria, inspection items and frequencies of transformer oil in service

Voltage level of GB/T 7595-2000 Recommended indexes and
Items Test method
equipment, kV standard frequency

Clear ang
Appearance Each voltage level Clear and bright Once a year Visual
bright

Once a year or
Water-soluble acid (PH) Each voltage level ≥4.2 ≥4.2 GB/T 7598
when necessary
Acidity, mgKOH/g Each voltage level ≤0.1 ≤0.1 Once a year GB/T 264

No less than
No less than 10℃ of 10℃ of original
When
Flash point (COC), ℃ Each voltage level original measured measured GB/T 261
necessary
value of fresh oil value of fresh
oil

330~500 or above ≤15 ≤20

At least once a
Water content (mg/kg) 220 ≤25 ≤30 GB/T 7600
year
110 or below ≤35 ≤40
At least once a
Interfacial tension (25℃), (mN/m) Each voltage level ≥19 ≥19 GB/T 6541
year

500 or above ≤0.020 ≤0.020

Dielectric dissipation factor (90℃) Once a year GB/T 5654
≤330 ≤0.040 ≤0.040
500 or above ≥50 ≥50
330 ≥45 ≥45 GB/T 507
Once a year
220 ≥35 ≥40
Breakdown voltage (2.5mm), kV
66~110 ≥35
≥30 At least once DL/T 429.9
35 or below ≥30
every three year

500 or above ≥1×1010 ≥1×1010 Once a year or GB/T 5654

Volume resistivity (90℃), (Ω.m)
≤330 ≥5×109 ≥5×109 when necessary or DL/T 421
330~500 ≤3 ≤3 Once a year or DL/T 423
Gas content (volume fraction), %
220 — Report when necessary or DL/T 703

When
Sludge and deposit (mass fraction), % Each voltage level ＜0.02 ＜0.02 See annex A
necessary

Use process of transformer can be monitored effectively based on change of the above indexes.

When one index of oil obviously becomes worse, strengthen analysis and recommend to adopt relative measures stipulated in
GB 14542-2005. If rapid fluctuation of oil quality is resulted from antioxidant consumption in oil that antioxidant needs to be added, it is
recommended to add by relative regulations in GB 14542-2005 and under the guidance of transformer oil manufacturer.

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 Extreme limit indexes of transformer oil in service (GB 14542-2005)
Items Extreme limit
Appearance Non transparent, with visible impurities or oil sludge deposit
Color Dark color
330kV~500kV ＞20
Water content (mg/kg) 220kV ＞30
110kV or below ＞40
Acidity, mgKOH/g ＞0.1
Water-soluble acid (PH) PH＜4.2
500kV ＜50
330kV equipment ＜45
Breakdown voltage, kV 220kV equipment ＜40
661kV~110kV ＜35
30kV or below equipment ＜30
500kV or above equipment ＞0.02
Dielectric dissipation factor (90℃)
≤330kV or below equipment ＞0.04
Interfacial tension (mN/m) ＜19
500kV or above equipment ＜1×1010
Volume resistivity 90℃, (Ω.m)
≤330kV or below equipment ＜5×109
Sludge and deposit ＞0.02%
Flash point (COC), ℃ Less than 10℃ or above of original value of fresh oil
Total gas content in oil (volume fraction), % 330kV~500kV or above equipment＞3

2. Oil refilling and changing

For long time operation of oil-filled transformer, oil refilling and changing are necessary. However, GB/T 14542-2005 Guide for
maintenance and supervision of transformer oil in service must be followed, key points are as follows:
1) For electrical equipment need to be refilled with oil, unused transformer oil conforming to relative fresh oil standard shall be prior
selection. Refilling oil should better be oil with same oil base, grade and additive. Each property index of refilled oil shall be no less
than that of oil in equipment. When amount of the fresh oil to be refilled is low, such as less than 5%, generally no problem will
appear; while when amount of the fresh oil to be refilled is high, oil separation test shall be made before refilling. When ensuring no
oil sludge separated, acidity and dielectric dissipation factor is no more than that of oil in equipment, oil can be refilled.
2) In principle, transformer oil come from different base oil should not be mixed to use. Under special conditions, for different grades of
fresh oil need to be mixed for use, whether the local requirements can be satisfied depends on actual freezing point of mixed oil,
and then oil-mixing test shall be carried out by DL/T 429.6 method. In addition, mixed oil sample shall be better than the worst single
oil sample.
3) If different grades of fresh or used oil need to be mixed with oil in service, the freezing point of mixed oil shall be measured, and
aging test shall be made by DL/T 429.6 method to measure acidity and dielectric dissipation factor of aged oil sample. Observe oil
sludge separated, and use oil without deposit. When mixed sample obtained is better than original oil in service, the oil can be mixed
to use.
4) In principle, imported oil or oil with unknown place of origin or manufacturer can not be mixed with different grades of oil in service.
If necessary to mix, aging test on the oil to be mixed and mixed oil shall be made by DL/T 429.6 method to measure acidity, dielectric
dissipation factor and observe sludge deposit in advance. If there is no sludge separated and quality of mixed oil is better than
original oil in service, the oil can be mixed. If the oil to be mixed is fresh oil, the quality of mixed oil shall be better than the worst kind
of oil, and whether the local requirements can be satisfied depends on actual freezing point of mixed oil.
5) Before oil-mixing test, mixing ratio of oil sample shall be the same as actual ratio. When mixing ratio can not be decided, mix by
mass ratio of 1:1 for testing.
Attentions on oil changing: similar to oil refilling requirements, but the transformer oil shall be discharged as possible to avoid quality
degradation of fresh oil.
Criteria for changing of transformer oil: transformer oil has different requirements on service quality in transformers with different
voltage levels, so it shall be monitored by Quality Limit Value of Oil in Service (GB/T 14542-2005) stipulated by Power Industry.
Change oil if such limit is exceeded.

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Management
of Transformer Oil

Transformer oil is a liquid isolation material for electrical appliance with special requirements. One particularity of transformer oil is that
the entry of exterior micro impurities (such as water, dust, fiber and surface active substance) will obviously change electrical isolation
capability of oil, such as drop of breakdown voltage, rise of dielectric dissipation factor etc. Therefore, special measures shall be
adopted in the processes of manufacturing, transporting and storing etc. The other particularity of transformer oil is that it will contact
surfaces of various solid insulation materials and other members after refilling in transformer, so compatibility among transformer oil
components and various solid solution materials (such as varnish, paper sheet, rubber, paint and adhesive etc.) also has important
effect on electrical insulation property of oil. For this reason, all transformer oil manufacturers shall ensure transformer oil can’t
solve with all materials used in transformer, otherwise quality of oil will become worse. In addition, voltage resistance and dielectric
dissipation factor of transformer oil will be affected by cleanness and dryness of solid insulation materials, micro moisture absorption
and discharging among oil and solid insulation materials and dust etc.

Therefore, management of transformer oil not only refers to transformer oil manufacturer, but also extends through the whole process
in selling and using. To ensure quality and good service of transformer oil, all vessels, tanks, pipeline, pumps, samplers and sample
bottles etc. used during manufacturing, transporting, storing, loading and unloading processes of transformer oil shall satisfy the
requirements of “special, dry and clean”.

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 Questions and Answers

1. What properties transformer oil provides?

Main properties of transformer oil include three aspects: firstly, good insulation property, namely, dielectric strength (or breakdown
voltage) is high and dielectric dissipation factor is low. High dielectric strength ensures conductor can be insulated well and prevent
jump spark between electrodes under voltage effect in using common insulating oil. dielectric dissipation factor can greatly reduce
energy loss resulted from polarity reversal of AC current. Secondly, good heat transmission property and fluidity, namely, oil
provides proper viscosity and low freezing point (pour point), which ensures transformer and coil be cooled effectively, and switches,
breakers, pumps, regulators and load-tap converter members etc. act flexibly. In addition, the outstanding oxidation stability can
greatly reduce oil sludge and acid materials which are generated during storage and service and will deteriorate electrical property
and cooling capacity and reduce its use life.

2. Where does the water in transformer oil come from? What’s the existence form?
During package transportation and storage management of transformer oil, water may be resulted from improper treatment. In
addition, petroleum products are water absorptive, which can absorb and solve some water from atmosphere or in contacting water.
Both compositions of transformer oil and the temperature environment located will affect its water absorptivity. For oil with different
chemical compositions, the water absorptivity difference can reach tens of mg/kg. The more aromatic hydrocarbon content in oil
means moisture absorptivity of oil is higher. Furthermore, some polar molecule in oil also can increase moisture absorptivity of oil.
Generally speaking, water solubility of oil under 20℃ approximately is 40mg/kg, and water content of transformer oil can be reduced
to 10mg/kg or about by industrial dehydration equipment. In addition, moisture absorptivity of oil takes linear increment with air
relative humidity and oil temperature. For example, when relative humidity of oil sample is 40% under 60℃, water content in oil is 80
mg/kg; while when relative humidity is 80%, water content in oil will reach 200mg/kg.
Water in transformer oil exists in three forms:
Suspended state: water is suspended in oil in the form of water droplet.
Floating state: water is distributed in oil in the form of extremely small water droplet.
Soluble state: water is solved in oil.

3. What bad effects that water brings to electrical property of transformer oil?
Water will bring great damage to electrical, physical and chemical properties of transformer oil. Firstly, water will reduce breakdown
voltage of oil. According to relative experience data, when water content in oil is 0.01％, breakdown voltage of oil approximately is
15kV; while water content in oil increases to 0.03％, breakdown voltage of oil will reduce to about 6kV. In addition, water also affects
loss factor of medium greatly. As increasing of water content in oil, loss factor of medium will increase. When water content in oil is
0.02％, loss factor of medium is 1x10-2; when water content in oil increases in 5 times (i.e., up to 0.10％), dielectric dissipation factor
will increase to 2.1x10-2. In addition, water also can accelerate corrosion of organic acid on copper, iron, and other metals, of which
the polar materials like saponifiable matter will increase dielectric dissipation factor and moisture absorptivity, and catalyze oxidation
of oil. It is generally believed that aging speed of wet oil is 2times~4times faster than that of dry oil. Therefore, much attention
has been paid to water in transformer oil for a long time. Users must filter and dehydrate oil repeatedly till all electrical properties
acceptable, and then fill it in electrical equipment.

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4. What effects that water in transformer oil brings to mutual inductor?

How to remove water?
If transformer oil in mutual inducer contains supersaturated water, breakdown voltage will be generated during operation of
equipment, which will affect normal operation, and even generate powerful electric arc to make porcelain shell explode, thus causing
personal injury. Therefore, attention must be paid to transporting, storing and keeping process for preventing from water.
If there is water in oil barrel, measures shall be taken to remove water. Firstly, method shall be taken to deposit water at the bottom
of barrel, and then pump oil in upper layer. However, it is inevitable that oil still contains some water, so oil shall not be used till water
content in oil reaches the limit range allowed in relative quality standards after repeated filtering and absorbing by drier etc.

5. What's the meaning of measuring pH value of transformer oil in service？

PH value is mainly for indicating index of water-soluble acid in transformer oil. Generally, unused (fresh) transformer oil contains little
acid materials, so the acid value is low that pH value is among 5~7. According to analysis on field investigation of transformer oil in
China, simulation test and result of aging test in laboratory, when acid value of transformer oil in service is more than 0.1mgKOH/g and pH
value is equal or less than 4.0, the probability of oil sludge separated in transformer oil will increase; when acid value of transformer
oil in service is less than 0.1mgKOH/g and pH value is more than 4.0, the transformer oil generally can ensure good and reliable
working of transformer; when acid value is up to 0.2mgKOH/g or above or pH value is less than 3.8, deterioration of oil quality will
be obvious that much oil sludge will be generated. Therefore, it’s stipulated that pH value of oil in service shall be more than 4.2 in
relative standards.

6. Why does electrical property of oil in service deteriorate?

What remedy measures can be adopted?
For transformer oil in service, breakdown voltage and dielectric dissipation factor are usually used to indicate electrical property
or insulating capacity. Even though there is little water or impurities, breakdown voltage of oil will also be affected obviously and
reduced. In addition, suspended solid, such as scrap, fiber, dust and carbon black of metal filter screen will also bring bad effect
on breakdown voltage. When transformer oil becomes aging and deteriorates to generate acid materials or oil sludge, or water or
impurities is mixed with oil, dielectric dissipation factor will increase. Meanwhile, when load and unload oil, if improper oil delivery
hose or plastic tube is used, oil will melt with the materials that results in oil deteriorating. The consequent phenomenon will be
dielectric dissipation factor increasing abruptly, sometimes even up to 0.1 or more.
When oil with deteriorated quality and descended electrical property can not satisfy property index requirements of oil in service,
the oil can be regenerated. The used method is to treat oil with hargil, and then add antioxidant to make its properties reach
requirements of fresh oil.

SINOPEC Transformer Oil 17

 7. Why to control density of transformer oil (or relative density) ?
Density (or relative density) has relation with compositions and water content of oil. To some extent, controlling density of
transformer oil is equal to control water content of oil. For transformers used in cold areas, it’s especially meaningful for preventing
floating ice during temporary stopping in winter. If there is too much water in transformer oil, ice crystal will adhere on electrode
under low temperature and melt when temperature rises to increase conductivity, thus resulting in discharging danger. Therefore,
density of transformer oil generally shall be no more than 895kg/m3 under 20℃.

8. What’s the meaning to monitor flash point of “transformer oil in service” ?

Flash point is a safety index during storing and using process of insulating oil. Especially for supervision and control of transformer
oil in service, flash point is an indispensable item. Descending of flash point indicates volatile combustible materials have been
generated from oil. Such low molecular hydrocarbon is often generated during heating crack of transformer oil under high
temperature, which is resulted from local overeating fault of electrical equipment. Therefore, from flash point, it can be observed
whether electrical equipment have local overheating fault. For oil newly filled in equipment and after repair, checking flash point can
discover whether there is light distillate mixed. Extremely low flash point will result in fire, even explosion of electrical equipment.
Therefore, all fresh oil standards on transformer oil in each country provide strict flash point control index. Generally, CC flash point
shall be no less than 135℃~140℃. Flash point of “oil in service” is also controlled strictly. Compared with the previous measured
value, descending value of the next measured flash point shall be no more than 5℃.

9. What’s the meaning to measure acid value of transformer oil for using transformer oil?
Acid value of transformer oil means there is acid materials in oil, namely, the total organic and inorganic acid. Fresh transformer
oil contains little acid materials that the acid value is rather small. However, during long time storage, especially filling in electrical
equipment and putting into operation, the oil will become aging in necessary contact with oxygen in air. During primary oxidation, low
molecular organic acid is generated, and further oxidation will generate high molecular organic acid and acid products. If the above
acid materials are generated in insulating oil, conductivity will be increased, while insulation property will be reduced, and even
corrosion on metal will occur. Under high working temperature (80℃ or above), solid fiber insulation materials will become aging,
which will reduce use life of equipment.

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According to GB 2536-2011 standard, acid value of unused transformer oil generally shall be less than 0.03mgKOH/g; while that of
oil in service shall be no more than 0.1mgKOH/g. As continuous increasing requirements of users, foreign related standards, such
as IEC60296:2003, have suggested higher quality requirements on unused transformer oil, shall be no more than 0.01mgKOH/g.

10. What indicates when interfacial tension of transformer oil changes?

Interfacial tension refers to tension generated between insulating oil and immiscible water. Interfacial tension of unused transformer
oil generally can reach 40mN/m~50mN/m. Oxidation and oil sludge etc. generated from aging and deteriorating of used oil will
affect interfacial tension. Aged oil will generate various organic acid (-COOH), alcohol (-OH) and other polar materials, which reduce
interfacial tension of oil gradually. Generally, the minimum limit value of interfacial tension of oil in service shall be 19mN/m.

Annex
Oil-mixing test result of SINOPEC transformer oil I-10(No.25) and naphthenic base transformer oil I-10(No.25)
(Aging measurement of open cup for oil in service DL 429.6-91)
Proportion
Acid value of oil after Appearance after diluting Appearance of oil
S/N SINOPEC transformer Naphthenic base test mgKOH/g by petroleum ether after test
oil I-10(No.25) transformer oil I-10(No.25)

White, transparent
1 10 - 0.002 No deposit
no deposit

White, transparent
2 9 1 0.003 No deposit
no deposit

White, transparent
3 5 5 0.003 No deposit
no deposit

White, transparent
4 1 9 0.003 No deposit
no deposit

White, transparent
5 - 10 0.004 No deposit
no deposit

Conclusion of oil-mixing test: after test, appearance of oil sample is transparent and without deposit, indicating the two kinds of oil can
be mixed for using.

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