Why do transformers use oil?
Transformers are indispensable equipment in power systems, and transformer oil plays a vital role in them. Many people may be curious, why do transformers need to use oil? This article will analyze the functions, characteristics and importance of transformer oil from multiple perspectives, and provide you with a comprehensive answer based on hot topics and hot content in the past 10 days.
1. The main function of transformer oil

Transformer oil is not only a cooling medium, but also has the following multiple functions:
| function | Description |
|---|---|
| insulation | Transformer oil has high dielectric strength and protects against internal short circuits and arcing. |
| cooling | The oil circulates to take away the heat generated during the operation of the transformer and prevent the equipment from overheating. |
| arc extinguishing | During switching operations, oil can quickly extinguish arcs and protect equipment. |
| Anticorrosive | Oil can prevent oxidation and corrosion of metal parts and extend the life of the transformer. |
2. Characteristics of transformer oil
Transformer oil requires specific physical and chemical properties to ensure its efficient operation. The following are the main properties of transformer oil:
| Features | request |
|---|---|
| Dielectric strength | Must be higher than 30kV/2.5mm to ensure insulation performance under high voltage. |
| viscosity | It has good fluidity at low temperatures and strong stability at high temperatures. |
| flash point | Typically above 140°C to prevent fire risk. |
| Acid value | Less than 0.03mg KOH/g to avoid corrosion of equipment. |
3. The relationship between hot topics in the past 10 days and transformer oil
Recently, as energy issues and power equipment safety have become more popular, topics related to transformer oil have also attracted much attention. The following are hot topics related to transformer oil in the past 10 days:
| hot topics | Related content |
|---|---|
| Aging of electrical equipment | The aging problem of transformer oil has become the focus of power system safety. |
| Environmentally friendly transformer oil | The development and application of bio-based transformer oil has triggered widespread discussion. |
| Extreme weather effects | The challenges of high and low temperatures to the performance of transformer oil have become a hot topic. |
| Intelligent monitoring technology | Real-time monitoring of transformer oil status through IoT technology. |
4. Future development trends of transformer oil
With the advancement of technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the development of transformer oil has also shown new trends:
1.Environmentally friendly transformer oil: Traditional mineral oil is gradually replaced by bio-based oil or synthetic ester to reduce environmental pollution.
2.High performance additives: Extend the service life of transformer oil by adding antioxidants, anti-corrosion agents, etc.
3.Intelligent monitoring: Use sensors and big data technology to monitor the temperature, humidity and aging of oil in real time.
4.Recycling and reuse: Reduce the emissions of waste transformer oil through filtration and regeneration technology.
5. Precautions when using transformer oil
In order to ensure the safe operation of the transformer, the following points should be paid attention to when using transformer oil:
1.Regular testing: Analyze the dielectric strength, acid value and moisture content of the oil through laboratory testing.
2.prevent pollution: Prevent dust, moisture and other impurities from entering the oil.
3.temperature control: Keep the oil temperature within a reasonable range and avoid overheating or overcooling.
4.Replace in time: When the aging index of the oil exceeds the standard, new oil needs to be replaced in time.
Conclusion
Transformer oil plays multiple roles in power systems, serving as an insulating medium and a key material for cooling and arc extinguishing. As technology advances, the performance and applications of transformer oil are constantly optimized. By understanding its functions and characteristics, we can better maintain transformer equipment and ensure the stable operation of the power system. In the future, environmental protection and intelligence will become the main directions for the development of transformer oil.
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