Investigation of critical parameters of mixed insulating fluids

Abstract

Traditionally, mineral oil is used as insulating fluids in transformers. The environmental impact of these mineral oils is often characterized in past centuries. In order to overcome the above facts, Vegetable oil is used as alternative source for mineral oil. Vegetable oil has higher biodegradability and it is treated as more environmental friendly fluids. In this work, the refined natural esters like Sunflower oil, Rice bran oil and Corn oil are chosen and mixed in various proportions. The critical parameters like Breakdown Voltage, Flash Point, Fire Point and Viscosity are determined for these mixed insulating fluids as per ASTM standards. These results in higher Breakdown voltage values compared to other samples.