Effects of Suspended Moisture Particles on AC Breakdown Voltage and Electric Field Distribution of Vegetable Insulation Oil

摘要

Vegetable insulating oils are gaining importance worldwide to be used in power transformers as an alternative to petroleum based mineral oils because of their biodegradable nature and higher fire points than conventional mineral oils. However, these oils (whether natural or synthetic esters) easily absorb moisture and hence tend to affect the dielectric and physiochemical properties of insulation oils. This paper presents the effect of moisture absorbed by commonly used rapeseed oil on its AC breakdown voltage. A mathematical relationship was developed between breakdown voltage and percentage moisture absorbed to access the values of BDV at any moisture level and this relationship holds good for any moisture content in the oil. Moreover, effect of suspended water molecules on breakdown voltage was simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. Empirical relationship developed was tested and verified and can be used to find out the BDV of these oils as the percentage moisture increases.