Transformer Oil Analysis - Furfuraldehyde

Furfuraldehyde Analysis

Provided the oil inside a transformer has been well maintained and there is no serious defect, the life of a transformer often depends upon the state of the paper insulation on the windings. It has been shown that in oil, as the paper degrades and becomes weaker, furfuraldehyde is one of the many degradation products. It has also been shown that a linear relationship exists between the logarithm of the mass of furfuraldehyde produced and the resulting degree of polymerization (DP) or strength of the paper. When the DP falls to approximately 250, the paper insulation is very brittle and the transformer can be considered to have reached the end of its service life. Therefore by measuring the furfuraldehyde concentration in the oil, the remaining service life of the transformer can be estimated.