IEEE Transactions on E'lectrical Insulation Vol. EI-22 No.6.

December 1987 795

DEGRADATION OF INSULATING MATERIALS OF TRANSFORMERS

H. Yoshida, Y. Ishioka, T. Suzuki
T. Yanari, T. Teranishi
Toshiba Corporation
Kawasaki, Japan

ABSTRACT
Insulating papers and pressboards must have high dielectric
strength and high tensile strength. However, these materials
are gradually degraded due to thermal stress, oxygen, and
moisture. Because the tensile strength decreases owing to
degradation, the degradation of insulating material may affect
the life of transformers.
In our laboratory, through accelerated tests using models of
oil-impregnated insulating systems, changes in characteristics
of insulating cellulose materials have been investigated.
These data were compared with data obtained from insulating
papers of transformers with long service life.
From these investigations, good correlation was found between
the amount of gas generated from insulating papers in insulating
oil and the retention of tensile strength and of degree of poly-
merization. Using this correlation, the degree of degradation
of insulating papers in transformers may be known from the
amount of gas.
The average characteristic curves of insulating papers from
transformers coincides with the degradation curve of 90C ob-
tained in experiments. And if the life of insulating papers
is considered to be equal to the life of transformers, the life
of transformers is between 20 and 40 years.

INTRODUCTION materials [1-4]. In our laboratory, through accelerat-

Most solid insulating materials used in oil-filled
transformers are made of cellulose materials. These
are insulating papers, pressboards, and so on. These
materials must have high dielectric strength and high
tensile strength. However, these materials are grad-
ually degraded due to thermal stress, oxygen, and mois-
ture. Because the tensile strength decreases with de-
gradation, consequently the degradation of insulating
materials may affect the life of transformers.
While transformers are in operation, the degree of
degradation of insulating materials cannot be measured.
But it is reported [1] that the amount of CO and C02
evolving from insulating papers correlates well with
the degradation of insulating papers. Therefore, it
is very important that data related to degradation of
insulating papers are systematically stored, and used
for improvement of diagnostic techniques for insulating
systems.
Some papers have been published, relating to the de-
gradation process of insulating oil and cellulose
ed tests using models of oil-impregnated insulating
systems, changes in characteristics of cellulose in-
sulating materials have been investigated. Moreover,
the data thus obtained were compared with data obtained
from insulating papers from transformers with long ser-
vice life. When maintenance checks of transformers were
performed, the dielectric strength, the tensile strength,
and the degree of polymerization of insulating papers
were measured. Data obtained through these measurements
were used for comparison with experimental results.
EXPER IMENTAL
Accelerated Tests
At the beginning, model coils as shown in Fig. 1 were
prepared, using insulating papers and aluminum pipes.
These model coils were subjected to thermal aging in
insulating oil with copper plates and silicon steel
plates as shown in Fig. 2. The amounts of these mate-
rials were made to be nearly equal to the ratio in
transformers. The amount of material is shown in Table
1.

of7I !29C- f l 7 IE-E

796 6IEEE Transactions on Electrical Insulation Vol. EI-22 No.6, December 1987

Next, pressboard was prepared the same way as the

Al pipe model coils. The amount of material is shown in
Table 2.

iFI Table 2
The Amount Of Materials Subjected To

Li- Thermal Aging (II)

I terials
rterial (g)
I-W -1 Presaboard; 300
d I I'
Insulating Oil 1800
Fig. 1: Mod,el coilZ. Core Steel 700

Copper Bar 650

The containers were placed in electric ovens for a

period of about a month to a year at appropriate tem-
perature levels. The temperature.-range was was 100 to
160C. In the case of pressboards the temperature
Oil range was 100 to 1400C.
After the aging period, the model coils were taken
-Copper plate out of the containers. Then the tensile strength,
breakdown strength, the polymerization degree, and
water content of the paper and pressboard were measur-
Core steel ed. The acid value, the water content, and the amount
of generated gasses were measured for the insulating
oils, expect for oils which were heated to 1600C.
Stainless steel
Measurements Of Characteristics Of Insulating Papers
Used In Transformers
Fig. 2: Heating container. When maintenance checks of transformers were per-
formed, some characteristics of insulating papers were
measured. The working term of transformers was between
Table 1 5 and 40 yr.
The Amount Of Materials Subjected To RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Thermal Aging (I)
Results Of AcceZerated Tests
Ma~terials The Amount of
Material,
(g)
Fig. 3 shows the temperature dependence of some
properties. In Fig. 3(a) the tensile strength and the
Insulating Paper 552 polymerization degree vs. temperature are shown. In
Fig. 3(b) changes in ac and impulse breakdown voltage
Insulating Oil 3060 of insulating papers vs. temperature, and changes in
water content of insulating papers and of insulating
Core Steel 1165 oil vs. temperature are shown.
Copper Plate 807 irom these results it is found that for some char-
acteristics, the temperature dependence is large. The
AJlqni num Pi pe 645 tensile strength and the polymerization degree decreas-
ed greatly at 140 and 160C. On the other hand, the
breakdown voltage did not decrease very much. How-
ever, at 160C, this property decreased markedly.
Before the model coils were subjected to the thermal Moreover, it is impressive that the water content in
aging, they were dried at 105C for 24 h. After drying insulating papers and insulating oil increased greatly
was performed, these model coils were put into stain- at 1600C. To clarify this phenomenon, samples that
less steel containers. Then the containers were evac- were heated at 160C were dried, and their breakdown
uated at 65 Pa and at 1050C for 4 h. While the temper- voltages are shown as point A in Fig. 3(b). From
ature was decreasing the insulating oil (mineral oil) these results, it was found that the reason why the
was injected into these containers under vacuum. After breakdown voltage of the samples heated at 160C de-
about 90% of the volume of these containers was filled creased so much was that water was generated from the
with insulating oil, the containers were filled with 1 sample papers due to degradation.
atm nitrogen.
Yoshida et al.: Degra-dation of insulating materials of transformers 797

0
4- '-4
0 F4
0)0

H
0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12
0 0
X)0 It
'l\
U
trs

Aging Time (month )

Fig. 4(a): Changes in tensile strength of insuZating

papers due to thermal aging.
A

0
ORIGINAL 1200C1400C1600C
1 month aging

Fig. 3(a): Changes in the polymerization degree

and the tensile strength of insulating papers.

P4
p4 Aging Time (month )
I.-

8
Fig. 4(b): Changes in poZymerization degree of
r-

insuZating paper due to thermal aging.

:4$to
S3
0
+41004 4
04
4
o
0
80
u- to
UI 0
U)
I0
co
60
h) E-4
40 )_ 1401C
0

o 20

CD0
0
00 2__6_10 1
Aging Time (month)
1 month aging
Fig. 5(a): Changes in the tensiZe strength of
Fig. 3(b): Changes in ac and impulse breakdown pressboard.
strength.
In Fig. 6 changes in the acid value are shown. As in
Figs. 4 and 5 show the changes in the retention of the case of changes in tensile strength and polymeriza-
the tensile strength and the polymerization degree of tion degree, the changes above 140C are large.
sample insulating papers and pressboards. As shown in
these Figures, these properties decreased more at 1400C The main species of gasses in insulating oil were CO
than at lower temperature. and C02, while small amounts of H2, CH4, C2H4, and C2H6
798 IEEE Transactions on Electrical Insulation Vol. EI-22 No.6, December 1987

: 50
0

E 40

30 - 1400C

oj20'
0 ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~1
; 10 ' , 1200C

Ot0 2 4
iLo-
6 8 10 12
Aging Time (month) Aging Tirne (month

Fig. 5(b): Changes in the polymerization degree of Fig. 7: Increase in CO + C02 gas content due to
pressboard. thermal aging (Insulating paper).

Table 3
0.10
,
to
The Amount of Gasses in Insulating Oil (Pressboard)
2 0.08 (ml/100 ml oil)
110 0C 12 Mon-ths 120*C 12 Months
0.06
S 1400C CO 0.4916 1.9240
0 0.04 1200C
Co2 2.0881 4.2801
H2 0.0076 0.0133
o 0 .02
A3F =A1100L CH4 0.0159 0.0521
ru _"Y~
2 4
Y
6 8 10 12
C2H2 non detect non detect
0 C-2H4 trac e trace
Aging Time (month )
C2H6 0.0052 0.0109
Fig. 6(a): Increase in acid value of insuZating oiZ TCG 0.5203 2.0003
due to thermal aging (Insulating paper).
CO-+CO2 2.5797 6.2041

increased to about 44 ml/100 ml oil for 6 months at

1400C.
As shown in Fig. 7 except at 1400C the amount of CO
and C02 increased until 6 months and then increased
less rapidly. It is assumed that there were some por-
tions that are easily dissociated and that these por-
tions dissociated in the initial stage, and then other
rigid portions dissociated. However, at 140C rigid
portions dissociated too in the initial stage, because
of the high temperature.

From the results mentioned above, it was found that

the tendency of changes in characteristics of insula-
Aging Time (month) ting papers resembles that of pressboard.

Fig. 6(b): Increase in acid value of insulating oiZ
(Pressboard).
were detected. Changes in the amount of the main spec-
ies are shown in Fig. 7 and Table 3. As shown in this
Figure, the amount of CO and C02 increased rapidly at
140 0C.
When insulating papers are degraded, their polymeriza-
tion degree decreases and CO and C02 are generated. It
is easily observed that the higher the temperature, the
more gasses are generated. The amount of CO and C02
Fig. 8 shows the amount of gasses in transformers
that adopt gas-cushions and breather conservators [3].
Because of a relatively large fluctuation, a clear con-
clusion is impossible. However, it is roughly found
that in the case of a gas-cushion, 0.3 ml/100 ml oil of
CO and C02 is generated during a period of 25 yr. ser-
vice, and in the case of a breather, 0.4 ml/100 ml oil
of CO and C02 is generated during a period of 1T yr.
service. The amount of gasses gradually increased.
However, in our experiments, 2.3 ml/100 ml oil of CO
and C02 was generated during only 12 months at 100C.
The thermal endurance grade of transformers is 1050C.
Yoshida et al.: Degradatsion of insulating materials of transformers 799

@ Gas-cushion
0
4- 0.404- * Breather conservator q.40 Max.
bo I
'.4
0 J* @
8
-4
0.30 o ^

S 0.20
0

*'a .1
0
aM0
0
+
U
0.10 * so 0 (a) Service Time (year )

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 100 Max.

Service Years
Fig. 8: Relation between service years and Co + C02 '(4S- Tm (
gas evolution.

10 20 30 40
But from the above-mentioned results, it can be easily
assumed that the service temperature of transformers (b) Service Time (year,
is much lower than the thermal endurance grade 1050C.
Fig. 10: Changes in the tensile strength and the
The relation between temperature and the amount of poZymerization degree of insulating papers of
generated gasses has not been investigated at relative- transformers.
ly low temperature. The amount of generated gasses at
low temperatures also cannot be clearly extrapolated
from the author's results. However, if the amount of a
generated gasses is roughly estimated from Fig. 7, it 1 [IJr
is assumed that 0.3 to 0.4 ml/100 ml oil of generated
0
3 -A
-9?- - -
-- - -

gasses in transformers corresponds to very low operat-

qD
ing temperature.
Fig. 9 shows the relation between the retention of o.
some properties of insulating papers and the amount of 0-

00
oo
a o a 2 a

10 20 30
Service Time (year )
Tensile strength
Fig. 11: Changes in breakdown strength of insulating
* Polymerization papers of transformers.
,-4
CP
voltages of degraded insulating papers did not change
0
very much. These results coincide with the results of
0 experiments.
As these data show, the mechanical properties and the
polymerization degree change, rather than the electric
0 10 20 30 40 50 properties. This is the reason why the polymerization
CO+C02 (ml/100 ml oil) degree and the tensile strength can be used to establish
the degree of degradation.
Fig. 9: Relation between CO + C02 gas content In general, the term during which the retention of the
evoZved and retention of tensile strength and of tensile strength of insulating materials decreases to
poZymerization. 50% is considered to be the thermal life. Although
this idea cannot be applied easily to the life of trans-
formers, it is found that if the average life of insula-
generated gasses. These Figures can be drawn using ting materials equals roughly the life of transformers,
Figs. 4 and 7. From these results 0.3 to 0.4 ml/100 ml the life of a transformer is between 20 and 40 yr.
oil, mentioned previously, corresponds to a retention These -talues coincide with the life of transformers
of more than 80 or 90%. that are required to be 30 to 40 yr.
Degradation Of Insulating Materials In Transformers As shown in Fig. 10, the retention of the tensile
strength and of the polymerization degree have a large
Fig. 10 shows the changes in mechanical properties of fluctuation. For instance, 40 to 95% of fluctuation
insulating papers. As shown in this Figure, the average and 75% of average value are found at 25 yr. As men-
of the retention of the tensile strength and the poly- tioned before, the retention of the tensile strength
merization degree of insulating paper decreased to 50% and of the average polymerization of insulating papers
in 40 yr. .The minimum value of the retention decreased of transformers that worked for about 25 yr. is about
to 50% during 20 yr. As shown in Fig. 11, the breakdown 80 to 90%. These values are contained in the
Boo IEEE Transactions on Electrical Insulation Vol. EI-22 No.6, December 1987

fluctuations of Fig. 10 and are higher than the average
value.
Retention values shown in Fig. 10 are values of in-
sulating papers of various parts of various transform-
ers. Shown in Fig. 8 is the amount of gasses contained
in insulating oil. In insulating oil, gasses generated
from insulating papers of various parts are involved.
Therefore, if the amount of gasses generated from
each part of a transformer can be estimated, the degree
of degradation of insulating papers of transformers can
be known from the amount of generated gasses. Then it
may be important to estimate the temperature distri-
bution.
Drawing the Arrhenius curve using the retention rate
of the polymerization degree within 30 and 80%, the re-
lation between aging temperature and aging time can be
obtained. From this relation, curves of changes in
polymerization degree versus aging time can be drawn.
These curves are shown in Fig. 12 with solid lines. As
this Figure shows, the degradation characteristics at
Max. va lue
Ave. value
100
0 85 C~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~-8
0-
o ".
0
P tDI
0 "The Diagnosis on the Aging Deterioration of
0 Min. value
0~ I IIik
10 20 30
Service Time (year )
4. A good correlation between the amount of gasses
generated from insulating papers ir. insulating papers
in insulating oil and the retention of tensile strength
and of the polymerization degree was found.
5. Using this correlation, from the amount of gasses
the degree of degradation of insulating papers in
transformers may be calculated.
6. If the life of insulating papers is considered to
be equal to the life of transformers, the life of
transformers is between 20 and 40 yr.
7. The average characteristics curve of insulating
papers of transformers coincides with the degradation
curve of 90C obtained in experiments.
REFERENCES
[1] W.G. Lawson, M.A. Simons and P.H. Gale, "Thermal
Aging of Cellulose Paper Insulation," IEEE
Trans. EI, Fol. EI-12, No. 1, pp. 61-66, 1977.
[2] E.L. Morison, "Evaluation of The Thermal Stabi-
lity of Electrical Insulating Paper," IEEE
Trans. EI, Vol. EI-3, p. 76, 1968.
[3] T. Yanari, M. Ikeda, Y. Taniguchi and Y. Ishioka,
"Oil Deterioration of Transformer for Long
Term," (in Japanese) Trans. of IEEJ, Vol. 101-B,
pp. 719-726, 1981.
90
95 [4] R. Tamura, H. Anetai, T. Ishii and T. Kawamura,
Insulating Paper in Transformer by Gas
Analysis," (in Japanese) Trans. of IEEJ, Vol.
101-A, pp. 30-36, 1981.
40

Fig. 12: Comparison of changes of the polymerization

degree of insulating papers of accelerates samples
and of transformers.

100.C coincides with the minimum envelope, and that at

900C coincides with the- average characteristics of
transformer insulating materials. 90C may be higher
than the expected average temperature of transformers.
These facts may be due to the fact that the insulating
materials of transformers made years ago were inferior
to the current insulating materials.

CONC LUS IONS

Insulating materials were heated in insulating oil
for a long time, and several properties were measured.
These results were compared with the characteristics of
insulating papers in transformers. The results obtain-
ed are as follows:
1. Above 1400C, insulating papers and pressboards are
degraded easily.
2. The breakdown voltage does not easily change, but,
the tensile strength, the average polymerization and
the acid value change.
3. The tendency of changes in characteristics of in-
sulating papers due to thermal aging resembles that of
pressboard.