Trafotech-2010, January, 2010
TRANSFORMER OIL SPECIFICATIONS FOR
INDIAN TRANSFORMER INDUSTRY
P. Ramachandran
ABB Ltd, Vadodara
1. BACKGROUND
Mineral lubricating oil was used in early
transformers as an insulating medium in Europe
(1890 Brown Boveri) and in America (1892- GE
used Pennsylvanian Paraffinic type lubricating
oil). Its efficacy as a heat carrier and cooling
agent was recognized much later and early
standard specifications for transformer oil came
out in 1899. Indian transformer industry was
dependent on imported oil (e.g. Shell Diala
Grades) till 1969 when indigenous manufacture
of transformer oil commenced at Mumbai and
later at Chennai. Indigenous oil manufacturers
were using the TOBS (Transformer Oil Base
Stock) produced by the HPCL Refinery, Bombay
and Madras Refineries, Chennai. These
refineries were producing solvent-neutral oil with
very high level of unsaturated compounds and
sulfur / nitrogenous impurities.
Initially the quality of locally produced oil, by acid
treatment was poor, especially with regard to oil
resistivity. Immediate impact of the indigenous oil
on transformers was a sudden drop in insulation
resistance during storage/service period. Industry
could over come this problem and Indian
Standard for oil added special requirements for
oil resistivity, even though international standards
were not specifying this property. After the
economic liberalization, during 1990’s imported
base oil made by hydro treating or hydro
cracking the naphthenic and paraffinic crudes,
was available for industry to deliver oils meeting
any international specifications.
2. EVOLUTION OF STANDARDS
Even before the formulation of an Indian
standard for transformers, Indian standard on
Transformer Oil came out in1953 as IS: 335. This
was based on BS 148: 1951 ‘Insulating Oil for
Transformer and Switchgear’ issued by the
British Standards Institution. First revision to
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IS:335 was under taken in 1963 to bring the test
methods in line with the practices in vogue.
Second revision was in 1972, mainly to include
oxidation stability test as given in IEC Pub
296(1969) ‘Specification for unused mineral
insulating oils for transformers and switchgear’.
Third revision in 1983 included ageing test based
on ASTMD: 1934-1968 ‘Standard method of test
for oxidation ageing of electrical insulating
petroleum oils by open beaker method’, issued
by the American Society for Testing and
Materials. IS 335: 1993 (Fourth Revision) lined
up to meet the requirements as per IEC Pub 296
(1982) and BS148:1984. In this revision, a new
test method was added for detection of oxidation
inhibitors. For inhibited transformer oil, a new
Indian Standard was brought out as IS
12463:1988 “Specification for inhibited mineral
insulating oils”. In between, IS: 12812: 1989 was
issued for “Transformer Oil Feed Stock (TOFS)
and Transformer Oil Base Stock (TOBS) -
Specification for the requirements of TOBS to be
maintained by refineries”.
IEC standard on transformer oil was issued as
IEC Pub 296 in 1969 and later revised in 1982
and in 2003 (Third Edition) as IEC 60296:2003
‘Fluids for Electro-technical Applications-Unused
Mineral Insulating Oils for transformers and
switchgear’ to reflect the progress in industry and
experience gained so far. Relevant American
standard is ASTM D3487-08 Standard
Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in
Electrical Apparatus, issued in 2008, revising the
earlier 2000 and 1988 editions. Revision in 2008
was the deletion of upper limit of aniline point, so
that iso-paraffinic oils can also meet with the
ASTM standard.
3. PROGRESS IN MANUFACTURING
PROCESS OF TRANSFORMER OIL
Until the middle of 1990’s, transformer oil was
manufactured in India by using only local TOBS,
Trafotech-2010, January, 2010
made mainly from local and imported Paraffinic
crudes by solvent extraction process, the
technology available since 1930. With the
refining technology available at that time in the
country, very low pour point was not achievable
and hence IS 335 stipulated a minimum pour
point of -6oC against the prevailing IEC
stipulation of -30oC for class I and -45oC for class
II oils.
In this process of making TOBS, base oil is
treated with an extraction solvent (furfural /
phenol) to selectively remove aromatics. After
this process, de-waxing solvent (methyl–
ethylketone/ Toluene / Propane) is mixed with oil
and chilled to a low temperature to precipitate out
waxes. This step is necessary for Paraffinic base
oils which has higher wax content and is not
necessary for Naphthenic base oils which contain
very little wax content. Another process used for
getting still lower pour point is catalytic de-waxing
or hydro- dewaxing. Waxy oil is mixed with
hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and
pressure and allowed to flow over catalyst bed.
Wax is converted in to lighter hydrocarbons by
this process.
Transformer Oil was made from TOBS using the
Acid and Clay treatment process. In this process
concentrated sulphuric acid is mixed with base oil
to react with the polar and unsaturated
compounds in it to form sludge that is then
removed. Later, oil is neutralized with alkalies,
extracted with solvent iso-propyl alcohol and then
water washed and filtered through clay (Fullers
earth), thereby removing aromatic and highly
polar compounds to achieve the required
electrical properties. Further filtering is done
under vacuum to bring down the moisture level.
The disadvantage with this process, apart from
economic considerations is the environmental
concerns about sludge and acids resulting from
the process. Certain alternate transformer oil
refining methods were tried abroad and became
popular over the above conventional processes.
These can be summarized as below:
3.1. Hydro-treating – This was first used in
1960’s. Base oil is treated with hydrogen at a
pressure above 35 bar and temperature above
315oC in the presence of a catalyst. Impurities
are removed by the reaction of harmful sulphur
and nitrogen hetero cyclic polar compounds with
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hydrogen. By controlled hydrotreating the
aromatics are saturated directly to naphthenic
compounds. The advantages of such oils are the
higher oxidation stability due to availability of
optimum aromatics which act as natural
inhibitors, lower pour points and lower gassing
tendencies but there can be some disadvantage
with respect to corrosive sulphur if the hydro-
treating is not done to retain the right levels of
aromatics. Naphthenic oil producers basically
use this refining technique to date. Severe hydro-
treating is becoming essential to meet the
recently introduced stringent tests for corrosive
sulphur and total sulphur content. (<0.15 % W/W)
3.2. Hydro-cracking and severe Hydro-
cracking – It is a severe form of hydro-treating,
available from 1970, where base oil flows over a
high activity catalyst bed at temperatures above
350oC and pressures above 70 bar. Almost all of
the sulphur and nitrogen compounds in oil are
removed and many aromatics are saturated with
hydrogen. All unsaturates are converted in to
smaller, saturated paraffinic molecules. The
advantages of such oils are their higher electrical
properties and highly non corrosive nature but
the disadvantages can be due to their higher
pour points, relatively lower oxidation stability
(unless inhibited) and higher gassing tendencies.
3.3. Hydro-isomerisation – This process came
in to use from 1990, for improving the properties
of hydro-cracked paraffinic crude base oils. This
is a process after hydro - cracking and similar to
catalytic dewaxing. During this process, wax is
selectively converted (isomerised) in to branched
chain iso-paraffinic molecules. Paraffinic
molecules are isomerised in to iso-paraffinic
molecules, resulting in water-white, corrosive
sulphur and aromatic free iso-paraffinic
transformer oil, with pour point comparable to
naphthenic oils, thus resulting in very high quality
base oil. The advantages of such oils are their
higher electrical properties and extremely non
corrosive nature with lower pour points but the
disadvantages can be due to relatively lower
oxidation stability (unless inhibited) and higher
gassing tendencies.
The manufacturing of inhibited oils and high
grade non-inhibited oils is quite different.
Oxidation stability in non–inhibited oils is
achieved by the presence of natural oxidation
Trafotech-2010, January, 2010
stabilizers available in the oil. In case of non-
inhibited oils, when refining is carried out, various
compounds of nitrogen and sulphur are left in oil
and these contribute to oxidation stability. The
non-corrosive sulphur compounds left in oil for
natural oxidation stability can some times turn in
to corrosive compounds. These corrosive
compounds can subsequently cause conductive
coatings on insulating paper provided as inter
turn conductor insulation, which can lead to inter
turn fault from insulation breakdown. It is
believed that certain compounds like DBDS
(Dibenzyl Disulphide-antioxidant and antiwear
additive) added to the oil for improving oxidation
stability can also contribute to this corrosive
sulphur property by cracking at higher operating
temperatures forming reactive sulphur
compounds. This corrosive property can be
suppressed by adding copper passivators in oil.
Passivating compounds used are benzotriazole
based ones, in small concentrations e.g.: Irgamet
39 (0.01-0.03%) or benzotriazole amine (BTA-
0.003 – 0.01 %).
From 1997 onwards, Indian transformer oil
manufacturers are increasingly using imported
hydro-cracked, hydro-isomerised paraffinic oils
as base oils. Such highly refined oils will not have
any polar compounds, resulting in high resistivity
but relatively poor oxidation stability. Synthetic
antioxidants like 2,6 di-tert-butyl-p-cresol or 2,6
di-tert-butyl-p-phenol are added (0.08-0.4% by
weight) to oil to give good oxidation stability.
Normally oil ageing in inhibited oil will be slower
than in uninhibited oil. Since some inhibitor
depletion will definitely be there during service, it
is required to monitor inhibitor content
periodically and to replenish the inhibitor when it
reaches half of its original level. But in normal
situations, the added oxidation inhibitors will be
sufficient to last long periods during the life of
transformer. Another characteristic of such iso-
paraffinic oil is complete lack of aromatic content
as all aromatics are converted in to stable
molecules. This results in oil with positive
gassing tendency, which can be a disadvantage
in certain cases. So when negative gassing
tendency (i.e. gas adsorbing property) is required
or to reduce the positive gassing values, then
aromatic additives like alkylbenzenes, benzyle
toluenes or 1,2,3,4 Tetrahydronaphthalene
(Tetralin) (3-8% by weight) are added to oil. Most
of the transformer manufacturers do not demand
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gas absorbing oils, but may be advantageous in
special applications like EHV instrument
transformers and bushings with thick paper
insulation and also certain special EHV, HVDC
transformers. Another option followed by some
manufacturers is mixing iso-paraffinic oils with
naphthenic oils to get optimum characteristics. It
is recommended that oil manufacturers along
with transformer manufacturers and utilities
should monitor the field service experience of
these iso-paraffinic oils that are now in service for
more than a decade.
The hydro treated, fully inhibited Naphthenic oils
were used in all UHV (800 KV) transformers,
commissioned so far in the country. Based on
service experience, iso- paraffinic oils can be
tried for such applications too.
4. NEW IEC STANDARD ON TRANSFORMER
OIL
The major changes in the latest IEC 60296
Specifications are the following:
Instead of class I & II grades in earlier version,
there is only one class of oil for transformer
application, with maximum viscosity of 12 mm²/s
at 40°C. A new parameter LCSET (Lowest Cold
Start Energizing Temperature) has been
introduced. It is the permissible lowest ambient
temperature, at which the transformer can be
energized safely from cold condition. As per new
standard, this is -30°C, 5 degrees lower than the
minimum service ambient temperature for power
transformers stipulated in IEC 60076-2. LCSETs
of 0°C, -20°C and -40°C are also specified in the
standard as alternate options.
Three optional standard grades are introduced
depending on the quantity of oxidation inhibitors
present in oil.
U – Uninhibited Oil-No detectable Antioxidant
additive
T – Trace inhibited Oil-Max 0.08% Antioxidant
additive
I – Inhibited Oil-0.08 to 0.4 % Antioxidant additive
In addition, special grade inhibited oil with higher
oxidation stability and low sulphur content
characteristics is introduced in standard for use
in transformers with higher operating
temperatures or designed for extended service
life.
Trafotech-2010, January, 2010
Acidity limit is reduced to < 0.01 mg KOH/g of oil
with measuring method as per IEC 62021-1
(Earlier requirement was <0.03 mg).
Total sulphur content of 0.15% is specified for
high grade oil. For all standard grade oils, a
corrosive sulphur test using silver strips is
introduced (DIN 51353) instead of using copper
strips.
IEC 60296 is now under revision again, with the
intention of introducing more stringent
requirements for corrosive sulphur. IEC 62535
Ed 1.0 Test method for detection of potentially
corrosive sulphur in used and unused insulating
oil was issued in 2008, for detecting corrosive
sulphur, together with the DIN silver strip test.
5. OIL STANDARD FOR INDIAN INDUSTRY
Consequent to globalization, transformer industry
has become truly an international one and the
national standards are disappearing in favour of
International Standards i.e. those of IEC.
American Standards do rule over certain regions,
but may line up with IEC in due course of time.
Under such a scenario, it may no longer be
necessary or desirable to have a separate Indian
Standard for transformer oil. It will be prudent to
adopt latest IEC standard with certain grades
selected as preferred ones to reduce variety and
to meet the requirements of industry. Like in
many other countries (e.g. UK), in India too, base
transformer oil is imported and only finishing is
done locally to meet the plethora of local
specifications with minor variations demanded by
users. It will be appropriate to review these
variations in specifications which defeat the
whole purpose of standardization, and to suggest
appropriate IEC grades to replace these
specifications. It has become urgent as IEC was
revised nearly 6 years back and we have still not
fully incorporated these advances in technology
in our oil specifications. (Table 1 Comparison of
Transformer Oil Specifications).
Based on the IEC standard, the following grades
can be standardized for meeting the entire
requirements of utilities in the country. Mineral
Insulating Oil as per IEC 60296-2003 with
maximum pour point of -400C (LCSET= -
300C)
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1) Standard Grade (ST) –Trace inhibited - For
General use in Power and Distribution
Transformers
2) High Grade (HI) – Inhibited - For Use in
Generator, Industrial, HVDC transformers
3) High Grade (HIG) – Inhibited, with negative
gassing tendency - For EHV Instrument
transformers, bushings and other special
applications.
Even though in our country, un-inhibited oil was
the standard in line with the practice in UK
(except Indian Railways – Track side feeder
transformers are specified with fully inhibited oil
as per IS: 12463 for more than two decades). But
in Europe inhibited oil is widely specified and
ASTM standard specifies only trace inhibited or
inhibited oils.
The following additional requirements may be
added to existing IEC standard reflecting
progress during past 5 years.
-Oil shall pass corrosive sulphur test as per IEC
62535 Ed1.0 (2008-10) Test method for detection
of potentially corrosive sulphur in used and
unused insulating oil.
-Composition of oil in terms of percentage of
aromatic content, hydrocarbon composition and
proportions, used additives and inhibitors are to
be furnished as a fingerprint for the reference of
users.
6. SUPERFLUOUS REQUIREMENTS
Oil specifications currently followed by users and
manufacturers call for several additional
requirements and tests over and above IEC
standard. The following sections explain why
these are not essential in the changed
environment of imported oils made through
improved manufacturing processes.
6.1. PONA Analysis / maximum aromatic
content
Some typical PONA requirements as per
individual specifications, followed in India are
a. Paraffinic - 48-52 %
Oliffinic - Nil
Naphthenic - 38-42 %
Aromatic - 8 % Max
b. Paraffinic - 46 % (Max)
Trafotech-2010, January, 2010

Naphthenic - 46 % (Min) route. Oil is no longer manufactured by this

Aromatic - 8 % (Max)
c. Aromatic - 7% (Max)
as per ASTM D 2140
- 13% (Max)
as per IEC 60590
d. Aromatic Content - 4~8 %
e. Oil of Naphthenic type (made from
Naphthenic Crude)
f. Paraffins - 50 % Max
Aromatics - 4-12 %
Naphthenic - Balance
Aromatic content in new transformer oils made
through hydrogenation or hydro-cracking
manufacturing route is very low so that there is
no need for specifying a maximum limit for it.
Good quality oils are made from both naphthenic
and paraffinic crudes. Oil made from iso-praffinic
base oils can match the characteristics such as
oxidation stability, heat transfer and bio-
degradability as compared to common
naphthenic mineral oils. With the advent of
severe hydrocracking technology, oil should not
be chosen on grounds of classification in to
“naphthenic” or “paraffinic”. What matters is
whether it fulfills the functional requirements of
oil. There are more and more different ways of
achieving this, making the former classifications
less and less relevant.
6.2. S K Value – 4 to 8%: Is it necessary to
specify this?
S K Value is an index of degree of refining of oil
measured by the reaction of oil sample with a
volume of concentrated sulphuric acid. S K value
measurement method was covered in Annexure
D to IS:335 ‘Method of Determination of SK
Value’. This was originally introduced in Germany
and measurement was as per DIN 51533:1955
‘Behavior of Insulating Oils in the Presence of
Concentrated Sulphuric Acid’. The acronym S K
came from German word Konzentriorter
Schwefelsäure-sk-Zahl (Concentrated sulphuric
acid). S K value was lower for oil made by high
level of refining. In Europe this test is no longer
used and new DIN standard on oil does not
specify this requirement. This test is significant
only in case of oil manufactured by acid refining
method and hence there is no more relevance for
S K value and this test has been removed from
IS:335-1993 in April, 2006 vide its Amendment
No 2.
6.3. Oxidation Stability Test
Major differences between national standards in
the limiting values for oxidation stability test are
listed in Table 2-Comparison of Oxidation
Stability Tests for oil.
1) IS:335 requirements for oxidation stability test
are as given below:
(a)Oxidation stability (testing as per Annexure C
to IS:335 at 100oC for 164 hours with oxygen).
Neutralisation value after oxidation (Max)-0.4 mg
KOH/g
Total sludge after oxidation (Max)-0.1% by
Weight.
(b)Ageing characteristics after accelerated
ageing (open beaker method with copper
catalyst)
-Testing as per IS 12177: 1987 Method A
Specific resistance at 27°C - Min 2.5 X 10¹² ohm
cm
Specific resistance at 90°C - Min 0.2 X 10¹² ohm
cm
Dielectric Dissipation Factor at 90°C - Max 0.2
Total acidity - Max 0.05 KOH/g
Total sludge - Max 0.05 percent by weight
2) IEC 60296 requirements for oxidation stability
are more stringent as mentioned below:
Oxidation stability testing as per IEC 61125
Method C-at 120oC with Air, representing real
service life situation
Neutralization value after oxidation (Max)-1.2 mg
KOH/g
Total sludge after oxidation (Max)-0.8 % by
Weight
As per latest IEC norms, transformer oil
conforming to IS: 335, is a trace inhibited oil
because as per IS, oxidation inhibitor up to 0.05
% is to be considered as absence of DBPC while
as per IEC 60296 clause 3.6, such an oil is
treated as trace inhibited. Oxidation stability
requirements of oil in such a case shall be as for
T grade as given in Table 1 i.e. oxidation stability
test shall be for 332 hours instead of 164 hours.

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Trafotech-2010, January, 2010

Test methods for detection and quantitative distribution and power transformers), Inhibited
determination of the inhibitor are different as per High Grade( for generator and HV DC
IEC 60666 Ed1.0 (1979-01) ’Detection and transformers) and Inhibited High Grade with
determination of specified anti-oxidant additives negative gassing tendency((for instrument
in insulating oils’. For detecting small amounts of transformers and bushings), all with a pour point
inhibitor (i.e. for U grade) thin layer of - 40oC.
chromatography (HPLC) is recommended
(clause 5.2 of IEC 60666) and infra-red spectro- It is hoped that such a measure will bring
photometry method is specified for determination uniformity in specifications, resulting in savings to
of higher quantity of inhibitor (clause 5.1 of IEC manufacturers and users.
60666).
8. REFERENCES
6.4. Resistivity (Specific Resistance)
[1] J R Nanda, Insulating Oils for
As per IS:335, resistivity requirements are clearly
Transformers and switch gear, Chary
stipulated and limiting values after ageing are
Publications, Bombay, 1971.
also specified at 27oC and 90oC. IEC and other
[2] Lim Eng Seng, “Mineral Insulating Oil
national standards are no longer specifying
Manufacture and safe keeping”, Insulec
resistivity requirements, as new oils, made
93, Session 1 Paper5, pages 41-49,
through modern manufacturing processes,
IEEMA 1993.
inherently have very high resistivity due to the
[3] Andrzej Sierota and Juris Rungis,
removal of all polar compounds by high degree of
“Electrical Insulating oils Part-1:
refining.
Characterisation and pre treatment of
New Transformer oils”, IEEE Electrical
IEC 60422:2005 on Oil Maintenance (clause 6.6)
Insulation Magazine Vol11 No1, 1995
states: “There is generally a relation ship
Pages 8- 20.
between DDF (Dielectric dissipation factor) and
[4] Paul W H Taylor, “The manufacture of
resistivity, with resistivity decreasing as DDF
transformer oils for the Power Industry” -
increases. It is normally not necessary to conduct
64th Doble International Conference,
both tests on the same oil and generally DDF is
Boston, MA 1997 Sec5-2.
found to be the more common test. The
[5] T O Rouse, “Mineral Insulating Oil in
measurement of resistivity is also considered to
Transformers”, IEEE Electrical Insulation
be of value for monitoring oils in service as it has
Magazine, Vol. 14 No3, 1998 Page 6-14.
been shown to be reasonably proportional to
[6] Kjell Sundkvist, “How to make a good
oxidation acids and to be affected by undesirable
transformer oil”, Nynas naphthenics,
contaminants such as metal salts and water”.
2.1999.
Hence resistivity values may be sometimes
[7] B.Pahlavanpour, M.Eklund and
significant during maintenance of oil, but not
KSundkvist, “International Specification
much relevant for new oil as power factor test
for supply of unused oil, Revised IEC
covers this requirement.
60296”, 71st Doble International
Conference, Boston, MA 2004 Sec IM-10.
7. CONCLUSIONS
[8] H. Carl Manger and R. Reynolds,
It is necessary to standardize the specifications
“Insulating Oil”- 101 Doble International
of Transformer oil used in the country, in line with
Conference, 2005.
the latest IEC Standard on transformer oil.
[9] Jimmy M Rasco, “Petroleum Refining
production of Naphthenic Transformer oil
Utilities and manufacturers may come to an
Control of Corrosive Sulphur”, 74th Doble
understanding regarding the preferred grades to
International Conference, Boston, MA,
be selected as per latest IEC standard,
2007.
considering also the availability in the country.
[10] Steve Krawiec, “Production of Corrosive
Sulphur Free Transformer Fluids”,
Superfluous properties and test requirements
Weidmann 7Th Annual Technical
may be avoided. Three grades of oil are
Conference, 2008.
proposed-Trace inhibited Standard Grade(for

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Trafotech-2010, January, 2010

[11] IEC 296:1982 Specification for unused [15] IEC 60422:2005(Ed3.0) Mineral Insulating
mineral insulating oils for transformers oils in electrical equipment –Supervision
and switchgear- IEC Geneva, and Maintenance guidance, IEC Geneva,
Switzerland, 2003. Switzerland, 2005.
[12] IS: 12463 -1988, Specification for [16] IEC 62535: 2008(Ed1.0) Test Method for
inhibited Mineral insulating oil, Bureau of detection of potentially corrosive sulphur
Indian Standards New Delhi, 1988. in used or unused insulating oil, IEC
[13] IS 335:1993, New Insulating oils- Geneva, Switzerland, 2008.
Specification (Fourth Revision) Bureau of [17] ASTM D 3487-08 Standard Specifications
Indian Standards New Delhi, 1993. for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in
[14] IEC 60296 :2003 (Ed 3.0) Fluids for Electrical Apparatus.
Electrotechnical Applications –Unused
Mineral Insulating Oils for Transformers
and switchgear, IEC, Geneva,
Switzerland 2003.

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Trafotech-2010, January, 2010

TABLE 1

COMPARISON OF TRANSFORMER OIL SPECIFICATIONS

IS:335-1993 IEC 296:1982 IEC 60296:2003

New Insulating Unused Mineral Insulating Oils Unused Mineral
Oils – Insulating Oils
Specification
1 Grades IS:335 Grade Class I, Class II, Class III U-Uninhibited
(Uninhibited ) Uninhibited and inhibited grades in T-Trace inhibited
each class I- Inhibited (0.08-0.4%)
HI – High grade
inhibited (0.08-0.4%)
I II III
2 Kinematic 27 cst at 27°C 16.5(40°C) 11(40°C) 3.5(40°C) 12mm²/s at 40°C
Viscosity (Max)
800(- 1800(- 150(- 1800mm²/s at -30°C
15°C) 30°C) 40°C)
3 Flash Point 140 140 130 95 135
(Min) oC
4 Pour Point -6 -30 -45 -60 -40
(Max) oC
5 Acidity (Max) 0.03 0.03 0.01
mg KOH/g
6 IFT (Min) mN/m 40 40 -
7 Dissipation 0.002 0.005 0.005
factor at 90oC
(Max)
8 PAC (Polycyclic - - 3
Aromatics
(max) %
content)

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Trafotech-2010, January, 2010

TABLE 2

COMPARISON OF OXIDATION STABILITY TESTS FOR OIL

Standard Oil IEC 60296 : 2003 IEC 296 -1982 IS 335 : 1993
Grade
Grade Standard High U I U I
U,T,I Grade I (IS :12463-
1988)
Test Method IEC 61125 Method IEC IEC Annexure IS:12177- IS:12422-
C (1992) (Earlier 61125 61125 C to 1987Method A 1988
IEC 813-1985) Method Method IS:335 (Same as (IEC474-
A B ASTMD 1974,Same
(Earlier (Earlier 1934:1968.Op as IEC
IEC 74 - IEC 474- en Beaker with 61125
1963) 1974)) copper catalyst Method B)
Limiting
Values
Total acidity 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.05 0.4
mg KOH/g,
Max
Sludge % 0.8 0.05 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1
Max
Duration of U (uninhibited oil ) - 164 Min 120 164 96 Min 120 hrs
Test hrs 164 hrs and limit of
T(Trace inhibited oil) Induction Min 195
- 332 Period minutes by
I ( Inhibited oil ) -500 Rotating
Bomb Test
Method

Temp of oil 120°C in Air 100°C in 120°C in 100°C in 115o C in Air 120°C in
during test Oxygen Oxygen Oxygen Oxygen

Note: Oil Grade U = Uninhibited Oil

T = Trace Inhibited Oil
I = Inhibited Oil

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