| SCHEDULE 1 - $82.00 inc GST ($74.55 ex GST); 100mL sample required. |
| Analysis |
Method |
Method Explanation |
Appearance and Colour
|
ASTM D4176 / D1500 |
The clarity and colour of the oil do not by themselves indicate oil quality but can give possible suggestions for further tests. Cloudiness may indicate water, particles may indicate oxidation products or contamination and carbon or metal particles can indicate localised overheating or arcing. Typically new oil colour is 0.5 and in service oils up to 2.0. |
| Water |
ASTM D6304 / D1533 |
The water content of an insulating fluid will directly affect the physical, electrical, and chemical properties of the fluid and can promote corrosion. Limits for in service oils are typically 20 to 35ppm maximum. |
| TAN |
ASTM D974 |
Acidic components formed by the deterioration of the oil are highly polar
materials and insoluble in mineral oils. These components settle as a sludge, which can reduce the dielectric strength
of the fluid and increase the dissipation factor. Sludge also interferes with the circulation by plugging up pumps or cooling radiators, which in turn affect the fluids function as a heat transfer medium. While new oil is typically around 0.03 mg KOH/g limits for in service oils are typically 0.1 or 0.2 mg KOH/g maximum. |
Oxidation inhibitor
(DBP and DBPC) |
IEC 666 / ASTM D2668 |
When oil undergoes oxidative degradation species such as carboxylic acids, which are hydrophilic in nature are formed. The presence of these hydrophilic materials in the insulating fluid can affect the chemical (acidity), electrical (dielectric strength and dissipation), and physical (interfacial tension) properties
of the fluid. Inhibitors protect the oil from oxidation but over time the concentration of inhibitor decreases until they no longer protect the oil. Concentration can be monitored to determine oil life or top up rates for additional inhibitor. Typical values for fresh oil are in the range of 0.25 to 0.35 % DBP (2,6-ditertiarybutyl phenol) or DBPC (2,6-ditertiary-butylparacresol) by weight. |
| Particle Count |
ASTM D6786 |
Particulates can originate from oxidation processes, contamination or wear processes. The method is a sensitive technique for monitoring particulates in the sample. |
| Metal |
ASTM D5185 / D7151 |
This test method determines the dissolved metals (which may originate from overheating) and a portion of the particulate metals (which generally originatefrom a wear mechanism) |
SCHEDULE 2 - $120.00 inc GST ($109.09 ex GST); 500mL sample required.
ALL OF THE SCHEDULE 1 TESTS PLUS |
| Analysis |
Method |
Method Explanation |
| Dielectric Breakdown
Voltage |
ASTM D877/D1816 (1.0
mm gap) |
The dielectric breakdown voltage is a measure of an insulating fluids ability to withstand a high electric field stress without breaking down. It can indicate the presence of water or other contaminants in the oil; however, a high dielectric breakdown voltage does not necessarily prove the absence of contaminants.
Typical limits for in service oil are 30 kV minimum |
Interfacial Surface
Tension |
ASTM D971 |
The magnitude of the IFT is inversely related to the concentration of the hydrophilic degradation products. As oil undergoes oxidative degradation the IFT value will decrease. IFT can also be affected by contamination of the oil. Typical limits for used oil are 25 to 30 mN/m minimum. |
| Additional more specialised testing is also available as follows. Not all tests may be required and pricing is on an individual test basis. Some of these tests are not performed in house but are subcontracted to other accredited laboratories. |
| Dissolved Gas Analysis |
ASTM D3612 (50 or 100 ml in sample syringes to stop loss or dissolved gases or exposure to air) |
Insulating materials within transformers and related equipment break down to liberate gases within the unit. The distribution of these gases can be related to the type of electrical fault and the rate of gas generation can indicate the severity of the fault. The causes of fault gases can be divided into three categories: corona or partial discharge, pyrolysis or thermal heating, and arcing.
| Gas |
Normal |
Abnormal |
Cause |
| Hydrogen ppm |
150 |
1000 |
Corona, Arcing |
| Methane ppm |
25 |
80 |
Sparking |
| Ethane ppm |
10 |
35 |
Local Overheating |
| Ethylene ppm |
20 |
150 |
Severe Overheating |
| Acetylene ppm |
15 |
70 |
Arcing |
| Carbon monoxide ppm |
500 |
1000 |
Severe Overheating |
| Carbon Dioxide ppm |
10000 |
15000 |
Severe Overheating |
| Nitrogen % |
1-10 |
|
|
| Oxygen % |
0.2-3.5 |
|
|
| Total Combustibles % |
0.03 |
0.5 |
|
|
| Dissipation Factor |
ASTM D924 |
The dielectric loss factor relates to the inability of molecules in the insulating fluid to reorient themselves in an alternating electric field. It can be used to monitor the quality of the oil with regard to deterioration in use and for the presence of contaminants. Typical limits depend upon test temperature and unit size but 0.05 to 0.15% at 25ºC maximum is typical for in service oils. |
| Furans |
ASTM D5837
20mL sample |
The five furanic materials normally analysed in this procedure are aromatic compounds that arise from the degradation of the cellulosic materials within a transformer either by normal aging or from being involved with an incipient fault. Thus the amount of these products present in the oil can indicate the condition of the cellulosic insulation. |
| Oxidation Stability |
ASTM D2112
100mL sample |
Normally used to assess oxidation stability for new insulating oils the test measures the time taken to use up the oxidation inhibitor under accelerated conditions. It can also be used to assess the remaining oxidation test life of inservice oils. |
| Ruler |
ASTM 6810 / D6971
10mL sample |
The ruler test measures the level of the antioxidant in used oil compared to a sample of the new oil. The test can determine levels of phenolic, aminic or ZDDP types of anti oxidants. |
| PCB's - 10mL sample $143.00 inc GST ($130.00 ex GST) |
| PCB |
ASTM D4059 |
PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) are not regularly tested as part of transformer oil condition monitoring but levels must be known for OHS and when oil is disposed of. |
Which tests to use 
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