Analysis of the Breakdown Voltage of Soyabean Oil as an Alternative to Mineral Oil

Abstract

The reliability of an insulating oil depends on certain basic characteristics, which can affect the overall performance of the transform. In this work, the physio-chemical characteristics and breakdown voltage of refined Soyabean oil have been analyzed. The oil characteristics such as density, viscosity, moisture content, sludge, acidity, flash point and breakdown voltage (BDV) of refined Soyabean oil (SO) were experimentally analyzed in the Laboratory. The density, viscosity, moisture content, acidity, sludge, and breakdown voltage of the SO were within the IEC standard. This shows that the refined soyabean oil could be a suitable replacement of mineral oil. The work has however, recorded a small flash point of 38oC. The researchers concluded that the characteristics of soyabean oil could be significantly improve if the oil is blended with other oils.