Aging of Paper Insulation in Natural Ester

Aging of transformer insulation paper in natural ester (vegetable oil) dielectric fluid is compared to that in conventional transformer oil. Sealed steel aging vessels containing copper, aluminum, thermally upgraded paper, and dielectric fluid (mineral oil and natural ester) were aged at 130, 150, and 170°C for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 hours. Paper degradation after aging is determined using paper tensile strength and degree of polymerization measurements. The paper in natural ester aged at slower rates than did paper in conventional transformer oil, taking 5- 8 times longer to reach end-of-life. Results obtained for mineral oil samples are similar to predictions based on IEEE transformer loading guide calculations. Mechanisms for the slower aging rate are proposed.