Electricity + Control November 2017

PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT

expectancy as mineral oil transformers. This means power companies have more loading flexibility such as extended life to reduce re- placement costs, increased capacity in space constrained areas or increased reliability to handle peak demands without having to install a higher rated transformer These capabilities give power companies a lot more flexibility and create new options for cap- turing value and operating efficiencies. There are more than one million power and distribution transformers across 30 countries using Cargill’s FR3 natural ester fluid in their new and retrofilled transformers.

which facilitates easier space-constrained in- stallations. And, they have the potential to eliminate expensive fire walls and deluge sys- tems with power transformer installations • They can absorb roughly 10 times the amount of water that mineral oil can. This protects the cellulose insulation in the transformer from degradation which makes the system self-dry- ing and can extend the insulation life by five to eight times more than mineral oil − which in turn can extend the life of the transformer, reducing replacement costs • New transformers filled with natural ester fluid can operate at higher temperatures − 130ºC hot spot versus 110ºC − with the same life

Utility companies are increasingly turning to natural ester fluids to help them capture the operating efficiencies they need to remain competitive.