An oil-immersed transformer is a common type of power transformer that uses a liquid (usually insulating oil) as an insulating and cooling medium.
The main features of oil-immersed transformers include the following:
Insulating oil: Oil-immersed transformers use insulating oil as the insulating medium to separate the winding from the core. Insulating oil has high insulating properties, which can effectively prevent electrical breakdown between windings or between windings and ground.
Cooling method: Insulating oil not only plays an insulating role, but also cools the transformer through conduction and convection. In oil-filled transformers, the windings and core are cooled by immersion in insulating oil. Oil has a large heat capacity and can absorb and dissipate the heat generated by the transformer.
Pressure relief device: Since the insulating oil expands due to heat during operation,oil-immersed transformers are usually equipped with a pressure relief device. These devices release oil vapor when the oil pressure becomes too high to protect the transformer from internal pressure.
Maintenance and Monitoring: Oil-filled transformers require regular oil sampling and maintenance to ensure the quality and performance of the insulating oil. This includes testing the oil for dielectric strength, moisture content, gas content, etc., and replacing or disposing of used insulating oil when required. In addition, transformers are usually equipped with monitoring devices such as oil level gauges, thermometers, and pressure gauges to monitor the working status of the transformer.
Wide range of applications: Oil-immersed transformers are widely used in power systems, industrial facilities, power plants, and transmission networks. They are suitable for various power levels and voltage levels, and can provide a stable and reliable power supply.
It should be noted that the advantages of oil-immersed transformers include good insulation performance, high short-circuit capacity, reliable cooling effect and wide range of applications. However, oil-immersed transformers also have some disadvantages, such as more maintenance work required, larger size and weight, risk of environmental pollution, etc. When selecting a transformer, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the specific application requirements and environmental conditions.
