Oil is an efficient coolant with a high flash point and high dielectric strength when used as an insulator in transformers. The insulation properties can change due to oxidation, acids, sludge, gas and water absorption. These changes can be monitored using a dielectric Megger oil test set.
Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) applies a variable signal to the transformer and monitors its response. This can be compared to a reference which can reveal a wide range of faults. Dielectric Frequency Response (DFR) also known as FDS (Frequency domain spectroscopy) is the most powerful tool for assessing the moisture in the oil and cellulose components of power transformers. Because it scans the dielectric losses in the system across a spectrum of frequencies and then compares them to a modelled curve, results are independent of temperature.