Transformer Maintenance Knowledge Vault

Testing Furanic Compounds in Insulating Liquids - Part 1

Furans form when the paper that makes up the solid insulation breaks down or depolymerizes. When this happens, the cellulose molecules break into shorter polymer chains and kick out a glucose monomer molecule. As this happens, the average polymer chain length in the paper (which can be measured and reported as the degree of polymerization. or DP) decreases. Shorter polymer chains result in weaker paper.

Furan Testing - Part 2

Interpreting the results of furanic compounds can tell us whether the paper has broken down and, maybe even more importantly, whether it still is breaking down. SDMyers tests for five different furanic compounds. Increases in the concentrations of these compounds indicate that the paper is breaking down. Further, the particular furanic compounds present provide some useful information on what conditions caused the paper to break down, and may even indicate whether those conditions are still present.

Furan Testing - Part 3

While knowing the state of the solid insulation is critical information for any transformer, it may not be the best use of resources to always run furans as a routine test. There are three very important times for performing analysis of insulating liquids for furans.

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Testing Furanic Compounds in Insulating Liquids - Part 1

Furan Testing - Part 2

Furan Testing - Part 3

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