Transformer oils provide cooling and insulation in transformers, capacitors, and circuit breakers. Over time, exposure to heat, oxygen, moisture, and electrical stress degrades their properties, reducing insulation performance and increasing failure risk. Regular monitoring and maintenance help extend oil lifespan and ensure transformer reliability.

Transformer oil

How to measure quality of transformer oils

Interfacial tension (IFT) measurement between transformer oil and water is a key diagnostic tool for assessing the aging and degradation of transformer oils. As transformer oil degrades due to oxidation and contamination, its interfacial tension decreases, providing an early warning signal for maintenance and potential transformer failure.

IFT between transformer oil and water can be measured automatically with Sigma 702ET tensiometer.

Advantages of interfacial tension measurement

Standardized measurements

IEC 62961 and ASTM D971 standards are available for measuring the interfacial tension between a transformer oil and water. The standards define clear IFT limits for good, marginal and bad quality oils.

Cost-effectiveness

Interfacial tension measurements with a tensiometer require small initial investment and have minimal system operational and maintenance costs.

Sensitivity

Interfacial tension measurements are highly sensitive to impurities and contaminants in transformer oil, making them an effective tool for assessing oil quality.

What can you achieve with tensiometers

  • Qualify your transformer oil as good, marginal or bad according to IEC 62961 and ASTM D971 standards
  • Ensure reliable oil insulation and cooling properties while minimizing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of transformers
  • Support sustainable practices by reducing the need for frequent oil replacements and minimizing environmental impact

attension sigma 702ET

Sigma 702ET: Tailored for Your Quality Control Needs

Sigma 702ET Transformer Oil Analyzer is specifically designed for measurements of interfacial tension between transformer oils and water according to IEC 62961 and ASTM D971 standards.

The instrument guides you step-by-step through the measurement, giving you accurate, reliable, and comparable results every time.

Simplify your quality control process

Simplify Your Oil Quality Control with Sigma 702ET

Ready to enhance your operations? Request a quote today and discover how the Sigma 702ET can transform your oil quality control process.

Sigma 702ET Benefits

Automated and guided measurements

The device includes powerful embedded software that automates the measurement process, ensuring compliance with industry standards while guiding you through each step.

Easy implementation

Setting up the instrument is fast and straightforward, allowing you to get the instrument operational right away. 

Standalone operation with integrated display

Fully standalone device that doesn't require an external computer. Results are displayed directly on a large integrated screen and can be easily printed or exported.

Recommended reading

interfacial tension

Blog post

Transformer oil

Webinar

To get a good understanding on transformer oil quality, watch our webinar on "How to measure the quality of transformer oil"

Standards Concept. Word on Folder Register of Card Index. Selective Focus.

Blog post

To learn about differences in the standards, read our blog post on "What are the differences between ASTM D971 and IEC 62961 standards?"