Feasibility analysis of Karanja oil as alternate liquid dielectrics for distribution transformers

Summary Traditional mineral oil is used as a liquid dielectric in distribution transformers. Because of its limited fire‐resistant characteristics and biodegradability and also because of the lack of fossil fuels, the search for alternate liquid dielectrics for distribution transformer is essential. This research work has been proposed on nonedible Karanja oil as a liquid dielectric for distribution transformers. Hence, the electrical properties, physical properties, and chemical properties of Karanja oil with catalyst are measured at the temperatures of 40°C, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C as per the international standards; results are compared with mineral oil. From the experimental analysis, it is found that an electrical characteristic of Karanja oil with catalyst is better than mineral oil with catalyst. Furthermore, Karanja oil with catalyst has much higher acidity than others, but it is beneficial. Also, Karanja oil with catalyst has low‐relative water content than mineral oil with catalyst. However, the viscosity of the oil with catalyst is much higher than mineral oil; so care must be taken for designing the cooling tubes of a transformer.