Paint Spheres and Other Debris
This is a collection of particles filtered from the oil in
a transformer. It includes red and white paint spheres,
limonite flakes (orange rust), a plastic fragment with an include starch grain
(particle with black cross), red sealant fragment (upper left),
and bronze metal fragments (small bright particle upper left and cresent lower right
of center).
Transmitted Off Crossed Circular Polarized Light
Definition/Function:
Particles in transformer oil include debris from construction, maintanance activities,
metal corrosion products (rust, etc.), paper aging
debris, oil sludges and polymers, wear and erossion products from transformer
components, heat generated debris including charred paper, arcing
debris, and foreign contaminants such as insect parts, plant parts, pollens, fungal
fragments, natural minerals, etc. These particles carry
the history of the transformer and give clues to its current condition.
Significance in the Environment:
Characteristic Features:
Associated Particles:
References:
Crutcher, E.R., "Particles and the forensic assessment of equipment condition, TechCon
Asia-Pacific, TJH|2b Conference Proceedings, 2004.
