Transformer oil or insulating oil is a highly refined mineral oil remaining stable at high temperatures and has excellent electrical insulating properties.
It is vitally important for the safe and efficient operation of many types of electrical equipment such as power transformers, instrument transformers, circuit breakers and high voltage bushings.
Transformer oil is used as liquid insulation and dissipates transformer heat. More specifically, the transformer oil is used as a coolant in transformers and as a means of arc suppression in circuit breakers (apart from its insulating properties).
Transformer oil not only helps to preserve the core and windings which are fully immersed with oil, but also prevents direct contact of atmospheric oxygen which causes oxidation of the cellulose made paper insulation around the windings.
Transformer oil is in an environment that leads to degradation of its desired properties. Even with a proactive maintenance program, it degrades over a period of time. When in service, oil can be contaminated by particles, water, gases and chemical products.
In each case the operation of the electrical equipment depends on the purity of the insulating oil. Should electrical equipment be continuously operated with contaminated fluid, its efficiency will be impaired, resulting eventually in the risk of total failure.
All high capacity transformers in use today have to cope with voltages in excess of 400kV. The rating requirements and drive to tighter tolerances in the manufacture of modern transformers and electrical apparatus results in greater electrical stress on insulating material and fluids. Transformer oil loses its insulating/cooling properties and is contaminated over a period of time.
Although individually each contaminant reduces the insulating characteristics of the oil, the combination of fibres from insulating material and water can reduce transformer performance by up to 90%, so it is imperative to maintain insulation properties of the transformer oils by rigid control over moisture, dissolved gases and particulate contamination.
High operating temperatures, the presence of oxygen and water combined with catalytic action of the materials within the transformer, result in oxidation and cracking of the oil. Insulating oil filtration maintains the integrity of the oil and hence the efficient utilisation of the electrical equipment.
With correct maintenance, transformers which are designed to achieve an expected life of 40 years can be achieved.
The periodic and proper treatment of transformer insulating fluids will result in the improved properties of the entire insulating system of a power transformer and will extend the effective life-time of the asset.
Transformer oil treatment is conducted through Transformer Oil Filtration Machinery also known as Insulating Oil Treatment (IOT)
*[Owner]* An industrial laundry system service company needed repairs and redesign done to their tooling. C-Mac made changes to the tooling to make access and ease of use to decrease service down times.
*[Service Manager]* An industrial fan service company had a failure of a major shopping centre air conditioning fan/ blower. C-Mac repaired the unit within a 24hr turn around for minimum downtime.
*[Owner/Manager]* A major food manufacturer specializing in tomato sauce had a filling machine breakdown. The machine was brought to C-Mac and repaired in 24hrs for minimum downtime of the production line costing $5,000 per hour.
*[RAAF - Warrant Officer]* Airfield support staff required a portable sandbagging frame and requested a design, prototype and trials at no cost. There was nothing suitable on the market i.e. made in Australia. "Sandbagging Frames":materials-handling/1-bagging-equipment#silt-bagging-frame are now on the national procurement data base and some probably overseas at different war zones.
*[Mechanical Design Engineer]* An automotive transmission design customer needed help with designing an automatic transmission gear prototype. We suggested and engineered a more cost effective and practical way for the mass production stage.
*[Nursery Manager]* At an exhibition saw our self tracking nursery trailers and indicated he had a costly issue transporting large (heavy) pots containing advanced trees. Existing method was a bobcat. C-Mac designed and quoted for the manufacture of a Self Tracking “Low Loader”. His comment on the first day of using "Low Loader trailer":nursery-equipment/7-trailers/#low-loader-self-tracking-trailer “Can now move 100 litre pots with trees, 150 metres in 1 hr and not get a sore back”.
*[Purchasing Officer]* A mining design and machining company needed help with machining components urgently as they were too busy to keep up with the demand. C-Mac machined the components so the deadline could be met.
*[General Manager]* Customer had to submit a proposal and compete against other countries for the manufacturing facility. C-Mac submitted drawings to show there was space in existing plant to install the new process and to comply with all Australian OH&S Standards. Working together with customer to submit proposal to the Head Office overseas WON the contract. Project was a success meeting 6month lead time and budget.
*[Nursery Owner]* Needed a specific Potting & Mixing machine. for his yuccas nursery, but the problem was it was no longer manufactured. From his description and specifications our engineers designed and modelled in 3D software his requirements. "Potting Machine":nursery-equipment/3-potting-machines/ was manufactured and fully tested with potting media in our workshop, video was then sent to customer who was very pleased with the results. Machine disassembled and freighted interstate and installed.
*[Maintenance Engineer]* An industrial hydraulic fitting manufacturer had problems with gear and shaft breakages with their machinery. They also had problems repairing and maintaining. C-Mac offered to repair and maintain their machinery on-site instead of having to permanently employ fitters.
72-74 Mandoon Road
GIRRAWEEN NSW 2145
Phone: (02) 9631 6000
Fax: (02) 9688 4679