Evolution of Cooper Power Systems Less-Flammable Transformer Fluids
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Waukesha, WI, July 25, 2005 - For the past 30-plus years, Cooper Power Systems has marketed transformer fluids that outperform traditional petroleum-based mineral oils, particularly in the areas of fire safety and environmental compliance. The first entry into the market was R-Temp® fluid in 1975.
R-Temp fluid has significantly higher flash and fire points than traditional petroleum-based mineral oil. It became the leading alternative for PCB-based dielectric fluids in fire sensitive applications for new and retrofilled transformers. R-Temp fluid meets the requirements of the National Electric Code® (NEC) and National Electric Safety Code (NESC) as a less-flammable fluid. With over 30 years and more than one million unit years of service in transformers, there have been no recorded transformer fires with R-Temp fluid. Because of its attributes and affordability, it became the world's leading PCB replacement fluid.
As other manufacturers followed in R-Temp's footsteps with peer products, Cooper Power Systems worked to improve upon the efficacy of its less-flammable fluid with improved features and life cycle costs. In 1997 the company introduced Envirotemp® FR3(TM) fluid.
Envirotemp FR3 Fluid
Envirotemp FR3 fluid was introduced to the market after five years of development and accelerated life tests, followed by two years of utility field trials. During this period, FR3 fluid exhibited many benefits over R-Temp fluid and other fire resistant PCB substitutes, and represented a substantial leap in technology and performance over conventional mineral oil. Differentiating attributes included insulation life-extension and enhanced performance, the highest flash and fire points in the industry, and unmatched environmental characteristics.
In order to surpass R-Temp fluid's fire safety and environmental performance properties, Cooper Power Systems became the first company to tap into a non-traditional base for Envirotemp FR3 fluid - food-grade soybean oil. Soybean oil is proven to be non-toxic according to guidelines developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a worldwide standard setting body. In addition, Envirotemp FR3 fluid has the highest biodegradable category based on testing done per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method.
On average, one mineral oil transformer in the United States catches fire daily. Envirotemp FR3 fluid has the highest published ignition resistance of less-flammable fluids currently available, with flash and fire points of 330° and 360°C, respectively (compared to 276° and 312° C for R-Temp fluid). FM and UL list FR3 fluid as a less-flammable dielectric liquid in compliance with the NEC and insurance requirements. FM and UL approve and classify Envirotemp FR3 fluid for outdoor and indoor installations.
According to Hartford Steam Boiler, mineral oil-filled substation transformer failures are expected to increase 500 percent within the next 15 years. Temperature and water content greatly impact insulation paper aging, which directly correlates to the life of the transformer. Recent studies, per IEEE Standard C57-100 methods, have proven that Envirotemp FR3 fluid reduces the aging process by lowering the water content in the paper and forming protective paper aging inhibitors. Through this process, Envirotemp FR3 fluid extends distribution and power transformer insulation life five to eight times greater than traditional petroleum-based mineral oil transformers and better maintains high dielectric strength.
Within their standard loading parameters, transformers with seed oil-based coolants like Envirotemp FR3 fluid can run for years beyond their expected life. Alternately, they can be operated beyond faceplate ratings without loss of standard insulation life. Retrofilling mineral oil-filled transformers with seed oil-based FR3 fluid allows utilities to provide up to 15 percent more power to their consumers with existing transformer equipment originally designed for, and filled with, mineral oil.
Like R-Temp fluid, Envirotemp FR3 fluid is miscible and compatible with mineral oil and alternate transformer fluids except silicone. Unlike its predecessor, adding Envirotemp FR3 fluid to other less-flammable fluids will increase the fire safety and performance characteristics of the installed fluid. The defining benefits of Envirotemp FR3 fluid are transferred when it's retrofilled.
R-Temp Discontinuance
R-Temp fluid will not be available to the market by the end of this year. Organizations currently using R-Temp fluid can maintain their less flammable attributes of existing transformers with Envirotemp FR3 fluid.
With the exit of R-Temp fluid from the market, Envirotemp FR3 fluid and 561® Silicone oil are the only two less-flammable fluids with UL listing EOVK. UL EOVK covers less-flammable liquids intended for use in electrical transformers to meet the National Electrical Code Section 450-13. Of the two, Envirotemp FR3 fluid has the highest flash/fire points, best environmental profile, lowest cost and is miscible with other transformer fluids.
