Oil Testing laboratory (Kolkata)

RTL Kolkata is set up with a view to cater to the testing certification & evaluation needs of electrical power equipment manufacturing industries, utilities of consumers in the eastern region in 2006. It also acts as a liaison Unit of CPRI with various clients in the region & coordinates their test requirements which are beyond the scope of RTL Kolkata but within the capabilities of Bengaluru & other units of CPRI. The facilities available at the laboratory are also used in research & consultancy activities.

Facilities Available:

The laboratory is equipped with facilities to carry out testing & certification of insulating oils in power transformer as per IS 1866-2017. The dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of Power transformer, an important diagnostics tool is available at RTL Kolkata for assessing the internal condition of the transformer. The laboratory has the test facilities like DGA, Furan Analysis, Electric Strength, Titration, Flash Point, Pour Point, Water Content, Tan delta, Resistivity etc. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is another important diagnostic tool to evaluate Furfural Content for assessing the condition of solid Insulation in Power Transformer.

Dissolved Gas Analysis:

The center has expertise in conducting dissolved gas analysis of transformer oil Which is a powerful diagnostic technique to assess the internal condition of Power Transformers. Annually more than 1000 transformers are assessed for internal condition by dissolved gas analysis and more than 10% of transformers are saved from destruction. The test covers preventive maintenance of transformers.

Furan Analysis:

The laboratory has the facility to measure furanic compounds. These compounds are generated by the degradation of cellulosic material used in the solid insulation system of electrical equipments. The furanic compounds soluble in the oil to appreciable degree migrate into the insulating liquid. High concentration or unusual increase in the concentration of furanic compounds in the oil may indicate cellulose degradation from aging or incipient fault conditions. Testing for furanic compounds may be used to complement dissolved gas in oil analysis.

PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs):

The laboratory is also comprised with facility to measure Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which are synthetic chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons having both electrical and thermal properties. These properties combined with excellent chemical property make them useful as a liquid insulating material. However, their chemical stability and resistance to biodegradation has given cause for concern in terms of environmental pollution. As per IS 1866:2017, new transformer oil should be free from PCBs.

The equipments available in the laboratory are:

•  High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
• Gas Chromatograph with auto sampler Head Space
• Automatic Breakdown Voltage Tester
• Auto Titrator
• Moisture Analyzer
• Automatic Flash Point Apparatus
• Interfacial Tensiometer
• Tan Delta & Specific Resistance Bridge
• Automatic Pour Point Apparatus
• Oxidation Stability Apparatus
• Automatic Particle Counter & Sizer
• Gas Chromatograph with ECD for PCBs analysis