This specification describes a high fire-point mineral oil based electrical insulating fluid, for use as a dielectric and cooling medium in new and existing power and distribution electrical apparatus, such as transformers and switchgear. The material discussed here is miscible with other petroleum based insulating oils, and may not be miscible with electrical insulating liquids of non-petroleum origin. The insulating oils shall be compatible with typical material of construction of existing apparatus and will satisfactorily maintain its functional characteristic in its application. This specification applies only to new insulating material oil as received prior to any processing. Sampled specimens shall undergo appropriate tests, and shall conform correspondingly to specified physical (appearance upon visual examination, color in ASTM units, fire point, flash point, aniline point, interfacial tension, pour point, relative density, and kinematic viscosity), electrical (dielectric breakdown voltage, gassing tendency, and dissipation factor), and chemical (corrosion behavior against sulfur, inorganic chlorides and sulfates content, acid number, water content, oxidation stability, oxidation inhibitor content, and PCB content) property requirements.

1.1 This specification describes a high fire-point mineral oil based insulating fluid, for use as a dielectric and cooling medium in new and existing power and distribution electrical apparatus, such as transformers and switchgear.

1.2 High fire-point insulating oil differs from conventional mineral insulating oil by possessing a fire-point of at least 300°C. High fire-point mineral insulating oils are also referred to as “less flammable” mineral insulating oils.This property is necessary in order to comply with certain application requirements of the National Electrical Code (Article 450-23) or other agencies. The material discussed in this specification is miscible with other petroleum based insulating oils. Mixing high fire-point liquids with lower fire point hydrocarbon insulating oils (for example, Specification D 3487 mineral oil) may result in fire points of less than 300°C.

1.3 This specification is intended to define a high fire-point electrical mineral insulating oil that is compatible with typical material of construction of existing apparatus and will satisfactorily maintain its functional characteristic in its application in this application. The material described in this specification may not be miscible with electrical insulating liquids of non-petroleum origin. The user should contact the manufacturer of the high fire-point insulating oil for guidance in this respect.

1.4 This specification applies only to new insulating material oil as received prior to any processing. Information on in-service maintenance testing is available in appropriate guides. The user should contact the manufacturers of the equipment or oil if questions of recommended characteristics or maintenance procedures arise.