Furanic compounds are generated by the degradation of cellulosic materials used in the solid insulation systems of electrical equipment.

Furanic compounds which are oil soluble to an appreciable degree will migrate into the insulating liquid.

High concentrations or unusual increases in the concentrations of furanic compounds in 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 as performed in accordance with Test Method D3612.

1.1 This test method covers the determination in electrical insulating liquids of products of the degradation of cellulosic materials such as paper, pressboard, and cotton materials typically found as insulating materials in electrical equipment. These degradation products are substituted furan derivatives, commonly referred to as furanic compounds or furans. This test method allows either liquid/liquid or solid phase extraction (SPE) of the furanic compounds from the sample matrix followed by analysis for specific furanic compounds by HPLC or direct injection for analysis of specific furanic compounds by HPLC.

1.2 The individual furanic compounds that may be identified and quantified include the following:

1.3 The direct injection method generally has a higher limit of detection, especially for furfuryl alcohol. Greater interference for furfuryl alcohol may be expected when using the direct injection method as opposed to extraction methods.

1.4 This test method has been used to successfully test for furanic compounds in mineral insulating oil, silicone fluid, high fire point electrical insulating oils of mineral origin, askarels, and perchloroethylene-based dielectric fluids.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.