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ISBN 978-0-626-20275-0
SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Unused and reclaimed mineral insulating oils

for transformers and switchgear

Published by Standards South Africa

1 dr lategan road groenkloof private bag x191 pretoria 0001
tel: 012 428 7911 fax: 012 344 1568 international code + 27 12
www.stansa.co.za
© Standards South Africa
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee StanSA SC 5140.07D, Steering
committee for petroleum products, biofuels and lubricants – Engine oils and coolants, in accordance
with procedures of Standards South Africa, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in November 2007. This document supercedes SABS 555:2002 (edition 4).

Annexes A and B form an integral part of this standard. Annnex C is for information only.
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

Contents
Page

Foreword

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 3

2 Normative references ......................................................................................................... 3

3 Definitions........................................................................................................................... 5

4 Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 5

5 Test methods ...................................................................................................................... 7

6 Packing and marking .......................................................................................................... 7

Annex A (normative) Notes to purchasers ........................................................................... 9

Annex B (normative) Sampling and compliance with this standard ...................................... 9

Annex C (informative) Quality verification of mineral insulating oil ......................................... 10

Bibliography............................................................................................................................ 10

1
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Edition 5

This page is intentionally left blank

2
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

Unused and reclaimed mineral insulating oils for

transformers and switchgear

1 Scope

This standard specifies requirements for unused and reclaimed oxidation-inhibited and uninhibited
mineral insulating oils, as derived for use in transformers, switchgear, bushings, current and voltage
transformers and similar electrical equipment in which oil is required for insulation or for heat transfer.
This standard does not apply to mineral insulating oils used as impregnates in cables or capacitors
nor to hydrocarbon insulating liquids obtained by synthesis.

2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national
and international standards can be obtained from Standards South Africa.

ASTM D 92, Standard test method for flash and fire points by Cleveland open cup.

ASTM D 93, Standard test method for flash point by Pensky- Martens closed cup tester.

ASTM D 2112, Standard test method for oxidation stability of inhibited mineral insulating oil by
pressure vessel.

ASTM D 4059, Standard test method for analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls in insulating liquids
by gas chromatography.

BS 2000: Part 346, Methods of test for petroleum and its products – Determination of polycyclic
aromatics in unused lubricating base oils and asphaltene free petroleum fractions – Dimethyl
sulphoxide extraction refractive index method.

BS 2000: Part 315, Methods of test for petroleum and its products – Electrical insulating oils –
Detection of corrosive sulfur.

DIN 51353, Testing of insulating oils, detection of corrosive sulfur, silber strip test.

EPA 600, The determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in transformer fluid and waste oils.

IEC 60156, Insulating liquids – Determination of the breakdown voltage at power frequency – Test
method.

3
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

IEC 60247, Measurement of relative permittivity, dielectric dissipation factor tan<delta> and d.c.
resistivity insulating liquids.

IEC 60475, Method of sampling liquid dielectrics.

IEC 60666, Detection and determination of specified anti-oxidant additives in insulating oils

IEC 60814, Insulating liquids – Oil-impregnated paper and pressboard – Determination of water by
automatic coulometric Karl Fischer titration.

IEC 61125, Unused hydrocarbon-based insulating liquids – Test methods for evaluating the
oxidation stability.

IEC 61198, Mineral insulating oils – Methods for the determination of 2-furfural and related
compounds.

IEC 61619, Insulating liquids – Contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – Method of

determination by capillary column gas chromatography.

IEC 61620, Insulating liquids – Determination of dieletrical dissipation factor by measurements of th

IEC 62021-1, Insulating liquids – Determination of acidity – Part 1: Automatic potentiometric

titration.

IEC 62021-2, Insulating liquids – Determination of acidity - Part 2: Colourimetric titration

IEC 60422, Mineral insulating oils in electric equipment – Supervision and maintenance guidance.

ISO 2719, Determination of flash point – Pensky-Martens closed cup method.

ISO 3016, Petroleum products – Determination of pour point.

ISO 3104, Petroleum products – Transparent and opaque liquids – Determination of kinematic
viscosity and calculation of dynamic viscosity.

ISO 3675, Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products – Laboratory determination of density –
Hydrometer method.

ISO 12185, Crude petroleum and petroleum products – Determination of density – Oscillating U-
tube method.

SANS 290, Mineral insulating oils – Management and handling of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

SANS 1518, Transport of dangerous goods – Design requirements for road vehicles and portable
tanks.

SANS 10229-1, Transport of dangerous goods – Packaging and large packaging for road and rail
transport – Part 1: Packaging.

SANS 10232-1, Transport of dangerous goods – Emergency information systems – Part 1:

Emergency information system for road transportation.

SANS 10233 (SABS 0233), Transport of dangerous goods – Intermediate bulk containers.

SANS 10368 (SABS 0368), Transport of low-hazard goods in bulk – Emergency information for road
vehicles.

4
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard the following definitions apply.

3.1
additives
chemical compounds added to mineral insulating oil to improve the performance characteristics of
the oil

3.2
antioxidant
additive incorporated in mineral insulating oil to reduce or delay its degradation by oxidation

3.3
reclaimed oil
mineral insulating oil used in electrical equipment which has been subjected to chemical or physical
processing (or both) to eliminate soluble and insoluble contaminants

3.5
undetectable
no PCB detected

3.6
uninhibited
mineral insulating oil, containing no anti-oxidant, but which might contain other additives

3.7
unused oil
mineral insulating oil which has not been used in, or been in contact with electrical equipment or
equipment not required for manufacture, storage or transport

4 Requirements
4.1 General
The mineral insulating oils shall be derived from the distillation and refining of petroleum and may
contain additives. The oil shall be clear, free from sediments and suspended matter.

4.2 Classification by antioxidant additive (inhibitor) content

Transformer oils shall be classified as belonging to one of the following three groups, according to
antioxidant additive content determined in accordance with IEC 60666:

a) Unihibited transformer oils (U), contain no antioxidant.

b) Trace inhibited transformer oils (T), contain not more than 0,08 % mass fraction of antioxidant.

c) Inhibited transformer oils (I), contain not less than 0,08 % and not more than 0,40 % mass
fractions of antioxidant.

5
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

4.3 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) content

4.3.1 When determined in accordance with either IEC 61619, ASTM D 4059 or EPA 600, the PCB
content of unused mineral insulating oils shall be undetectable.

4.3.2 When tested in accordance with either IEC 61619, ASTM D 4059 or EPA 600, the PCB
content of reclaimed mineral insulating oils shall not be more than 20 mg/kg.

NOTE SANS 290 provides guidelines for the management of PCB in mineral insulating oils.

4.4 Compatibility
Unused oils of the same class (unihibited or trace inhibited or inhibited) shall be mixable and
compatible with each other (see IEC 60422).

4.5 Other requirements

4.5.1 Mineral insulating oils shall comply with the requirements given in table 1 below.
NOTE The requirements given in table 1 apply to unused and reclaimed oil, at a point of delivery.

4.5.2 Before inhibition the mineral insulating oil used for producing oxidation inhibited oils shall
comply with requirements given in clause 4 and all requirements for uninhibited oils listed in table 1.

6
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

Table 1 — Requirements for mineral insulating oils

1 2 3
Property Requirements Test method
2
Kinematic viscosity at 40 °C, mm /s, max. 16,5 ISO 3104
2
Kinematic Viscosity at –15 °C, mm /s, max. 1800 ISO 3104
Pour point, °C, max. -30 ISO 3016
Flash point, °C, min. 200 ASTM D 92
140 ASTM D 93
Water content, mg/kg, max. IEC 60814
Bulk delivery 20
Drum and intermediate bulk containers delivery 30
Breakdown voltage, kV, min. 30 IEC 60156
3
Density, kg/m , max. 895 ISO 3675 or ISO 12185
Acidity, mg KOH/g, max. 0,03 IEC 62021-1, IEC 62021-2
Corrosive sulfur Non-corrosive DIN 51353, BS 2000: Part 315
Oxidation stability

a) total acidity, mg KOH per g of oil, max. 1,2 IEC 61125 Method Ca

b
b) sludge, % mass fraction, max. 0,8 IEC 61125 Method C
c
c) oxidation stability, minutes, min. 220 ASTM D 2112
Dielectric dissipation factor, at 90 °C and 40 Hz
0,005 IEC 60247 or IEC 61620
to 60 Hz, max.
2-Furfural content, mg/kg, less than 0,1 IEC 61198
Polycyclic aromatic, % mass fraction, less than 3,0 BS 2000: Part 346
a
When applied to reclaimed oil the values for total acidity shall be not more than 1,5 mg KOH per g
of oil and the sludge shall be not more than a mass fraction of 1,0 %.

b
The following test duration requirements shall be adhered to for each class of oil:

(U) Uninhibited oils: 164 h

(T) Trace inhibited oils: 332 h
c
Applicable to the inhibited oils only.

5 Test methods
Use the applicable test method and, where relevant, use one of the test methods given in the table
1 and in 4.3.

6 Packing and Marking

6.1 Packing
6.1.1 Special care should be exercised in the selection of containers to be used for mineral
insulating oil to ensure that only specially prepared suitable containers are used.
NOTE Attention is drawn to the fact that oil in storage and especially oil stored in drums, cannot be expected
to retain the electrical strength that it had at the time of filling.

7
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

6.1.2 The conditions of drums, intermediate bulk containers and road tank vehicles shall be such
as not to be detrimental to the quality of the insulating oil during transportation and storage. All
containers shall be so sealed as to exclude moisture.

6.1.3 In the case of reclaimed oil of PCB level 1 or higher, normal transportation and storage of the
oil shall comply with relevant requirements of the following standards:

SANS 10229-1, in case of drums;

SANS 10233, in case of intermediate bulk containers; and

SANS 1518, in case of road tank and other vehicles.

6.2 Marking
6.2.1 In the case of unused mineral insulating oil, the following information shall appear in legible
and indelible marking on each drum and intermediate bulk container and bulk tanker:

a) the supplier’s designation;

b) the batch identification;

c) that it is unused or reclaimed mineral insulating oil;

c) PCB level of the oil in accordance with SANS 290; and

d) the quantity of the contents.

6.2.2 Markings on containers of reclaimed mineral insulating oil shall comply with requirements in
6.2.1 and have further information appearing in legible and indelible marking on each

a) drum in accordance with SANS 10229-1;

b) intermediate bulk container in accordance with SANS 10233; and

c) load tank vehicle in accordance with SANS 10232-1.

6.2.3 Labelling, placarding and preparation of shipping documents for the unused mineral
insulating oil that complies with requirements of this standard shall be in accordance with
SANS 10368. In case of reclaimed mineral insulating oil of PCB level 1 and higher that complies
with the requirements of this standard, the following additional markings shall apply:

a) the hazard-class diamond, as for class 9 dangerous goods;

b) the proper shipping name: “RECLAIMED MINERAL INSULATING OIL”; and

c) the substance identification number (UN.): 2315.

8
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SANS 555:2007
Edition 5

Annex A
(normative)

Notes to purchasers
When making a tender for the mineral insulating oil, purchasers are required to specify the
following:

a) the class of the mineral insulating oil in accordance with 4.2; and

b) whether unused oil or reclaimed oil.

Annex B
(normative)

Sampling and compliance with this standard

B.1 Sampling
B.1.1 General
The sampling procedure given in B.1.3 shall be applied in determining whether a lot complies with
the relevant requirements of this standard. The samples so drawn shall be deemed to represent the
lot.

B.1.2 Definitions
B.1.2.1
batch
material from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, the material from a
single day’s production

B.1.2.2
defective
test sample of the mineral insulating oil that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevant
requirements of this standard
B.1.2.3
lot
that quantity of mineral insulating oil in containers bearing the same brand name or trade mark,
grade designation and batch identification, from one manufacturer, and submitted at any one time
for inspection and testing

B.1.3 Samples for inspection and testing

After checking for compliance with the relevant requirements of 6.1 and 6.2, use the relevant
sampling procedure given in IEC 60475 to determine whether a lot complies with this standard, and
deem the samples so taken to represent the lot for the respective properties. Particular attention
shall be paid to compliance with any guidance on sampling containers, which is included in the test
method standard.

B.2 Compliance with this standard

The lot shall be deemed to comply with the relevant requirements of this standard if, on inspection
of the containers in the lot, and on testing of the samples taken in accordance with B.1.3, no
defective is found.

9
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Edition 5

Annex C
(informative)

Quality verification of mineral insulating oil

When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of mineral insulating oil, it is
suggested that instead of concentrating solely on evaluation of the final product, he also direct his
attention to the manufacturer’s quality system. In this connection it should be noted that SANS 9001
covers the provisions of an integrated quality system.

Bibliography
IEC 60628, Gassing of insulating liquids under electrical stress and ionization.

IEC 61868, Mineral insulating oils – Determination of kinematic viscosity at very low temperatures.

SANS 9001/ISO 9001, Quality management systems – Requirements.

© Standards South Africa

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