Influence of inhibitor and oil components on copper sulfide deposition on kraft paper in oil-immersed insulation

Copper sulfide deposition on Kraft paper in oil-immersed transformers is found to be accelerated by di-tert-butyl p-cresol (DBPC), which is widely used as an antioxidant, and paraffinic hydrocarbons in their oils, which is verified in laboratory experiments. DBPC can prolong the lifetime of precursors of the copper sulfide deposition by reacting decomposition products of copper dibenzyl disulfide (Cu-DBDS) complex and by creating the Cu-DBPC complex. Because the lifetime of the Cu-DBPC complex is far longer than that of the Cu-DBDS complex, considerable amounts of copper sulfide are deposited on Kraft paper instead of being formed on the surface of copper. A good correlation is obtained between the concentration of paraffinic hydrocarbons and the amount of copper sulfide deposited on Kraft paper in the three commercial oils.