Silicone materials in new high temperature liquid transformer designs

This paper is a general review of past and current work on the use of silicone materials in high temperature transformer applications. Though the concept of using silicone fluid and Nomeg(R) aramid fiber based solid insulation has been proven technically feasible, commercial acceptance has been limited by a reluctance to change from traditional designs for many power applications. Silicone fluid adds significantly to the unit cost of a transformer, but cost savings derived from new efficiency profiles or due to lower fire protection requirements or reduced oil maintenance may more than offset the premium. Economic analysis for each situation is required to properly assess the true total owning cost