Older oil filled electrical switchgear-past, present and future

Oil-filled electrical switchgear has been in use both at high and low voltage for many years and has, of necessity, been of robust construction. This fact has led many to assume that it has an indefinite service life and it is not uncommon to find both high and low voltage switchgear from the 1920s and 1930s still in use. The problem areas with such switchgear are outlined and the present position and future replacement are discussed.