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Home/Products & Services/... /Bioindustrial/All Applications/Dielectric Fluids/FR3 Natural Ester Fluid/FR3 Fluid Technical Details
  • FR3 Natural Ester Fluid
    • Why FR3 Fluid
      • Cost Savings
      • Grid Resiliency
      • Superior Performance
      • Fire Safety
      • Better for the Planet
    • Validation
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    • FR3 Fluid Technical Details
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FR3 fluid bath

FR3® fluid technical details

The best dielectric fluid gets you improved cost in use, reliability, performance, fire safety, and environmental impact.

Data Sheet

The natural ester fluid that beats the alternatives

Derived from 100% renewable vegetable oils, biobased FR3 fluid is superior to mineral oil and other natural ester fluids for use in distribution and power generation transformers of all voltage classes (both new and retrofilled); HV testing validates use of FR3 fluid though 765kV. FR3 fluid is also suited for other fluid-filled distribution and power equipment, such as voltage regulators, circuit breakers (switchgear), rectifiers, phase-shifters, and HVDC transformers.

Its unique properties provide advantages that mineral oil cannot match, and its effectiveness has been proven for decades in millions of transformers across the globe. In particular, with FR3 fluid you can expect:

Significantly improved fire safety, with no reported incidents in 20+ years of use

Extended asset and insulation life, for cost savings during an asset’s life

Enhanced load capacity

Improved environmental benefits

FR3 fluid exceeds IEEE and IEC specifications, and is FM approved and UL listed.
 

DIVIDER
FR3 fluid's properties make it superior to mineral oil. Contact us to find out how FR3 fluid can meet your business's and community's needs, or find FR3 fluid.

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DIVIDER


FR3 fluid properties: Standard acceptance values and typical values

  Standard test methods ASTM D6871/IEEE C57.147 IEC 62770 FR3 Fluid
Property ASTM ISO/IEC As-received new fluid property requirements Unused new fluid property requirements Typical
Physical
Color D1500 ISO 2211 ≤1.0 - 0.5
Flash Point PMCC (ºC) D93 ISO 2719 - ≥250 260
Flash Point COC (ºC) D92 ISO 2592 ≥275 - 320-330
Fire Point (ºC) D92 ISO 2592 ≥300 >300 350-360
Pour Point (ºC) D97 ISO 3016 <-10 ≤-10 -21
Density at 20ºC (g/cm3) - ISO 3675 - ≤1.0 0.92
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) 15ºC D1298 - ≤0.96 - 0.92
Viscosity (mm2/sec) D445 ISO 3104      

100ºC

≤15 ≤15 7.7 - 8.3
40ºC ≤50 ≤50 32 - 34
0ºC ≤500 - 190
Visual Examination D1524 IEC 62770 4.2.1 Bright and clear clear, free from sediment and suspended matter clear, light green
Biodegradation OECD 301 readily biodegradable readily biodegradable readily biodegradable
Electrical
Dielectric Breakdown (kV) D877 - ≥30 - 47
Dielectric Breakdown (kV)          
1mm gap D1816 - ≥20 - >25
2mm gap D1816 - ≥35 - >50
2.5mm gap - IEC 60156 - ≥35 >50
Dielectric breakdown / impulse, needle/spere, 25C, 25.4mm[kV]
Gassing tendency (mm/min) D2300 - ≤0 - -79
Dissipation Factor          
25ºC (%) D924 - ≤0.20 - 0.010 - 0.15
90ºC (tan ∂) - IEC 60247 - ≤0.05 0.02
100ºC(%) D924 - ≤4.0 - 0.41 - 3.85
Chemical
Corrosive Sulfur D1275 IEC 62697 non-corrosive non-corrosive non-corrosive
Water Content (mg/kg) D1533 IEC 60814 ≤200 ≤200 4 - 50
Acid Number (mg KOH/g) D974 IEC 62021.3 ≤0.06 ≤006 0.013 - 0.042
PCB Content (mg/kg) D4059 IEC 61619 not detectable free from PCBs not detectable
Total Additives - IEC 60666   Max weight fraction 5% <2%
Oxidation Stability (48 hrs, 120ºC) - IEC 61125C      
Total Acidity (mg KOH/g) - IEC 62621.3   ≤0.6 0.1
Total Acidity (mg KOH/g) - ISO3104   ≤30% increase over initial 17.1%% increase
Dissipation Factor at 90ºC (tan ∂) - IEC 60247   ≤0.05 0.1

Note: Specifications should be written referencing only the defined ASTM or IEC acceptance values and test methods. The listed “typical” values are averaged values summarized from a significant number of data points over many years; they are not to be identified as acceptance values.
ASTM D6871 Standard Specification for Natural (Vegetable Oil) Ester Fluids Used in Electrical Apparatus.
IEC 62770: Fluids for electrochemical applications — Unused natural ester liquids for transformers and similar electrical equipment.
A transformer filled with FR3 fluid complies with the transformer temperature operating ranges requirements defined in IEEE C57.12.00 and IEC 60076-1.

 

 

Learn how FR3 fluid’s properties make it superior to mineral oil. Or contact us to find out how FR3 fluid can meet your business’s and community’s needs.

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FR3 natural ester fluid details: Delivering superior results

  • Capacity
  • Asset Life
  • Fire Safety
  • Environmental Benefits

Formulated for high-temperature performance

A transformer’s solid insulation system plays a critical role in its possible failure and in its temperature-related operating limits. The thermal class of the insulating materials constrain the transformer’s (temperature) operating limits. (The typical reference point is the average winding rise (AWR) of the transformer, which is limited to 55°C for mineral-oil designs with standard Kraft paper and 65°C for mineral-oil designed with thermally upgraded Kraft (TUK) paper for an average ambient temperature of 30°C. Put another way, historical standards were written to accommodate a thermal class of 105 for mineral-oil designs with standard Kraft paper and 120 mineral-oil designs with thermally upgraded Kraft (TUK or TUP) paper.)

As validated by standard accelerated testing method, a transformer with TUK paper and filled with FR3 natural ester fluid can operate 15°C to 20°C warmer, holding a thermal class of 140 without reducing reliability and while maintaining the same life expectancy.2

This allows for an increased load capacity for both distribution and power transformers filled with FR3 fluid, due to the possible increasing temperature rise limits. Explore the high-temperature capability of FR3 fluid compared to mineral oil.

Learn more about how FR3 fluid’s thermal capacity can provide more load capacity and resilience to your grid than mineral oil, and see how this attribute of FR3 fluid contributes to total cost of ownership.

null Superior moisture tolerance

Because of its unique chemical properties as a natural ester transformer oil, FR3 fluid has an exceptional ability to remove water that is either generated by the aging of transformer insulation paper or that is present due to the intrusion of moisture into a sealed transformer. This “wicking” away of water from a transformer’s windings is due to FR3 fluid’s high saturation point and the hydrolysis process, which essentially continuously dries out the cellulose insulation paper while keeping it at its original moisture content.

Since the life of the solid insulation is often a determinant of transformer life, FR3 fluid can extend a transformer’s life by significantly reducing the degradation rate of the solid insulation. FR3 fluid’s unique properties make paper life five to eight times longer than that of the same paper immersed in mineral oil, extending the life of the transformer.1

FR3 fluid’s high moisture saturation point also means that a transformer filled with this natural ester fluid has less likelihood of dielectric failure in cold temperatures than does a mineral-oil-filled transformer.

Transformer insulating paper end-of-life (hours)

End-of-life Basis Mineral Oil 150°C FR3 Fluid IEEE Basis Mineral Oil 170°C FR3 Fluid IEEE Basis
Retained Tensile Strength
50% 3100 >4000* 1602 240 1300 323

25%

4000

>4000*

3327

490

4000

671

Degree of Polymerization

200 3200 >4000* 3697 480 3400 746

*Paper did not read end-of-life over the duration of the test. To be conservative, extrapolation was not employed. The time to insulation end-of-life calculated using the IEEE C57.91 loading guide is used for comparison.

Learn more about how FR3 fluid natural ester transformer oil promotes extended asset life better than mineral oil, and see how FR3 fluid’s superior moisture tolerance influences total cost of ownership.

null Exceptionally high flash and fire points

Classified as a Class-K, “less flammable,” and “high-fire point” fluid, FR3 fluid’s flash point is 330°C and fire point is 360°C, values that are more than two times those of mineral oil (155°C and 165°C, respectively). In fact, FR3 fluid has the highest ignition resistance of any high-fire-point dielectric fluid, including other nature ester transformer oils. Its flash and fire points also exceed those of silicone oil.

Fire point is the most relevant factor in transformer fire safety. The unique properties of FR3 fluid mean that this particular natural ester oil is the safest of the transformer oils available today. Real-world applications prove this; over decades of use, there have been no reported pool fire in any transformer filled with FR3 fluid.

Learn more about how FR3 fluid natural ester transformer oil is far safer than mineral oil, and see what FR3 fluid’s high flash and fire points mean for fire mitigation and total cost of ownership.

Best-in-class environmental properties 

With physical and chemical properties that together minimize risk to the environment and to people, FR3 fluid is derived from vegetable-oil sources that are renewable, and it is recyclable and reusable. Across its lifecycle, it is also carbon neutral (according to BEES 4.0 lifecycle analysis).

FR3 fluid does not contain petroleum, silicones, halogens, or corrosive sulfur. Formulated with >98% vegetable oil, along with proprietary performance-enhancing additives, bio-based FR3 fluid is classified as “readily biodegradable” (OECD 301 B, Environmental Protection Agency, and OPPTS 835.3100) and “ultimately biodegradable” (OPPTS 835.3110); it is nontoxic and nonhazardous in water and soil (OECD oral and aquatic toxicity test). Its physical properties also help prevent migration across surfaces and into subsurface soils in case of spillage.

FR3 fluid’s biodegradability sets it apart from silicone oil and mineral oil. Compared to these transformer-insulation-fluid alternatives, FR3 fluid requires less complex and less costly spill remediation.

FR3 fluid environmental attributes

Attribute Results Method
Aquatic Biodegredation [%] >99 EPA OPPTS 835.3100
Ready Biodegredation [%] >99 EPA OPPTS 835.3100
Acute Aquatic Toxicity Non-toxic OECD 203
Acute Oral Toxicity Non-toxic OECD 420
Biobased Material Content >95% USDA Biopreferred Program
Total Life Cycle Carbon Footprint Carbon Neutral

Department of Commerce
NIST BEES V4.0

Overall environmental Impact 1/4th impact of mineral oil

Department of Commerce
NIST BEES V4.0

Learn more about the FR3 fluid’s environmental advantages, and see how the superior biodegradability of FR3 fluid influences total cost of ownership.

Explore your options

FR3 fluid brings unmatched advantages. Contact us to consult with one of our experienced dielectric experts to learn how.

Talk with an Expert

FR3® Dielectric Fluid Brochure

Get an overview of natural ester FR3 natural ester dielectric fluid.

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FR3® Dielectric Fluid Data Sheet

Get technical details about FR3 fluid, including functional specifications.

Read

FR3® Fluid Storage and Handling Guide

Get FR3 fluid storage and handling guidelines to help assure quality and safety.

Read

Retrofilll Guide for Distribution Transformers

Get our guide for atmospheric retrofilling of 25kV (or lower) distribution class transformers ≤7500kVA with FR3 fluid.

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Retrofill Guide for Power Class Transformers

Get our guide for retrofilling power class transformers >7500kVA with FR3 fluid.

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FR3® Fluid Loading Guide

Get test-result specifications for the “A” and “B” factors for thermally upgraded Kraft paper in FR3 fluid.

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FR3® Fluid Behavior in Cold-Temperature Environments

Get reference data and test results in our white paper detailing FR3 fluid’s reliable performance in cold temperatures.

Read

FR3® Fluid Cold Start Recommendations

Get reference data and recommendations in our white paper about cold start procedures for transformers filled with FR3 fluid.

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Transformer Power Factor and FR3® Fluid

Get reference data and a description of why the power factors of transformers filled with FR3 fluid are usually higher than similar mineral-oil-filled transformers.

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1. Based on accelerated aging tests with Kraft and thermally upgraded Kraft (TUK) paper, per IEEE C57.100.
2. IEC 60076-14 Part 14: Liquid-immersed power transformers using high-temperature insulation materials. Edition 1.0. September 2013; IEEE C57.154 Standard for the Design, Testing, and Application of Liquid-Immersed Distribution, Power, and Regulating Transformers Using High-Temperature Insulation Systems and Operating Elevated Temperature. October 30, 2012.

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