Particle Count

Particles in insulating oil can have a detrimental effect on the dielectric properties of the fluid, depending on the size, concentration, and nature of the particles. The source of these particles can be external contaminants, oil degradation by-products, or internal materials such as metals, carbon, or cellulose fibers.

Particle counts provide a general degree of contamination level and may be useful in assessing the condition of specific types of electrical equipment. Particle counts can also be used to determine filtering effectiveness when processing oil.

If more specific knowledge of the nature of the particles is needed, other tests such as metals analysis or fiber identification and counting must be performed.