IEC 60296:2012

Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Unused mineral insulating oils for transformers and switchgear

IEC 60296:2012 is now available as IEC Standards+ 60296:2012 which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60296:2012 is applicable to specifications and test methods for unused mineral insulating oils. It applies to oil intended for use in transformers, switchgear and similar electrical equipment in which oil is required for insulation and heat transfer. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- specifications for corrosive sulphur compounds that can lead to copper sulphide deposition in transformers (in non-passivated and passivated oils);
- definitions of additives in oil; and
- re-insertion of a missing note on oxidation.

Fluides pour applications électrotechniques - Huiles minérales isolantes neuves pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

IEC 60296:2012 est disponible sous forme de IEC Standards+ 60296:2012 qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.
IEC 60296:2012 s'applique aux spécifications et méthodes d'essais pour les huiles minérales isolantes neuves. Elle s'applique à l'huile destinée à l'utilisation dans les transformateurs, disjoncteurs et matériels électriques analogues, dans lesquels l'huile est nécessaire comme fluide isolant et caloporteur. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- des spécifications pour les composés soufrés corrosifs qui peuvent entraîner un dépôt de sulfure de cuivre à l'intérieur des transformateurs (dans les huiles non-passivées et passivées);
- les définitions d'additifs dans l'huile; et
- la ré-insertion d'une note manquante concernant l'oxydation.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Feb-2012
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.040.10 - Insulating oils
• Technical Committee: TC 10 - Fluids for electrotechnical applications
• Drafting Committee: WG 21 - TC 10/WG 21
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 31-Oct-2018
• Completion Date: 26-Jun-2020

Relations

• Revises: IEC 60296:2003 - Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Unused mineral insulating oils for transformers and switchgear
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60296:2020 - Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Mineral insulating oils for electrical equipment
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60296 ®
Edition 4.0 2012-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Unused mineral insulating oils for
transformers and switchgear
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques – Huiles minérales isolantes neuves
pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from

either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,

please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les

microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.

Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

Useful links:
IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The advanced search enables you to find IEC publications The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
committee,…). definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in
It also gives information on projects, replaced and additional languages. Also known as the International
withdrawn publications. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) on-line.

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Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication
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A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

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publications CEI en utilisant différents critères (numéro de électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000
référence, texte, comité d’études,…). termes et définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que
Elle donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles.
publications remplacées ou retirées. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire Electrotechnique
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Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. cette publication ou si vous avez des questions
contactez-nous: [e-mail].
IEC 60296 ®
Edition 4.0 2012-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Unused mineral insulating oils for

transformers and switchgear
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques – Huiles minérales isolantes neuves

pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.040 ISBN 978-2-8891-2928-7

IEC 60296 ®
Edition 4.0 2012-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Unused mineral insulating oils for
transformers and switchgear
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques – Huiles minérales isolantes neuves
pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

– 2 – 60296 © IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

INTRODUCTION . 6

1 Scope . 7

2 Normative references . 7

3 Terms and definitions . 9

4 Properties of oil . 10
4.1 Functional properties . 10
4.2 Refining and stability . 10
4.3 Performance . 10
4.4 Health, safety and environment (HSE) properties . 10
5 Classification, identification, general delivery requirements and sampling. 11
5.1 Classification . 11
5.1.1 Classes . 11
5.1.2 Antioxidant additive (inhibitor) content . 11
5.1.3 Lowest cold start energizing temperature (LCSET) . 11
5.2 Requirements . 11
5.3 Miscibility . 11
5.4 Identification and general delivery requirements . 11
5.5 Sampling . 12
6 Properties, their significance and test methods . 12
6.1 Viscosity. 12
6.2 Pour point . 12
6.3 Water content . 12
6.4 Breakdown voltage . 13
6.5 Dielectric dissipation factor (DDF) . 13
6.6 Appearance . 13
6.7 Acidity . 13
6.8 Interfacial tension (IFT) . 13
6.9 Sulphur content . 13
6.10 Corrosive and potentially corrosive sulphur . 13

6.11 Additives (see 3.4) . 14
6.11.1 General . 14
6.11.2 Antioxidant additives (see 3.5) . 14
6.11.3 Metal passivators . 14
6.11.4 Pour point depressants . 15
6.12 Oxidation stability . 15
6.13 Gassing tendency . 15
6.14 Electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) . 15
6.15 Flash point . 15
6.16 Density . 15
6.17 Polycyclic aromatic content (PCAs) . 16
6.18 Polychlorinated biphenyl content (PCBs) . 16
6.19 2-Furfural (2-FAL) and related compounds content . 16
6.20 Particle content . 16

60296 © IEC:2012 – 3 –
6.21 DBDS content . 16

6.22 Stray gassing of oil . 16

7 Specific requirements for special applications . 18

7.1 Higher oxidation stability and low sulphur content . 18

7.2 Electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) . 18

7.3 Gassing tendency . 18

Annex A (informative) Potentially corrosive sulphur . 19

Bibliography . 21

Table 1 – Maximum viscosity and pour point of transformer oil at lowest cold start
energizing temperature (LCSET) . 12
Table 2 – General specifications . 17

– 4 – 60296 © IEC:2012
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
FLUIDS FOR ELECTROTECHNICAL APPLICATIONS –

UNUSED MINERAL INSULATING OILS FOR

TRANSFORMERS AND SWITCHGEAR
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising

all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote

international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publ
...

IEC 60296 ®
Edition 4.0 2012-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Unused mineral insulating oils for
transformers and switchgear
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques – Huiles minérales isolantes neuves
pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les
microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

Useful links:
IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The advanced search enables you to find IEC publications The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
committee,…). definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in
It also gives information on projects, replaced and additional languages. Also known as the International
withdrawn publications. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) on-line.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication
details all new publications released. Available on-line and or need further assistance, please contact the
also once a month by email. Customer Service Centre: [e-mail].

A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Liens utiles:
Recherche de publications CEI - www.iec.ch/searchpub Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
La recherche avancée vous permet de trouver des Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes
publications CEI en utilisant différents critères (numéro de électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000
référence, texte, comité d’études,…). termes et définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que
Elle donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles.
publications remplacées ou retirées. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire Electrotechnique
International (VEI) en ligne.
Just Published CEI - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI.
Just Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. cette publication ou si vous avez des questions
contactez-nous: [e-mail].
IEC 60296 ®
Edition 4.0 2012-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Unused mineral insulating oils for

transformers and switchgear
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques – Huiles minérales isolantes neuves

pour transformateurs et appareillages de connexion

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 29.040 ISBN 978-2-88912-928-7

– 2 – 60296 © IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Properties of oil . 10
4.1 Functional properties . 10
4.2 Refining and stability . 10
4.3 Performance . 10
4.4 Health, safety and environment (HSE) properties . 10
5 Classification, identification, general delivery requirements and sampling. 11
5.1 Classification . 11
5.1.1 Classes . 11
5.1.2 Antioxidant additive (inhibitor) content . 11
5.1.3 Lowest cold start energizing temperature (LCSET) . 11
5.2 Requirements . 11
5.3 Miscibility . 11
5.4 Identification and general delivery requirements . 11
5.5 Sampling . 12
6 Properties, their significance and test methods . 12
6.1 Viscosity. 12
6.2 Pour point . 12
6.3 Water content . 12
6.4 Breakdown voltage . 13
6.5 Dielectric dissipation factor (DDF) . 13
6.6 Appearance . 13
6.7 Acidity . 13
6.8 Interfacial tension (IFT) . 13
6.9 Sulphur content . 13
6.10 Corrosive and potentially corrosive sulphur . 13
6.11 Additives (see 3.4) . 14
6.11.1 General . 14
6.11.2 Antioxidant additives (see 3.5) . 14
6.11.3 Metal passivators . 14
6.11.4 Pour point depressants . 15
6.12 Oxidation stability . 15
6.13 Gassing tendency . 15
6.14 Electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) . 15
6.15 Flash point . 15
6.16 Density . 15
6.17 Polycyclic aromatic content (PCAs) . 16
6.18 Polychlorinated biphenyl content (PCBs) . 16
6.19 2-Furfural (2-FAL) and related compounds content . 16
6.20 Particle content . 16

60296 © IEC:2012 – 3 –
6.21 DBDS content . 16
6.22 Stray gassing of oil . 16
7 Specific requirements for special applications . 18
7.1 Higher oxidation stability and low sulphur content . 18
7.2 Electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) . 18
7.3 Gassing tendency . 18
Annex A (informative) Potentially corrosive sulphur . 19
Bibliography . 21

Table 1 – Maximum viscosity and pour point of transformer oil at lowest cold start
energizing temperature (LCSET) . 12
Table 2 – General specifications . 17

– 4 – 60296 © IEC:2012
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FLUIDS FOR ELECTROTECHNICAL APPLICATIONS –
UNUSED MINERAL INSULATING OILS FOR
TRANSFORMERS AND SWITCHGEAR
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to
...