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	Subject - Oil in transformers David Hyatt My friend and I were discussing transformers. I was told there was maybe 40 gal of oil inside a power company transformer. Is this true? Why? JimmyDee It is very much true. The older oil type was PCB and is now known as a strong cancer causing item. That oil is also what was in capacitors of old. The newer oil that is in them is silicon based oil. What is it for? (1)The oil is a very good insulating fluid and helps to keep a high voltage winding from flashing to other parts of the transformer. (2) It is used for cooling and transferring of heat to the outside and in some cases, to a set of cooling fins. (3) By being oil filled, it is said that for the same set of copper windings, it will triple the KVA rating of the transformer. So there will be much less weight hanging on the pole, much less cost for the transformer. (4) Oil allows huge temporary overloads without hurting the transformer because the oil will get rid of a temporary high heat situation in the coils and dissipate it when load drops. Jim lctrc789 Yep, Jimmy hit the nail on the head and the older transformers, (wow) we used to put our hands all in that oil, lol. Well yet to be seen if has caused me a problem. Still some of the older ones around but I don't play with the oil. LOL