Flash Point / Fire Point
Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup, ASTM D92
Fire point and flash point are physical properties of the oil. Because the fire point and flash point are directly affected by the molecular weight and type of hydrocarbons in the oil, their measurement (particularly that of flash point) is considered to be an indication of the composition of the oil. These tests are also tests of the oil’s function. Transformer oil has to operate safely within the transformer environment. When standard design practices began to incorporate higher hot spot temperatures, the specification limit for flash point of the oil had to be increased to maintain a margin of safety. Further, the fire point of the liquid is frequently an important consideration in design of fire suppression equipment and facilities associated with liquid-filled electrical equipment.
Fire point and flash point are physical properties of the oil. Because the fire point and flash point are directly affected by the molecular weight and type of hydrocarbons in the oil, their measurement (particularly that of flash point) is considered to be an indication of the composition of the oil. These tests are also tests of the oil’s function. Transformer oil has to operate safely within the transformer environment. When standard design practices began to incorporate higher hot spot temperatures, the specification limit for flash point of the oil had to be increased to maintain a margin of safety. Further, the fire point of the liquid is frequently an important consideration in design of fire suppression equipment and facilities associated with liquid-filled electrical equipment.