Oil immersed transformer is a type of transformer with stable performance and powerful functions. It also has efficient heat dissipation, stable insulation performance and strong load capacity. Therefore, it is widely used in power transmission and distribution systems, industrial facilities and new energy fields, and has become an indispensable component in power distribution and electrical systems. Today we will comprehensively explain the types, functions and applications of oil-immersed transformers. Let’s learn about it together!
What is an oil immersed transformer?
An oil immersed transformer is an electrical device that immerses the transformer coil and core in insulating transformer oil, and is mainly used to increase or decrease voltage. Transformer oil not only acts as an insulator, but also effectively cools the internal heating components of the device, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the equipment under high voltage and high power conditions.
This type of transformer has a strong sealing structure and is suitable for industrial scenarios such as outdoor and continuous work. It is widely used in high-voltage transmission, distribution systems, and substations. It is an indispensable and important equipment in modern power transmission and distribution networks.

Types of oil-immersed transformers
1、S11-20kV 500kVA oil immersed transformer
2、S13-20kV 125kVA oil immersed transformer
3、S11-10kV 250kVA oil immersed transformer
4、S13-10kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
5、S13-20kV 1000kVA oil immersed transformer
6、S11-20kV 50kVA oil immersed transformer
7、S13-10kV 1000kVA oil immersed transformer
8、S11-10kV 30kvA oil immersed transformer
9、S11-20kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
10、S13-20kV 160kVA oil immersed transformer
11、S11-20kV 1250kVA oil immersed transformer
12、S13-20kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
13、S11-10kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
14、S13-10kV 200kVA oil immersed transformer
15、S11-20kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
16、S13-10kV 2500kVA oil immersed transformer
17、S11-10kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
18、S11-20kV 1600kVA oil immersed transformer
19、S13-20kV 400kVA oil immersed transformer
20、S11-10kV 800kVA oil immersed transformer
21、S13-20kV 800kVA oil immersed transformer
22、S11-10kV 1600kVA oil immersed transformer
23、S13-10kV 500kVA oil immersed transformer
24、S11-20kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
25、S13-20kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
26、S11-10kV 160kVA oil immersed transformer
27、S13-10kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
28、S13-20kV 1250kVA oil immersed transformer
29、S11-10kV 1250kVA oil immersed transformer
30、S13-10kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
31、S11-10kV 50kVA oil immersed transformer
32、S11-10kV 50kVA oil immersed transformer
33、S13-20kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
34、S11-10kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
35、S13-10kV 200kVA oil immersed transformer
36、S11-20kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
37、S13-10kV 2500kVA oil immersed transformer
38、S11-10kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
39、S11-20kV 1600kVA oil immersed transformer
40、S13-20kV 400kVA oil immersed transformer
41、S11-10kV 800kVA oil immersed transformer
42、S13-10kV 250kVA oil immersed transformer
43、S11-20kV 160kVA oil immersed transformer
44、S13-20kV 30kVA oil immersed transformer
45、S11-10kV 100kVA oil immersed transformer
46、S11-20kV 2000kVA oil immersed transformer
47、S13-20kV 500kVA oil immersed transformer
48、S11-20kV 30kVA oil immersed transformer
49、S13-10kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
50、S11-20kV 200kVA oil immersed transformer
51、S11-20kV 1250kVA oil immersed transformer
52、S13-20kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
53、S11-10kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
54、S13-10kV 200kVA oil immersed transformer
55、S11-20kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
56、S13-10kV 2500kVA oil immersed transformer
57、S11-10kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
58、S11-20kV 1600kVA oil immersed transformer
59、S13-20kV 400kVA oil immersed transformer
60、S11-10kV 800kVA oil immersed transformer
61、S13-20kV 1000kVA oil immersed transformer
62、S11-20kV 50kVA oil immersed transformer
63、S13-10kV 1000kVA oil immersed transformer
64、S11-10kV 30kvA oil immersed transformer
65、S11-20kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
66、S13-20kV 160kVA oil immersed transformer
67、S11-10kV 315kVA oil immersed transformer
68、S13-10kV 100kVA oil immersed transformer
69、S13-20kV 2000kVA oil immersed transformer
70、S11-20kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
71、S11-10kV 630kVA oil immersed transformer
72、S13-10kV 200kVA oil immersed transformer
73、S11-20kV 80kVA oil immersed transformer
74、S13-10kV 2500kVA oil immersed transformer
75、S11-10kV 63kVA oil immersed transformer
76、S11-20kV 1600kVA oil immersed transformer
77、S13-20kV 400kVA oil immersed transformer
Functions of oil immersed transformers
The core functions of oil-immersed transformers include:
Voltage conversion: converting electric energy between different voltage levels (boosting or reducing voltage);
Electric energy transmission: reducing losses and improving transmission efficiency during long-distance transmission;
System isolation: insulation isolation between different voltage systems to ensure grid stability;
Load regulation: voltage regulation under different load conditions is achieved through taps;
Heat management: internal transformer oil absorbs heat and dissipates heat to ensure that the equipment is not damaged by temperature rise;
Fault protection: with gas relays and pressure release devices, it has a certain self-protection capability;

Main application areas of oil immersed transformers
Oil-immersed transformers are suitable for various types of medium and high voltage transmission and distribution systems, and their wide application areas include:
Urban power grids/urban and rural distribution stations
Industrial parks and mining power systems
Wind power/photovoltaic power generation boosting systems
Railway traction substations
Large-scale building power supply and distribution
Petrochemical/metallurgical plants
Data centers and large computer rooms
Especially in scenarios with high humidity, severe climate or long-term stable operation, oil-immersed transformers show higher reliability with their excellent insulation strength and thermal stability.
How to use oil immersed transformers?
The use of oil-immersed transformers must follow the following standard procedures:
Site preparation: Ensure that the transformer foundation is solid, waterproof and shockproof;
Lifting and installation: Lift it into place with lifting equipment and use rubber pads to reduce vibration;
Wiring confirmation: High voltage, low voltage and neutral point connections are accurate;
Oil level check: Confirm that the oil level is within the rated range (window mark);
Good ventilation environment: Ensure that there are no obstacles around the radiator;
Pre-power supply voltage test: Ensure that the insulation performance meets the standards;
Regular inspections: Regularly check the oil temperature, oil level, sound changes, etc. during operation;
Comparative analysis of oil immersed transformers and other types of transformers
The common comparison object is dry-type transformers. The following table summarizes the main differences between the two:
| project | Oil immersed transformer | Dry type transformer |
| Cooling method | Insulating oil cooling (ONAN/ONAF, etc.) | Natural air cooling or air cooling |
| Insulation medium | Insulating oil | Epoxy resin, polyester film, etc. |
| Installation Environment | Outdoor/Indoor | Mostly used indoors/cable rooms |
| Size Volume | Generally larger | Compact structure |
| Noise Level | middle | Relatively lower |
| Maintenance requirements | Oil quality and oil level need to be checked regularly | Less maintenance |
| cost | Relatively low cost | Slightly higher cost |
| Moisture resistance | Extremely strong, suitable for high humidity environments | Generally, not suitable for extremely hot and humid places |
| life | ≥25 years (well maintained) | ≥20 years (depending on working conditions) |
Note: Oil-immersed transformers are more suitable for medium and high voltage, large capacity, complex environmental conditions or outdoor use, while dry-type transformers are suitable for building interiors, small power requirements or limited space areas.
Precautions for using oil immersed transformers
In order to ensure the safe, stable and efficient operation of oil-immersed transformers, special attention should be paid to the following points during use:
Fire safety: Although oil has a cooling effect, it is also a flammable material and should be arranged in firewalls and explosion-proof areas;
Regularly test oil quality: Water content, conductivity, and dielectric strength are key indicators of oil performance;
Anti-leakage: Check whether there is oil leakage at flanges, oil pipes, and radiator joints;
Good installation grounding: Avoid equipment failure caused by induced voltage accumulation;
Operation sound observation: Abnormal noise may indicate inter-turn short circuit or magnetostriction problems;
Complete high-voltage side protection: Lightning arrester, overcurrent protection, gas relay and other protection devices should be configured;
Pay attention to anti-tilting and anti-vibration during transportation: Avoid oil shaking causing internal components to loosen;
Conclusion
Oil immersed transformers have long dominated the power transmission and distribution system with their excellent insulation and cooling performance. Its various cooling methods and structures are suitable for engineering scenarios with different capacities and working conditions, and are especially suitable for outdoor, high temperature, high humidity, and high load fields that require high environmental tolerance.
Compared with dry-type transformers, oil-immersed equipment has obvious advantages in reliability, maintenance flexibility, cost control, and high-power adaptability. During the selection and use process, paying attention to cooling configuration, oil management, and safety protection will significantly extend the life of the equipment and operating efficiency.