Unlocked by Ergon: Insulating liquids test – lesson #7: Moisture, water, methods significance, and compatibility

This lesson goes beyond ppm values and laboratory reports. It explains why moisture is a dynamic system phenomenon, not a static property, and why single measurements often mislead. Participants will explore how water migrates between oil and paper with temperature and load, why the same ppm value can represent very different risks, and why trending over time is more meaningful than any isolated result.

The session provides a structured comparison of moisture assessment methods, including Karl Fischer titration (the laboratory gold standard), IEC 60814 and ASTM D1533, online capacitive sensors, spectroscopic techniques, and DFR analysis for assessing moisture in paper insulation. Special attention is given to the critical distinction between water content (ppm) and water activity or relative saturation (RS%), and why breakdown voltage correlates with RS rather than ppm.

The lesson concludes with practical guidance on selecting the right method for the right purpose, interpreting results in context, and combining laboratory tests, online monitoring, and electrical diagnostics into a coherent moisture management strategy.

Content of this lesson is fully vendor agnostic, but it is sponsored by Ergon!