Fluids, liquids or gases, that are used in electrical equipment serve three essential purposes. These fluids must provide adequate insulation, efficiently transfer heat from the source to the atmosphere and quench arcs that may develop in the equipment. To meet these requirements the selected fluid must consist of non-polar molecules that are chemically stable. Viscosity, specific heat and thermal conductivity are properties that must also be considered when evaluating the ability of the fluid to conduct heat. Several liquids and gases that possess these attributes have been used as dielectric materials in electrical equipment. These liquids, such as mineral oil, are produced from natural sources or are chemically synthesized. Silicone dielectric fluids and perchlorethylene are examples of synthetic products.
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