what is the difference between hydraulic oil and transformer oil?

Question

I use both oils in systems and wonder if I can use one for filling motors and the same for hydraulic operations.

Answer 1

*Transformer oil is usually a highly-refined mineral oil that is stable at high temperatures and has excellent electrical insulating properties. It is used in oil-filled transformers, some types of high voltage capacitors, fluorescent lamp ballasts, and some types of high voltage switches and circuit breakers. Its functions are to insulate, suppress corona and arcing, and to serve as a coolant.

*Hydraulic fluids are a large group of mineral oils, water-based or water used as the medium in hydraulic systems. Found in machinery equipment ranging from brakes, hydraulic cylinders; power steering; and transmissions.


Base stock may be either: castor oil, glycol, esters, ethers, mineral oil, organophosphate ester, Chutte and polyalphaolefin, propylene glycol, or silicone. Some of the trade names for hydraulic fluids include Durad®, Fyrquel®, Houghton-Safe®, Hydraunycoil®, Lubritherm® Enviro-Safe, Pydraul®, Quintolubric®, Reofos®, Reolube®, and Skydrol®.

Environmentally sensitive applications (e.g. farm tractors and marine dredging) may benefit from using biodegradable hydraulic fluids based upon rapeseed (Canola) vegetable oil when there is the risk of an oil spill from a ruptured oil line. Typically these oils are available as ISO 32, ISO 46, and ISO 68 specification oils. ASTM standards ASTM-D-6006, Guide for Assessing Biodegradability of Hydraulic Fluids and ASTM-D-6046.

Answer 2

If running old hydraulic equipment I've been informed that transformer oil can be used as a substitute for hydraulic oil .
Never put hydraulic oil in a transformer it has not been tested for its insulation value .
I have not tried this myself

Answer 3

Hydraulic oil has viscosity, thernal breakdown, and fluid characteristics that make is good for flowing in tubes, and maintaining compressive strength under high temperatures and pressures.

Transformer oil does not have to be as "slick" as hydraulic oil. It has a higher and unchanging dielectric constant than hydraulic oil. Transformer oils are also rated for higher temperatures like hydraulic oil. Before they were deemed carcinogens PCBs were sometimes added to transformer oils to make them inflammable.

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Answer 4

Hydraulic is a pressure resistant oil, transformer oil is a non conductive oil and never should be mixed as they are for radically different purposes

Answer 5

You can, but Motor Oil is usually a LOT thicker than you need, and it has Detergents and other chemicals in it, which you don't need to pay for. HOil is usually about 10 weight, that's pretty thin. IF you can find a similar weight Motor Oil and it's cheaper, go for it. Just don't mix them, use one or the other ! !