FR3 Dielectric Oil
Vegetable-Based
Superior protection, exceptional performance and ecological commitment for your electrical transformers.
Transformer Oil Solutions
We offer the best brands on the market with the highest quality and immediate availability.
Cargill FR3
Vegetable Oil
Non-flammable oil that provides longer transformer lifespan and requires less maintenance. World leader with over 3 million units installed.
Repsol
Mineral Oil
Complies with international standards IEC 60296 and ASTM D3487. Verified and widely used by electric utilities and transformer manufacturers worldwide.
Prolec VG100
Vegetable Oil
Same functions as FR3: non-flammable, longer lifespan, and fireproof against overvoltage and overload incidents in the power grid.
FR3 Oil for Transformers
Transformer oil is a mineral-based lubricant that, due to its chemical characteristics, is ideal for electrical transmission and insulation.
It also helps cool the transformer. However, over time and with use, oil changes must be performed as part of preventive maintenance to avoid costly damage.
As hours of use accumulate, the oil loses some of its insulation and cooling properties, making proper maintenance essential.
Total cost of ownership savings
More load capacity than mineral oil
Longer insulation lifespan
Flash & fire points vs mineral oil
Fires reported with FR3
Less CO₂ emissions than mineral oil
Reliable and ecological energy with Cargill's formula
Dielectric oil is a mineral-based lubricant ideal for electrical transmission and insulation. It also helps cool the transformer.
With proper transformer maintenance, decomposition is minimal. Oxidation of dielectric oil is an acid that forms when the lubricant contacts oxygen, creating sludge that prevents proper heat dissipation.
The transformer that runs on biodegradable oil not only sets standards in terms of technical progress and performance, but also for the protection of humans and the environment.
Exclusive Cargill Oil Distributors in Mexico
Worldwide, electric utilities continuously seek safer and more efficient ways to provide electricity while reducing environmental impact. In 1998, Cargill introduced Envirotemp™ FR3™, a soy-based transformer oil that revolutionized the industry.
Why Choose FR3 Oil?
The most advanced vegetable dielectric oil on the market
+20% Additional Power
FR3 allows the transformer to deliver at least 20% more Additional Nominal Power (KVA) without reducing its lifespan.
50% Longer Lifespan
Transformer lifespan with FR3 increases by at least 50%.
Non-Flammable
Maximum safety and enormous economic savings. FR3 is a non-flammable fluid with zero reported fires.
3M+ Transformers
Over 3 million transformers with FR3 operate perfectly worldwide. Zero transformer fires.
100% Biodegradable
In case of spill, FR3 is 100% biodegradable within no more than 10 days.
800% More Insulation
Transformer insulation lifespan with FR3 increases by at least 800%.
CFE Approved
FR3 includes LAPEM certification from CFE. Guaranteed certification.
Best Price
FR3 is the vegetable dielectric oil with the best market price and immediate delivery available.
Mineral Oil Disadvantages
Fire risk: flash point less than 40°C above the operating temperature limit
Low degree of biodegradation
Low moisture saturation that reduces dielectric capacity
Oxidation leads to sludge formation and paper degradation
Available Products
Extensive inventory of dielectric oils for transformers with immediate delivery
| Product | Description | Brand | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT070004 | Non-Flammable Vegetable Oil, 208 L Drum | TP1-DVO | 19 units | Request Quote |
| CT070006L | Dielectric Oil for Transformer, LT | MEX-LUB | 579 units | Request Quote |
| CT070009 | FR3 Vegetable Dielectric Oil, 1249 L Tote, Non-Flammable | CARGILL | 2 units | Request Quote |
| CT070010 | FR3 Vegetable Dielectric Oil, 208 L Drum, Non-Flammable | CARGILL | 1 units | Request Quote |
| CT070012L | VG-100 Vegetable Dielectric Oil, LT, Non-Flammable | PROLEC | 5200 units | Request Quote |
| CT070015 | Dielectric Oil for Transformer, 200 L Drum | ROUX | 15 units | Request Quote |
Why is transformer maintenance necessary?
The need for preventive maintenance in electrical installations multiplies based on the damage that an unexpected shutdown could cause.
Basic Pre-Maintenance Standards
- 1
Schedule the transformer shutdown and disconnection in advance
- 2
Gather technical information about the transformer
- 3
Review protocol and required safety equipment
- 4
Select the necessary maintenance personnel
Maintenance Tasks
Disconnect equipment from the grid with safety measures
Check the over-temperature safety system
Review overcurrent and ground fault systems
Check oil level and possible leaks
Dielectric Strength Test of the oil
Review, clean and adjust electrical connections
Check and clean insulators
Clean and paint the chassis and external elements
Insulating Oil Analysis
Preventive maintenance must include oil analysis through tests that determine its functional state.
Dielectric Strength
Verification of the oil's insulating capacity
Dissolved Water
Measured in PPM, direct effect on dielectric strength
Neutralization/Acidity
Acid level control as an oxidation reference
Dissolved Gases
Generated by aging and possible internal discharges
Dissolved Particles
Contamination from all types of dirt
Surface Tension
Physical value of the oil, related to viscosity
FR3 Oil Applications
Proven solutions for every sector of the electrical industry
Transmission & Distribution
FR3 is successfully used in power generation and distribution transformers of all voltage classes. Compared to mineral oil, FR3 delivers superior performance and measurable cost efficiencies.
Solar Power
FR3 is used in land-based and floating solar plants across the globe. Solar farm transformers with FR3 enjoy higher flexible loading capacity and minimal maintenance.
Wind Power
Using FR3 in wind turbine transformers for both onshore and offshore applications easily meets the criteria for compact, lightweight and low-maintenance performance.
Retrofilling
FR3-filled transformers extend paper insulation life up to 8X longer than mineral oil equivalents, and improve fire safety with a fire point more than 2X higher.
Everything You Need to Know About FR3 Oil
We answer the most common questions about Cargill's FR3 vegetable dielectric oil
FR3 is a natural ester dielectric fluid manufactured by Cargill from soybean oil. It is designed to insulate and cool electrical transformers, offering significant advantages over traditional mineral oil in safety, performance, and environmental sustainability.
Yes, any transformer currently using mineral oil can be retrofilled with FR3. Doing so extends paper insulation life up to 8X and significantly improves fire safety. The process is straightforward and RTE de México provides complete advisory.
No. FR3 is classified as a non-flammable fluid (Class K per IEC 61100). Its flash point exceeds 300°C, more than double that of mineral oil (~145°C). In over 3 million installations worldwide, zero fires have been reported with FR3.
A transformer with FR3 can have insulation lifespan up to 8 times longer than with mineral oil. Additionally, overall transformer lifespan increases by at least 50%. This translates to significant savings in replacement and maintenance costs.
Yes, FR3 is 100% biodegradable. In case of a spill, it degrades completely within no more than 10 days. It also generates 56 times less CO₂ emissions than mineral oil, making it an environmentally responsible choice.
FR3 has LAPEM approval from CFE (Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission), complies with international IEC and ASTM standards, and has been validated by numerous research organizations and universities. It is the most proven and widely used natural ester in the world.
Transformers with FR3 can operate up to 20°C warmer than mineral oil equivalents, enabling additional loading capacity of up to 20% or more. When the transformer is specifically designed for FR3, this capacity can be even higher.
FR3 is the vegetable dielectric oil with the best market price. Although the initial investment may be slightly higher than mineral oil, the total cost of ownership savings can reach up to 80% considering less maintenance, longer lifespan, and lower fire risk. Contact us for a personalized quote.
RTE de México is the Master Distributor of Cargill FR3 in Mexico. We have inventory available for immediate delivery nationwide. You can contact us via WhatsApp at +52 (81) 4170 0269 or request a quote directly on our website.
FR3 is compatible with mineral oil and can be mixed during the retrofilling process. However, to obtain all of FR3's benefits, it is recommended to replace as much mineral oil as possible. Our technical team can advise you on the optimal process for your specific case.
Ready to protect your transformers?
Get a quote today and receive personalized advice from our experts. Immediate delivery throughout Mexico.