Dust Mite

This is a mite body found in an oil sample from a sub-station transformer. This is a contaminant in the oil but it was not known when it entered the transformer. It may have entered the transformer during assembly or as a contaminant in the oil added to the transformer. It may have entered the transformer through an unfiltered vent path. The mouth parts of the mite are to the right. Five of its legs can be seen here.