Spatially resolved and temporally integrated vacuum ultraviolet laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (VUV LIBS) was used for contaminant analysis in thermally aged oil impregnated pressboard (OIP) insulation material taken from high voltage transformers. The signature of copper sulphide contamination was obtained through detection of copper and sulphur emission lines. The plasma emission also contained highly ionized oxygen and carbon emission lines. In contrast to the UV-VIS spectral region, sulphur emission lines were found to be strong in the VUV region. The concentration of sulphur was found to increase with the duration of ageing of the OIP material. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.