4 Factors Affecting the Lifespan of a Transformer
In an electricity-centric world, long-lasting power transformers are more important than ever. Transformers help transfer electricity from generating stations to load centers by regulating electrical energy fluctuations. While the average transformer life expectancy is typically twenty to thirty years, how long a transformer lasts and how efficiently it runs can...
Switchboard Maintenance
Switchboards are assemblies of electrical components, such as fuses, circuit breakers, switches, residual current devices, and meters. Together, these parts allow safe and efficient electricity distribution in required sections of the electric system. If any component malfunctions, this can compromise the overall functionality of a switchboard. Therefore, To ensure switchboards...
How to Test a Transformer
There are various power transformer tests to ensure they function properly and safely while adhering to certain performance standards. These tests include Factory Acceptance, Commissioning, Routine Maintenance, and Diagnostic tests, performed at different stages of the transformer’s lifecycle. Three primary tests, namely the Open-Circuit, Short-Circuit, and Winding Resistance Measurement tests,...
The Role of Transformers in Renewable Energy
Countries are expected to significantly increase their installed capacities of variable renewable energy (VRE) resources in the coming years to accomplish their ambitious net-zero objectives. However, such an exponential growth in capacity needs to be facilitated by developing transformers, reactors, substations, and other transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure. Transformers play...
Switchgear and Switchboards: Construction, Applications, and Financial Considerations
Switchboards are usually designed with metering devices, overcurrent protection equipment, and other accessories in grouped segments to avoid isolation. Constructing switchboards in individual/isolated sections like switchgears is possible, but such construction is rare. In this article, we will discuss switchboards based on group-mounted devices. Switchboards can be equipped with both...
Switchgear and Switchboards: Definitions and Standards
Switchboards and switchgear are distribution equipment, serve as service entry equipment, and contain overcurrent protection devices. However, they have very important differences that not many are aware of. By the end of this article, an electrical engineer should be able to answer two important questions: “What is the difference between...
What are Electrical Transformers?
Transformers are static electromagnetic devices that can change electrical signals’ voltage and current magnitudes without changing the signal power and frequency. Transformers are used to improve the safety and efficiency of electric power systems by decreasing or increasing the voltage of the signal to desired levels. This article discusses the...
What is the DOE 2016 Efficiency Standard?
Distribution transformers are vital in our daily lives because they perform the final voltage transformation action within the electric power distribution system. This transformation allows the power to be delivered to customers at a lower voltage level fit for residential, commercial, and industrial consumption. One of the most important parameters...
Maintenance of Oil-Filled Transformers – Ultimate Guide
Oil-filled transformers, also known as oil-immersed and liquid-type transformers, are power transformers housed in oil-filled welded steel tanks with their coils submerged in mineral oil. The transformer generates heat in its coils and iron core when it is in use. This heat is transferred from the insulating oil to the...
UL Requirements for Pad-Mounted Distribution Transformers
A pad-mounted transformer is an electrical transformer installed on a concrete pad at ground level. It is used to step down high-voltage electrical power to a lower voltage level appropriate for homes and businesses. The pad-mounted transformer is typically sealed in a weather-resistant metal enclosure to protect it from the...
Switchboards in Solar PV Systems
Introduction to Solar PV Systems Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are an innovative technology that plays a vital role in the transition toward sustainable energy production. These systems operate by harnessing the energy from the sun and converting it into electricity through photovoltaic cells, which are made of semiconductor materials. When...
Power Transformer Components
A power transformer alters an electrical power signal’s voltage and current characteristics to facilitate its flow in circuits with different power considerations and ratings. Like all other transformers, power transformers are considered static electrical machines due to the absence of moving parts. Tap-changers and protective valves do move, but not...
What is a Transformer Vector Group?
AC voltage is applied to the transformer’s primary coil, causing a current to flow through it. This coil is wound around an iron core, which provides a path for the flow of a changing magnetic flux. The changing magnetic flux induces a voltage on a secondary coil wound around the...
Introduction to Transformer Losses
Transformers are essential electric devices because they play a vital role in performing different functions in power systems. However, they are not perfect, and they exhibit certain types of power losses that must be considered within the expected outcomes of their operation. These power losses cause the transformer device to...
Harmonics in Transformers 101
AC power is the backbone of modern-day power systems. It is more economical and easier to manage than DC power. Ideally, the AC current and AC voltage waveforms are perfectly sinusoidal, predictable, and have a constant frequency and amplitude. However, the popularity of electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, etc.) in today’s...
Choosing the correct K rated Transformer for your Solar System
The world is increasingly installing solar systems to meet the everyday power demands of modern-day civilization. However, these systems produce electrical energy in the Direct Current form, which needs to be converted to the Alternating Current form before being supplied to consumers through transmission networks. This is done through inverters...
Application and Purpose of Grounding Transformer
Why are grounding transformers needed? It is very important to properly ground different power system components because doing so improves their availability, basic insulation level, overvoltage tolerance, and short circuit withstand capabilities. However, certain parts of the system may not have the required neutral connection for grounding and thus require...
Why should you consider the FR3 Fluid for your Transformers?
The answer is simple – you should consider the FR3 fluid for your Transformers to get better and more reliable performance than mineral oil-filled transformers. Transformers are a crucial element of power systems. Historically, they have used mineral oil to insulate and cool down. However, mineral oil’s toxic and non-renewable...
How to Differentiate between Power Transformers and Distribution Transformers
Are you a professional engineer looking to set up a power system and need to evaluate the transformers you need? Are you eager to know the critical differences between power and distribution transformers? Then keep on reading this article as we walk you through the stark differences between power and...
How does Quality Assurance Impact the Transformer’s Cost?
A company builds its reputation through the quality of its product, which can be assured by implementing extensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control strategies. This is true for anyone looking to establish a successful transformer manufacturing company because transformer quality can make or break an electrical system. For this reason,...
Transformer Electrostatic Shielding
Overview Harmonics and transient noise were originally present in only the electronics industry. As the penetration of electronic devices increased in every household, these problems also began to emerge in the power sector. The wide network of the power system meant that a significant load could be instantaneously disconnected from...
Medium Voltage Transformer Testing
Introduction Electrical transformers have continuously evolved since the advent of modern electrical systems. Therefore, the required conditions and standards for designing, testing, and operating transformers have also had to be updated. The IEEE Transformers Committee has defined the modern types and procedures of transformer tests. The standards this committee sets...
Low-Voltage Dry-Type Transformer Conductors: Aluminum vs. Copper.
COPPER VS. ALUMINUM The windings of a Low-Voltage, Dry-Type Transformer can be made from copper or aluminum. Like other power transformers, Dry-Type Transformers typically have two windings — a primary winding to draw power from a source and a secondary winding that feeds the same power to a connected load....
ANSI Transformer Standards for Lead Identification
To eliminate confusion about how to connect transformers, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established standards for marking the connections to transformer coils. The transformer coils are usually called windings, and the wires that connect to the windings are called the leads. Transformer H and X lead identification ANSI...
Transformer Lead Times for Solar Projects
Transformers are critical in designing many large solar PV systems, whether stepping up the voltage to connect to a transmission grid or stepping it down for on-site use. However, they typically have the longest lead times for the delivery of any component in the system; thus, extra consideration must be...
Factors to Consider when Selecting an Electric Transformer
An electric transformer is a device that transmits electrical energy across circuits. Different industries utilize them for various purposes. They usually employ them to step up or down (step down) the voltage strength of an electric current. For example, lowering the voltage of a normal power circuit to run low-voltage...
