Important factors that determine Power transformers

A transformer is an electrical device designed to transfer alternating current or voltage from one electric circuit to another by means of electromagnetic induction. It is designed based on step up and step down voltages. To select the right transformer you should remember certain things like the primary voltage and secondary voltage that is required, the capacity that is required in volt amperes. Other things include seismic requirement, impedance, secondary voltage or delta-wye, location and space requirement, case style etc.

Voltage is different in every country like in U.S.A and Canada it runs on 110/120 and rest of the world runs on 220/240 and industrial plant may use 440 to 480. Most utilities will provide a customer with one service or electrical system. You may wonder why anyone would need a transformer. Let’s say a new industrial plat comes in town. They have many motors in use at their company so they requested a 480Y/277 volts three phase system. This takes care of their motor load at 480 volts and their office and plant lighting loads at 277 volts. However to operate their office machinery and incandescent lighting they require 120 volts. They also have some small horsepower motors they want to operate at 208 volts. Since the utility will only provide them with 480Y/277 volt three phase system, they require a transformer to provide the rest of there needs. A buck boost transformer is the ideal solution for changing line voltage by small amounts. Single phase transformer is mostly used in rural areas. These are used in rural areas because the cost of three phase transformer is high and motor loads are small. In shopping centers, factories, large buildings three phase transformers are used. The incoming electric transformers voltage is an important factor. The three important frequencies are 50 Hz, 60 Hz and 400 Hz. 400 Hz is reserved for high-powered applications such as aerospace technologies.

Transformers are highly efficient. A large power transformer has efficiency as high as 99.75% and small transformers have less than 85% efficiency. When you overload a transformer excessive temperature can cause overheating which result in rapid deterioration of the insulation and cause complete failure of the transformer coils. Thermometers are the best way to determine the temperature. Touch is a poor indicator of proper operating temperature for transformers. Properly designed transformers can reach 50 degree Celsius above ambient temperature. In an ambient temperature of 20 degree Celsius, the total temperature can reach 70 degree Celsius, which is too hot to touch.

For harsh environments, whether indoor or outdoor, it’s critical that a transformer’s core/coil, leads, and accessories be adequately protected. Dry-type transformers are available for either indoor or outdoor installation.

Nisha is a Copywriter of electronic transformer. She written many articles in various topics.For more information visit:power transformer. contact she at currenttransformer@gmail.com