Power and Distribution Transformers

Practical Design Guide

K.R.M. Nair

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781000342369
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This book is based on the author's 50+ years experience in the power and distribution transformer industry. The first few chapters of the book provide a step-by-step procedures of transformer design. Engineers without prior knowledge or exposure to design can follow the procedures and calculation methods to acquire reasonable proficiency necessary to designing a transformer.

Although the transformer is a mature product, engineers working in the industry need to understand its fundamentals oand design to enable them to offer products to meet the challenging demands of the power system and the customer. This book can function as a useful guide for practicing engineers to undertake new designs, cost optimization, design automation etc., without the need for external help or consultancy.

The book extensively covers the design processes with necessary data and calculations from a wide variety of transformers, including dry-type cast resin transformers, amorphous core transformers, earthing transformers, rectifier transformers, auto transformers, transformers for explosive atmospheres, and solid-state transformers. The other subjects covered include, carbon footprint salculation of transformers, condition monitoring of transformers and design optimization techniques.

In addition to being useful for the transformer industry, this book can serve as a reference for power utility engineers, consultants, research scholars, and teaching faculty at universities.

1 Transformer Design

1.1 Introduction

Equipment employing electrical energy has been and would continue to be used increasingly for the improvement of human convenience, comfort and productivity. Transformer is a vital link in the power system, which brings the electrical energy to the user for the consumption. Several millions of transformers are in operation around the world supplying power to a multitude of applications. The power capacity of these units ranges from very large ultrahigh-voltage units weighing several hundred tons to tiny microtransformers in electronic circuits, which are produced by lithographic process and weighing milligrams.

The demand for transformers increases continuously consequent to urbanization, population growth, industrialization of emerging economies, replacement of the ageing units from the existing system, etc.

Though the transformer is a mature product existing for more than 130 years, its basic structure and principle remain unchanged. By using the improved materials and technology for design, processing, production, operation and maintenance, the efficiency and sophistication of the product are continuously improving.

1.2 Definition of Transformer

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines the transformer as:

A static piece of apparatus with two or more windings which by electromagnetic induction transform a system of alternating voltage and current into another system of voltage and current, usually of different values and at the same frequency for the purpose of transmitting electric power.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines the transformer as

A static electric device consisting of two or more windings with or without a magnetic core for producing mutual coupling between electric circuits.

The transformer essentially consists of a conducting system to carry the current, an insulation system to isolate the turns and windings between them and with others, a magnetic system to boost up the flux and the associated components and parts to enable efficient, reliable and optimum power transfer. The conducting system and the magnetic system produce heat when the power transfer process takes place, and the heat generated needs to be transferred effectively so that the systems, materials and components, especially the insulation, function without loss of property for the entire lifetime of the equipment.

1.3 Design Objectives

The transformer design is expected to meet the ever-evolving demands from the different stakeholders including the customers, regulating authorities, society and industry. The designer of the product needs to be equipped to select the optimum from among different and, at times, conflicting alternatives. These objectives include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design the transformer by selecting the most suitable materials to reduce the cost of the product
• Optimize the lifetime owning cost of the product
• Design environmental-friendly and safe product
• Develop product suitable to meet the evolving requirement of the grid and customer
• Adapt new technologies and offer continuous improvements

The engineers working in the transformer industry need to be conversant with the design principles and fundamental concepts to equip themselves to produce efficient and reliable transformers and strive to develop new products an...