Articles
POWER TRANSFORMER - TIPS TO ASCERTAIN SHORT CIRCUIT CAPABILITY
Comparison of proposed design drawings parameters with already successfully tested transformer use of already short circuit successfully tested components for example OLTC, Tap Switch, Bushings etc.
As far as possible tightness of coils use of winding copper of required hardness taking into account its wind ability critical check of winding resistance at different stages to ensure strong joints and no looseness flexibility in leads so these do not break due to jerks experienced during short circuits.
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Matching electrical centres of HV and LV coils best possible ampere turn balancing of HV and LV windings at, and minimum tap positions, with special attention for integral tab coils and course fine tap coils arrangements. Use of Glued CTC in large Power Transformers especially for LV winding.
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As far as possible use of fibreglass cylinders or SRBP cylinders on which coil is to be found taking into account its electrical strength.
Use of additional spacers, locked by intermediate blocks in LV coils.
Also, use Diamond paper below the spacer strips to award paper insulation damage on the S-band 0utermost coils shall have keyed blocks for proper processing and pressing of all the coils.
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Use of wooden wedges if the gap is observed below the top yoke additional Perma wood segments of suitable thickness above Perma wood rings on HV as well as LV side below pressing bolts to suit on assembly.
Use of thick winding conductor, taking into account Eddy losses, gradient etc.
Use of Perma wood block arrangement in outer Coil Centre gap over pressboard segment cylinder arrangement.
The tensile strength of vertical tie rods & flitch plates and dimensions shall be checked critically. High tensile Steel shall be preferred.
Current density should be optimum for windings taking into account loss figures.
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CTC epoxy-bonded conductor instead of strip conductor greatly enhances the resistance of the winding against buckling and tilting because of the bonding effect between strands due to epoxy coating.
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High-grade proof stress copper for windings instead of normal copper shall be used.
A separately placed tapping coil is always preferable from the point of view of short circuit forces.
A study on service conditions, installation and environmental conditions is required from the point of view of short circuit duty at the site.
A higher value of impedances is recommended in the Transformers to enhance short circuit capability.
Taps on more than one winding shall be avoided. It is preferable to avoid split winding.
Stabilization of windings and tight tolerances concerning winding dimensions with proper clamping forces and proper values of prestressing is absolutely necessary to obtain dimensional stability.
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Ensure the tightness of conductors in radial & axial dimensions.
Winding leads and connections to bushings and tap changers should be properly secured. Use of Preshrunk and oil-impregnated insulating components.
Placement of tight-fitting wooden blocks on the core in close contact with the insulating cylinders and radially in line with the axial spaces.
Vapour phase drying for better dimensional control.
Burr-free edges round off strips and clacks for eliminating biting off the paper.
The winding screws & nuts must be properly tightened after oil impregnation.
Anchoring of leads, especially of tap coils.
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Special care of Conductors at Cross overs & Transpositions.
Power transformer - Important aspects for its trouble-free operation
Power transformer - Important aspects for its trouble-free operation
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This is simple static equipment in the electrical network but always faces a new problem during its operation in the field. As such right from Design to commissioning and maintenance, a number of important aspects shall be taken care of to ensure uninterrupted power supply from a power transformer.
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During the Design stage - flux density, current density, electrical gaps, insulation design and Ampere Turn Balancing with cooling calculations play a vital role. These shall be taken due care of. Components and Materials for example burr free laminations, Sharp edge-free conductors; processed insulating materials, correct ratings of bushings, and tap changers should be chosen.
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Critical stage inspection during the manufacturing of core, coils, and processing shall be performed. Coils Tightness maintaining axial and radial gaps as per design shall be adhered to. Conductors' transpositions shall be critically examined. High Flux zones shall be properly shielded. It shall be assured that electrically no floating point is left out.
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Final tests shall be performed very seriously and the report shall be examined critically to ensure Transformer healthiness before dispatch.
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Application engineers should be very vigilant during side activities - storage, erection, physical checks, low voltage tests, Earthing, etc. during commissioning and maintenance. From time to time DGA shall be done to find out if there are any abnormal activities are taking place inside the Transformer tank. Special attention shall be given to tap changers, bushings, and tertiary winding as these are the main source of Transformer failures. Proper functioning of various protections for example - Buchholz relay, oil surge Relay, pressure relief valve, oil and winding temperature indicators, magnetic oil gauge along with REF, Differential, Over fluxing, overload relay, and circuit breakers, etc. shall be checked periodically.
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Taking care of the above aspects shall help us in trouble-free operation of a Power transformer.
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