e le ct rical-e ngine e ring-po rt al.co m http://electrical-engineering-po rtal.co m/an-o verview-o f-large-po wer-transfo rmer-lpt?

utm_so urce=Technical+Articles&utm_campaign=4065b88b87RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ae069f0d91-4065b88b87-320808457

An overview of Large Power Transformer LPT (Characteristics, Costs and Pricing)

Edvard

An o ve rvie w o f Larg e Po we r Trans fo rme r - p hys ic al c harac te ris tic s , c o s ts and p ric ing (p ho to c o urte s y o f the ABB Fac e b o o k Pag e - d e p ic ts an ABB e ng ine e r wo rking ato p an ABB Trans fo rme r)

Tailored to customers specif ications

An LPT (Large Power Transformer) is a large, custom-built piece of equipment that is a critical component of the bulk transmission grid. Because LPTs are very expensive and tailored to customers specif ications, they are usually neither interchangeable with each other nor produced f or extensive spare inventories. According to an industry source, approximately 1.3 transformers are produced f or each transf ormer design. Figure 1 illustrates a standard core-type LPT and its major internal components. Although LPTs come in a wide variety of sizes and conf igurations, they consist of two main active parts: 1. The core, which is made of high-permeability, grain-oriented, silicon electrical steel, layered in pieces; and 2. Windings, which are made of copper conductors wound around the core, providing electrical input and output. Two basic conf igurations of core and windings exist: the core f orm and the shell f orm.

In the usual shell-type power transf ormer, both primary and secondary are on one leg and are surrounded by the core, whereas in a core-type power transf ormer, cylindrical windings cover the core legs. Shell f orm LPTs typically use more electrical steel f or the core and are more resilient to shortcircuit in the transmission systems and are f requently used in industrial applications.

Fig ure 1 - The ABB' s Trafo Star d e s ig n us e d fo r c o re typ e trans fo rme rs has a c irc ular s hap e d c o re limb , s urro und e d b y c o nc e ntric ally arrang e d , c ylind e r s hap e d wind ing s .

T he core and windings are contained in a rectangular, mechanical frame called the tank. Other parts include transf ormer bushings, which connect LPTs to transmission lines, as well as tap changers, power cable connectors, gas-operated relays, thermometers, relief devices, dehydrating breathers, oil level indicators, and other controls. Power transf ormer costs and pricing vary by manuf acturer, by market condition, and by location of the manuf acturing f acility. In 2010, the approximate cost of an LPT with an MVA rating between 75 MVA and 500 MVA was estimated to range f rom $2 to $7.5 million in the United States. However, these estimates were Free on Board (FOB) factory costs, exclusive of transportation, installation, and other associated expenses, which generally add 25 to 30 percent to the total cost (see Table 1 below). Raw materials, particularly copper and electrical steel, are a signif icant f actor in power transf ormer prices. Transportation is also an important element of the total LPT cost, because an LPT can weigh as much as 410 tons (820,000 lb) and of ten requires long-distance transport.

Tab le 1 - Es timate d Mag nitud e o f Larg e Po we r Trans fo rme rs in 2011

Note: Prices are FOB f actory and do not include taxes, transportation, special f eatures and accessories, special testing (short-circuit, etc.), insulating oil, f ield installation, and/or optional services. T he total installed cost is estimated to be about 2530 percent higher. Source: NERC Special Report: Spare Equipment Database System, 2011 LPTs require substantial capital and a long-lead time (in excess of six months) to manuf acture, and its production requires large crane capacities, ample f loor space, and adequate testing and drying equipment.

Large Power t ransf ormers and shunt react ors (VIDEO)

Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube. *|YOUT UBE:d0BmOaOP7JU|* Reference: Large power transformers and the U.S. Electric Grid Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability U.S. Department of Energy