Life of a transformer

Matz Ohlen, Joakim Skoldin, Peter Werelius

(and The Beatles)

1
The Power Transformer

The AC-transformer was invented in Hungary
1885 by Ottó Bláthy

Main purpose is to reduce power loss in
electrical transmission
• High voltage – Low losses
• Low voltage – Easy to handle in human
environment
• “Electrical gear box” - From high voltage and
low current to low voltage and high current or
opposite direction

High efficiency >99%

High reliability – Expected lifetime 30-? years

2
Planning for a new baby…
0 30

Should we really…

Specification
• Boy/girl
• Brown/blue eyes
• Dark/blonde hair
• ...

Lots of preparation...

3
Transformer specification
0 30

Voltage, kV
Impedance and losses

Current, A
Noise level

Power, MVA
Space limitations

1 x 3-phase or 3 x 1-phase
Frequency, 16 2/3, 50 or

2-w or 3-w 60 Hz

Configuration (Ynyn, Dyn11,
Voltage regulation –
Yzn1…?) LTC/DETC

Cooling
...

4
Conception... (no picture)

1983-04-12

0 3
0

5
Manufacturing
0 30

Steel (tank and core)

Copper (windings and
connection leads)

Cellulose (paper,
pressboard, wood)

Oil

Misc…

6
Delivery!
0 30

7
The Long and Winding Road
0 30

Railway

Boat

Truck

...

8
 A Day in the Life
0 30

In service! 20000

18000

16000

14000

12000

MWh 10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Time of day

9
Magical Mystery Tour
0 30

10
We Can Work It Out
0 30

11
 With a Little Help from My Friends
0 30

Upgrade/repair/rewind

12
Dr Robert
0 30

What can you take?

 Loading
 Temperature
 Stress

13
When I’m 64
0 30

Retirement!
 Low load
 Low temperature
 Stable conditions…

14
The End
0 30

Scrapping
 Cost
 Value
 Net…?

15
The doctor is in...

16