How to Increase Efficiency of Step Up/Step Down Transformer?

Step up or step down transformer is an important part of power grid operation, it's of great significance to the stable operation of the power grid. It meets different power demands by adjusting current and voltage. Once a transformer fails, it will cause great losses to the whole power grid, and further affects the normal operation of industrial production. In order to ensure the efficient operation of transformers, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive management of the whole process of installation and application, thus reducing potential safety hazards and improving operational efficiency.

Comprehensive Testing of Step Up or Step Down Transformer before Operation

Before the step up or step down transformer is used, it should be fully tested to ensure the safe and stable operation. The detection of transformer before operation mainly includes the following points.

1. According to the requirements of actual production for transformers and the relevant national standards for transformer operation, the DC resistance and insulation resistance of transformers are tested. They should be tested if they are in the specified range.
2. The safe operation of transformer has clear requirements for grounding, so grounding resistance and neutral grounding at low voltage side should be tested. Moreover, the standardization of shell grounding should be guaranteed. Check whether these grounding points are in accordance with the specifications and ensure the stability of the grounding.
3. Ensure that respirators and explosion-proof tubes are within specified requirements, and check whether damp agent and explosion-proof film can be used properly.
4. Check all the wire connections of the transformer, and guarantee the firmness of wiring and the correctness of phase matching.
5. Check the performance of each sealing device to ensure good tightness, particularly the vent valve , casing pipe and oil cover, prevent the leakage caused by poor sealing.
6. Check whether the oil level in the conservator is consistent with the operating environment.

When checking all the parts, adjust the improper parts if they do not meet the standards. Whereas, when all items meet the standards, it is necessary to check the electromagnetic sound and secondary voltage measurement in the air-drop state to confirm if there is a short circuit, so as to lay a solid foundation for the safe and stable operation of the transformer.

Monitoring the Step Up or Step Down Transformer Operation

Monitoring of Electrical Parameters
Since electrical parameters of step up or step down transformer are a direct reflection of their safe operation and load conditions, so the monitoring of electrical parameters is an important way to ensure efficient operation of transformer. Moreover, the distribution box of transformer should be equipped with voltmeter and ammeter, or be measured by multimeter or clamp ammeter at low-voltage side to monitor electrical parameters, and the specific operation should be carried out in accordance with the corresponding safety regulations. In addition, the monitoring of electrical parameters mainly includes the monitoring of transformer overload and unbalance of three-phase electrical parameters, so as to control the overload time limit within the specifications and balance the three-phase load current in time.

Monitoring of Transformer Oil
The monitoring of transformer oil can be carried out by observing and measuring its oil color and oil level. When the transformer is in normal operation, its oil is transparent and yellowish, and the oil level on the oil level gauge of the oil conservator influenced by the operation temperature of the transformer and the environmental temperature of its operation is consistent with the oil temperature sign. When the oil level is abnormal, transformer operation should be stopped immediately and corresponding measures should be taken. Meanwhile, the color of the desiccant in the respirator should be carefully observed so as to avoid the unreal oil level display resulted from the blockage of the respirator by the desiccant. Moreover, the sealing of the oil conservator should be ensured to avoid moisture entering the transformer, thereby reducing the withstand voltage level of oil and dampening the insulation of the transformer, resulting in short circuit caused by insulation breakdown.

Monitoring of Temperature
Monitoring the temperature of transformer is another important way to ensure the safe operation of step up or step down transformer. Once the temperature of transformer is abnormal, the transformer may be burnt down and the operation of the transformer may be paralyzed, which will cause great losses to production and daily power supply. The monitoring of transformer temperature should focus on two aspects: Overload rise of temperature and abnormal rise of temperature. On the one hand, the oil temperature of transformer should be controlled below 85℃, and the maximum temperature should not exceed 95℃. Otherwise, every increase of 5℃ will double the aging speed of transformer insulation, and the overload operation of transformer will greatly shorten the service life of transformer. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the temperature of transformer and take effective compulsory cooling measures. On the other hand, the abnormal rise of temperature is mainly due to the short circuit between turns or local cores of transformer, as well as the heating of tank covers and oil tanks caused by eddy current or magnetic leakage. When the abnormal rise of transformer temperature is found, the operation should be stopped immediately to find out the causes and take effective measures to remove the abnormal rise of temperature, so as to avoid a series of adverse follow-up reactions caused by the abnormal rise of temperature.

Monitoring of Sound
The safe operation of transformer can be understood timely through the sound condition, and the faults and hidden dangers in the operation of transformer can be effectively judged. However, judging the operation conditions of step up or step down transformer should be done in relatively quiet environment as possible to avoid the influence and misleading of noise around the transformer. In general, the louder noise is due to the excessive load of transformer or the increase of system voltage. At this time, we need to pay more attention to load changes and contact with the power supply department to find out the specific reasons. In addition, the abnormal sound may also be caused by the internal mechanical contact arisen from the loosening of the screw of the transformer core clamp, short circuit between turns in winding and the breakdown of its insulation. At this time, it is necessary to find out specific reasons according to the actual situation and take effective measures to deal with them.

ATO.com provides best step up & step down single phase isolation transformers and three phase isolation transformers to meet your application.