Fundamental of Medium Voltage Transformer

Our article is about the fundamentals of medium voltage Transformers, where we will discuss in detail about what are medium voltage Transformers? What are their major parts? How medium voltage transformers work? Their application, maintenance, and specification requirements for installation.

What is a Medium Voltage Transformer?

As their name implies, a medium voltage transformer is a specific category of Transformers that are designed, developed and used to regulate and control the medium range of voltage of our Electricity Distribution system.

These Transformers operate within the range of about 1 kV to about 69 kV.  It is mostly dependent on the regional level and is highly influenced by the national standards. 

For example, according to the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), transformers that handle the voltage ranging from 2.4 kilo volts to 69 kilovolts are considered as medium voltage Transformers. 

However according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE and International Electrotechnical Commission IEC a medium voltage transformer can have voltage ranging from 5 kV to 35 kV. 

In North America a typical medium voltage transformer  can have a specific voltage of 4.16 kV, 13.8 kV or 34.5 kV. Anything above 35 kV can be considered a High voltage transformer.

These medium voltage Transformers can be either Step Up Transformer or they can be a step down transformer. In their Step Up configuration these medium voltage Transformers take input of a medium voltage and step up it to a high voltage output whereas in their step down configuration these medium voltage Transformers take input of a medium voltage and convert it into a lower voltage output.

Learn more: Step Up Transformer VS Step Down Transformer

Due to these configurations these medium voltage transformers are very widely used in industrial & commercial, and utility applications, where they are known for their safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electricity.

Types of Medium Voltage Transformers

We have discussed very basic types: all can see configurations of medium voltage Transformers above but these Transformers can be divided into further two basic types.

Based on Cooling Method

Based on the cooling method, the medium voltage Transformers can be initially divided into two basic types of Transformers. The one is dry type Transformers and the other is oil type Transformers. 

Dry Type MV Transformers

The dry type MV Transformer usually has a dedicated force convention air based cooling system that consists of a cooling fan that forces the fresh cold air onto the winding of the transformer that removes the excess heat to cool the Transformer winding.

Oil Type MV Transformers

The oil type medium voltage Transformer can have two to three different types of cooling method or mechanism installed for cooling purposes. The mv Transformer can either have an oil natural Air Force cooling system or it can have oil Force Air Force  cooling mechanism. 

In some dedicated applications the medium voltage Transformer can have a heat exchanger that combines with the oil force or natural cooling mechanism to remove waste heat from winding.

Learn more: The Ultimate FAQs Guide To Oil Type Transformer

Based on Application

Based on the application the mv Transformer can be divided into two different categories. The first one is the medium voltage distribution transformer and the second is the medium voltage substation transformer.

Distribution Transformer

A medium voltage distribution transformer usually works between the range of 1 KV to 69 kV. They are used in regional or local distribution centres to safely and efficiently distribute electricity for consumers.

Substation Transformer

Medium voltage transformers are also widely used in substation where they are responsible for regulating electrical volte is of 15 kV 25 kV 35 kV and up to 46 kV. Here they are responsible for the delivering voltages at level at a considered safe for local distribution centres or consumers. 

Applications of Medium Voltage Transformers

Due to such a versatile design and configurations these medium voltage Transformers are widely used in various industries for safe, reliable, and efficient  electricity Transmission.

Industrial application

These medium voltage Transformers or widely used in manufacturing plants where they are used deliver high voltage and current at a steady rate. They are used in all types of manufacturing plants including metal machining metal casting heavy machinery assembly and in automation systems plants.

Commercial Buildings

These medium voltage transformers are also widely used in commercial buildings where there is constant need of Huge electrical power due to electrical machinery like HVAC systems or any other system that utilizes high electrical power. Commercial building these  medium voltage transformers are known for their reliability and safety.

Renewable Energy Systems

These medium voltage transformers are so widely used in Renewable Energy power plants where they are responsible for taking in fluctuating electrical  input in terms of voltage and current. These medium voltage Transformers then stable eyes it and deliver a constant and reliable output. Medium voltage transformers are used in wind power plants, solar power plants, and also in geothermal electricity generating power plants.

Electrical Substations

These medium voltage transformers are a standard part of electrical substation. In electrical substation these medium voltage Transformers take input from the main electricity power generating plant and delivery to local original level distribution centres. The medium voltage Transformer usually steps up or steps down the electrical voltage in this electrical substation.

Key Features and Benefits on Medium Voltage Transformer

Reason why these medium voltage transformers are so widely used in several industries and different applications is that they offer some key features and benefits.  following are some of the Year key feature and benefits

•  The medium voltage transformers offer very high efficiency  in regulating electricity. As all medium Transformers work as a Centre part of Electricity Distribution system where the either Step Up post up down the electric voltage as per requirement. So the higher efficiency improves the overall efficiency of the electricity distribution system and help prevent losses and thus saving a lot of cost in long run
•  Mmedium voltage Transformers also offer reliability in their service this means that the high efficiency and excellent performance which they offer is also very reliable. This means that you can expect very high efficiency and performance and cost saving from the mv transformer throughout their useful life.
• Medium voltage transformers offer safety as their key feature and benefits. This is one of the main reasons why they are widely acceptable in commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, metal machines centres, and all types of other manufacturing and assembly units.
• Recent advancements in the electrical electronic and manufacturing sector, the medium voltage Transformers now can offer a very compact design. This means they need very less space and or easy to move and install. This is one of the reasons they are widely acceptable in Renewable Energy power plants and also in commercial buildings.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Medium Voltage Transformer

If you are in a condition where you need to select a medium voltage Transformer for your specific application, then there are several factors to consider when choosing the medium voltage transformer for your need.

load capacity and power rating

The first thing you need to consider is the medium voltage Transformer specifications.  you need to know what is the load capacity and what is the power rating you need to have from your medium voltage transformer.  you also need to know the exact value of the voltage coming into the former and coming out from the Transformer similarly you also need to know the exact value of the current coming into and out of the transformer

cooling requirements

Depending on the application, you need to know the exact cooling requirement needed for your specific application so that you can ask for a specific Transformer cooling method for the medium  voltage Transformer. You need to know what is the exact medium voltage transformer size and based on that, what is the amount of heat that the transformer will produce and which cooling method will be suitable and should be provided with your medium voltage transformer.

efficiency and losses

Before selecting any specific medium voltage Transformer you need to know the efficiency of the medium voltage Transformer and what are the losses associated with that specific transformer. You need to know the exact electrical efficiency and overall efficiency of the transformer.

Installation and maintenance needs

What factor you need to consider  when choosing a medium  voltage transformer is how a pacific medium voltage Transformer will be installed and what are its maintenance requirements throughout its useful life. Depending on your application there will be the space constraint accessibility and maintenance service constraint. So you need to know the exact installation method and schedule maintenance or the maintenance plan of this specific transformer.

Installation and Maintenance Guidelines

Like all Transformers the medium voltage Transformers have their own specific installation in maintenance guidelines. We will make you go through the basics of installation and maintenance guidelines so that you can understand what to expect during the installation and maintenance of the medium voltage transformer.

Site selection and safety precautions

The first step for the installation of a medium voltage transformer is this selection of a site. A site should be both suitable and safe for your medium transformer.  There are certain things that you need to consider when selecting a proper site for your medium voltage Transformer as it will  have an influence on the efficiency, working and life of your transformer. 

• Site you select for your Transformer installation should be properly ventilated so that the calling mechanism of your medium voltage Transformer can work efficiently and remove all the waste heat efficiently into the outer atmosphere
• The site you select for your Transformer installation should be free from any type of mechanical vibrations and electrical noises. All parts of the medium voltage transformer are sensitive and can be affected by mechanical vibrations. So to have an efficient operation from your medium Transformer you should select inside with zero or minimum vibration and electrical noises
• Site you select for your Transformer installation should also be properly grounded or have the required set up installed for proper Transformer grounding. This is equation safety step which cannot be overlooked and this installation process will not be complete it and tell you to proper grounding of your transport
• Site you select for your Transformer installation should also have all the essential setup or features or structure to protect the Transformer from all types of weather. you need to protect your medium voltage Transformer from extreme heat, thunderstorm and dust.

Routine Inspection and Testing

Like every other Transformer the medium voltage Transformer will also need routine and gradual maintenance to keep up the optimal performance. You can  perform or expect your utility company to perform the following inspection on your medium voltage Transformer during its useful life.

• You can perform visual inspection of your medium voltage transformer to check for any types of small and large damages that are visually easy to observe. You can check for loose connections resting on the tank broker connection cracks and any type of physical damage that can be seen by a naked eye.
• To inspect damages that cannot be done with the naked I can be done through thermal Canning of the transformer. In thermal scanning the entire Transformer will be  presented in different colours each representing a different temperature. This will help you inspect the transformer cooling mechanism.
• Check the quality and condition of the transformer insulation so you can perform an insulation resistance test on your transformer winding. This will give you clear results about your Transformer health and remaining expected useful life.
• Similarly you can also perform oil analysis in oil type medium voltage Transformers. In oil analysis you will observe the oil quality and quantity and look for all degradation.  These results will help you determine the life of oil and how good it is performing to remove waste from the Transformer winding. 

Emerging Trends and Future of Medium Voltage Transformers

As Science and Technology all rounders are developing and changing for good and we are seeing advancements in every product we use. so there are some emerging Trends and future prospects that you can expect in your next medium voltage transformer

• You can expect your new medium voltage Transformer to be a smart Transformer that is integrated with iot to give you remote monitoring and inspection abilities.
• You can expect your medium voltage Transformer to be more environment friendly and have a sustainable design with all the materials that are used in its manufacturing and operation to be 100% recycle
• You can also expect your new medium voltage Transformer to be one more advanced and more efficient with matter cooling technology and system install for safety and reliability.

Conclusion

Medium voltage transformers are a key and very important part of our Electricity Distribution network. These transformers usually regulate voltages that are in the range of 32 kV to 320 kV and widely used in Industrial and other applications. Selecting the right transformer based on application, cooling method, and efficiency requirements can enhance system reliability and longevity.

Follow Up

Medium voltage transformers are widely used in manufacturing industry, commercial buildings, renewable energy power plants, and electrical substations to deliver safe, reliable,  and study electricity in an efficient manner. We at Daelim Transformer,  design, develop, supply, and install medium voltage transformers of all types and Power capacity. We have already completed several projects in America, Europe, Australia, and all other major countries around the globe.

If you have any questions related to medium voltage transformers, then contact us and our team will talk you through the process.