| A transformer is an electrical device designed to | | | | voltage by small amounts. Single phase |
| transfer alternating current or voltage from one | | | | transformer is mostly used in rural areas. These |
| electric circuit to another by means of | | | | are used in rural areas because the cost of three |
| electromagnetic induction. It is designed based on | | | | phase transformer is high and motor loads are |
| step up and step down voltages. To select the | | | | small. In shopping centers, factories, large buildings |
| right transformer you should remember certain | | | | three phase transformers are used. The incoming |
| things like the primary voltage and secondary | | | | electric transformers voltage is an important |
| voltage that is required, the capacity that is | | | | factor. The three important frequencies are 50 |
| required in volt amperes. Other things include | | | | Hz, 60 Hz and 400 Hz. 400 Hz is reserved for |
| seismic requirement, impedance, secondary | | | | high-powered applications such as aerospace |
| voltage or delta-wye, location and space | | | | technologies. |
| requirement, case style etc. | | | | Transformers are highly efficient. A large power |
| Voltage is different in every country like in U.S.A | | | | transformer has efficiency as high as 99.75% and |
| and Canada it runs on 110/120 and rest of the | | | | small transformers have less than 85% efficiency. |
| world runs on 220/240 and industrial plant may | | | | When you overload a transformer excessive |
| use 440 to 480. Most utilities will provide a | | | | temperature can cause overheating which result in |
| customer with one service or electrical system. | | | | rapid deterioration of the insulation and cause |
| You may wonder why anyone would need a | | | | complete failure of the transformer coils. |
| transformer. Let’s say a new industrial plat | | | | Thermometers are the best way to determine |
| comes in town. They have many motors in use | | | | the temperature. Touch is a poor indicator of |
| at their company so they requested a 480Y/277 | | | | proper operating temperature for transformers. |
| volts three phase system. This takes care of | | | | Properly designed transformers can reach 50 |
| their motor load at 480 volts and their office and | | | | degree Celsius above ambient temperature. In an |
| plant lighting loads at 277 volts. However to | | | | ambient temperature of 20 degree Celsius, the |
| operate their office machinery and incandescent | | | | total temperature can reach 70 degree Celsius, |
| lighting they require 120 volts. They also have | | | | which is too hot to touch. |
| some small horsepower motors they want to | | | | For harsh environments, whether indoor or |
| operate at 208 volts. Since the utility will only | | | | outdoor, it’s critical that a transformer’s |
| provide them with 480Y/277 volt three phase | | | | core/coil, leads, and accessories be adequately |
| system, they require a transformer to provide | | | | protected. Dry-type transformers are available for |
| the rest of there needs. A buck boost | | | | either indoor or outdoor installation. |
| transformer is the ideal solution for changing line | | | | |