5 Things To Know Before You Buy A Power Transformer

The biggest challenge of buying a transformer is not the lack of reputed manufacturers or the availability of the technology to cope with your requirement but having sufficient knowledge and expertise to match your requirement with what the market has in its offerings. In other words, a high-performance transformer does not necessarily translate into the optimal performance if it doesn’t meet the specifications of the requirement. For example, we cannot use an industrial-level transformer for domestic applications. It would only lead to a waste of resources and suboptimal performance which can have kickbacks over time. Hence, it is of utmost importance for buyers to ensure that they have thorough knowledge to make the right decision. After all, this exercise involves a lot of time, effort, and money. Making the right decision can give you the much-needed boost or result in the collapse of the entire system. While many factors play a part in this process, we have made a list of 5 things that need to be considered without fail to make the right call.

• The power rating of the transformer – The most common way to determine a transformer's performance is the level of power it can handle without stressing its systems. In other words, it indicates how much power it can transmit from the power generation unit. The input voltage depends on the power source while the output voltage is subject to the power consumption level of the users. It’s the connected transformers' job to manage these frequencies effectively. Transformers are largely categorised into three levels according to their power capacity; domestic, commercial, and industrial. Domestic has the lowest capacity while the industrial variant has the highest power voltage handling capacity. Make sure to match these parameters at the first instance.
• The efficiency rate of a transformer – A power transformer that operates at 100% efficiency essentially indicates zero loss. In the field, most power transformers are expected to perform at a minimum of 95% efficiency. The idea is to minimise losses and improve performance without putting undue stress on the entire mechanism. Ensure that the iron core and copper winding are made of high-grade sheets assembled to minimise losses to the best of their capability.
• Build of the casing – The transformer is usually built of high-grade metal that can resist physical damage, corrosion, and extreme weather conditions. Make sure the primary and secondary winding are properly enclosed so that it can withstand any form of external force imposed on it. These devices are extremely heavy and large, it makes perfect sense to ensure the body is built from the best possible materials to give its user a lasting performance.
• Vector group – The vector group tells us about the winding configurations and the phase angle difference in the windings. Determining the vector group is crucial for parallel operations of transformers in a network. Failing to do so can cause circulating currents and other disturbances leading to unnecessary losses and decreased efficiency.
• Operations it will perform – Transformers come in various sizes and capacities based on the application. So, make sure to take a variant that fits the area of operation sufficiently. CRT transformers are usually made for lower-capacity needs and are perfect for small spaces. Power transformers are usually big and made for high-power transmission functions such as manufacturing plants and other big infrastructures. Make sure to key in these factors before making the purchase.

While many other technical specifications still need consideration given the wide scope of the application. These five points will lead you in the right direction and allow you to make a clear informed choice on the transformer that fits your requirements.