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Transformer Design

Accuracy

Your building’s transformer should never let you down. NYE ensures to design your transformer, keeping all troubles at bay.

Energy Efficiency

We can also help you install a transformer that can save you on energy bills and maintenance cost. We offer this and more.

Longevity

If you want a heavy-duty transformer, we are your best partner. New York Engineers prioritize quality and durability above all else.

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Transformer 3D Design

 

Transformers are electrical machines which play a very important role in a building’s power system. They’re basically designed to modify any alternating current voltage via electromagnetic induction.

If you have a building, or perhaps a facility that deals with manufacturing, then there’s no doubt you have a demand for a constant supply of electricity. Along with this comes the need to deal with voltage instabilities as well as malfunctions on some machines because of voltage problems.

This is where a transformer comes in. It’s basically a solution for fixing such glitches. However, there can be cases where a transformer can perform inefficiently due to poor design – a case that could have been avoided if such design issues are addressed beforehand.

Fortunately, we at NY Engineers specialize in such field. With our transformer 3D design and modeling services, we’ll be able to come up with a foolproof and custom design for your transformer, allowing you to have it manufactured in accordance with your specifications.

With branches within several locations throughout the US, you can easily get in touch with us, whether you’re from Chicago, New York, New Jersey, etc.

 

Types of Transformers

By knowing the different types of transformers, you will be able to determine which among them is the most suitable for your facility. Also, by telling us your desired type of transformer, we will be able to know how we can proceed with your design.

Keep in mind that transformers are categorized based on their classifications which are as follows:

 

Voltage Levels

Transformers are classified as either step-up or step-down based on their voltage levels. These transformers are considered the most widely used type across all applications. The important thing you should remember is that there won’t be any difference in both primary and secondary power between the two.

A step-up transformer, as the name suggests, converts low voltage, high current AC to a high voltage, low AC system. This is achieved by increasing the coil turns on the secondary windings than on the primary winding.

On the other hand, a step-down transformer transforms high voltage, low current AC to a low voltage, high current AC. As opposed to the step-up variant, this one has more coil turns on its primary winding than the secondary.

 

Winding Arrangements

A normal transformer comes with two windings on two different sides. However, in an auto transformer, both primary and secondary windings are connected to each other. It’s basically a special type of transformer as the two windings are interconnected electrically and magnetically.

Compared to standard two-winding transformers, an auto transformer has lower initial rates. Aside from that, it also has smaller voltage drops and is far more efficient. However, it’s not safe for use on ordinary distribution circuits. The reason is that high-voltage primary circuits are directly connected to the secondary circuit.

 

Usage

Each type of transformer is designed for a specific function. That said, when it comes to its application, a transformer can be classified as follows:

  • Power transformer – a power transformer is commonly large in size and is mainly used for high-power transfer applications, specifically in transmission networks with higher voltages. Since they’re designed to deliver 100% efficiency, they’re mainly used in transmission substations and generating stations.
  • Measurement transformer – as the name implies, this type of transformer is used for measuring electrical quantity such as power, current, voltage, etc. It can be further classified as potential and current, with the former used for measuring voltage and the latter for measuring currents.
  • Distribution transformer – this type of transformer is used to distribute power generated from power plants to industrial and domestic locations. Compared to the other transformer types, a distribution type only has around 50-70% efficiency and isn’t always fully loaded.

 Core Medium Used

Transformers can be classified as air core and iron core depending on the core medium they’re using.

In an air core transformer, both windings are wound on a non-magnetic strip, and the linkage between them is through the air. Air core transformers have generally less mutual induction compared to iron core transformers. However, they’re able to reduce, even eliminate, current losses and hysteresis.

Meanwhile, an iron core transformer has both windings wound on iron plates with the linkage being made through iron. Thanks to iron’s magnetic properties, there is less reluctance to the linkage flux. Compared to air core transformers, iron core transformers have higher efficiency.

 

Supply Used

When it comes to the supply used, a transformer can either be single-phase or three-phase. A single phase transformer is basically the standard transformer which features a primary and secondary winding. Generally, it is used for increasing or decreasing secondary voltage.

Meanwhile, a three-phase transformer has three primary windings and three secondary windings both interconnected with each other.

In some applications, one three-phase transformer is ideal compared to three single-phase units since it can offer higher efficiency at a lower cost and can be installed in limited spaces. The problem, however, is that it’s way heavier to transport, in which case single phase thermometers are more preferred.

 

Components of a Transformer

Apart from the different types of transformers, we also take into account the different components that make up a transformer. This way, our team won’t miss any detail that should go into your transformer design.

To give you an idea, here are the most basic components of a transformer we thoroughly keep in mind:

  • Laminated Core

The core is the one that serves to support the winding. Aside from that, it offers a low reluctance path to the magnetic flux. Generally, it’s made of a laminated soft iron core as a means of reducing eddy loss and hysteresis.

  •  Winding

Another important component of a transformer is the winding. A standard transformer will have two winding sets which are insulated from one another. Each winding has several turns of copper conductors that are bundled together then connected in series.

A winding is classified based on the voltage range and the input and output supply. In terms of voltage range, a winding can either be high voltage or low voltage. In a high voltage classification, the winding is made of a copper conductor which is thinner compared to that of a low voltage classification. Meanwhile, a low voltage winding has thicker copper conductors and has fewer turns than its high voltage counterpart.

When it comes to the input and output supply classification, a winding can either be primary (input voltage is applied) or secondary (output voltage is applied).

  • Insulating Materials

Transformers normally use cardboard and insulating paper as a means of isolating both primary and secondary winding from each other as well as the transformer core. Another insulating material comes in the form of transformer oil. This type of insulating material works to add extra insulation and cool both the core and coil assembly.

  •  Breather

The breather is a cylindrical container which contains silica gel. Once air passes through the gel, moisture is then absorbed by the silica crystals. Basically, the breather is responsible for maintaining moisture level inside a transformer. Moisture generally increases due to pressure changes within the conservator, mainly due to temperature variations that result in the contraction and expansion of the transformer oil.

Basically, the purpose of a breather is to prevent moisture from getting in contact with the oil as it can lead to poor paper insulation or even internal faults.

  •  Conservator

This component serves to conserve the insulating oil. It’s in the form of a metallic cylindrical drum which is located above the transformer. Its function is to let the oil expand and contract as temperature changes.

  • Cooling Tubes

Cooling tubes are made for cooling the insulating oil by circulating it through the tubes in either a natural or forced process. In a natural circulation, cold oil will sink downward and gets circulated while hot oil rises to the top. Meanwhile, a forced circulation involves the use of a pump to circulate the oil.

  • Explosion Vent

The purpose of an explosion vent is to prevent the transformer from exploding by removing boiling oil in case of heavy internal faults.

  • Tap Changer

A transformer’s output voltage may vary depending on its load and input voltage. In high load conditions, the voltage will decrease in the output terminal. On the other hand, it increases during off-load conditions. This is where the tap changer becomes necessary. Its main purpose is to balance the variations of the voltage.

A tap changer can be either on-load or off-load. An on-load variant balances the variation without having to isolate the transformer from the supply, whereas an off-load tap changer performs the tapping after successfully isolating the transformer.

  •  Buchholz Relay

Lastly, the Buchholz Relay serves to detect any fault that might occur within the transformer. It’s basically a relay which functions via the gases that are emitted once the insulating oil decomposes during internal faults. Despite its simple function, it’s a really vital safety device which detects and protects the transformer from any possible internal faults.

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Our Transformer Design Process

 

 Now that you’ve known the different types of transformers and their basic components, you now have an idea as to what transformer you want to install in your facility. However, before you even think about installation, we at NY Engineers can help you with the design so you will be able to avoid any possible errors and issues during the manufacturing phase of your transformer.

Our team of skilled and experienced designers and MEP engineers follow a standard set of procedures so we can streamline the process and uphold quality standards.

  1. To ensure that we can meet your demands and provide you with quality design, we’ll have to work with you and request for your specifications and other insights that may help our MEP engineers throughout the duration of the project.
  2. Our team will conduct electrical field analysis and survey your facility to construct a 3D model of your building for future use. We’ll also perform a number of calculations and assessments to make sure the final design output will be able to comply with regulatory specifications.
  3. After the initial assessments and inspections are done, we’ll then proceed with the designing process. With the help of various BIM and MEP software such as Revit, Navisworks, and AutoCAD, we’ll be able to come up with detailed and accurate 3D models of your facility and your desired transformer.
  4. Throughout the designing process, we make sure that the drawings for structural components are highly accurate and detailed. While the MEP software tools we use are designed to create an accurate representation of your facility, it is our experience and skills that will ensure a perfect output.
  5. Once we’re done with the design, we’ll continuously review the design. We’ll also gather feedback from you so we can include minor or major changes to the design before finalization. We’ll also provide you with a 3D representation of how your transformer will look like once installed in your building.

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Why choose us?

 

 Our team of professional engineers and designers have the necessary skills and knowledge when it comes to transformer designing in the field of MEP (mechanical, engineering, and plumbing). Our personnel can create designs depending on your specifications; they can even conceptualize your design and bring it to life.

Regardless if it’s for a small or large scale project, be it residential, commercial, or industrial, we have the skills to come up with a quality transformer design.

Avail of our services now! You may call us through our hotline or contact us via email using the Contact Form.

You can also visit our physical locations, with branches at New Jersey, Chicago, and New York.

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