Hey there! As a supplier of oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers, I've seen firsthand how over-voltage can have a huge impact on these important pieces of equipment. So, let's dive right in and talk about what over-voltage is, how it affects oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers, and what we can do about it.
First off, what exactly is over-voltage? Well, it's pretty much what it sounds like. Over-voltage occurs when the voltage in an electrical system exceeds the normal, designed level. This can happen for a bunch of reasons, like lightning strikes, problems with the power grid, or even just some issues with the equipment itself.
Now, let's talk about how over-voltage can mess with oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers. These transformers are super important in our electrical systems because they help transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another. They use amorphous alloy cores, which are really efficient at reducing energy loss. But over-voltage can cause some serious problems for them.
One of the main issues is that over-voltage can increase the magnetic flux density in the transformer's core. The amorphous alloy cores in these transformers are designed to work within a certain range of magnetic flux. When the voltage goes up too high, the magnetic flux density can exceed this range. This can lead to something called core saturation. When the core saturates, it can't handle the magnetic field properly anymore, and this causes a big increase in the core losses. Core losses are basically the energy that gets wasted as heat in the core. So, when these losses go up, the transformer starts to heat up more than it should.
Overheating is a major problem for oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers. The oil in these transformers is there to do two really important jobs: it cools the transformer and insulates the electrical components. But when the transformer overheats due to over-voltage, the oil can start to break down. The high temperatures can cause the oil to oxidize and form sludge. This sludge can clog up the cooling channels in the transformer, which makes it even harder for the oil to do its cooling job. And as the oil breaks down, its insulating properties also get worse. This means there's a higher risk of electrical breakdowns, which can be really dangerous and costly.
Another problem that over-voltage can cause is increased stress on the insulation system of the transformer. The insulation in these transformers is designed to withstand a certain level of voltage. When the voltage exceeds this level, the insulation can start to degrade. It might develop small cracks or voids, which can then lead to partial discharges. Partial discharges are little electrical sparks that happen inside the insulation. They might seem small, but over time, they can cause a lot of damage to the insulation. And once the insulation is damaged, it can't protect the electrical components of the transformer as well, which can lead to short circuits and other serious problems.
So, how can we detect and deal with these issues caused by over-voltage? Well, that's where some really useful testing equipment comes in. For example, the Transformer On-load Decomposition Switch Parameter Tester can help us check the performance of the on-load tap changer in the transformer. The on-load tap changer is used to adjust the voltage ratio of the transformer, and over-voltage can affect its operation. This tester can give us important information about whether the tap changer is working properly or not.
The Insulating Oil Dielectric Loss Tester is also really important. It can measure the dielectric loss of the insulating oil in the transformer. As the oil breaks down due to overheating caused by over-voltage, its dielectric loss changes. By regularly testing the oil with this tester, we can detect early signs of oil degradation and take action before things get too bad.
And then there's the Partial Discharge Inspection Instrument. This instrument can detect partial discharges inside the transformer's insulation. By using this tool, we can find out if there are any problems with the insulation system early on. Catching these issues early can save us a lot of money and prevent major breakdowns.
To prevent over-voltage from causing too much damage to oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers, we can also take some preventive measures. One thing we can do is install surge protectors. Surge protectors are devices that can limit the voltage spikes caused by things like lightning strikes or power grid problems. They work by diverting the excess voltage to the ground, so it doesn't reach the transformer.
Another important step is to monitor the voltage levels in the electrical system regularly. By keeping an eye on the voltage, we can detect any signs of over-voltage early and take action to correct it. This might involve adjusting the settings of the power grid or other equipment in the system.
As a supplier of oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers, I know how important it is to make sure these transformers work well and last a long time. Over-voltage is a real threat to their performance and reliability, but with the right testing equipment and preventive measures, we can minimize its impact.
If you're in the market for oil-immersed amorphous alloy transformers or any of the testing equipment I mentioned, I'd love to talk to you. Whether you have questions about how to deal with over-voltage or just want to learn more about our products, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you make the best choices for your electrical system.
References
- Electrical Power Systems: Analysis and Design by J. Duncan Glover, Mulukutla S. Sarma, and Thomas J. Overbye
- Transformer Engineering: Design, Technology, and Diagnostics by Gianni Bennetti and Giorgio Grassi
