When choosing a transformer, there are two primary concerns: the load and the application. Several factors must be evaluated carefully while making the choice, to ensure that the needs of both primary concerns are met.
There are three major questions that influence your choice:
Does the chosen unit have enough capacity to handle the expected load, as well as a certain amount of overload?
Can the capacity of the unit be augmented to keep up with possible increase in load?
What is the life expectancy of the unit? What are the initial, installation, operational, and maintenance costs?
Evaluation Factors
The cost and capacity of the transformer typically relate to a set of evaluation factors:
1. Application of the Unit
Transformer requirements clearly change based on the application.
For example: in the steel industry, a large amount of uninterrupted power is required for the functioning of metallurgical and other processes. Thus, load losses should be minimized - which means a particular type of toroidal transformers construction that minimizes copper losses is better suited. In wind energy applications, output power varies a great extent at different instances; transformers used here should be able to withstand surges without failure. In smelting, power transformers that can supply constant, correct energy are vital; in the automotive industry, good short-term overload capacity is a necessary attribute. Textile industries, using motors of various voltage specifications, will need intermittent or tap-changing transformers; the horticulture industry requires high-performance units that suit variable loading applications with accurate voltage.
2. Choice of Winding Material
Transformers use copper or aluminum for windings, with aluminum-wound units typically being more cost-effective. Copper-wound SMPS transformers , however, are smaller - copper is a better conductor - and copper contributes to greater mechanical strength of the coil. It is important to work with a manufacturer that has the capability and experience to work with either material to suit your specific requirement.
3. Use of Low-Loss Core Material
Core choice is a crucial consideration, and core losses should be determined properly. Losses that occur in the core are due to hysteresis and eddy currents. High quality magnetic steel should be used so that hysteresis losses are reduced; laminated cores are chosen to minimize eddy current losses.
More in www.xp-elec.com
There are three major questions that influence your choice:
Does the chosen unit have enough capacity to handle the expected load, as well as a certain amount of overload?
Can the capacity of the unit be augmented to keep up with possible increase in load?
What is the life expectancy of the unit? What are the initial, installation, operational, and maintenance costs?
Evaluation Factors
The cost and capacity of the transformer typically relate to a set of evaluation factors:
1. Application of the Unit
Transformer requirements clearly change based on the application.
For example: in the steel industry, a large amount of uninterrupted power is required for the functioning of metallurgical and other processes. Thus, load losses should be minimized - which means a particular type of toroidal transformers construction that minimizes copper losses is better suited. In wind energy applications, output power varies a great extent at different instances; transformers used here should be able to withstand surges without failure. In smelting, power transformers that can supply constant, correct energy are vital; in the automotive industry, good short-term overload capacity is a necessary attribute. Textile industries, using motors of various voltage specifications, will need intermittent or tap-changing transformers; the horticulture industry requires high-performance units that suit variable loading applications with accurate voltage.
2. Choice of Winding Material
Transformers use copper or aluminum for windings, with aluminum-wound units typically being more cost-effective. Copper-wound SMPS transformers , however, are smaller - copper is a better conductor - and copper contributes to greater mechanical strength of the coil. It is important to work with a manufacturer that has the capability and experience to work with either material to suit your specific requirement.
3. Use of Low-Loss Core Material
Core choice is a crucial consideration, and core losses should be determined properly. Losses that occur in the core are due to hysteresis and eddy currents. High quality magnetic steel should be used so that hysteresis losses are reduced; laminated cores are chosen to minimize eddy current losses.
More in www.xp-elec.com