Adressing Poor Power Quality & Load Unbalance Faced By Utility Distribution Transformer

ABSTRACT

Distribution Transformers (DTs) and supply cables /conductors are major and most critical assets for an electrical disctribution company. Reliable and efficiency operation of distribution transformer is one of the key performance index (KPI) for the DISCOM. In India, transformer failure rate for the state distribution companies is reported officially in the range of 12-15% whereas at the same time for a private DISCOM, transformer failure rate is well below 1%.

By design a transformer is the most efficient and long lasting electrical machine. Efficency of power transformer could be as high as 99.75% whereas for distribution transformer, design efficiency could be in the range of 98.5% to 99.5%. A transformer is designed to have a life of 20 to 25 years. However, undesirable operating conditions reduces operating life of transformer to 5-6 years and efficiency could drop to 95% or even less.

A transformer will work satisfactorily when it is feeding to the loads for which it is designed for and balanced loads. However in actual practice, transformers with a K factor of 1 is feeding increasingly non linear and un balanced loads. These factors cause increased operating temperature of transformer, reduced efficiency and reduced life of transformer. In cases of extreme third harmonic pollution the neutral points are often the victim resulting in burn out and failure.

This case study depicts how a distribution company addressed above issues thus improving life, reliability and efficiency of the transformer.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

CS55-UTILITY-2019-ADRESSING-POOR-POWER-QUALITY-&-LOAD-UNBALANCE-FACED-BY-UTILITY-DISTRIBUTION-TRANSFORMER-AND-LOAD-UNBALANCE.pdf

Related POST

How Poor Power Quality Can Lead to Electrical Fires?

Going beyond Short Circuits Electrical fires constitute a significant percentage of the total numbe..

Read more

PQ Challenges In Modernization Of Railway Transport In India

As India takes a leap forward in modernization, especially, electrification of railways while aiming..

Read more

One Day Program on How to Reduce Harmonics and Reduce Penalty

One day program with Indian Institute of Energy Mangers (IIEM) on 'How to reduce Harmonics and Reduc..

Read more

Fundamental of Harmonics and Study of its Impact on Electrical Power System

Voltage and current functions are the foundation concepts in the power system. Nonlinear devices li..

Read more

New Loads on Old Switches, Relays and Contactors

While power electronics is continuously superseding the traditional “hardware” solutions in electric..

Read more

13th Webinar - Smart Grid viability for Indian Distribution Companies

19th December, 2017 (Tuesday) - The electricity distribution industry is facing unprecedented arra..

Read more

4th Webinar Innovations In PQ Interventions

21st May, 2015 (Thursday) - Power Quality, one of the major issues in electricity distribution s..

Read more
Drop us a message

You're in the right place! Just drop us a message. How can we help?

Or see contact page
There seems to be some problem with validating your request. Please try again.
Thank You! Your message has been delivered.