Transformers Archives - Southwest Electric

Transformers

Transformer Oil: Everything You Need to Know

Transformer oil plays a pivotal role in the operation and longevity of electrical transformers, serving four vital functions. Firstly, it acts as a heat dissipater, ensuring that the core and coil of the transformer remain at optimal temperatures by facilitating thermal syphoning. Secondly, the oil must possess dielectric capabilities to insulate and protect the transformer’s […]

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The Importance of Doing a Thorough Visual Transformer Inspection

We spend millions of dollars on our electrical systems, and most spend thousands annually trying to maintain that system. Today I want to talk to you about doing something that won’t cost you a dime, just some of your time, doing a visual inspection. That’s right, going out and just walking around your transformer or […]

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Neutral Grounding of Electrical Power Systems

To ground, or not to ground – that is the question.  There are many factors to consider before selecting the best method of neutral grounding for your electrical system.  This article discusses the requirements and techniques of four different methods of system grounding to help you choose which one is best for your needs. Background: […]

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How to Determine Transformer Criticality

Determining transformer criticality is an important step towards turning your existing maintenance plan (or lack of) into a reliability-centered maintenance program. The analysis will allow you to develop a custom plan that saves you money with minimal downtown. So, how do you go about determining transformer criticality? The question of what tests to pull and […]

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Most Common Custom Transformer Options

At Southwest Electric Co, we are experts in building custom distribution class oil-filled transformers with options unique to a wide variety of applications. This article walks through our most popular custom transformer options, from transformer type and termination options to accessories. Transformer Types: Pad Mount & Unit-substation Before  deciding on custom transformer options like accessories, […]

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The Right Way to Sample a Transformer

Transformer sampling is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to determine what is going on in our transformers, but it is important to sample correctly to make sure you get a good representative sample from the transformer. Don’t wait until the transformer fails to do this sampling – many of the high costs that […]

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How Often Should I Pull Transformer Oil Samples?

A common question we get from our customers is “How often should I pull transformer oil samples?” Our training manager Mark Stone has the answer in our latest video: Most of the industry finds that insurance companies set minimum requirements for their transformer oil testing. In most cases, annual oil samples will be required, and […]

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4 Things You Need to Know About Transformer Oil

Transformer oil is necessary for many reasons. In this article, you’ll learn four things you need to know about transformer oil, including how to monitor its health and keep your facilities running smoothly.  1- Transformer Oil vs. Synthetic Fluids Today, the majority of transformers are still filled with mineral oil. But, other types of oil […]

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Traditional Transformer Oil vs. Today’s Alternative Fluids

The following article was published in Transformer Technology‘s Issue 9. Read the original article here. Today, most transformers are filled with mineral oil. This has been the case since the late 19th century, when chemist Elihu Thomson, whose company later merged to form General Electric, patented the use of mineral oil in transformers to help […]

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5 Questions on Transformer Grounding

You hired someone to install and ground your transformer. You assumed they understood and followed all appropriate codes and considered the health and safety of your personnel and equipment. But what happens when they do not? Are you aware of some of the dangers that could be lurking due to an error or omission from […]

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