About a million distribution transformers are produced and sold annually in the United States alone. Virtually all electric power in the country passes through at least one of these units before it's consumed. The purchase of a premium, high-efficiency, copper-wound unit will result in significant savings over the life of a transformer compared to other alternatives.
Education
- High-Efficiency Copper-Wound Transformers Save Energy and Dollars
An analysis of the often overlooked energy-efficiency qualities of dry-type transformers. - Transformer Life-Cycle Cost (Total Owning Cost)
This article examines the two categories of transformer losses, no-load loss and load loss, and explains the term "Total Owning Cost". Several detailed examples of total owning cost (also called life-cycle cost) are demonstrated using A and B values, actual core and coil losses in watts, and the time value of money. The TOC method described is applicable to any long-lived apparatus. - High-Efficiency Utility Transformers Mean Lowest Total Owning Cost
Economics of energy efficient utility-type transformers. - Temperature Rise and Transformer Efficiency
This article describes the relationship between temperature rise and transformer efficiency, expected life, overload capacity, and samples of the savings and paybacks of more efficient transformers. - Introduction to Transformer Losses
A and B values are commonly used in certain industries to describe losses in a transformer. This article explores what A and B values are, how they are calculated, and how they combine into Total Owning Cost (TOC). - Proper Transformer Sizing and Copper Windings Mean Lowest Total Owning Cost, Fastest Payback
Transformers are frequently oversized for the load impressed on them , and not used to the capabilities that were paid for. This article details how proper transformer sizing is important to economic payback, and how proper loading affects operating losses and total cost.
Case Studies
- Transformer Manufacturer Uses Only Copper
Pennsylvania Transformer Technologies recounts the many reasons they manufacture their transformers exclusively from copper windings, including high reliability, better manufacturability, and smaller size. Choice of winding materials is a small portion of overall initial transformer cost. - Energy-Efficient Transformer Yields 156% ROI
By applying life-cycle cost analysis, Herman Miller, Inc. achieved a seven-month payback period on the incremental cost of purchasing the most efficient transformer for their facility. Their Green Building/Facility Design Group uses lowest-total-owning cost analysis to reduce energy costs throughout the company. The practice can help your company also.
Archive
- DOE Mandates Higher Efficiency for Distribution Transformers, Sees $Billions in Benefits
This article describes the new minimum energy efficiency regulations that govern distribution transformers starting in 2010. - Weyerhaeuser Policy Calls for Premium-Efficiency Motors and Transformers
Company-wide energy policy yields rapid payback,lower life-cycle cost, better reliability, and reduced environmental impact.