Monday, September 28, 2015

The Importance of Measurement

The world we live in often revolves around numbers, from the numbers in our bank accounts to the square footage of our homes to the number of cups of coffee we need in the morning. However, not everything is measure in the same units. Pizza’s come in a variety of slices, TV screens are measured in inches, and your cup of coffee holds 10 fluid ounces. Electricity is no different as it is measured by a certain unit; transformers measure the amount of current that is flowing in an electrical grid circuit.

Transformer manufacturers must take a number of factors into account when building a transformer to ensure accuracy. Some of the factors to consider include: burden class/saturation class, temperature, load, physical configuration, rating factor, external electromagnetic fields and many more. The build of an electric transformer is simply a primary winding, secondary winding and a magnetic core. The current flows in the primary creating a current in the second winding through the magnetic core. When both of these circuits are working properly an accurate reading can be produced.

Each country has a different way of measuring current transformers, so manufacturers must pay attention to the transformers destination while building it. The two main units of measurement are IEC 60044-1 (BSEN 60044-1) and IEEE C57.13 (ANSI). It is important to ensure constant electric supply through measurements to ensure we can all carry on with our day to day lives.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Power of Electric Transformers

Electric transformers provide a safe way to bring electricity into our homes and power the things that we use in our everyday life. From our televisions to our kitchen appliances these machines convert the volts coming from our outlets to our electrical devices. The issue lies in that electricity is pumped out from power plants in large volumes and need to be converted down in order to be suitable for our electrical appliances. Many phone chargers carry small electric transformers in order to convert the electricity into a safe capacity to our phone batteries.

There are many different types of transformers due to the nature of the application. Zig Zag transformers for example, are a three phase power transformer that has the ability to filter and control harmonic currents and be used underground. The underground systems are useful in order to protect against earth faults.

Zig Zag transformers can offer numerous benefits over other transformers. They tend to be a simplistic design which makes them low in cost and can be easily installed onto existing systems. By keeping neutral currents local, these transformers are able to eliminate the need for large neutral wiring. They also improve the fundamental load current. While they are low cost, another cheaper alternative is the delta-wire transformer. The only issue being that this model is less effective than the zig zag model in some applications due to higher internal impedance.

Friday, September 4, 2015

The Danger of Solar Flares

Solar Flares are a growing topic among those in the scientific fields; these cosmic storms have the potential to cause a great deal of havoc to our planet. Now the amount of damage that these storms will cause all depends on who you ask. Some say that we could see the end of the world thanks to these solar flare storms others say we won’t see anything more than auroras across the sky.

While these storms are still somewhat of a questionable topic, the fact of the matter is that they carry consequences with them. We may be unsure of the scale of damage these consequences may have, there is no denying that they could cause a big disruption to our everyday life. There have been some minor storms that have already hit earth, but they didn’t result in anything more than auroras across the sky. If these storms were larger power grids, GPS, electric transformers and radio communications may fail.

One electric transformer being knocked out is not that big of a deal, those affected would be annoyed until it was fixed. But if hundreds of these transformers were knocked offline there would be major problems. So for now be glad that these storms have remained small and only provide us with spectacular light shows.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Transformer Industry Growing out of Necessity

There are a number of different electric transformers available that provide specific forms of power for numerous applications. From high voltage to low voltage transformers and all the types in between such as isolation, auto, zig zag, toroidal, and pulse transformers. Each of these transformers has a specific purpose and fits into very specific applications. It’s important to know what type of transformer you are looking for so that you can get the best possible result. In this post we will be taking a brief look into pulse transformers and what they have to offer.

Pulse transformers release stored energy in the form of a pulse; this is where they get their name. They typically operate in direct current and interface a pulse forming network and a load. Because these transformers operate at a high frequency they require low loss cores. Pulse transformers are often found in detail logic and telecommunications operations such as camera flashes, radar equipment, and particle acceleration. They are also found in the digitization of computers as well as in electronic circuit applications. Pulse transformers have even been used in the aerospace industry to alter the surface properties of some components. Pulse transformers are able to meet the very specific operating requirements for this application.

There are many types of transformers and the number will continue to grow as the manufacturing industry expands and processes evolve. As the industry evolves we will need more focused and specialized equipment in order to get the best possible end product. Always be sure to research your options before purchasing to make sure you are making the best decision for your needs and application.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Determining the Right High Voltage Transformer for You

Many different applications require the use of high voltage transformers. These transformers are used in cases where large amounts of electrical energy are involved, and they are usually used to convert large voltages to smaller voltages. Conversion allows low power electronic devices to run on the supplied electricity without being damaged or overheating. Like other transformers, high voltage transformers utilize magnetic induction between coils to make this conversion from high to low voltages. They can also incorporate other features like electrical isolation, power control, and instrumentation. High voltage transformers can be constructed in single-phase or three-phase configurations, which typically determine the size and cost of the device.

When looking for a high voltage transformer, it is important to consider your applications and the necessary features and capabilities of the transformer. Some of these specifications include the maximum secondary voltage rating, maximum secondary current rating, maximum power rating, and output type. A single transformer can supply more than one secondary voltage value, and transformers can be designed to provide AC or DC outputs. You should also consider the maximum primary voltage rating, as the transformer will need to be equipped with additional primary windings if you plan to use several nominal voltages.

Besides single-phase and three-phase, high voltage transformers can be constructed in many different configurations. Some of these include current transformers, step-down transformers, step-up transformers, auto transformers, isolation transformers, and more. They can also be built with laminated cores which are surrounded with a non-conducting material to help reduce electrical losses. Toroidal transformers are another option, and these transformers are constructed by wrapping copper wire around a cylindrical core, ensuring that the magnetic flux occurring within the coil doesn’t leak out and influence other components, which supports overall efficiency.

There are many different transformer options, and it can be a challenge to determine exactly what you need. However, discussing your applications with an experienced transformer manufacturer is always a good way to figure out the right solution for you and with the considerations mentioned here, you should be able to find exactly what you need!

Monday, June 29, 2015

The Transformation of Electrical Energy

As we all know, a fallen power line is dangerous. Not only are they dangerous, but they wreak havoc on those who lose power from them in their homes or businesses. Life seems to temporarily stand still. Luckily, fallen power lines do not happen often, but when it does happen, everyone’s lives need to adjust. In this article, you will learn about the basics of how power is distributed through the power lines and how transformers allow consumers to get power through the conversion of electricity.

There are many different types and sizes of electrical transformers, but the end result is the same. The purpose of transformers is to transform electrical energy by alternating the input to output of voltage levels. Transformers can be very larger in size like those that are installed at power plants, or very small for use in electronics. While they are used in many electrical devices, their main use is to transform power to provide electricity to the world. During the transformation of power, there are many transformers in use in order to make sure the power is converted in an efficient and safe manner.

Power plants generate power and it is then sent out to the world through electric lines. Since the power created at the power plants is very high in voltage, high-voltage transformers will be placed first in line to step-down the voltage. As the power decreases from transformer to transformer, it becomes safe for output into individual homes and businesses. Low-voltage transformers are then used to step-down the voltage levels for the last time on the outside. From the inside of buildings, electrical devices will internally step-down the levels for their own use.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

High Voltage Coils

In response to the growing need of reliable coils, SAG Harbor Industries continuously researches and innovates to create the most cost effective and reliable products. As technology advances, a majority of newer applications require very strict power requirements and SAG Harbor is always adapting to the changing needs of the market.

Products that require low maintenance are easier for electric coil manufacturers to design more versatile coils. By equipping the coils with reinforced insulation, high voltage coils can be specialized to improve the quality and reliability of the coils. There are several methods of insulating electric coils, but one popular method is called vacuum pressure impregnation.

Vacuum Pressure Impregnation removes air, moisture and gas from the high voltage electrical coil while offering better heat distribution across the entire system. By providing an insulating epoxy, polyester or silicone resin in this type of electric coil insulation method, the lifespan, durability, and resistance to chemicals are greatly improved.

There are two primary types of high voltages coil which include Tesla coils and ignition coils. The average automotive ignition coil generally has an output of 30,000 volts and is known for its relativity inexpensive design. High powered Tesla coils can typically generate many megawatts of electricity and these products have a long history of experimentation for providing wireless energy. This technology has been heavily researched, but the concept of applying wireless energy to everyday applications has never taken full effect.

As technology advances, so do the creators and problem solvers in electric coil manufacturing.