Siemens Energy has launched a dry-type single-phase transformer for pole applications, designed for the technological requirements of the American grid.

In American markets, single-phase transformers are often installed in the distribution grid, where - as the last step in the power transmission chain - they step down the voltage to household voltage level. In light of increasing weather and climate extremes, such as heat waves that cause wildfires, the design of new outdoor-installed assets needs to be increasingly focused on their resilience to withstand environmental hazards.

Due to its cast-resin design, the self-extinguishing solution from Siemens Energy has a high level of fire safety, cannot explode, and reduces environmental risks, the manufacturer said in a press release.

Considering the growing energy demand and the fluctuating feed-in of renewable energy, the new transformer was designed to handle high overloads to facilitate power flow balancing and satisfy real time demand at any time. Sealed with cast-resin under vacuum, the compact windings of the transformer allow for its approximately 20 % smaller volume size compared to a conventional liquid-filled pole-mounted transformer.

The mechanical strength of the frame and cast resin protects it against corrosion and thereby extends the transformer's service life. The new transformer is designed as a plug-and-play asset with an identical fixing mechanism as fluid-immersed transformers and is therefore suited to replace existing installations.

The new Siemens Energy dry-type transformer has a power rating between 10 and 100 kVA, a voltage capacity between 15 and 36 kV and a typical lifetime of over 25 years, the manufacturer said in a press release.

Source: Siemens Energy