The technological development of dry-type power transformers: a part that you cannot ignore!

Dry type transformer is a power transformer that does not use liquid cooling medium, and its insulation and cooling system are carried out through air. Compared to oil immersed transformers, dry-type transformers have a smaller volume, lower maintenance costs, and higher safety performance, making them widely used in the fields of power transmission and distribution. In the past few decades, significant breakthroughs have been made in the technological development of dry-type transformers, and the following aspects cannot be ignored.

The insulation material of dry-type transformers has been improved. Insulation materials play a very important role in dry-type transformers, effectively isolating conductive components and providing sufficient electrical strength. Traditional dry-type transformers use organic insulation materials, such as epoxy resin, but these materials are prone to aging and failure in high temperature, humidity, and polluted environments. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the research and development of inorganic insulation materials, such as silicone rubber and mica sheets, which have better thermal stability and electrical performance, and can improve the reliability and durability of dry-type transformers.

There have been significant breakthroughs in the design and manufacturing technology of dry-type transformers. In the past, the design of dry-type transformers often used circular windings and flat heat sinks, but this structure has problems such as small winding volume and uneven heat dissipation. Modern dry-type transformers adopt new design and manufacturing technologies, such as thin strip conductors and three-dimensional heat sinks, which can effectively improve heat dissipation efficiency and insulation performance. In addition, self cooling dry-type transformers have emerged, which operate without the need for an external cooling system, greatly reducing operating costs.

The monitoring and diagnostic technology of dry-type transformers has been improved. The fault diagnosis and condition monitoring of dry-type transformers have always been a research focus in the power industry, as timely and accurate understanding of the transformer's condition can avoid faults and extend its service life. With the development of sensors and smart grid technology, the monitoring and diagnosis technology of dry-type transformers has been significantly improved, such as vibration sensors, infrared thermal imagers, and online monitoring systems. These technologies can monitor the vibration, temperature, and current parameters of transformers in real time, and judge the health status of transformers through data analysis and artificial intelligence algorithms, thereby achieving fault warning and remote management.

The environmental performance of dry-type transformers has been given attention. Compared to oil immersed transformers, dry-type transformers do not use liquid oil as a cooling medium, thus having better environmental performance. The maintenance and disposal of oil immersed transformers often require a large amount of manual and material resources, while also generating harmful waste. Dry type transformers can avoid these problems and reduce their impact on the environment. In addition, dry-type transformers use natural cooling or forced air cooling for heat dissipation, which does not produce noise and pollution, and meets the requirements of sustainable development and green energy.

In summary, dry-type transformers have made significant breakthroughs in technological development. The improvement of insulation materials, innovation in design and manufacturing technology, enhancement of monitoring and diagnostic technology, and emphasis on environmental performance have all laid a solid foundation for the application and promotion of dry-type transformers. With the continuous emergence of new materials and technologies, it is believed that dry-type transformers will continue to play an important role in the future and become the mainstream technology in the field of power transformers.