Alloy Magnetic Cores (Ltd) guarantees that distribution transformers, manufactured from its high-quality strip wound and folded magnetic cores, minimise costly no-load losses.
Distribution transformers are central to electricity distribution in mining operations, where power is needed in process plants, among other equipment. As process plants are energy-intensive, every kilojoule counts, and energy efficiency is critical.
No load loss
Unfortunately, miners encounter the common issue of high no-load loss in distribution transformers, which is a costly burden. The logical approach is to switch to low-no-load loss transformer alternatives.
Nevertheless, this sounds simpler than it actually is, as no-load loss distribution transformer components are not made equal; specifically, this applies to core technology.
Alloy Magnetic Cores
A South African company with a pan-African focus, Alloy Magnetic Cores (Pty Ltd.), a leading manufacturer of innovative, high-quality strip-wound and folded cores, has responded enthusiastically to this need. Jo Williams, the technical operations manager, says the company is raising awareness about the relevance of its solutions, highlighting the significance of informed product selection.
One of the common misconceptions Alloy Magnetic Cores is seeking to clarify is no-load loss. Specifically, Williams explains that achieving suitable no-load losses (NLL) on transformers is not only based on the design of the core, but also on the material used to manufacture the core. “A wide range of material is produced worldwide with differing losses on the mother coil. Hence, selecting low-loss material while taking the destruction factor into account is important.”
And so, considering how material impacts the no load-loss factor, AMC‘s folded cores (Jencores) go through stress-relief annealing, which further lowers the losses on the finished core.
Meticulous material selection
The team at Alloy Magnetic Cores employs a meticulous process to deliver the most suitable magnetic core for no-load-loss transformers. They ensure that the cores are built to customer specifications using suitable materials to achieve the NLL required. “The material selected undergoes a screening process to ensure quality, the material is then sent through to manufacturing only after it has been verified. Over and above, as the company is ISO 9001 compliant, the team ensures complete traceability of material from start to finish.”
Enormous benefits
Largely, adopting no-load transformers manufactured with Alloy Magnetic Cores’ High-Quality Strip Wound and Folded Magnetic Cores in projects offers massive benefits for mining companies, Williams guarantees. “Using a folded core over a mitred core, especially for smaller kVA’s (up to around 1MVA), can drastically alter the losses, owing to current movement around the core. There are fewer “hot spots” on a folded core, which affects not only the eddy-current losses but the harmonics as well.”
