Niagara Power Transformer is one of the world’s foremost trusted manufacturers and distributors of liquid-filled power transformers, a reputation we’ve worked tirelessly to build since our humble beginnings as the Erie Electric Corp. in 1924. Throughout over 100 years of service, we continue to satisfy the power needs of numerous major industries across the world.
As the name implies, power transformers have always been central to our business; we engineer and manufacture them for a wide range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to wind energy, wastewater treatment, and even the United States military.
Thanks to the power transformers our company produces and distributes around the world, industries are able to receive the power they need to run effectively, but what are power transformers, and how do they work?
What are Power Transformers, and How Are They Used?
All the energy that industries and homes around the world need to provide their electrical power is generated by power plants, while the electrical energy they generate is channeled into areas called substations. For commercial and industrial applications, these substations are also where power transformers can be found.
Because it comes directly from the power plant, the electrical energy housed in substations is at what is called a “transmission voltage” meaning its voltage is too high to be used. Power transformers are devices that convert transmission voltage power into a lower, more manageable voltage. This is called a “distribution voltage” because the electrical energy is low enough in voltage to be safely used.
There are many types of power transformers. They vary depending on how they function, such as cooling methods or the applications they’re best used for, but most power transformers serve a similar purpose: stepping voltages up or down. While not all transformers can be found in substations, Niagara Power Transformer specializes in substation power transformers specifically.
Different Types of Power Transformers
Power transformers can come in many forms, often operating in different ways and serving different types of electrical energy needs. Here are some of the many different types of power transformers that can be found in substations:
- Liquid-Filled Power Transformers: Liquid-filled transformers are what Niagara Power Transformer specializes in, and these are the most straightforward type. These transformers convert power from transmission to a more manageable distribution voltage like many others, but they’re unique due to their oil-based cooling method. Liquid is contained within a central drum that circulates throughout the transformer, efficiently cooling its components. This cooling method allows for a higher power yield and greater efficiency. Any transformer that converts power from a high voltage to a lower one is considered a “step-down” transformer.
- Step-Up Transformers: For some industrial applications, sometimes the voltage of a current isn’t high enough. Contrary to the step-down transformers usually found in substations, step-up transformers actually raise the voltage of a current to a higher value.
- Rectifier Duty Transformers: For industries that require large amounts of direct current (DC) energy, rectifier transformers convert alternating current (AC) power into direct current, a process known as rectification. Rectifier duty transformers can be used to power electronics like computers, radios, and televisions, which require a constant supply of DC. They are also used in industries that involve welding, since rectifier duty transformers deliver the highly polarized voltage of power that welders need.
- Grounding Transformers: If electrical energy is coming from an ungrounded source, such as in Delta or Wye connection systems, this can pose a significant fire hazard, and be dangerous to use. Grounding transformers convert electrical energy from ungrounded to a grounded state, transferring energy safely. This is similar to what three-prong grounded electrical outlets do, whereas ungrounded two-prong outlets can lead to a higher likelihood of electrical fires.
Niagara Power Transformer: Powering Industry For Over 100 Years
Power transformers change the voltage of electrical energy so it can be used in a wide variety of applications; they aren’t just a crucial component of industries around the world, they supply the energy that lights our homes, and powers our lives. To learn more about Niagara Power Transformer’s history, range of industries served, and wide variety of energy-converting products, contact us today.