Transformers 5.

6 Special Transformers for Industrial Applications

A number of industry applications require specic industrial transformers due to the usage of power (current) as a major resource for production. Electric arc furnaces (EAF), ladle furnaces (LF) and high-current rectiers need a specic design to supply the necessary power at a low voltage level. These transformer types, as well as transformers with direct connection to a rectier are called special-purpose or industrial transformers, whose design is tailor-made for high-current solutions for industry applications. Electric arc furnace transformers EAF and LF transformers are required for many different furnace processes and applications. They are built for steel furnaces, ladle furnaces and ferroalloy furnaces, and are similar to short or submerged arc furnace transformers (g. 5.6-1). EAF transformers operate under very severe conditions with regard to frequent overcurrents and overvoltages generated by short-circuit in the furnace and the operation of the HV circuitbreaker. The loading is cyclic. For long-arc steel furnace operation, additional series reactance is normally required to stabilize the arc and optimize the operation of the furnace application process.
Fig. 5.6-1: Electric arc furnace transformer

Specic items EAF transformers are rigidly designed to withstand repeated short-circuit conditions and high thermal stress, and to be protected against operational overvoltages resulting from the arc processes. The Siemens EAF reactors are built as 3-phase type with an iron core, with or without magnetic return circuits. Design options Direct or indirect regulation On-load or no-load tap changer (OLTC/NLTC) Built-in reactor for long arc stability Secondary bushing arrangements and designs Air or water-cooled Internal secondary phase closure (internal delta) Main specication data Rated power, frequency and rated voltage Regulation range and maximum secondary current Impedance and vector group Type of cooling and temperature of the cooling medium Series reactor and regulation range and type (OLTC/NLTC) DC electric arc furnace transformers Direct-current electric arc furnace (DC EAF) transformers are required for many different furnace processes and applications. They are built for steel furnaces with a Thyristor rectier. DC EAF transformers operate under very severe conditions, like rectier transformers in general but using rectier transformers for furnace operation. The loading is cyclic.

Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0

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