Thursday, 12 July 2012

Go Dark or Transform with Transformers


Infrastructure is at the apex of the ingredient list for the development of a powerful economy, electricity being its chief structural constituent. India has a massive hunger for electricity and this is scaling up steadily, though the economic growth of the country has been more fast-paced. So, striking a balance between the demand and supply of electricity is very important and this ideally summons for the use of energy efficient transformers by the electric utilities to save huge amount of energy for future needs.

Everyone will be powered with power by 2012 is what the Ministry of Power has set its mission for the 11th Five Year Plan. In the next 5 years, India will witness the need of 66,000 MW capacity of new generation with tuned investment in transmission and distribution sector. Statistically, there would be a requirement of 2.25 million transformer units of the average rating of 63 KVW in the next 5 years on the basis of the need of 7-8 MVA transformers for generation of 1 MW of new capacity. There would also be some replacement demand along with fresh demand as the life of transformers is likely to be 25-30 years. Hence there is enough potential in this sector for the transformer manufacturing companies to tap. To make power available to all by 2012, the strategy is to promote the use of energy efficient devices to conserve electricity, this being the cheapest option to bridge the gulf between demand and supply.

Transformers being the central point of any electrical distribution system, energy efficient transformers like the preference of three phase distribution transformers over one phase transformers is encouraged as almost 185-354 MW of capacity creation in the distribution sector through efficiency of energy alone is needed in India. Moreover, loss is also to be controlled by using high performance raw materials for making the core of the transformers like special steel as there is some inherent loss in the process of transformation of power in the transformers. Advanced technology and low loss designs are also to be infused in the making of quality transformers  which in turn would be taking care of the financial health of the sector.

Sunday, 1 July 2012

How to choose Power Transformers


A transformer is an electronic gadget, which with the help of electromagnetic induction transfers electric current from one circuit to another. Power transformers are used to alter this power or current received into definite voltage for certain specific usage. Most important application of power transformer is augmentation in voltage of electricity, prior to its transmission over longer distances. Power transformers are the most important component for electronic devices used for increasing or decreasing the voltage of machines and equipments. These transformers are a big support to various different electronic devices. Before selecting the transformer you should ascertain primary voltage and secondary voltage needed also find out the capacity required, measured in volt-amperes (VA). Volt-amperes can be calculated by taking the product of current in amperes and voltage of the load. 

You should always choose the transformer based on the load it has to deal with. It is safer to get a transformer bigger than the real load. Prior to purchasing the transformer ascertain the maximum load that you can expect. Using a power transformer is not all that difficult; in fact it has a pretty simple functioning. The transformer should fit into your space and location specifications. It should be efficient and have the desired power factor. Generally, power transformers having a configuration of either 3 or 4 or 5 are recommended for use. Its temperature rise should also be taken into consideration before selection. If the transformer is kept outdoors then the transformer and its accessories need to be rightly protected. A dry-type transformer works for both, indoors and outdoors. A liquid-filled transformer may also work but it would require more maintenance and care.

Impedance in the power transformers should be checked. Impedance is the percentage of limiting the current in a transformer. Impedance is one of the important aspects in power transformers, if there occurs any problem with the impedance of the transformer, the equipment may catch fire. More than one transformer can run parallel to each other but you should see to it that all the transformers function at the same level so as to provide highest efficiency and sufficient impedance and voltage. Also, a light weighed transformer would be a better option. Somehow people are under the myth that heavy and bulky power transformers function better but the fact is, most of the times, because of the usage of low quality of electrical steel, the transformers weigh more. Though, this may not always be the case, a transformer can be heavy because of the way it is designed, to give out appropriate performance.

Friday, 29 June 2012

Importance of an Energy Meter


Energy meter is a tool that records the amount of electricity or gas used by a residence or an organization. It is eminently imperative for every city, state and country to record their gas and electricity consumption. The term energy meter is used more for an electricity meter rather than a gas meter. Energy meter records electricity in units, unit usually being kilowatt hour. The energy meter is a box having a clock like device embedded in it, which exhibits the power consumed in watts. Now-a-days, many energy meters have digital devices which present the figures in a digitized format. All households have an energy meter affixed inside and the residential complexes also have a meter box. Hospitals, schools and NGO’s should also compulsorily get a meter because getting the power consumption figures registered is very necessary and it does not matter who has consumed the units; each unit consumed should be registered.   

Generally meter reading is done monthly. Energy meter measures the product of current in amperes and voltage in volts consumed; this product i.e. power is then amalgamated with time and displayed on the meter box. There are two basic types of energy meters, electromechanical meter and solid state meter. The electromagnetic meters work by using aluminum discs which rotates inside the meter box, at a speed in proportion with the consumption of energy. Therefore, the number of rotations denotes the amount of power supplied. It is the most commonly used one. Solid state meters are the modern day meters. These meters display the units of power consumed on a LCD screen. They not only record the power supplied but they also give out other information related to electricity load and power supply.

There are other kinds of meters too like electronic meters which function on Bluetooth and GPRS technology and give out automatic meter readings and prepayment electricity meters which supply power on the basis of prepaid cards and tokens. Energy meters are installed by the power supply companies. Based on the meter readings that show the units of energy consumed, invoice is made and the customer should pay the bill accordingly. The energy meter should be maintained properly. If there is anything wrong with the meter box, pipes, wires, etc., it should be immediately replaced because it is perilous to make use of such faulty equipments for electricity work. There are high chances for a short circuit and fire, in such cases.    

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

3 Phase Transformers and Their Role in Power Distribution



One may be forced to think that 3 phase transformer is indispensable and are extremely important in stepping up and down of voltage. This is in fact partially true, no one can deny the importance of 3 phase transformer in this regards but in reality the same work can be done with the help of a group of single phase transformers as well. In reality regular single phase transformers can be merged together to transform power between two 3 phase transformer in numerous variety of configurations. But everyone and everything has its place of importance. 

The lesser amount of material required to construct a 3 phase transformer and their greater efficiency make them the perfect suited transformer for undertaking these power distribution work. This is a fact that they are of small size & weigh less than their modular counterparts and because they are more in demand.
A three phase transformer is made basically from three sets of primary and secondary windings. One leg of iron core assembly is wound by each set of windings. The structure looks more or less 3 single phase transformers which are sharing a single joined core. The power transformed and stepped down from the main power station is send for domestic and industrial purpose via the thick cabled wires. The fact that 20KV of high voltage is quickly turned into 220V of power is an astonishing achievement in itself and 3 phase transformer is perfected to do this speaks volume of its importance.

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Transformers Manufacturing Companies in India


There is large number of Transformers manufacturing companies in India which are playing a leading role to supply the electricity to each and every home. With the invention of electricity, the need for transformers was also increased. Hence, there were some Government organizations that came in front for this. Later this was not restricted to the Government Sector only, in fact there were many Private Organizations as well who started up with this business.  In order to make a transformer, there are various components which need to be assembled in a proper manner. The Transformers manufacturing companies in India have appointed the Professionals who have the skills as well as talent to do this task in the most effective way. 
 
It was a difficult task to make the electricity available for the people living in the rural areas, but these companies have put everything they have to do this task successfully. As a consequence of which, it does not matter in which part of country you are sitting; it is possible for you to get the electricity. Apart from providing electricity in your house, these companies also offer the employment to large number of people. There are various types of transformers which are being manufactured by these companies. Some of them are the Distribution Transformers, Power Transformers and Dry Type Transformers. All these Transformers are used in one or the other form for generation of electricity. They can be used for other activities as well.

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Annual turnover for year 2010-11 is $48 Million & projected for 2011-12 $67 Million.

Mahashakti Energy Limited- an ISO 9001 & ISO 14000 certified organization established in 1994 as an insulated and non-insulated manufacturing unit with ACSR, AAC conductors, cables & double paper covered wire (DPC) as its major products. In the process of forward integration and diversification product line, it began manufacturing of distribution transformers & electronic energy meters in 1997 & 2000 respectively.