Field Performance of Three-Phase Amorphous Metal Core Distribution Transformersat Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

摘要

As part of a 3-year project sponsored by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command(NAVFAC) and Office of Naval Research (ONR), eight prototype three-phase amorphous metal core distribution transformers (three 75-k and five 150-kVA units) were installed at the Public Works Center (PWC) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The program objective was to evaluate the electrical performance and operational reliability of the amorphous metal core transformers compared to conventional silicon-steel transformers, and to determine the stability of the transformer core losses over an extended period of time. Three years of test and evaluation of these amorphous transformers has shown no degradation of the initial low core loss. No failures of any kind occurred. More importantly, test results obtained from these transformers indicate no long-term degradation of the low core loss is expected. No-load losses in the 75-kVA transformers tested were reduced by 62.6 percent and in the 150-kVA units by 70.1 percent. Distribution transformers are an area where more efficient materials, such as amorphous metal, significantly reduce core losses on the distribution system. These eight relatively small three-phase transformers have been in operation at Pearl Harbor for only a few years, but have already produced energy savings of approximately three thousand dollars. (Author) (kr)