Retrofit steel plant transformers integrate easily with existing equipment

Pacific Crest Transformers (PCT) offers a transformer design suitable for retrofitting existing steel industry transformers. The design fits into an existing space and easily connects to high and low voltage equipment already in place, PCT said.

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Pacific Crest Transformers (PCT), designer and manufacturer of liquid-filled distribution transformers, offers a transformer design said to be ideal for retrofitting existing steel industry transformers. PCT meets the steel industry’s need for a turnkey retrofit solution that fits into an existing space and easily connects to high and low voltage equipment already in place. The high efficiency transformer transformer design meets the needs of facilities responding to U.S. Department of Energy requirements stipulating that replacement transformers incorporate new high efficiency standards.

PCT can conducts an audit of steel plants’ existing transformers and provide engineering drawings for replacement transformers at a fraction of the purchase price. This engineering cost is deducted from the transformer price when purchased. This proactive approach is said to minimize lead time and reduce manufacturing delays.

Steel mills now experiencing increased demand as the economy recovers are faced with the growing need to replace aging transformers, PCT said. PCT’s retrofit transformers are custom-designed for each installation, so the retrofit design and mechanical components can be matched with the existing application. With Pacific Crest’s turnkey solution, facility managers can quickly and easily replace transformers during a planned outage. 

Large multi-facility steel companies seeking to anticipate and plan for future transformer replacement can work with PCT to:

• Develop proactive transformer replacement programs
• Conducts inventories of installed transformers
• Develop a library of conceptual designs
• Anticipate costs and avoid lag time for design work
• Order replacements from the bank of designs as needed, before a costly outage.

“Thousands of transformers in the steel industry are coming to the end of their natural life and must be replaced,” said Curt Collins, Pacific Crest Transformer’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Pacific Crest offers a leading edge replacement transformer and can partner with our steel industry customers to give them a strategy for planning their retrofit programs.”

PCT’s transformers feature circular windings that spread the radial forces evenly over their circumference and have cooling ducts throughout the coils, eliminating hot spots that lead to premature breakdown and ultimately to transformer failure. Coil end blocking with heavy duty 3 gauge steel bracing and proprietary pressure plates contains the axial forces exerted during a fault condition. These forces can cause telescoping of the coils, shortening transformer life.  The innovative design includes round coils, a cruciform, mitered core with heavy-duty clamping and a proprietary pressure plate design, as well as a premium no-load tap changer.

www.pacificcresttrans.com

- Edited by Mark T. Hoske, CFE Media, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com