A transformer is important equipment in any electrical circuit. Understanding of transformer repair key terms will help you communicate your transformer problems to repair technicians. If you want to complete transformer repairs on your own, you will need to understand technical terms for the different processes and components in the electrical equipment industry.

This guide covers some important terms that you will hear from companies that provide transformer repair services, including transformer rebuilding, transformer rating and transformer field services.

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Transformer field services

When you communicate with companies that provide transformer repairs, they will ask whether you need a transformer field service or if you can ship your transformer.

I recommend: Electro-Test and Maintenance, a provider of substation maintenance services, offers a variety of transformer field services. You can also browse through Transformer Maintenance & Service to understand details of the transformer field services.

Transformer maintenance

Transformer maintenance will help you avoid emergency transformer repairs. You must be aware of different tasks that help you to maintain your transformers.

I recommend: Alfa Transformer, a supplier of transformers, explains the need for transformer maintenance and factors that affect transformer maintenance.

Transformer rating

You can calculate the rating for your transformer by multiplying the load current by the supply voltage. Some reputable manufacturers of transformers provide explanation on the transformer rating and its units.

I recommend: TEMCo Stock & Custom Transformer Manufacturer offers information about calculating transformer rating for your applications.

Magnetic field

Since a magnetic field is always associated with a transformer, you should understand the relation between the line current and the magnetic field.

I recommend: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory provides an interactive tutorial that will help you understand the relation between the line current and the magnetic field in different operating conditions.

Liquid-filled transformers

A transformer generates heat while it is working. A liquid-filled transformer is a transformer that contains liquid, mostly oil, for dissipating this heat.

I recommend: To understand the basics of liquid-filled transformers and their repair process, you can read through information on transformer repairs at R.A.Reed Electric Co. (PDF).

Dry-type transformers

Unlike liquid-filled transformers, dry-type transformers do not contain any oil or liquid.

I recommend: Delcor Power Products, a supplier of industrial transformers, provides basic information and instruction manuals for the different types of transformers, including dry-type transformers.

Step-up transformers

A step-up transformer increases voltage from primary to secondary coils. Conversely, you can use a step-down transformer to decrease voltage from primary to secondary coils.

I recommend: All About Circuits, an information resource that provides information on the basics of electrical equipment, provides details of step-up transformers and the difference between a step-up transformer and a step-down transformer.

When the transformer goes down so does some aspect of your business. In other words, it’s time for transformer repair help. Many businesses repair transformers by part replacement or providing a complete rebuild with updates. Some companies provide transformer field services.

Types of transformers include low to high voltage, step-up and down, isolation, various phases, dry, oil-filled, welding and motor starting. Each provides specific functions. When looking for businesses specializing in repairing transformer equipment, consider the following:

1. Consider the time saved for transformer repair services over buying new.

2. Save money with repairs that often improve on the original design.

3. Shorten downtime with onsite transformer field services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get quick turnaround time for your industrial power transformer repair

These companies provide both dry and wet power transformer repairs.

I recommend: Call the number at the bottom of the page at Neeltran for your emergency and non-emergency repairs with engineering review and enhancements for all types 5 to 40,000 KVA. Contact Ward Transformer Sales & Service for transformers up to 15 MVA and up to 69 KV Delta. Click “Email Us” or phone Electric Power, with services that include degassing transformer oil, testing and leak repairs.

Opt for transformer rebuilding before buying new

These companies provide rebuilding services primarily focused on industrial and commercial transformers.

I recommend: Call Casey for rebuilding your transformer with a one-year warranty. Request a quote from Automation International, a provider of rebuilding services for all resistance welding transformers with full warranty and quick turnaround; click “Resistance Welding Transformers” to view transformer rebuilding services. Phone the number at the bottom of the page for AC/DC motor transformers at McBroom Industrial Services.

Choose an electric transformer repair company offering experience

These companies maintain large facilities and equipment for transformer repair covering many brands and types from low- to high-voltage.

I recommend: Contact AC Transformer, with capabilities to repair transformers both domestic and foreign-built with fast return delivery. Click “Request a Quote” or call the number on the page for electrical transformer repair involving step down, variable and AC transformers at Industrial Pump and Motor Repair. This company also provides transformer field services for the tri-state area. Phone Frakes Industrial for electrical transformer repair service specializing in electrical/mechanical rotating equipment.

Obtain transformer field service with expertise and efficient equipment

These companies specialize in sub-station transformer field services, including emergency response.

I recommend: Contact Nix Electric for onsite leak repair, retrofit, replacing high and low voltage bushings, testing and other repairs. Service includes small transformers rated 10 MVA, 300 BIL with load tap changer. Go to Electro-Test and Maintenance for bushing replacement, leak repair, tap changer, degasification and testing. Contact RB Watkins, specializing in bushing repair, LTC re-gasket and everything in between. Phone the number on the bottom of the page at Southeastern Transformer for repairing transformer bushings and gaskets and onsite repair of Padmount transformers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Transformer repair companies save your business money by using the working parts, such as enclosures, cores, case and bus. Upgrades provide an additional advantage for repairing an older transformer, for example, by adding newer efficient coils and strengthening short-circuitry.

Rebuilding or repairing a transformer is an important task for the smooth running of your industrial equipment. If you want to use electric transformer repair services, you must have basic information about the electric repair services market and the factors that affect the rates for electric transformer repairs.

If you want to repair transformers on your own, you must be aware of the safety precautions that you will need to follow. You can also seek an expert’s advice if you want to complete a transformer rebuilding or repairing task without a technician’s help.

If you want to pursue a career in power transformer repair services, you will need to search for electrical technician courses that cover power transformer repairs as a part of the curriculum.

To acquire education and training about transformer repair devices, you need to:

1. Understand basic information about transformer repairs
2. Search for courses that provide information about power transformer repairs
3. Join associations that provide access to useful information in the field of electrical repair services
4. Subscribe to magazines in the electrical equipment industry
5. Understand technical standards for rebuilding and repairing electrical equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read through basic information about power transformer repairs

You can search for basic information about transformer maintenance and repairs at the websites of companies that offer transformer repairs. Some companies that provide transformer field services also offer guidelines for transformer repairs.

I recommend: Alfa Transformer, a reputable transformer manufacturer, provides information about transformer maintenance and repairs. You can also refer to the power transformer repairs guide at R.A.Reed Electric Co., a manufacturer of electrical equipment including transformers and motors.

Enroll in courses that will enable you to work as a power transformer repair technician

If you want to be a power transformer repairs technician, search for courses that provide information on transformer repair equipment and techniques.

I recommend: Art Mandigo Transformer Winding Services, a transformer repair service provider, offers a training program on transformer coil winding and repairs. TPC Training Systems offers a course on transformers and AC circuits that includes information on transformers, their applications, inspection and maintenance. Additionally, you can opt for customized courses on electrical maintenance and safety by Edison ESI, a provider of electrical and mechanical equipment repair, maintenance, test and calibration services.

Join associations to gain knowledge in the field of electrical transformer repair services

You can join associations for companies that manufacture and/or repair electrical equipment, including transformers.

I recommend: You can join the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, a global association for electromechanical sales and service firms. The InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) is another organization that develops standards for the safety and reliability of electrical equipment.

Read through magazines for up-to-date information about power transformer repairing techniques

You can subscribe to magazines and journals that provide up-to-date information about the electrical equipment industry. You can also read through articles that provide updates about power transformer repairing and rebuilding techniques.

I recommend: Electricity Today, a magazine by The Electricity Forum, offers information on the latest technological developments in the electrical industry. ElectricNet is another publication that offers information about the electric power industry. Additionally, you can read through publications by IEEE.