Thermal analysis of an electric power transformer inside an enclosure–a case study

Electric transformer inside an enclosure is used in the medium power transmission lines. It reduces the power losses more than other transformers in the transmission lines. In this study, thermal performance of a transformer inside an enclosure was investigated numerically and experimentally under different operating conditions. The experimental data were collected while the transformer was working in real operating conditions. The 3D numerical analysis was conducted and then verified with the experimental data. The results of this study show that despite lower power loss of the transformer, compared to the conventional transformers which are commonly installed on the overhead power line towers, the enclosure of the transformer has a serious problem of poor ventilation and it causes the transformer to run at higher temperature condition and this consequently decreases the transformer's efficiency. However, this problem can be fixed by implementing some changes in the enclosure's air vents and also by adding a fan on the roof of the enclosure. © 2015 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.