Magnetic forces applied to the tank walls of a large power transformer

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to calculate forces created by the magnetic leakage field, which are directly applied to tank walls via magnetic shield. Design/methodology/approach Electromagnetic and mechanical calculations use 3D finite element technology, both applied to materials having constant orthotropic properties. The magnetic solver uses harmonic excitation; the analysis of mechanical deflection is carried out in static conditions. Two types of forces are considered: magnetostatic surface forces and magnetostriction volumetric ones. In measurements, the laser scanning vibrometer was applied. Findings Electromagnetic calculations must use an FE mesh much denser than that for typical power loss analysis. The magnetic orthotropy of the shield material does not create any important effects and it may be omitted. Magnetostriction forces are similar in value to magnetostatic ones, but their influence on the shield deformation is negligible. Research limitations/implications The results obtained for the analysis of the displacement of elements of the tank wall are exemplary – they show the difference between magnetostatic and magnetostriction excitation only. The analysis of the vibration of the transformer tank must include the presence of the oil inside the tank. Originality/value The asymmetrical placement of magnetic shields against the transformer core creates the visible differences in the magnitudes of magnetostatic forces applied to particular shields. Therefore, the design of magnetic shielding should also include the vibrational point of view.