Magnetic properties measurement and discussion of an amorphous power transformer core at room and liquid nitrogen temperature

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In energy generation, transmission and distribution systems, power transformers are one of the most common and important components. Consequently, the performance of these transformers is crucial to global efficiency of the systems. To optimize transformers efficiency, the selection of an adequate ferromagnetic material is very important. For example, the use of amorphous ferromagnetic materials in transformer cores, replacing crystalline electrical steels, decreases total magnetic losses of the device. Other possible solution to increase energy systems efficiency, is the installation of high temperature superconducting power transformers (HTS transformers), normally cooled by liquid nitrogen at 77 K. In order to contribute to HTS transformer efficiency improvement, a 562.5 VA transformer with an amorphous ferromagnetic core was designed and built. For this core, the most important magnetic properties are measured at room and cryogenic temperature, and then compared with those of a typical crystalline grain-oriented electrical steel. Amorphous material magnetic losses (static and dynamic) at room and 77K are also presented and discussed.