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How Do Transformers Work in Power Systems? Everything You Need to Know

22/01/2026

Introdução

The normal operation of the power system is inseparable from the voltage conversion function of the transformador, and the transformador de potência, as the core equipment for processing high voltage and large capacity electricity, its performance and reliability are more related to the success or failure of the whole project.

This article will take you to comprehensively disassemble the working mechanism, core function, and application scenarios of power transformers, combined with the practical advantages of Chuanli products, help you completely understand “how power transformers work”, and provide solid technical support for your procurement decision-making.

 

What Does a Power Transformer Do?

Transformadores

Before purchasing power transformers, you need to clarify first: what role do power transformers (Power Transformers) actually play? In short, its core mission is to realize the precise conversion of voltage levels, ensuring the efficient and safe transmission of electricity in the entire process of power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Specifically, the key role of a power transformer is reflected in three core links:

  • Power generation end step-up: The voltage output of the generator in the power plant is usually 6.3 kV, 10.5 kV, and other medium and low voltages, which cannot meet the long-distance transmission requirements (the lower the voltage, the greater the loss). At this time, the power transformer will increase the voltage to 110 kV, 220 kV, or even 500 kV, reducing energy losses in the transmission process and realizing the long-distance transmission of electricity.
  • Reduction at the distribution end: After power is delivered to the city or industrial area, it needs to be reduced to a level that users can use through power transformers. For example, 110 kV is reduced to 10 kV for industrial parks, and then 10 kV is further reduced to 0.4 kV for residential and commercial use.
  • System stabilization and isolation: Power transformers can also maintain the stability of output voltage when the load fluctuates, avoiding damage to electrical equipment caused by voltage fluctuations. At the same time, its magnetic coupling structure can realize electrical isolation between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit, ensuring electrical safety.

Power transformer vs ordinary transformer: core function differences

Comparison Dimensions Transformador de potência Ordinary Transformer
Core Functions High-voltage, high-capacity power conversion, suitable for long-distance transmission and distribution networks Medium- and low-voltage, small-capacity voltage conversion, suitable for local circuits
Faixa de tensão Input 11kV-500kV+, Output 0.4kV-110kV Input ≤35kV, Output ≤1kV
Cenários de aplicativos Power plants, transmission lines, large substations, and industrial parks Local power supply for offices, small factories, and residential buildings
Key Procurement Considerations Energy efficiency, withstand voltage rating, overload capacity, and reliability Size, cost, adaptability

 

The Working Principle of a Power Transformer Explained Simply

Many buyers think, “How does a transformer work?” It is a complex technical problem, but the core principle can be summarized in four words: electromagnetic induction. Power transformers use the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction to realize the transfer of electric energy from the primary winding to the secondary winding, complete the conversion of voltage level, and maintain the frequency unchanged during the conversion process.

In the design of power transformers, Chuanli Electric has optimized the application of this principle to the extreme: using high-permeability silicon steel cores to reduce magnetic field losses. The use of oxygen-free copper windings improves the electrical conductivity efficiency, which is also one of the key technologies that enable the energy efficiency of Chuanli power transformers to reach more than 98.5%.

 

Step-by-Step Explanation of Power Transformer Working

After understanding the core principles, we will guide you through 8 specific steps to complete the workflow of power transformers, so that you can more accurately evaluate the product performance when purchasing.

 

Step 1: Alternating Current Enters the Primary Winding

When the primary winding of the power transformer is connected to the AC power supply of the power plant or transmission line, the current will pass through the primary winding. At this time, the current is high voltage, low current, or medium high voltage, medium current. For example, the primary winding of the 110 kV step-up transformer is connected to the 10.5 kV AC power output from the power plant.

Step 2: A changing Magnetic Field ls Created in the Core

Because the input is AC, the primary winding will produce a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field is conducted through the iron core, and the closed structure of the iron core ensures that the magnetic field is concentrated, reduces magnetic leakage, and improves the efficiency of energy transmission.

Step 3: Magnetic Flux Links the Primary and Secondary Windings

The changing magnetic field in the iron core will completely pass through the secondary winding (both primary and secondary windings are wound on the iron core to achieve magnetic field coupling).

Step 4: Voltage is Induced in the Secondary Winding

According to the law of electromagnetic induction, when a changing magnetic field passes through the secondary winding, an AC voltage will be induced in the secondary winding. The voltage is determined by the number of turns of the primary and secondary windings: the higher the number of turns, the higher the secondary voltage; The smaller the turns ratio, the lower the auxiliary side voltage.

Step 5: Transformed Power is Delivered to the Load

The voltage induced by the auxiliary winding is transmitted to the power line or electric equipment through the output terminal, completing the conversion and transmission of electric energy. The power transformer of Chuanli uses copper-plated output terminals with excellent conductivity and is equipped with insulating sleeves (withstanding 70kV or more impact voltage) to ensure the safety of high-voltage output.

Step 6: Heat Generated During Operation is Dissipated

When the power transformer is working, it will generate heat due to core eddy current loss and copper loss in the winding. If the heat cannot be dissipated in time, it will affect the service life of the equipment and even cause faults. Chuanli has designed a dedicated cooling solution for different scenarios:

Oil-immersed power transformer: Using high-quality insulating oil as the cooling medium, the heat is carried away by the natural circulation or forced circulation of the oil, suitable for outdoor large substations, can operate stably in the environment of -40 ℃ ~ + 70 ℃.

Dry power transformer: adopts forced air cooling mode, equipped with low noise fan, suitable for indoor scenes (such as urban substations, subway control rooms), noise ≤55dB, does not pollute the environment.

Step 7: Continuous Operation at Rated Load

When designing the power transformer of Chuanli, it will be tested for overload capacity at 1.2 times the rated load to ensure stable operation even during short-term peak loads. For example, a 10MVA power transformer can run continuously for 2 hours under a 12MVA load, meeting the temporary demand during peak electricity consumption periods and avoiding the risk of power outages caused by overload.

Step 8: Voltage Regulation and System Stability Are Maintained

The load of the power system will change at any time (such as the start-up and shutdown of industrial equipment and the peak consumption of residents), which will cause voltage fluctuations.

 

Case Insight: Why Buyers Choose Chuanli Transformador de potência

Transformador aéreo monofásico

There are many brands of transformadores de potência on the market, but why do many buyers choose Chuanli in the end? The following two real cases may give you the answer:

Case 1: Procurement of 110 kV Step-Down Transformer for a Large Industrial Park

  • Project requirements: Reduce the transmission voltage from 110 kV to 10 kV to supply power to many heavy manufacturing enterprises in the park, with a running time of ≥8000 hours per year, high energy efficiency, and low failure rate.
  • Purchasing pain points: The load fluctuates greatly in the park (high load during the day and low load at night), ordinary transformers are difficult to adapt to frequent load changes, and the low energy efficiency leads to high long-term operating costs.
  • Chuanli Solution:Provide 110kV / 10kV, 5MVA oil-immersed power transformer, core advantages:

Usingan amorphous alloy iron core + oxygen-free copper winding, the no-load loss is 30% lower than the national standard, and the annual electricity saving is about 120,000 yuan.

Equipped with a load switching switch, it can adjust the voltage in real time to adapt to load fluctuations.

The fuel tank adopts anti-corrosion coating + sealing structure, which is suitable for outdoor long-term operation and maintenance cycle of up to 5 years.

  • Project result: The equipment has been running for 3 years without any failures, the energy efficiency rate is 100%, the customer satisfaction rate is 98%, and the customer will purchase the product again when the park is expanded.

Case 2: Procurement of dry-type power transformers for urban subway substations

  • Project requirements: Provide a stable power supply for the subway traction system, installed in the underground control room, with the requirements of small size, low noise, fireproof,f and explosion-proof.
  • Purchasing pain points: The underground space is narrow, the heat dissipation conditions are poor, and the requirements for noise and safety are extremely high. Ordinary oil-immersed transformers have the risk of fire, and dry transformers need to solve the problems of heat dissipation and noise.
  • Chuanli Solução: Provide 10kV/ 0.4kV, 2MVA dry power transformer, core advantages:

Using epoxy cast winding, fireproof and explosion-proof, in line with the safety standards of underground space;

Forced air cooling design, high heat dissipation efficiency, can run at full load ina  closed space;

Compact structure, suitable for narrow installation space, noise ≤50dB, does not affect the subway operation environment.

  • Project result: The equipment has been stable for 2 years, passed the safety assessment of the subway operator, and became the designated supplier of the subway system in the city.

From these cases, it can be seen that the core competitiveness of Chuanli Power Transformer lies in its deep understanding of the core issue of “how power transformers work”, so that the product can operate efficiently and stably in different scenarios, and at the same time accurately match the actual needs of buyers.

 

Conclusão

 

The working core of the power transformer is the electromagnetic induction principle, which realizes the voltage conversion through the magnetic field coupling of the primary and secondary windings. Its role of raising voltage, lowering voltage, and stabilizing voltage in the power system directly determines the efficiency and safety of power transmission and use.

The procurement of transformadores de potência is essentially the procurement of “stable, efficient, and reliable power conversion capability”. By choosing Chuanli, you can not only get high-quality products that meet international standards, but also get professional technical support and a convenient service experience – to make your project’s power system more stable, lower operating costs, and higher return on investment.

 

Perguntas frequentes

 

Q1: How long is the service life of a power transformer? How long is the warranty period for Chuanli products?

A: The normal service life of power transformers is 20-30 years, depending on the use environment, load conditions, and maintenance level. Chuanli Electric Power Transformer adopts high-quality materials and precise technology, with a service life of more than 25 years, and provides a 5-year whole machine warranty, free maintenance, and spare parts replacement service within the warranty period.

 

Q2: How long does it take to change a power transformer?

A: The replacement time depends on the capacity of the transformer and the installation scene: the replacement time of small distribution transformers (≤1MVA) is about 1-2 days, and the replacement time of large power transformers (≥5MVA) is about three to five days.

 

Q3: What are the requirements for the energy efficiency grade of power transformers?

A: At present, the domestic energy efficiency standard is implemented by GB 20042-2021, which is divided into 1 class, 2 class, and 3 class, of which 1 class has the highest energy efficiency. All of the electric power transformers of Chuanli reach the 1-class energy efficiency standard, and both the no-load loss and load loss are lower than the national standard requirements.

 

Q4: Is the maintenance cost of pa ower transformer high? Will Chuanli provide maintenance guidance?

A: The maintenance cost of Chuanli Power Transformer is low: the insulating oil of the oil-immersed transformer is replaced every 5 years, and the appearance inspection and insulation test are carried out once a year. Dry transformers do not require oil change, and a winding cleaning and insulation test is performed every 2 years. We will provide a detailed maintenance manual, including the maintenance cycle, steps, and precautions. At the same time, we provide lifetime technical support. If you need on-site maintenance, you can contact our after-sales team at any time.

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