High Ambient Temperature

The ambient temperature of the installation site should always be specified when ordering a transformer especially if it exceeds 35 deg C, failure to do so could result in the overheating of the transformer coils leading to a deterioration in the coil insulation and resulting in a complete failure of the transformer coil.

Inadequate Airflow & Cooling

Transformers will dissipate two types of losses, No load losses which are iron (Fe) losses and Full load losses which are Copper (Cu) and iron losses combined, in larger transformers these can be substantial, it is therefore essential that adequate space around the transformer / enclosure is left, to allow a natural free flow of air. Sufficient ventilation should also be supplied to allow for a constant change of air in and around the transformer / enclosure. Failure to do so can result in the ambient air temperature dramatically increasing and consequent result in transformer failure.

 

Overloading

Transformers are designed to work at a given load to exceed that rating will result in an increase in temperature. This increase in temperature will cause a rapid deterioration in the coil insulation and cause a complete failure of the transformer coil.