You have seen how a camera shutters while clicking pictures,
right? Do you know how long it takes for a standard camera to shutter? Only 8
milliseconds! Another thing you may have noticed is a hummingbird flapping its
wings. Do you know how fast it flaps its wings once? 60 milliseconds! Now, you
may wonder why this blog is talking about the speed of a camera or hummingbird
wing flap. Keep reading, and you’ll understand.
Okay, let’s get back to the point – “What makes transformers
explode?” Transformers are the big cylindrical boxes you see attached to
electric poles that transfer voltages while transmitting electricity from one
circuit to another. Electricity constantly flows through the transformer. But,
in a case when it is flooded with too much electricity, the sudden rush of
power may cause the transformer to explode. Transformers are programmed to turn
off as soon as they detect an energy spike. But, this shutdown can take up to
60 milliseconds. There! You see why this blog spoke about the 8 milliseconds
and 60 milliseconds earlier? To explain how fast these milliseconds are. But, in
case of a transformer, these 60 milliseconds don't seem to be fast enough! When
electricity is flooded into a transformer, this insignificant time turns out to
be too slow to stop the electrical overload.
Immediate surge in the electric pole can be caused by many
sources like a car hitting the pole or even a squirrel climbing up the pole. Another
reason could be lightning. Due to lightning, heavy voltage builds up and the
transformer may explode, if there is no security mechanism implemented to avoid
it. Furthermore, the reason of an explosion in snow prone areas could be a
snowstorm. After a heavy snowstorm, underground electric systems often suffer
problems. The salting streets of these areas keep vehicles and pedestrians safe.
But, the salt can slip through manholes and corrode wires and create hazardous
conditions for the underground electrical systems, thus resulting in
transformer explosion.
Within these transformers, there are several gallons of
mineral oil to keep the circuits cool. But, when excess amount of electricity
is let in, the circuits start melting and fail into a number of sparks, setting
the mineral oil ablaze! This results in an explosion of the transformer.
However, it isn’t necessary that a failure always results in a fire or
explosion but, there is always a possibility. In short, if the input voltage to
the transformer is lower or around the critical voltage and the output voltage
is more, the load to the transformer increases during peak hours. This results
in a heavy increase in the winding temperature and burns out the transformer.
For the best transformers, you can get in touch with Miracle
Electronics, the best transformer manufacturer in India for all sorts of transformers like power, toroidal, isolation, UI,
SMPS, poly phase, audio and many others.
