Do you need to choose the right transformer for harsh environments, such as mines? There can be many challenges to even a temporary power supply in these kinds of environments. You likely receive high voltages coming into your facility and need powerful equipment to handle it and step it down to usable levels. You may also need portable power on the surface and within the mine. Lastly, you have to deal with typically very high-load profiles. Discover the transformers that you can use to handle these challenges.
Power Supply for Mines
What goes into a power supply for mines and other operations in harsh environments? Here are the components of a mine power supply system:- Power centers: When they are in mines, power centers are called mine load centers. The transformers here take in high voltage, usually 5 kV to 25 kV, and turn it into low voltage outputs needed for mine equipment.
- Switchgear: Mines must also distribute high-voltage lines throughout the facility. Switchgear enables that by isolating and protecting the high-voltage lines and distributing them.
- Motor control centers: Any facility that has to turn on or control motors could use a motor control center.
- Substations: Transform your utility supply into the voltage that you require. You might need these to be permanent or portable, and we can help with either.
Transformers for Mines
So, what kind of transformers should you use in a mine or other harsh environment? You have many options:- Flame-proof, air-cooled transformers: Certified flameproof transformers are useful in mines and other environments that may have open flames. These transformers have tanks full of air.
- Underground transformers: Transformers that are underground need to have additional fail-safes to guarantee safety even if the insulation fails completely. To that end, they have an earthed screen between the two windings, so the primary voltage cannot connect to the second one.
- Autotransformer: If you need to start an alternating current motor, as is often the case in mines, then you need an autotransformer. These have only one winding, usually to step-down current. But, in these applications, they aren’t used to supply power continuously.
