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Topic: Off Topic: Electrical, not electronic question |
erik
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Jonathan Cullifer
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 4 Jul 2007 4:22 pm |
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Electricity can arc through the air, given enough voltage. The fluid they use helps reduce arcing and also helps cool the transformer windings. If the transformer arced where the air bubble was, it would be a short circuit of sorts, which would quickly overheat the transformer.
Corona discharge, brought on by the presence of air, could also cause the transformer to fail catastrophically. I've seen stories of improperly designed high power radio antennas being reduced to a blob of metal from the high voltages formed at the end. Many antennas have a metal ball at the end of them (where the highest voltage is on the antenna) to prevent this from happening.
I haven't done much research into this and the electrical part of my brain is a little rusty, so I may be wrong on all of this, but this is what came to mind. |
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erik
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Posted 5 Jul 2007 8:14 pm
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Thank you. Think I would still need to see it as an illustration to fully grasp it.
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-johnson |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 6 Jul 2007 7:29 am
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As Jonathan said, the transformers are sealed, and an arc in the transformer (brought on by an air bubble, or presence of water) causes the fluids inside (which are basically oils) to boil. This increases the pressure inside the casing tremendously. The transformer then, vents, splits a seam, or can even explode. Then, the increased arcing sets the oils on fire (since they now have a ready supply of oxygen). The results can be quite spectacular, and also very lethal. What with thousands of volts of electricity jumping around, a blazing fire, the concussion and resultant shrapnel (if the failure produced a large explosion), and the bevy of toxic gases and smoke produced, it's an event you probably wouldn't want to witness "close-up".
I'm sure that if you did a web-search on "transformer explosions", you'd find a video or two that would give you a more "graphic" depiction of the ensuing events, should you require such.  |
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Robert Harper
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2007 12:54 pm Electrical Explosions
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| I don't know about transformers, but i have heard of electric panels blowing up and the death of those involved and I always have had a new respect for electrical boxes since i heard of the first one when I was about 13 last year Ha |
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erik
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Posted 6 Jul 2007 9:13 pm
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Donny, are you suggesting that this maintenance was being performed as the transformer was in operation? Wouldn't it be taken off line first? I know that just 2 weeks ago I got a notice from the utility company that my service would be out for half a day so work can be performed "safely" on the system. I drove down the street and they were working on a transformer.
How does this information apply to transformers found in amps, or is there no connection?
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-johnson |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 7 Jul 2007 1:53 am
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Erik, hard to say. Many electrical workers have been killed or injured working on what they thought were deactivated circuits. Also, they don't always have the luxury of being able to power-down for maintenance. I don't know the specifics in this case, so that's about all I can say.
The transformers in consumer electronics (amps and such) are a much simpler type, and they operate at much lower voltages, currents, and duty cycles. They don't require any fluids for insulating and cooling, and are considered quite safe, even if they fail. |
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