Technical Engineering Notes
The
precision degree to which
these transformers' output windings are balanced means that there will
be less line to line current
phase shift under load (with respect to
ground) which provides for a significantly broader bandwidth
of common mode noise attenuation. Unlike similar transformers of their type, Spec Series
transformers are highly
tuned devices wound with proprietary winding methods designed to
achieve near perfect balance. The secondary windings are virtually a
mirror
image of one another. This means that the shorter wavelength of high
frequency harmonics does not limit these transformers' capacity to
effectively attenuate high frequency noise. High frequency
harmonics, aside from
having a negative effect on the performance of sensitive electronic
systems, are also
a waste of
power. It's not unusual to read voltage between neutral and
ground in conventional 3-phase wye distribution systems -- most often
several volts but sometimes as much as 30 volts or more. Voltage
between
neutral and ground found in typical 3-phase wye distribution systems is
an indication of
an extreme presence of harmonic currents.
As
finer and finer resolution
is achieved by digitally based electronic systems of all shapes and
sizes, the need for ever more refined power quality will
continue to grow in importance. Perhaps one day, balanced AC power may be a
mandatory requirement
because of the technical advantages it provides.
When Spec Series transformers are used, no other power conditioning device or active filtering system is
required to maintain the cleanest possible active current wave form and
the most noise-free signal reference in any technical facility.
Sensitive
electronic equipment of all varieties performs more accurately and
reliably.
The difference in equipment performance (as often reported to us by users) is
astonishing.
Another major
benefit provided by Spec Series transformers is significant for economic reasons. When reactive load
current is canceled in the manner described here, a higher power factor
is maintained. [kW2
+ kVAR2 = kVA2]
where kW approaches kVA as kVAR approaches 0. Reactive
currents are cancelled
out when the system is loaded. Current and voltage will remain
in phase (higher power factor) to a greater degree as more as more impedance
loads are switched over to a balanced power distribution system. Utility company penalties for power users with a low power factor are greatly reduced if not altogether eliminated. With
a more
phase coherent AC supply present, all types of AC loads will use
electricity more efficiently. Stated in simple terms, for
electrical
power to perform any task, both current and voltage must be in phase to
one another. To the degree that they are not, nothing will
happen.
To the degree that they are, the desired effect is achieved. The
bottom line is, less kVA needs to be generated
to perform a task when power remains more phase coherent. Higher
power
factor system wide is an inherent quality of the balanced power
architecture.
As has been described here,
wide scale use of Spec Series transformers across bulk
utility power systems at the user level will provide increased power efficiency
for everyone. Less kVAR and high power factor is also more "gentle"
on power generation and distribution systems which lowers maintenance and
other related bulk power distribution costs. Perhaps most important
of all, reducing the need for utility companies to "compensate" for low
power factor by producing more power to offset low efficiency will result
in the savings of untold millions in fuel costs.
Among the many advantages attributed to Equi-Tech balanced AC isolation transformers, they are also environmentally friendly.
