The difference between American and European box transformers
01-13 2025 | By:
There are obvious differences in design and use between American-style box transformers and European-style box transformers, and they are suitable for different places. American-style box transformers, also known as American-style prefabricated cabins, are a type of substation equipment that integrates high-voltage switchgear and transformers and other equipment. It usually uses load switches and current-limiting fuses as power switches, and has the advantages of simple structure, easy operation, small size, and small footprint. Therefore, American-style box transformers are widely used in the construction and transformation of urban distribution networks, as well as some places with high requirements for floor space, such as commercial areas and residential areas.
In contrast, European-style box transformers are a type of substation equipment that separates high-voltage switchgear and transformers and other equipment. It usually consists of transformers, high-voltage switchgear and low-voltage switchgear, and each device is connected to each other through cables or other transmission media. The design of European-style box transformers is relatively traditional and the structure is relatively complex, but it has higher flexibility and adaptability, and can meet the needs of different users. European-style box transformers are widely used in some places with high requirements for equipment performance, such as industrial and community use of port ports. In addition, American-style box transformers and European-style box transformers are also different in applicable places.
American-style box transformers are suitable for places with high requirements on floor space, such as commercial areas and residential areas, because of their compact structure and small footprint. European-style box transformers are suitable for places with high requirements on equipment performance, such as industrial areas and ports, because their design is more traditional and can meet the needs of different users. In short, there are obvious differences in design and use between American-style box transformers and European-style box transformers, and they are suitable for different places. When choosing which box transformer to use, it is necessary to make comprehensive considerations based on the actual situation to ensure that the selected box transformer can meet the actual needs. The basic conditions of the two box transformers are introduced as follows.
1.The difference between American-style box transformer and European-style box transformer
American-style box transformer:
(1) Wiring form of box transformer
One or two 10KV incoming lines; single transformer, the capacity is generally 500KVA~800KVA; 4~6 low-voltage outgoing cables.
(2) Main components of box transformer
Main components include transformer, 10KV ring network switch, 10KV cable plug, low-voltage pile head box, etc. It has the advantages of small size, low cost and easy installation.
(3)Advantages and disadvantages of American-style box transformer
Advantages: small size, small footprint, easy to place, easy to disguise, and easy to coordinate with the environment of the community. It can shorten the length of low-voltage cables, reduce line losses, and reduce the cost of power supply equipment.
Disadvantages: Low power supply reliability; no electric mechanism, unable to add power distribution automation device; no capacitor device, not conducive to reducing line loss; noise is higher than that of type III and type V stations, because type III and type V stations place transformers indoors to play a role in sound insulation; in addition, the concentrated electromagnetic radiation of type III and type V stations is decomposed into multiple point radiation; due to the different civil engineering foundations of box transformers of different capacities, it is inconvenient to increase the capacity of box transformers; when the box transformer is overloaded or the user increases the capacity, the civil engineering needs to be rebuilt, there will be a long power outage time, increasing the difficulty of the project.
European box transformer:
(1) Wiring form of box transformer
- Single distribution transformer form – two 10KV incoming lines; the capacity of a single transformer is generally 500KVA~800KVA; the low-voltage outgoing cable is generally 4~6 lines.
- Two distribution transformers – two 10KV incoming lines; two transformers, each with a capacity of 500KVA~800KKVA; low-voltage outgoing cables are generally 8~12 lines.
(2) Main components of box transformers
It consists of transformers, 10KV ring network switch cabinets, low-voltage capacitors, low-voltage switches and other main components, which is equivalent to compactly installing the equipment of type III station in a metal box, making the type III station miniaturized. The volume of European box transformers is higher and larger than that of American box transformers, and the cost is also higher than that of American box transformers.
(3) Advantages and disadvantages of European box transformers
Advantages: Noise is equivalent to that of type III station and type I station; radiation is lower than that of American box transformers, because the transformer of European box transformers is placed in a metal box to play a shielding role; distribution automation can be set up, which not only has the advantages of type III station and type I station, but also has the main advantages of American box transformers.
Disadvantages: Large size, not conducive to installation, and has a certain impact on the environmental layout of the community;
2.Applicable places of American box transformers and European box transformers
Due to the different structures of the box transformers, the places of use are also different, and the power supply networks are also different. Because the structures of American box transformers and European box transformers are different and the reliability is different, the applicable occasions are also different. When the capacity of the American box transformer is selected to be smaller and the building area of the community is larger, the box transformers used will increase a lot, thereby increasing the number of load points connected to the overhead line; when the load points of the overhead line are reduced, the number of box transformers connected in series must be increased, making the network structure weak. To overcome the problem of weak network structure caused by small-capacity box transformers, it is best to use a ring network station to solve it.
Applicable places of American box transformers
In view of the structural characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of American box transformers, American box transformers are suitable for multi-story residential buildings and other unimportant buildings with relatively low power supply requirements. According to our actual use, after the American box transformer is equipped with a small ring network switch station, it is fully applicable to the power supply needs of multi-story residential buildings. Because even if the box transformer fails, it will have little impact on residents, but it is not suitable for small and high-rise buildings.
Applicable places of European box transformers
European box transformers are suitable for multi-story residential buildings, small and high-rise buildings, high-rise buildings and other important buildings.
3.Summary
Both American box transformers and European box transformers have various shortcomings, but with the advancement of science and technology, distribution automation, capacitor compensation and other new technologies are constantly applied to box transformers, and box transformers will definitely be the preferred solution in the power supply mode.
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