Utilities are facing growing pressure to reduce losses and total ownership costs while improving efficiency. The Amorphous Core Distribution Transformer (AMDT) by First Philec offers a solution that delivers higher energy efficiency, particularly under low-load conditions, and significant savings over a transformer's lifetime.
1. Understanding Transformer Losses
Two types of losses occur in distribution transformers: - No-Load Loss (NLL): Constant loss regardless of a transformer’s load. - Load Loss (LL): Loss caused by the flow of current when the transformer is loaded.
Reducing these losses directly translates to lower operational costs and improved energy efficiency.
2. Why Amorphous Steel?
Amorphous steel differs from conventional silicon steel by having a non-crystalline atomic structure, making it: - Thinner - Less energy-intensive - More tolerant to harmonic distortion - More efficient at magnetization
This enables lower no-load losses and reduced exciting current compared to traditional materials.
3. Efficiency Gains
Amorphous Core Transformers reduce NLL by 65–80% over silicon steel transformers, significantly improving performance, especially at partial loading conditions where many distribution systems operate.
4. Total Owning Cost (TOC): A Real-World Benefit
TOC = Transformer Price + (A × NLL) + (B × LL) Where A and B are utility-defined cost-of-loss multipliers.
Based on data using 2020 material prices: - AMDTs are up to 32% more cost-effective than silicon steel equivalents. - Lower NLL means long-term operational savings despite similar initial cost.
5. Regulatory Compliance
AMDTs help utilities comply with loss limits required by the Department of Energy (DOE), exceeding performance expectations for a wide range of transformer sizes.
6. Sustainability
In addition to cost and energy benefits, AMDTs contribute to reduced environmental impact due to lower operational losses and compatibility with biodegradable insulating fluids.
Adopting First Philec’s AMDT offers a compelling mix of energy efficiency, cost savings, and regulatory compliance, making it an essential upgrade for future-ready power distribution.
Revolutionizing Grid Monitoring with Advanced Optical Sensing Solutions with Micatu
Micatu’s advanced optical sensing technology is redefining how utilities monitor and manage medium-voltage power systems. By leveraging non-contact, high-precision optical sensors, Micatu delivers real-time, accurate measurements of voltage, current, and harmonics across overhead, underground, and substation distribution networks. Designed with reliability, safety, and grid resiliency in mind, these sensors enable smarter grid operations, reduced downtime, and improved power quality—while supporting sustainability efforts through enhanced efficiency and emissions reduction.
Core Technology: Micatu’s non-contact optical sensors offer superior accuracy, precision, reliability, and safety in voltage and current measurement, along with harmonic analysis.
Processor Platform (M410B): A flexible, hot-swappable processor supporting multiple analog, digital, and communication interfaces, with field-upgradable hardware/software and compatibility with industry protocols like DNP 3.0 and IEC 60870
Overhead Sensors:
OLH235: Clamp-on sensor for conductor or bus bar (up to 38kV).
OLP225 and OLP269: Linepost sensors with reversible mounts, rated up to 72kV.
Underground Sensors:
OUG125: Voltage-only sensor compatible with standard load-break elbows.
OUG225: Combination voltage and current sensor with easy installation into elbows or on conductors.
Accessories:
WPE401 Enclosure: High-durability, IP66-rated NEMA 4X electrical enclosure for sensor systems.
Micatu’s optical sensors support advanced monitoring applications to enhance grid visibility, efficiency, and sustainability, contributing to reduced CO₂ emissions and improved power system resilience.
Fighting Copper Theft with Everlast®: Durable Warning Signs Aim to Save Lives and Prevent Outage
Copper thieves have become bolder causing more than 60 million dollars in losses annually. Thefts account for 450,000 minutes of outage time annually and over 30 deaths. Tech Products, Inc. has teamed up with NW Electric Power Co-Op, Inc. to produce vandal resistant, long –lasting signage that will outline the consequences of copper theft. Using Tech Products, Inc. unique sign product, Everlast®, the electric substations are armed with a powerful message to deter criminals. Everlast® has been designed to withstand UV fading for over 40 years, bullets pass through with little effect and graffiti can be easily wiped off.
How Lab Testing Improves Utility Pole Field Performance
In the utility industry, field performance is where products prove their worth. But what happens when a product fails mid-job and leaves a lineman stranded 50 feet (15 m) in the air? This real-world story shows how that failure turned into a breakthrough. Learn how lab testing, real-time feedback, and product iteration led to a safer, smarter solution for utility pole repair—and a win for field crews and engineers alike.
Product Trials in the Utility Industry: Field Conditions Matter
During a new product trial at a midwestern utility, a product weakness was quickly discovered. Jake Jonnes was demonstrating the new product to a contract crew of linemen. They were repairing transmission lines. Transmission poles are expensive to replace. It is better to repair and maintain the poles. For this utility, the land is hilly and rocky, and it is difficult to get to the poles. That’s another reason they opt to repair the poles.
For Jake, this was a memorable field trial. “We had to take an all-terrain UTV to get into the wooded site. There was a whole line of utility poles and a crew of four linemen working with a competitive product. And of those four guys, only one was a normal size. One guy was about 130 pounds (59 Kg), and, like a squirrel, he could climb like crazy. The guys on the ground would pass up materials using a rope. They were working in pairs with one guy on the pole and the other one sending up materials. The guy on the pole would finish and leapfrog to the next one. They were just throwing down empty cartridges, or empty bags of whatever product they were using. We saw this was a big job with a lot of opportunities for us.”
Recognizing Real-World Application Challenges
Jake continues, “When we got our trial, the lineman went up the pole and we gave them our product. There were a lot of holes. You would get a big round hole with a crack running through the bottom and down the pole. In addition, the poles aren’t smooth. If there is a gap where the pole is wrapped or because of the cracks from the pole checking (see image), the product would leak out.”
For more information or a quote on any of the products featured in this newsletter, please reach out to Ryan Campbell at rcampbell@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772.
Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply offer the latest products and solutions available in the Utility Industry. We are committed to meet the needs of our customers through quality product solutions and proven customer service.
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