Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Transformer Paint Specification
Transformer Paint Specification
AND TECHNIQUES
Volume 3-7
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
NOVEMBER 1991
CONTENTS
Section Page
5. Indoor transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
6. Outdoor transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
8. Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
9. Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Wcd = watts loss per square meter Heat loss by convection depends on the shape
by conduction and size of the transformer and the temperature
T = difference in temperature be and rate of movement of the cooling medium
tween the two ends of the mate The type and color of paint have no effect on
rial in degrees C convection.
L = Length the heat must travel in me
ters SECTION 5 - INDOOR TRANSFORMERS
R = thermal resistivity of the material
through which the heat must As there is no reflection of the sun's rays to be
pass. considered with transformers located Indoors,
the type and color of paint will effect only the
In a transformer the heat must pass from the heat loss by radiation. An aluminum painted
conductors-and core iron through the insula transformer would be expected to operate at a
tion, oil, the steel case, and the paint coating. higher temperature than one painted black or
The thickness of the paint will add only an any other color due to the low emissivity factor
infinitesimal amount to either the length of the of aluminum paint. Tests were made indoors on
path or the combined thermal resistivity of the two standard 25-kVA transformers by General
material through which the heat must pass. Electric Company. These transformers were
Any type or color of paint will therefore have a tested with black painted tanks. Then the tanks
negligible effect on heat loss by conduction. were painted aluminum, and the tests were re-
other color will increase the temperature such The difference in temperature was small,
color scheme.
1
For comparison purposes only, White lead paint is no longer
used because of its toxicity.