Aluminum Wound Transformers

[augie47]

I have had no experience with aluminum wound transformers vs copper.
On an upcoming job the delivery time on AL units is considerably faster than the CU counterpart and AL is less expensive.
Are there any "horror stories" associated with AL wound transformers in the 75 kav range ?

 

[jim dungar]

Aluminum has been the standard conductor for general purpose, off the shelf, transformers for at least 45 years.

Government money projects are about the only ones that regularly specify copper windings.

 

[augie47]

Thanks

 

[infinity]

We still use only copper wound transformers. Engineers are still specifying copper over aluminum. They may change going forward with supply chain issues.

 

[jim dungar]

We still use only copper wound transformers. Engineers are still specifying copper over aluminum. They may change going forward with supply chain issues.

What a waste of customer's money. For general purpose installations, I cannot think of any advantage that copper windings have over aluminum. To me this is one of the first items to consider for 'value engineering'.

 

[Todd0x1]

Are there any "horror stories" associated with AL wound transformers in the 75 kav range ?

Only one I can think of (and I don't know if they make these anymore) is those stupid GE transformers where for example a 45kva is a 30kva with a fan in it.

 

[jim dungar]

Only one I can think of (and I don't know if they make these anymore) is those stupid GE transformers where for example a 45kva is a 30kva with a fan in it.

But that was a cooling/air flow issue, not really a winding material problem.