Medium Frequency Transformer

Available services

  • Characterisation of Medium Frequency Transformer
  • Measuring power losses
  • Current/Voltage Waveforms sampling
  • Characterisation of magnetic circuits

SuperGrid Institute offers a complete solution for testing medium frequency transformers in various conditions: no-load, short-circuit, full-load, and with two types of excitation waveforms: sinusoïdal and square full wave shapes. Being able to test the components in real conditions and to characterise them accurately before their implementation inside the whole converter is a real advantage.

SuperGrid Institute is also equipped with the means to magnetically characterise materials in medium frequency condition.

Laboratory & Equipment description

The SuperGrid MFT test platform is able to perform the following test configuration:

Medium Frequency Transformer characterization

  • Complete range: 50 Hz – 100 kHz
  • Voltage excitation: sinus or square full-wave
  • Single phase mode, evolution into 3-phase
  • No-load: 6kV – 10A, single phase primary
  • Short-circuit : 1 kV – 500A
  • Full-load : 6 kV – 500A (back-to-back)

Magnetic characterization:

  • Typical samples: cross section 2.8 to 5.4 cm2 – av. lengh 18 to 34 cm
  • Frequency range: DC to 1 MHz
  • Induction levels: 1.2 T in static – 0.8 at 40 KhZ
  • Exc. waverforms available: Sinus – Triangle – Trapeze / H control or B control
  • Outputs: B(H) characteristics – Power losses measurement

The test bench was constructed so as to perform high voltage measurements under perfect safety conditions, by means of a remote control area using fiber optic links towards the high voltage test area. A sophisticated and user-friendly human machine interface allows the tests to be carried out and achieves automatic electrical safety configuration after completion.

The measurements of power losses and efficiency can be carried out with excellent accuracy on the complete frequency range.

Added value

The continual rise of renewable energies around the world and the need to transport this energy over very long distances will result in the predominance of DC grids and meshed DC grids that will complement or replace the traditional AC grids architecture in the near future. These new DC network architectures will consist of many power converter structures involving power transformers.

The technological advances in the field of power electronics make it possible to use “large GAP” components working within high frequency range (typically 1 kHz up to 100 kHz). As a consequence, the size and the weight of passive components can be drastically reduced.

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