Advanced cooling technologies for outdoor dry-type transformers
Innovative technologies enabling reliable transformer performance in outdoor environments
Outdoor installation of dry-type transformers presents a unique thermal challenge: limited airflow due to protective enclosures with high IP ratings. At TMC, we have developed a suite of advanced cooling technologies specifically engineered to maintain optimal performance and thermal stability, even in sealed boxes.
Engineering cooling beyond airflow
Traditional dry-type transformers rely on natural or forced air convection. However, when external airflow is restricted by protective sealed enclosure, standard cooling methods become insufficient.
TMC is able to offer custom cooling solutions such as:
- Air Forced Air Forced (AFAF) cooling: air is actively circulated both within the transformer enclosure and through an air-to-air heat exchanger. Internal fans create forced convection currents, lifting hot air from the windings and directing it through fins where it is cooled before being recirculated.
- Air Forced Water Forced (AFWF): Air circulates within the enclosure, while heat is removed via forced water recirculation. The cooling circuit remains completely isolated, making it ideal for outdoor and industrial environments.
AFAF systems are commonly used in indoor or well-ventilated environments where a robust and maintenance-friendly cooling method is needed without the complexity of fluids.
AFWF systems are preferred for mission-critical or space-constrained installations, such as offshore platforms, or infrastructure in high-temperature regions, where high cooling efficiency and size optimization are crucial.
- Direct Liquid Cooling: a deionized water circuit flows through hollow conductors, extracting heat directly from the windings. This method ensures high thermal efficiency and compact design.
- Indirect Liquid Cooling: heat sinks embedded within the windings transfer heat to a closed-loop water circuit. This approach isolates the cooling medium from the electrical components, enhancing both safety and reliability.
Whether your project requires high-performance cooling in a desert climate, a coastal environment, or a high-altitude installation, TMC provides a tailored solution that ensures efficiency, durability, and compliance.