The J & P
Transformer
The J & P Transformer Book continues to withstand the test of time as a key
body of reference material for students, teachers, and all whose careers are
involved in the engineering processes associated with power delivery, and particularly with transformer design, manufacture, testing, procurement, application, operation, maintenance, condition assessment and life extension. As a
measure of its popular and wide-scale appeal an internet search on the title
results in over 15,000 reference hits from a large number of countries and in
multiple languages.
Now in print for over 80 years since initial publication
in 1925 by Johnson & Phillips Ltd., the text has grown and changed over time
from its original intent as a guide for transformer theory, design, and construction from a manufacturing perspective, and continues to steadily expand on
incorporation of the information needed for a user to apply transformer equipment knowledgeably and effectively. Evolutions in transformer experience,
knowledge, design calculation capability, manufacturing process, MVA and
voltage ratings, and application needs, together with the understanding of new
problems and development of new solutions have all been refl ected as this
book has been revised and updated.
Current experience and knowledge have been brought into this thirteenth
edition with discussions on moisture equilibrium in the insulation system, vegetable based natural ester insulating fl uids, industry concerns with corrosive
sulfur in oil, geomagnetic induced current (GIC) impacts, transportation issues,
new emphasis on measurement of load related noise, and enhanced treatment
of dielectric testing (including Frequency Response Analysis), Dissolved Gas
Analysis (DGA) techniques and tools, vacuum LTC’s, shunt and series reactors,
and HVDC converter transformers. The historical basis of the book continues to
highlight British experience, but these changes in the thirteenth edition together
with updates of IEC reference Standards documentation and inclusion for the fi rst
time of IEEE reference Standards, provide a more universal fl avor to the volume
and a recognition that the transformer industry and market is truly global in scale.
The book was last updated in 1998 by Martin J. Heathcote, and in preparing this edition, Mr. Heathcote has continued to draw on his contacts and
experience in both the manufacturing and user arenas to provide relevance
and value to the industry. Upon graduating from the University of Sheffi eld
in Electrical Power Engineering, his career began immediately with the
Transformer Division of Ferranti Limited, where his training led to a position
as a transformer designer. After successfully working on designs up to 400 kV,
Mr. Heathcote moved from manufacturing to the other side of the aisle and
worked for over 20 years on various power engineering projects for the
Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in the UK, culminating in a role
as
CEGB Generating Division’s Transformer Engineer.
Subsequently, since
1992 he has provided consulting services specializing in power transformers, primarily working for utilities. In this context he has established working
relationships with transformer manufacturers on several continents.
Transformer talent is at a premium today, and all aspects of the power
industry are suffering a diminishing of the supply of knowledgeable and
experienced engineers. Manufacturers still retain highly capable transformer
expertise, but their depth of engineering manpower resources is sometimes
reduced – perhaps mistakenly - by market economics. Utilities have diffi culty
retaining young engineers in the fi eld long enough to develop expert status,
and in many cases transformer engineering is outsourced. From my perspective, maintaining appropriate power systems and equipment expertise is necessary for a utility to support the reliability, availability, and quality of service
goals demanded by energy consumers now and into the future. As a result,
there is a drive in the industry to capture knowledge and experience before it is
lost.
While familiar with the stature of the book when Mr. Heathcote asked me
to consider this Foreword, it was not until I reviewed through this edition that
I learned the enduring value of the J&P Transformer Book as a thorough and
vital collection of transformer learning to facilitate that continuing education.
In a single volume it brings back to mind much of the experience and knowledge I had been exposed to in over 25 years working for a major US utility
with technical responsibility for the health and well-being of a fl eet of over
1000 power transformers, and in participating during that same period in the
standards development and maintenance work of the IEEE/PES Transformers
Committee, a group for which I am privileged to presently serve as Chair.
The J&P Transformer Book has served well to educate prior and present
generations, and this thirteenth edition continues to be a steady reference to
those in the industry and a source of new knowledge to future students and
engineers. I will enjoy reviewing it often as my career in this interesting fi eld
continues, and I trust you will fi nd it a useful addition to your technical library.
The J & P Transformer Book continues to withstand the test of time as a key
body of reference material for students, teachers, and all whose careers are
involved in the engineering processes associated with power delivery, and particularly with transformer design, manufacture, testing, procurement, application, operation, maintenance, condition assessment and life extension. As a
measure of its popular and wide-scale appeal an internet search on the title
results in over 15,000 reference hits from a large number of countries and in
multiple languages.
Now in print for over 80 years since initial publication
in 1925 by
Johnson & Phillips Ltd., the text has grown and changed over time
from its original intent as a guide for transformer theory, design, and construction from a manufacturing perspective, and continues to steadily expand on
incorporation of the information needed for a user to apply transformer equipment knowledgeably and effectively. Evolutions in transformer experience,
knowledge, design calculation capability, manufacturing process, MVA and
voltage ratings, and application needs, together with the understanding of new
problems and development of new solutions have all been refl ected as this
book has been revised and updated.
Current experience and knowledge have been brought into this thirteenth
edition with discussions on moisture equilibrium in the insulation system, vegetable based natural ester insulating fl uids, industry concerns with corrosive
sulfur in oil, geomagnetic induced current (GIC) impacts, transportation issues,
new emphasis on measurement of load related noise, and enhanced treatment
of dielectric testing (including Frequency Response Analysis), Dissolved Gas
Analysis (DGA) techniques and tools, vacuum LTC’s, shunt and series reactors,
and HVDC converter transformers. The historical basis of the book continues to
highlight British experience, but these changes in the thirteenth edition together
with updates of IEC reference Standards documentation and inclusion for the fi rst
time of IEEE reference Standards, provide a more universal fl avor to the volume
and a recognition that the transformer industry and market is truly global in scale.
The book was last updated in 1998 by Martin J. Heathcote, and in preparing this edition, Mr. Heathcote has continued to draw on his contacts and experience in both the manufacturing and user arenas to provide relevance and value to the industry. Upon graduating from the University of Sheffi eld in Electrical Power Engineering, his career began immediately with the Transformer Division of Ferranti Limited, where his training led to a position as a transformer designer. After successfully working on designs up to 400 kV, Mr. Heathcote moved from manufacturing to the other side of the aisle and worked for over 20 years on various power engineering projects for the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in the UK, culminating in a role as
CEGB Generating Division’s Transformer Engineer.
Subsequently, since 1992 he has provided consulting services specializing in power transformers, primarily working for utilities. In this context he has established working relationships with transformer manufacturers on several continents.
Transformer talent is at a premium today, and all aspects of the power industry are suffering a diminishing of the supply of knowledgeable and experienced engineers. Manufacturers still retain highly capable transformer expertise, but their depth of engineering manpower resources is sometimes reduced – perhaps mistakenly - by market economics. Utilities have diffi culty retaining young engineers in the fi eld long enough to develop expert status, and in many cases transformer engineering is outsourced. From my perspective, maintaining appropriate power systems and equipment expertise is necessary for a utility to support the reliability, availability, and quality of service goals demanded by energy consumers now and into the future. As a result, there is a drive in the industry to capture knowledge and experience before it is lost.
While familiar with the stature of the book when Mr. Heathcote asked me to consider this Foreword, it was not until I reviewed through this edition that I learned the enduring value of the J&P Transformer Book as a thorough and vital collection of transformer learning to facilitate that continuing education. In a single volume it brings back to mind much of the experience and knowledge I had been exposed to in over 25 years working for a major US utility with technical responsibility for the health and well-being of a fl eet of over 1000 power transformers, and in participating during that same period in the standards development and maintenance work of the IEEE/PES Transformers Committee, a group for which I am privileged to presently serve as Chair.
The J&P Transformer Book has served well to educate prior and present generations, and this thirteenth edition continues to be a steady reference to those in the industry and a source of new knowledge to future students and engineers. I will enjoy reviewing it often as my career in this interesting fi eld continues, and I trust you will fi nd it a useful addition to your technical library.
The book was last updated in 1998 by Martin J. Heathcote, and in preparing this edition, Mr. Heathcote has continued to draw on his contacts and experience in both the manufacturing and user arenas to provide relevance and value to the industry. Upon graduating from the University of Sheffi eld in Electrical Power Engineering, his career began immediately with the Transformer Division of Ferranti Limited, where his training led to a position as a transformer designer. After successfully working on designs up to 400 kV, Mr. Heathcote moved from manufacturing to the other side of the aisle and worked for over 20 years on various power engineering projects for the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in the UK, culminating in a role as
CEGB Generating Division’s Transformer Engineer.
Subsequently, since 1992 he has provided consulting services specializing in power transformers, primarily working for utilities. In this context he has established working relationships with transformer manufacturers on several continents.
Transformer talent is at a premium today, and all aspects of the power industry are suffering a diminishing of the supply of knowledgeable and experienced engineers. Manufacturers still retain highly capable transformer expertise, but their depth of engineering manpower resources is sometimes reduced – perhaps mistakenly - by market economics. Utilities have diffi culty retaining young engineers in the fi eld long enough to develop expert status, and in many cases transformer engineering is outsourced. From my perspective, maintaining appropriate power systems and equipment expertise is necessary for a utility to support the reliability, availability, and quality of service goals demanded by energy consumers now and into the future. As a result, there is a drive in the industry to capture knowledge and experience before it is lost.
While familiar with the stature of the book when Mr. Heathcote asked me to consider this Foreword, it was not until I reviewed through this edition that I learned the enduring value of the J&P Transformer Book as a thorough and vital collection of transformer learning to facilitate that continuing education. In a single volume it brings back to mind much of the experience and knowledge I had been exposed to in over 25 years working for a major US utility with technical responsibility for the health and well-being of a fl eet of over 1000 power transformers, and in participating during that same period in the standards development and maintenance work of the IEEE/PES Transformers Committee, a group for which I am privileged to presently serve as Chair.
The J&P Transformer Book has served well to educate prior and present generations, and this thirteenth edition continues to be a steady reference to those in the industry and a source of new knowledge to future students and engineers. I will enjoy reviewing it often as my career in this interesting fi eld continues, and I trust you will fi nd it a useful addition to your technical library.