As much as power transformers have made our lives easy by altering the high produced voltages into lower ones to reach our homes safely, they can prove to be equally hazardous to human life! So, you need to make it a priority to keep yourself safe while working with a power transformer. Any kind of carelessness in handling power transformers without any kind of safety precautions can lead to serious injury along with equipment failure. This is why we have listed here a few tips that you must consider and follow to keep yourself safe while handling power transformers in India.
Inspection of your power transformers
Regular inspection of any equipment that you use is essential; and the same goes with your power transformers too. Such regular examinations and checks can identify issues at the earliest and can prevent future breakdowns from major problems. You must inspect your transformers for any damaged power cords, connectors, or any other parts that don’t look appropriate to you. Also, any kind of burning smell should alert you to take immediate notice, as it could be an indication of a serious issue.
While inspecting your power transformer…
While you are inspecting your power transformer, there are many small yet important considerations you need to make, such as those listed below.
- First and foremost, you must make sure that you turn the power off. You may say that this is an obvious thing and goes without saying, but we mention it because it is very important.
- You shouldn’t forget protection. Make sure that you use protective equipment while working with your power transformer.
- You must keep the circuits and conductors set to the manufacturer’s standards, and pay close attention to the ratings for the output of the transformer’s voltage.
- Keep the area free from clutter while working. Keep any spare parts like bolts, nuts, and other objects away, and in place.
- Make sure to keep your transformer properly grounded to prevent buildup of static electricity and protection of coils from contacting the core or enclosure.
Other considerations
- Your transformer and all of its components must be kept dry and free from moisture and water at all times. Any kind of contact with water or moisture may cause hazards. And, to be safer, put up a sign that warns others to keep away due to the presence of a transformer so that they don’t get injured.
- Remember, never to modify or alter your transformer, without the help of a professional! Never change the over-current protection of your transformer’s circuits and conductors, in order to increase current. You need to maintain the over-current protection as per the standards of the equipment because it is there at the specified level for a reason.
Keep yourself acquainted with the maximum voltage requirements of your power transformer. A single transformer can be at an overload risk, while multiple transformers can help to balance the load on the whole system. So, know what you are dealing with.