230kV to 115kV step down transformer

This is a 230,000 Volt to 115,000 Volt step down transformer. This is at the Erie South Substation in Erie, PA.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• transformer
• power
• transmission

[jake5680]

it scares the crap outa me getting close to stuff buzzing like that, as i have no clue if its normal or if its about to blow its top.

[SmashCOBamberg]

i love the sound of transformers

[RUS38]

imaging what a future transformer like 100 megavolt gonna look and sound like =)

[kwsbrother]

That transformers appears to have lost some mineral oil in the past.  That's based on the staining of the concrete.

[rojblake82]

@soundseeker63 This electric buzzing sounds like the, the Cybermen's voices in the sixties stories and also similar to the lightsabers in Star Wars.

[soundseeker63]

@slateflash They are backup fans for when the tranny is experiencing exceptional load or the air temp is unusually high. Like the backup cooling fan in your car radiator, it should not be on during normal operation.

[lokeycmos]

@soundseeker63 i believe because it is more efficient. at 60 hertz inductive reactance is higher than it would at 50hz. which means less current current draw.

[soundseeker63]

Its funny how different 60HZ transformers sound to 50HZ.

I am used to hearing 50HZ and as soon as 60HZ comes on I think it sounds kind of hyper and wierd lol.

Just what you're used to I suppose. I wonder what made the US go with 60HZ instead of the more common 50.

[rojblake82]

@SmashCOBamberg So do I the sound of transformers, to me sound like science fiction noises like on Blake's seven, Dr Who, Star Wars and other science fiction shows and films the buzzing sound of transformers are cool.

[bobbj77]

@jake5680 Normal sound. Still freaks me out tho

[Diddleshot]

The fans are only on when it exceeds a certain temperature boundary. So it can keep up to demand when it is overheating.