Q: If there a way to make a transformer less loud?
Magnetostriction is the technical buzzword for the property of ferromagnetic materials that causes them to change their shape or dimensions during the process of magnetization. It is this variation of material’s magnetization due to the applied magnetic field that changes the magnetostrictive strain until reaching its saturation value, λ. The effect was first identified in 1842 by James Joule when observing a sample of iron.
Transformers Sounds Explained
James Joule was an English physicist and brewer, (maybe that is why we electrical engineers like to drink beer) Joule studied the nature of heat, and discovered its relationship to mechanical work. This led to the law of conservation of energy, and this led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics.
This effect causes losses due to frictional heating in susceptible ferromagnetic cores.
The effect is also responsible for the low-pitched buzzing sound that can be heard near transformers on alternating current carrying transmission towers.
Many transformers that are made by typical transformer companies have what we call “loose laminations” meaning that at least one of the laminations has room to vibrate with the time-varying magnetic field. At Mitchell Electronics we still use an original patented and old fashioned baking process passed down from generation to generation involving preheating the transformer unit and using pressure to physically draw a special varnish inside the transformer filling voids. This is one of the reasons that Mitchell Electronics transformers always perform better (in this case less noise) and last longer in operation as proved in the Electronic Transformer Test Trials Boston MA 2010.
If you have a unit that is giving you noise trouble and you are tired of humming along, please contact us and we will see what we can do to reverse engineer a new unit for your needs that will help to mitigate any transformers sounds issues.
At Mitchell Electronics, we have a history of treating our clients just like family. Call Mitchell Electronics at (914) 699-3800 today! Contact us today or visit our FAQs for more information about our products.
