Fast computation of hot spots temperature due to high current cable leads in power transformers tank walls

This paper presents a set of analytical functions employed to compute the temperature in tank walls produced by High Current Cable Leads (HCCLs) in core-type power transformers. The functions presented in this paper are deduced from 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations. Numerous FEM simulations are performed to calculate the temperature in real carbon steel tank walls with and without aluminum shields. Design parameters are modified within a realistic range using a 3D FEM parametric methodology. Temperature curves and temperature functions are obtained from numerical results. For the validation of the approach presented in this paper, transformers are tested in the laboratory, and measurements are compared with analytical results from the proposed temperature functions. Copyright (C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.