International Copper Association India (ICAI), in collaboration with Indian Transformer Manufacturers Association (ITMA), organised a workshop for the officials of Rajasthan-based distribution companies and DT repairing units on 12 th July 2024 at Hotel Radisson- City Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The event is supported by the leading power sector organisations of the Government of India, like Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Bureau of India Standard (BIS), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) etc. The attendees, distinguished guests and delegates were welcomed by Shri. Girish Kumar, Senior Vice President of ITMA. He mentioned about the support and co-operation from various state distribution utilities who are looking forward to serving its consumers with reliable, efficient, and proper quality electricity supply that the Central Government has mandated. The manufacturers association is not only committed to supplying quality product, but it also ensures the right cost, strengthening the economic growth of the country.
Mrs. Kanika Kalia Director and Chief Head of BIS, Jaipur, mentioned the national standardisation activity helps achieving win-win situation both for the manufacturer, service provider and the end user. The DT is under mandatory quality control order and considering the national concern about huge failure rate of DT, it was felt necessary to bring out DT Repair Standard which is today’s topic of discussion. As a country, we are already experimenting recycling in all sectors. However, it is possible that through right repair practice for failed DT, one can give a new life to the DT instead of replacing by the right amount of capital investment.
Shri K P Verma – MD of Ajmer DISCOM mentioned the pivotal role of the distribution
transformer in the power distribution system and welcomed the efforts of all concerned in continually improving the reliability of the transformer and bringing out the Code of Practice for the repair of distribution transformers to sustain reliability and quality. He also appreciated the efforts of ICAI and ITMA in designing such awareness cum capacity building programs, which will keep the DISCOM engineers updated on all recent developments. Utility is committed in supplying 24×7 reliable power quality supply to consumers at an affordable cost.
ICAI highlighted the cost of DT failure and its impact on the customer tariff. ICAI gave insight on why reliability is focus for utilities in India and need of adopting quality-oriented asset management practices by DISCOMs. CEA gave insights about its recently released manual on best O”M practices for managing the DT fleet in utilities. BIS updated on the recently released IS: 18284 ‘DT Repair Standard for Oil Immersed DTs up to and including 2500KVA, 33KV’. ERDA highlighted the core quality assurance and related issues for testing the distribution transformers and use of technology to manage important assets like DT.
Dr. Hari Om Gupta, former Professor at IIT Roorkee, has emphasised the importance of winding joints and winding material in distribution transformers (DTs) for reliability, highlighting copper as a preferred material due to aluminium’s poor creep behaviour under high temperature and frequent switching environment. His research underscores the need for reliability through proper selection of metal and avoiding high failure rate of DTs in field. Dr Gupta advocates for effective standard and manufacturing practice upgrade that are validated periodically to reflect economic and technological advancements This can ensure DTs meet their expected technical lifespan of 25 years.
Sai Computers presented the artificial intelligence-driven manufacturer’s perspective on the reliability and efficiency of DTs. Shri D.D Agarwal, the Director of Tata Power, Delhi, shared their best practices for improving efficiency and reliability of DT. Tata power mentioned about the benefits that they have accrued by investing in a well-equipped DT repair centre and adopting the best practices. Today, Tata Power achieved less than 5% DT failure rate and less than 7% ATC loss over a period of a decade.
he program concluded with the vote of thanks by the Senior Vice President / Deputy Director General Shri Kaul of ITMA. The program is well attended by operation and maintenance engineers as well as Rajasthan-based utilities, DT manufacturers, DT repairers, academia, and industry.