Study of a 18-Pulse Transformer–Rectifier Unit with an Amorphous Steel Magnetic Core

This article discusses a study of transformer–rectifier units with a magnetic core made of amorphous steel. Transformers with various types of amorphous alloys have been analyzed, and the optimum amorphous alloy for transformers was determined. Thermal processes in transformers with magnetic core of amorphous steel have been simulated, and the maximum temperature under normal operating conditions has been determined. The simulation has demonstrated that no special transformer cooling system is required. An experimental transformer–rectifier unit has been designed and manufactured with a magnetic core of amorphous steel installed on an 18-pulse rectifier with a capacity of 10.5 kV A operating with a frequency of 400–800 Hz and voltage of 115/27 V. To verify the obtained data, experimental studies have been performed that confirmed the validity of the selected design procedure of a transformer engineering flowchart. It has been demonstrated that the thermal loads detected in the transformer during testing are in the range of allowable values.