Finite Element Method for Designing and Analysis of the Transformer – A Retrospective

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using Finite Element Method (FEM) was developed over 70 years to solve the complex elasticity and structural analysis problem in civil and aeronautical engineering. Application of FEA is being expanded to simulation in electrical engineering also to solve the complex design problems. The circuit theory models for designing transformers are not much accurate in determining the transformer parameters such as winding impedance, leakage inductance, hot spot temperature etc. The physical realization of these parameters is needed on a prototype unit. The finite element method can play a vital role in deriving these parameters without any physical verification. An effort has been made in this paper to show the effectiveness of finite element method in determining the above said parameters while designing the transformers both oil cooled as well as dry type for power and distribution sectors as well as to analyze and detect the internal faults in the transformer.