BRASCOELMA industrial transformers are manufactured in dry-type or oil-immersed configurations, with single-phase or three-phase options, to adapt electrical power to the requirements of machinery and industrial processes.
In an industrial facility, simply having electricity available is not enough.
Voltage must be compatible with the load. Power capacity must meet the equipment’s requirements. In addition, factors such as the installation environment, cooling, harmonic distortion, and operating conditions must be considered when sizing the transformer.
This is where industrial transformers come into play.
BRASCOELMA manufactures dry-type and insulating oil-immersed power transformers with voltage classes up to 1.2 kV, as well as autotransformers and specialized solutions for various industrial applications.
WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMER?
An industrial transformer is an electrical device used to adapt voltage levels to the requirements of a specific electrical load.
In practice, it establishes a relationship between:
available electrical power → voltage transformation → voltage required by the equipment.
However, properly specifying a transformer involves more than knowing its input and output voltages.
Power rating, current, load type, installation environment, cooling requirements, and the electrical characteristics of the application must also be considered.
Therefore, the transformer should be an integral part of the process’s electrical design rather than being treated as an isolated component.
HOW ARE BRASCOELMA TRANSFORMERS CONSTRUCTED?
Construction begins with components directly related to the transformer’s electrical and thermal performance.
The windings can be manufactured using high-purity electrolytic copper or aluminum conductors.
These conductors are wrapped with fiberglass tape and subsequently impregnated with Class F or H insulating varnish or epoxy resins.
Additionally, the windings receive treatment with a protective insulating varnish featuring high dielectric strength.
Another important component is the magnetic core.
In BRASCOELMA transformers, the core is assembled using grain-oriented silicon steel laminations with thicknesses of 0.30 or 0.27 mm, a configuration designed to minimize losses and promote transformer service life.
The mounting hardware also receives a primer coat and an anticorrosive finish.
In other words, transformer design must address not only electrical transformation but also insulation, protection, and the operating conditions of the complete assembly.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRY-TYPE AND OIL-IMMERSED TRANSFORMERS?
The main difference lies in their construction and cooling systems.
BRASCOELMA dry-type transformers use natural air cooling.
Oil-immersed transformers, on the other hand, use mineral insulating oil as a cooling medium.
Within BRASCOELMA’s product range, each configuration has specific power ratings and applications.
| CONFIGURATION | POWER RATING | VOLTAGE | PHASES | PROTECTION | APPLICATION |
| Dry-type transformer | 2 to 1,500 kVA | 110 to 1,200 V | Single-phase or three-phase | IP00 to IP65 | Machinery and electrical/electronic equipment |
| Oil-immersed transformer | 20 to 600 kVA | 220 to 1,200 V | Single-phase or three-phase | IP65 | Industrial furnaces |
This makes it possible to select the appropriate configuration based on the application’s actual requirements.
WHAT DO IP00, IP21, AND IP65 MEAN FOR TRANSFORMERS?
The enclosure’s degree of protection must be appropriate for the installation environment.
The standard configurations presented for BRASCOELMA transformers include:
- IP00: Open-type transformer;
- IP21: Metal enclosure with natural ventilation for sheltered installations;
- IP65: Configuration suitable for outdoor installation.
When requested by the customer, enclosures are manufactured from steel sheets suitable for the project and receive a primer coat and anticorrosive finish.
Therefore, before specifying a transformer, it is essential to determine where it will be installed and the environmental conditions to which it will be exposed.
WHAT IS A K-FACTOR TRANSFORMER?
Not all industrial loads behave in the same way.
Electronic equipment and certain nonlinear loads can generate harmonics, which must be considered when specifying the electrical system.
For these applications, BRASCOELMA manufactures special transformers designed for nonlinear and harmonic-producing loads — K-Factor transformers.
This reinforces an essential sizing principle:
Do not select a transformer based solely on its kVA rating.
Engineering teams must also understand the nature of the load the transformer will supply.
WHERE CAN BRASCOELMA TRANSFORMERS BE USED?
Applications cover a wide range of electrical and industrial requirements, including:
- UPS systems and uninterruptible power supplies;
- Computers;
- Radio-frequency control systems;
- Laboratory equipment;
- Industrial furnaces;
- Lighting systems;
- Machinery and electrical/electronic equipment.
Each application has its own characteristics.
An industrial furnace, for example, does not necessarily exhibit the same electrical behavior as electronic equipment or a radio-frequency system.
Therefore:
Understand the load first. Select the transformer second.
DOES BRASCOELMA ALSO MANUFACTURE AUTOTRANSFORMERS?
Yes.
The product range includes autotransformers for supplying electric furnaces, motors, and other applications.
An autotransformer can also be used for voltage adaptation, but its electrical construction differs from that of a conventional transformer.
Therefore, choosing between a transformer and an autotransformer requires evaluating factors such as:
- Input voltage;
- Output voltage;
- Power rating;
- Current;
- Load characteristics;
- Isolation requirements;
- Intended application.
There is no universally superior choice.
There is only the solution best suited to the project.
WHAT OTHER SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRODUCT RANGE?
In addition to transformers and autotransformers, BRASCOELMA offers:
- Special reactors and inductors;
- Electromechanical voltage variators and regulators with sliding brushes;
- Special high-voltage transformers for measuring instruments and radio-frequency applications.
This diversity makes it possible to address situations where conventional solutions do not adequately meet an application’s electrical characteristics.
WHY IS THE MAGNETIC CORE IMPORTANT?
The magnetic core plays a direct role in transformer operation.
Therefore, its construction characteristics influence equipment performance.
The use of grain-oriented silicon steel laminations in BRASCOELMA transformers is intended to minimize core losses.
Additionally, proper sizing must account for the relationship between the core, windings, power rating, voltage, current, and thermal behavior.
Together, these design decisions determine whether the equipment is suitable for its intended application.
WHY IS INSULATION IMPORTANT?
Insulation is an essential part of transformer construction.
In BRASCOELMA equipment, winding conductors are wrapped with fiberglass and impregnated with Class F or H insulating varnish or epoxy resins, in addition to receiving treatment with a protective insulating varnish featuring high dielectric strength.
Insulation specifications must correspond to the electrical and thermal conditions anticipated in the design.
For this reason, insulation should not be evaluated separately from overall equipment sizing.
IS AN INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMER A VOLTAGE STABILIZER?
Not necessarily.
This distinction is important.
The transformer’s primary function is to adapt voltage levels according to its transformation ratio and design.
This does not mean it automatically resolves every electrical power quality issue.
When a plant experiences voltage fluctuations, harmonics, phase imbalance, or other abnormalities, the underlying cause must be diagnosed before selecting a solution.
In other words:
Voltage adaptation is not the same as voltage stabilization.
HOW DO HARMONICS AFFECT TRANSFORMER SIZING?
Nonlinear loads may exhibit electrical characteristics that differ from conventional loads.
Therefore, the presence of harmonics must be considered whenever relevant to the application.
This is precisely where K-Factor transformers, designed for nonlinear and harmonic-producing loads, become important.
The decision must begin with a load analysis.
Before specifying the equipment, engineering teams must understand what the transformer will supply and how that load behaves electrically.
WHY SHOULDN’T A TRANSFORMER BE SELECTED BASED SOLELY ON PRICE?
Because two transformers that appear similar may have different construction characteristics and intended applications.
The assessment must consider:
power rating + voltage + current + load + insulation + cooling + environment + protection.
Choosing solely based on the lowest price may overlook the very factors that determine whether the equipment is suitable for the process.
In industrial applications, cost must be evaluated alongside technical compatibility and operational reliability.
HOW DO YOU SPECIFY AN INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMER?
Before requesting a project, gather as much information as possible about the application:
- Available input voltage;
- Required output voltage;
- Load power rating;
- Current;
- Single-phase or three-phase configuration;
- Load type;
- Operating duty cycle;
- Presence of nonlinear loads or harmonics;
- Installation environment;
- Indoor or outdoor installation requirements;
- Cooling requirements;
- Electrical isolation requirements;
- Available space;
- Equipment to be supplied;
- Existing drawings or specifications.
This information helps engineering teams properly match the transformer to the process.
WHY DO DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
An industrial transformer involves electrical, magnetic, and thermal phenomena.
Consequently, its performance does not depend solely on the materials used.
It also depends on engineering calculations, proper sizing, and assembly.
At BRASCOELMA, transformer manufacturing takes these factors into account, from winding and core design to insulation, protection, and construction configuration.
In addition, manufacturing and testing follow the technical standards applicable to the equipment.
FAQ — BRASCOELMA INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMERS
DOES BRASCOELMA MANUFACTURE DRY-TYPE TRANSFORMERS?
Yes. The product range includes naturally air-cooled dry-type transformers with power ratings from 2 to 1,500 kVA.
DOES BRASCOELMA MANUFACTURE OIL-IMMERSED TRANSFORMERS?
Yes. Transformers cooled with mineral insulating oil are available with power ratings from 20 to 600 kVA.
WHAT IS THE VOLTAGE CLASS OF THESE TRANSFORMERS?
BRASCOELMA manufactures dry-type and oil-immersed power transformers with voltage classes up to 1.2 kV.
ARE SINGLE-PHASE AND THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS AVAILABLE?
Yes. Both configurations are included in the specified ranges for dry-type and oil-immersed transformers.
DOES BRASCOELMA MANUFACTURE K-FACTOR TRANSFORMERS?
Yes. The company offers special transformers designed for nonlinear and harmonic-producing loads — K-Factor transformers.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM POWER RATING OF DRY-TYPE TRANSFORMERS?
The product range extends up to 1,500 kVA.
WHAT ABOUT OIL-IMMERSED TRANSFORMERS?
The specified range extends up to 600 kVA.
DOES BRASCOELMA MANUFACTURE AUTOTRANSFORMERS?
Yes. Applications include supplying electric furnaces and motors.
ARE TRANSFORMERS AVAILABLE FOR OUTDOOR INSTALLATION?
Yes. Available configurations include IP65 protection, suitable for outdoor installation.
HOW CAN I REQUEST A CUSTOM-BUILT TRANSFORMER?
Provide the engineering team with information about the power supply, required voltage, power rating, current, load type, installation environment, and operating conditions. This information makes it possible to evaluate the appropriate configuration.
AN INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMER STARTS WITH THE LOAD, NOT THE CATALOG
What voltage is available?
What voltage does the equipment require?
What is the power rating?
What is the current?
Is the load linear or nonlinear?
Are harmonics present?
Will the equipment be installed indoors or outdoors?
Does the application require a dry-type or oil-immersed transformer?
These questions must be answered before making a selection.
BRASCOELMA develops industrial transformers, autotransformers, and specialized solutions based on the electrical and operational characteristics of each application.
Does your industrial facility need to adapt a machine’s voltage, supply an industrial furnace, accommodate a special load, or properly size a new transformer? Contact BRASCOELMA’s engineering team and provide your application specifications.