How important is the loss of power transformers?Kechang Electric: Choose the right low-loss, and save a new machine in a few years

May 09, 2026

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In the selection and long-term use of power transformers, loss is the core index that determines operating costs, equipment life and return on investment. Many customers only pay attention to the purchase price, but ignore the annual electricity bill expenses caused by the loss. Kechang Electric has been deeply engaged in the field of power distribution equipment for many years, and has always adhered to the product concept of durability, reliability and low loss. Combined with a large number of project practices, we will interpret the key knowledge of power transformer loss for you.

The total loss of the dry transformer = no-load loss + load loss, the two items directly determine how much electricity is "wasted" in a year.

Calculation formula: Iron loss power (kWh) = no-load loss (kWh) × power supply time (hours) The loss of power transformers can be divided into copper loss and iron loss.The copper loss is the load loss, and the iron loss is the no-load loss.Copper loss is generally 0.5%.Iron loss is generally 5~7%.The variable loss of dry transformers is smaller than that of oil-immersed transformers. Total change loss: 0.5+6=6.5.

Calculation method: 1000KVA × 6.5% = 65KVA 65KVA×24 hours×365 days=569,400 KWT (degree)

Low no-load loss: As long as it is powered on, it consumes power for 24 hours, mainly from the iron core, which is a fixed cost that keeps going all year round.

Winding load loss: The loss generated by the winding when running with a load. The larger the load, the higher the loss.

These two values are the key basis for judging the energy efficiency level and power saving ability.

Transformer load loss.png
 

2. The level of loss, how big is the gap?

 

power transformer silicon steel sheets

With the same capacity and the same operating conditions, the annual power consumption gap between ordinary models and first-class energy efficiency / amorphous alloy power transformers is very alarming.

Suitable for national standard first-class energy-efficient models, no-load loss is more than 30% lower than ordinary models;

With the use of amorphous alloy iron core power transformers, the no-load loss can be reduced by 50%-70%, and the energy-saving effect is more prominent.

It seems to be just a difference in parameters, and when it is put into uninterrupted operation throughout the year, it is a considerable expenditure on electricity bills.

3. The loss is high, how much electricity does it cost in more than a year?

 

Taking commonly used capacity power transformers as an example, it is calculated according to industrial electricity prices and perennial operation.

Compared with ordinary energy-efficient models: the annual loss of electricity remains high, and the accumulated cost is staggering.

Suitable for Kechang first-class energy efficiency / low-loss models: it can save thousands of yuan to tens of thousands of yuan per year, and the cost can be recovered through power saving in 1-2 years.

Many customer feedback: invest more in the early stage and choose high-quality and low-loss products, which will save the most money and worry-free for long-term use.

power distribution room

4. Why do you say that "the loss is high, and the electricity bill can buy two transformers in 3-5 years"?

 

factory distribution transformer

This is not an exaggeration, it is the real status quo of the industry: for high-loss, low-efficiency power transformers, the additional loss of electricity bills accumulates year by year.After 3-5 years of operation, the extra electricity bill will be enough to re-purchase 1-2 new transformers of the same specifications.

Coveting low prices in the early stage, and being continuously "eaten back" by electricity bills in the later stage, the comprehensive cost of use is much higher than that of high-quality and low-loss models. This is also the reason why many customers felt that our prices were too high at first, but in the end they still repurchased for a long time-choosing Kechang is not expensive, but cost-effective for a long time.

 

As a professional manufacturer of durable electrical equipment, a high-tech enterprise, and a small giant enterprise specializing in special new products, Kechang Electric guarantees low loss and high reliability from the triple aspects of design, materials and technology.

1. The high-quality low-loss iron core material adopts high-permeability, low-loss cold-rolled oriented silicon steel sheet to optimize the magnetic circuit design and greatly reduce no-load loss and noise.

2. Advanced manufacturing technology vacuum casts, optimizes the winding structure, reduces additional losses, improves heat dissipation and overload capacity, and ensures long-term stable and low-consumption operation.

3. Strict quality control, implementation of ISO9001 and other management systems, full-process testing, eliminate refurbishment and allocation, and ensure that each product is up to standard in loss and stable in performance.

4. The concept of energy saving in the whole life cycle. We not only sell equipment, but also help customers calculate the whole life cycle cost: purchase price + multi-year electricity bill + maintenance fee, so that customers can truly save money and use it with confidence.

 

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