Bangalore : Indian Transformer Manufacturers Association (ITMA), an all India body of manufacturers of transformers and its allied products along with Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) and International Copper Promotion Council India (ICPCI), a nonprofit organization came together to conduct an unique seminar at the 12th International Conference on “Innovative Quest for Transformer technology for efficient and reliable power”- TRAFOSEM-2013.

The objective of the Conference was to provide a forum to discuss present status and ongoing trends in Transformer technology not only in India but also in foreign countries amongst various Manufacturers, Utilities, Power Industry and share experience, knowledge at global level so as meet the challenges and evolve new strategies for generation of Power and other aspects arising out of Transmission & Distribution Reforms, Electricity Polices etc.

Out of 30 papers received, 20 papers have been selected by the technical committee for discussion. One session was devoted to Problems being faced by Transformer Manufacturers with Utilities andenergy Efficient Distribution Transformers which was kept immediately after the inaugural session so that members/delegates could discuss freely without any time constraint to arrive at an acceptable conclusion to both the entities.

Mr. Anil Aggarwal President ITMA, in his key note address explained some of the vexing problems being faced by the manufacturers of transformers in India.

Quality Control Order on steel and steel products (CRGO) dated 12th March 2012 issued by Ministry of Steel after continuous struggle of 10 years has come force w.e.f 1st October 2013  so that second/used CRGO is not imported for the manufacture of transformers  resulting into  failure of transformers affecting supply to industry and people at large.

He pointed out that some unscrupulous elements are still trying to scuttle the enforcement of the Quality Control order through High Court of Delhi.  It is therefore necessary that Government of India should pursue this case vigorously.

A document on qualitative improvement in manufacturing practices of distribution transformers and Guidelines for Utilities on operation and maintenance, has been developed by ITMA in association with ICPCI   and BEE at the behest of MoP through a reputed consultant after studying the existing manufacturing practices being followed by the transformer manufactures and O& M practices prevailing in the utilities, so as to arrest the high failure rate of distribution transformers.  This document has already been submitted to MOP and at present, is under active consideration of CEA and MOP for adoption at National Level.  This needs to be expedited.

ITMA has taken up with BIS for revision of IS: 1180 on distribution transformers which has been pending for the last 3 years foruniformity of the specification particularly with reference to losses.   BIS had recently convened the meeting on 3rd September 2013 of its technical committee ET16 and deliberated the various issues including losses for revision of this standard IS: 1180.  The revision of the IS: 1180 is expected to be released by December 2013.  This document is very important should be made available to industry.  So that the inventory is reduced in each utility thereby saving to the exchequer.

Amorphous Magnetic Core Alloy  is also being used  by the  transformer manufacturers    as an alternative  core material  due to  very low iron/core losses  as compared  to  the  CRGO core material . As Amorphous Magnetic Core Alloy   is not having any Indian standard for checking its quality &testing,ITMA has submitted a draft Standard to BIS for formulization of the Indian standard.  ITMA has  met  the Director General, BIS for expediting  the issue of  BIS Standard for Amorphous Magnetic Core Alloy  and  he has assured  to get the standard released  within six months,  for the benefit  of the Industry.

With the unbundling of the vertically integrated State Electricity Boards into GENCOS, TRANCOS & DISCOMS,  ITMA felt  the  need to standardize  the specification of power transformer up to 132 kv voltage class used by the Discoms and Utilities in sub transmission system as  each utilities/DISCOMS/SEB has its own set of specifications for purchase of power transformers of specific rating & voltage class which created problem for the industry as it has to evolve the design of the transformer to suit the specification of Discom/Utility when the rating and  voltage class are same for operation.    ITMA has accordingly finalized the document with the help of Task Force of eminent design engineers from reputed transformer manufacturers and submitted to CEA for examination and implementation at National Level.

Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India  has circulated a draft quality control order  for electrical transformers up to 100KVA rating  of 11 KV voltage class  as per IS: 1180, 1989.  ITMA has strongly taken up with the Department of Heavy Industries after conveningthe emergency general body meeting   of its members.  ITMA had intimated to Department of Heavy Industries that BIS certification on transformers up to 100KVA is not warranted as the ultimate aim of checking the quality of transformers being supplied is already subjected through ISO Certification, inspection, and sample testing of transformers by Utilities and approvals under BEE star labeling programme.   Another layer of control in the form of BIS certification will not only add to cost of administrative machinery without any major improvement entailing delays and open doors for corruption. However in case Quality Control Order on Transformers is required it should be across the board without any voltage class or rating.

ITMA and ICPCI have together planned to address the issue of losses and reliability in transformers through a series of seminars and workshops. During these workshops a dialogue is initiated to discuss the issues and formulate recommendations to address them. The recommendation will be shared with the concerned authorities for implementation. This series of seminar kick started in Delhi for north utilities before coming to Bangalore for south utilities and will be taken to other regions to increase awareness on manufacturing practices of power distribution transformers to reduce power failure in India.

ShriMuniyappa, Hon’ble Minister after hearing the welcome address and key note address, stated he has been enlightened about the problems being experienced by the transformer Industry in the country which he would bring to the notice of Ministry of Power so that cogent solutions are worked out for the smooth functioning of the industry.  Further he noted with interest that 40% of transformation capacity of power in the country is used in the manufacture of Transformers as 95% production of Distribution Transformers takes place in Small/medium scale industries which falls under the preview of his ministry and he would see that the power utilities should adhere to the terms and conductions of the supply contract for which the manufacturers have legal right under MSME Act 2006.

Regarding other matters, he assured that hewill also interact with his counter parts of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and Department of Heavy Industries as the subject of power is very important for the economic growth of the country.

Notwithstanding such like hassles of industry, he stated that are also going to discuss the subject of Innovative Quest for Transformer Technology for Efficient and Reliable Power in today’s conference with Indian and foreign experts and hope that the outcome of the conference shall be beneficial to Transformer Industry and Utilities across the Country.

The seminar was attended by senior officers from CEA, BEE, REC, BIS, CCPRI, CBIP, ERDA, Discoms/Utilities, Consultants, EPC Contractors of HVDS, R-APDRP & RGGVY Schemes, Developers, Railways, MES, ITMA members and General Industries utilizing the Distribution Transformers.

INDIAN TRANSFORMER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (ITMA)

Indian Transformer Manufacturers Association (ITMA) is an all India body having around 250 members located in various states, representing 90% production of the Transformers in the country, with leading transformer manufacturers on its roll.

CENTRAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CPRI)

CPRI is the power house of the Indian electrical industry serves as an independent authority for testing and certification of power equipment in its state-of-the art infrastructure and expertise

ICPCI

The International Copper Promotion Council (India) is a member of Copper Alliance and the Indian arm of the International Copper Association, the leading not-for-profit organization for the promotion of copper worldwide. ICPCI is driven by the same objective as that of its parent organization, which is to ‘defend and grow markets for copper based on its superior technical performance and its contribution to a higher quality of life worldwide’. ICPCI contributes mainly through its catalytic role, accelerating changes and transforming the long-term markets for Copper in a sustainable way through its major initiatives such as electrical safety and energy efficiency. ICPCI’s activities focus on helping end users to better understand and appreciate the positive attributes of copper.