Explosions in transformation centers are a phenomenon that can cause serious material and personal damage, as well as interruptions in the electrical supply. These explosions occur when an internal failure occurs in appliances or transformers that contain flammable dielectric liquids, such as mineral oil, which heat and decompose, generating combustible gases. These gases can accumulate inside the casing and cause overpressure that ruptures the casing and projects flames and fragments far away.

The factors that can cause an internal failure in transformation centers are diverse, such as aging, deterioration, lack of maintenance, overloads, short circuits, lightning strikes or vibrations. These failures can affect the insulation, connections, contacts or coils of the devices or transformers, causing electric arcs that initiate the combustion of the dielectric liquid.

To prevent and protect transformation center explosions, a series of measures must be adopted, both in the design, installation, maintenance and operation of these facilities. Some of these measures are:

Choose dry or encapsulated type transformers, which do not contain flammable liquids and have a lower risk of fire.

Use dielectric liquids with a high flash or combustion point, such as silicone oil, which reduce the probability and consequences of a fire.

Avoid the use of pyralenes or other toxic liquids, the use of which is prohibited due to their danger to health and the environment.

Separate appliances or transformers that contain flammable liquids with partitions or screens made of non-combustible and resistant material, to limit the spread of an explosion or spill.

Install fixed automatic extinguishing systems suitable for this type of installation, such as halon or CO2, in cases where the volume of the flammable liquid exceeds certain limits established by regulations1.

Have mobile fire extinguishers with 89 B efficiency in those facilities where the fixed system is not mandatory, placing them outside and at a distance of no more than 15 meters.

Provide safety elements that prevent the explosion of the enclosure in the event of an internal defect and choose the directions of fluid escape to avoid harm to people.

Carry out periodic preventive and corrective maintenance of the facilities, following the instructions and specifications of the manufacturers and electrical companies.

Comply with the technical and regulatory requirements established in the Regulation on technical conditions and safety guarantees in power plants, substations and transformation centers and other applicable provisions.

Explosions in transformation centers are a risk that can be avoided or minimized with adequate management and control of electrical installations.

It is the responsibility of both owners, operators and users to comply with the necessary security measures to guarantee the protection of people and property.

A transformation center is an electrical installation that receives high voltage energy and reduces it to a voltage suitable for domestic or industrial consumption.

Some people are concerned that living near a power plant may increase the risk of cancer due to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by power lines.

However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no conclusive scientific evidence that low-frequency EMF, such as those emitted by processing plants, are harmful to human health.

The WHO states that epidemiological studies conducted to date have failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between EMF exposure and cancer, and that the results are inconsistent and difficult to interpret due to methodological limitations.

However, the WHO recognizes that some studies have suggested a possible association between exposure to EMF and childhood leukemia, but clarifies that this association is weak and could be due to chance or confounding factors.

Therefore, WHO recommends further research on this topic and applying the precautionary principle, that is, taking reasonable measures to reduce exposure to EMF.

Some of the measures that can be taken to reduce exposure to EMF are: maintaining a safe distance from EMF sources, such as transformer centers or power lines, and using protection or shielding devices, such as filters or Faraday cages.

In conclusion, living near a processing center does not seem to necessarily imply a higher risk of cancer, but it cannot be completely ruled out either.

Therefore, it is recommended to follow the WHO recommendations and apply the precautionary principle to reduce exposure to EMF.

Depending on your physical location

All elements of the CT are housed inside a building or premises designated for this purpose.

All CT elements are housed inside a prefabricated concrete or metal envelope building.

All the elements of the CT are housed inside in an underground location, which is accessed through a trapdoor on the public road.

Underground transformation centers are electrical installations that are located below ground level and whose function is to reduce the voltage of the high-voltage network to a voltage suitable for domestic or industrial consumption. These centers are made up of various elements, such as medium voltage cells, transformers, low voltage panels and protection and safety accessories.

Underground transformation centers have some advantages over surface centers, such as reduced visual and environmental impact, optimization of space, greater safety against acts of vandalism or accidents, and less exposure to weather conditions. However, they also imply some drawbacks, such as the greater complexity and cost of civil works, maintenance and ventilation, the need to have a drainage and pumping system and the risk of flooding or corrosion.

To guarantee the correct functioning and safety of underground transformation centers, a series of technical and regulatory requirements must be met, such as those established in the High Voltage Installations Regulation, which regulates aspects such as construction characteristics, installation conditions, protection measures and periodic inspections. In addition, the recommendations and specifications of manufacturers and electrical companies must be followed.

Underground transformation centers are an increasingly used solution in urban environments or with space limitations, where the aim is to minimize the visual and environmental impact of electrical installations. However, their design, installation and maintenance require greater planning and care than surface centers, to ensure their efficiency and reliability.

This type of center consists of a transformer mounted on a support (pole) of a High Voltage Overhead Line. High voltage protections are generally made up of XS Cut-Out type fuses. Powers greater than 160 kVA are not usually used and their use predominates in rural areas.

Depending on its location in the electrical network

The CT is located at the end of a line, or is unique on that line. In the latter case it is usually called independent.

It only has one line input. Despite this, two line entry cells are installed, in anticipation of future expansions.

Passing CTs are centers located at the midpoint of a line. A line arrives at them from the substation or from another CT and leaves for the next one. They have a line entry and exit cell.

These CTs are a special case of pass center. In these it cannot be considered that the line enters and leaves, since in reality they are fed from both ends. This is the most used configuration in cities and industrial estates, as it provides good supply reliability.

In the transformation centers, oil-resistant rubber tile floors are placed, since cement floors are attacked by the oil from the transformers.

Transformation centers can be:

Explosions in transformation centers are a phenomenon that can cause serious material and personal damage, as well as interruptions in the electrical supply. These explosions occur when an internal failure occurs in appliances or transformers that contain flammable dielectric liquids, such as mineral oil, which heat and decompose, generating combustible gases. These gases can accumulate inside the casing and cause overpressure that ruptures the casing and projects flames and fragments far away.

The factors that can cause an internal failure in transformation centers are diverse, such as aging, deterioration, lack of maintenance, overloads, short circuits, lightning strikes or vibrations. These failures can affect the insulation, connections, contacts or coils of the devices or transformers, causing electric arcs that initiate the combustion of the dielectric liquid.

To prevent and protect transformation center explosions, a series of measures must be adopted, both in the design, installation, maintenance and operation of these facilities. Some of these measures are:

Choose dry or encapsulated type transformers, which do not contain flammable liquids and have a lower risk of fire.

Use dielectric liquids with a high flash or combustion point, such as silicone oil, which reduce the probability and consequences of a fire.

Avoid the use of pyralenes or other toxic liquids, the use of which is prohibited due to their danger to health and the environment.

Separate appliances or transformers that contain flammable liquids with partitions or screens made of non-combustible and resistant material, to limit the spread of an explosion or spill.

Install fixed automatic extinguishing systems suitable for this type of installation, such as halon or CO2, in cases where the volume of the flammable liquid exceeds certain limits established by regulations1.

Have mobile fire extinguishers with 89 B efficiency in those facilities where the fixed system is not mandatory, placing them outside and at a distance of no more than 15 meters.

Provide safety elements that prevent the explosion of the enclosure in the event of an internal defect and choose the directions of fluid escape to avoid harm to people.

Carry out periodic preventive and corrective maintenance of the facilities, following the instructions and specifications of the manufacturers and electrical companies.

Comply with the technical and regulatory requirements established in the Regulation on technical conditions and safety guarantees in power plants, substations and transformation centers and other applicable provisions.

Explosions in transformation centers are a risk that can be avoided or minimized with adequate management and control of electrical installations.

It is the responsibility of both owners, operators and users to comply with the necessary security measures to guarantee the protection of people and property.

A transformation center is an electrical installation that receives high voltage energy and reduces it to a voltage suitable for domestic or industrial consumption.

Some people are concerned that living near a power plant may increase the risk of cancer due to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by power lines.

However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no conclusive scientific evidence that low-frequency EMF, such as those emitted by processing plants, are harmful to human health.

The WHO states that epidemiological studies conducted to date have failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between EMF exposure and cancer, and that the results are inconsistent and difficult to interpret due to methodological limitations.

However, the WHO recognizes that some studies have suggested a possible association between exposure to EMF and childhood leukemia, but clarifies that this association is weak and could be due to chance or confounding factors.

Therefore, WHO recommends further research on this topic and applying the precautionary principle, that is, taking reasonable measures to reduce exposure to EMF.

Some of the measures that can be taken to reduce exposure to EMF are: maintaining a safe distance from EMF sources, such as transformer centers or power lines, and using protection or shielding devices, such as filters or Faraday cages.

In conclusion, living near a processing center does not seem to necessarily imply a higher risk of cancer, but it cannot be completely ruled out either.

Therefore, it is recommended to follow the WHO recommendations and apply the precautionary principle to reduce exposure to EMF.

Depending on your physical location

All elements of the CT are housed inside a building or premises designated for this purpose.

All CT elements are housed inside a prefabricated concrete or metal envelope building.

All the elements of the CT are housed inside in an underground location, which is accessed through a trapdoor on the public road.

Underground transformation centers are electrical installations that are located below ground level and whose function is to reduce the voltage of the high-voltage network to a voltage suitable for domestic or industrial consumption. These centers are made up of various elements, such as medium voltage cells, transformers, low voltage panels and protection and safety accessories.

Underground transformation centers have some advantages over surface centers, such as reduced visual and environmental impact, optimization of space, greater safety against acts of vandalism or accidents, and less exposure to weather conditions. However, they also imply some drawbacks, such as the greater complexity and cost of civil works, maintenance and ventilation, the need to have a drainage and pumping system and the risk of flooding or corrosion.

To guarantee the correct functioning and safety of underground transformation centers, a series of technical and regulatory requirements must be met, such as those established in the High Voltage Installations Regulation, which regulates aspects such as construction characteristics, installation conditions, protection measures and periodic inspections. In addition, the recommendations and specifications of manufacturers and electrical companies must be followed.

Underground transformation centers are an increasingly used solution in urban environments or with space limitations, where the aim is to minimize the visual and environmental impact of electrical installations. However, their design, installation and maintenance require greater planning and care than surface centers, to ensure their efficiency and reliability.

This type of center consists of a transformer mounted on a support (pole) of a High Voltage Overhead Line. High voltage protections are generally made up of XS Cut-Out type fuses. Powers greater than 160 kVA are not usually used and their use predominates in rural areas.

Depending on its location in the electrical network

The CT is located at the end of a line, or is unique on that line. In the latter case it is usually called independent.

It only has one line input. Despite this, two line entry cells are installed, in anticipation of future expansions.

Passing CTs are centers located at the midpoint of a line. A line arrives at them from the substation or from another CT and leaves for the next one. They have a line entry and exit cell.

These CTs are a special case of pass center. In these it cannot be considered that the line enters and leaves, since in reality they are fed from both ends. This is the most used configuration in cities and industrial estates, as it provides good supply reliability.

In the transformation centers, oil-resistant rubber tile floors are placed, since cement floors are attacked by the oil from the transformers.

Transformation centers can be: