J & P Transformer Book, 13th Edition

Appendix 7: The use of finite-element analysis in the calculation of leakage flux and dielectric stress distributions

In the mid-1960s, when this work had already been published for over 40 years and revised at least 9 times, the application of computers was just beginning to revolutionise the transformer design process. Prior to this time the designer’s basic tool was the slide rule, and even this was capable of performing calculations which were considered to be more accurate than was required for the design of transformers. After all, the basic materials, paper and pressboard, were not very stable and the designer’s requirements could not be translated into reality with accuracies better than ±2 or 3 mm. Impedance and stray loss formulae ...