In 1932, Trantech embarked on its mission to provide a wide range of cus- tomers with cooling products. We started with milk delivery truck cooling plates before evolving into transformer cooling radiators for Westinghouse. Today, we continue to lead the industry with products and services that provide our customers around the globe with trusted products.

The Power to Protect

Corrosion remains the largest contributor to transformer cooling system failures; however, new threats have emerged for these components that keep our assets cool. Ballistic attacks, fires, and other terrorist events, also known as human incidents, have increased by +382% from 2017 to 2022 according to the Department of Energy. Over 60% of known ballistic attacks on transformers are directed at the radi- ator cooling systems due to their large footprint and thin materials, we set our sights on future product developments to meet these challenges. In 2023, Trantech launched the TRANPROTECH® line of ballistic radiator protection panels. From a distance, these innovative panels resemble normal radiator plates but, they are actually UL 752 Level 8 ballistic panels.

These panels are also rated for 1-hour of direct flame fire and can absorb bullets with no palling or ricochet for rounds up to 7.62 (AK-47). They will absorb 5 shots within a 5” square. Typical AR-15 rounds pose no threat to these radiator-mounted panels, with no compromise in cooling efficiency. This innovation showcases the ingenuity of the Trantech Engineering team.

The Power to Respond

While developing new products around grid support and protection over the last two years, Trantech has never lost sight of the fact that our loyal customers need reliable products and deliveries for their role in ensuring grid resiliency. Our commitment to these efforts led Trantech on a path to further upgrading our manufacturing processes. In 2023, following years of development and large capital investment, we launched our new hybrid radiator product. Partnering with Weldbot LLC, Trantech developed this innovative piece of equipment to replace our Brazed Radiator Product line. It has been an overwhelming success, continuously enhancing our efficiency, reliability, and potential output.

These hybrid radiators support a growing 50-3000kVA distribution transformer market. State-of-the-art robotics integration, utilizing Fanuc robotics and Fronius welding systems, lies at the heart of our one-of-a-kind CMT welding cell. This process produces superior welded joints along with cleaner welded areas. Additionally, the new process reduces the environmental footprint of integral header radiator production by more than 30%. This combination of superior product quality, enhanced reliability, longer lifespan, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes is a significant win for both Trantech and our customers. This combination of superior product quality, enhanced reliability, longer lifespan, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes is a signifi- cant win for both Trantech and our customers.

The Power to Restore

In today’s global transformer manufacturing landscape, where components come from various locations, this assurance provides peace of mind to Trantech MAC unit owners. Another breakthrough product to combat events such as overheating trans- formers or attacks that compromise cooling systems is the Trantech MAC unit.
Offering a range from 40 to 215kW of cooling capacity per unit with 3-stage capability (ONAN, ONAF, and OFAF), these units are designed to operate in the harshest environments for decades. They are compatible with most transformer styles. One notable feature of the Trantech MAC unit is the guaranteed stock of all replacement parts, which can ship the same day in most cases. In today’s global transformer manufacturing landscape, where components come from various locations, this assurance provides peace of mind to Trantech MAC unit owners. Feedback from our customers on these newly designed units has been overwhelmingly positive, citing benefits such as:

• Providing protection for overheating transformers or those with compromised cooling capacities
• Availability of emergency cooling for short periods
• Availability of long-term cooling solutions
• Potential to reduce downtime in the event of a terrorist attack
• Utilization of industry-standard cooling methods and technology
• Self-contained and portable design
• With mission-ready trailer packages available, Trantech currently has MAC units in production for major utilities and will soon commence production on a rental fleet.

How Trantech Views Reliability and Resiliency

While reliability and resiliency are crucial topics when discussing our current power grid, these principles also apply to Trantech's manufacturing and product development processes. Investments in innovative technology, improved process- es, and our quality focused workforce have enabled Trantech to remain a trusted source for transformer components for almost a century. Utilizing the Trantech Operating System (TOS), we focus on improving reliability for our customers
using Lean Manufacturing principles. This same system, along with prioritizing the deployment of new products and initiatives that support our customers’ future needs, adds to our resiliency as a company. Partnering with our suppliers to ensure the continuity and availability of materials, just as our customers partner with Trantech, are key steps in preventing high-consequence disruptive events. These disruptions are becoming more frequent in the transformer component market due to the unpredictability of factors such as ocean cargo congestion, material shortages, and geopolitical issues. Trantech prepares for these challenges, as any great supplier should, to protect our customer base.

About Trantech

Trantech is the most customer-oriented and diverse manufacturer of power transformer cooling systems in North America. Today, Trantech offers engi- neering or re-engineering for any type of transformer cooling system solution internationally. We provide cooling products, components, and services to a wide range of global industries, including transformer manufacturers, fossil fuel and nuclear power generating facilities, as well as petrochemical sites.

This article was originally published in the June 2024 issue of the Transformers Technology magazine, which you can access here.