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How stringent specifications for military transformers are met

Rugged military environments in airborne, space, missile, shipboard and other military applications expose transformers to the toughest conditions. Military transformers must be designed to withstand harsh elements they are commonly exposed to including wind, lightning, extreme temperatures, water exposure, explosions, drops and even electromagnetic fields. 

Electrical transformers for the military are designed to provide peak performance in the most challenging environments. 

Meeting stringent specifications for military transformers

Military standards are established to ensure performance for military power supplies and transformers when it’s needed most. A few of the specifications include:

  • MIL-E-917: This specification covers Naval shipboard electric power equipment’s design, materials and construction.
  • MIL-S-901D: This verifies the ability of shipboard installations to withstand shock loadings for shipboard equipment and systems.  
  • MIL-STD-167: This establishes requirements for environmental and internally excited vibration testing of Naval shipboard equipment.
  • MIL-T-16315, Revision D: This specification covers small, dry type, step-down, power transformers for use on Naval ships.
  • MIL-T-27E: This specification covers transformers weighing 300 pounds or less or having root-mean-square (rms) test-voltage ratings of 50,000 volts or less. It also covers high-power pulse transformers with a peak pulse power greater than 5 watts.

Overcoming the challenges

Military transformers must last for a long time in the field without needing repair. To make this possible, transformers are designed with tough features for maximum durability. Advanced designs yield smaller sizes, lower weights and higher efficiencies for peak transformer performances in challenging environments.

Here are some of the ways military transformers offset challenges to ensure performance.

  • Vibration and shock: Movement abounds in military environments due to explosions, acceleration, wind drops and other factors. Military transformers can be adapted for shock and vibration with encapsulation, component staking (applying an adhesive to support components) or changing the board layout.
  • Water: A hermetic seal or a conformal coating can protect circuit boards that may be exposed to moisture like high humidity, rain, and water spray from the ocean.
  • Sand and dust: Transformers can be protected from the detrimental effects of sand and dust with a hermetic seal or conformal coating.
  • Noise levels: Due to tactical needs, noise levels must be reduced for some military transformers. This can be accomplished using shims, a stack of thin laminations.
  • Electromagnetic radiation (EMI): Lightning, interference from circuits and noise from man-made or natural factors can cause failure to a transformer due to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMI). EMI in military applications such as ground vehicles, planes and helicopters can be reduced with a military-grade EMI filter or shielding.

SNC’s military transformers rise to the demands

SNC’s rugged, dependable military-grade electrical transformers are built to meet stringent military standards and are designed for low loss performance, less audible noise and reliable operation.

SNC’s single- and three-phase military transformers meet the guidelines of the following requirements:

  • MIL-E-917
  • MIL-S-901D
  • MIL-STD-167
  • MIL-T-27

The transformers contain a dual frequency rating for 50/60 Hz and offer the ability to receive input power that ranges from 115 to 600 volts and deliver output power that ranges from 23 to 240 volts.

Questions on SNC’s military transformers?

For more information on our reliable military transformers, view details on our website or contact us with questions.