A39 -Technical Papers on Transformers during the first 25 years of Transformer Engineering (1885-1910)

Transformer was patented in 1885 and technical papers published during the first 25 years of transformer production are quite fascinating. One can get most of these papers from IEEE explorer web site. Some of these papers are really booklets, with 60-80 pages, including elaborate discussions by contemporary transformer experts.?

The below list is from a transformer book by H.M. Hobart, The Design of Static Transformers, published in 1911. These are the papers published in Journal of Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK) and Transactions of American Institute of Electrical Engineers (USA). There were other papers published in scores of technical journals published during that period, like The Electrician, published from London.

Some typical papers published in JIEE /IEEE during that period, but missing from the list are

1892- J.B. Williams, Oil versus air as an insulating medium (USA)

1893-A.E. Kennelly, Impedance (61 Pages, USA)

1894- C.P. Steinmetz, Frederick Bedell, Reactance (USA)

1909-H.W. Tobey, Recent developments in Transforming Apparatus (USA)

1911-E.C. Store; R.W. Atkinson, Cost of Transformer Losses (USA)

You may find some of these papers cover subjects that are relevant even today and being discussed. These seminal papers on transformer topics were written by prominent engineers of that time – Nicola Tesla and Steinmetz may not need any introduction. Crompton was the engineer from whom Indian Crompton Greaves came (earlier company name was Crompton Parkinson). C.C. Chesney was the General Manager of GE’s Pittsfield factory. Professor Ryan wrote some of the first transformer papers.

?Professor J A Fleming (1849-1945) wrote a very popular book on Transformers - The Alternate Current Transformer in Theory and Practice?– Vol 1 -Introduction of Electric currents; Vol 2-Utilization of induction currents", published by The Electrician" Printing and Publishing Company (1896) - that was the J&P Book of nineteenth century! Numerous editions of his two-volume book were published during 1889- 1900, to meet the insatiable demand from electrical engineers around the world. But later he left transformers to become the father of electronics by inventing thermionic valves and vacuum tubes. His interests shifted to radar and television during the twentieth century.

?1888

Gisbert Kapp, On Alternate-current Transformers. (Journal. Inst. Elec. Engineers., Vol. 17, p. 96.)

E.E.B. Crompton, Central Station Lighting; Transformers v. Accumulators. (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 17, p. 349).

1889

W.M. Mordey, Alternate -current Working. (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs, vol. 18, p. 583.)

H. J. RYAN, Transformer Curves, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 6.)

1891

James Swinburne, Transformer Distribution, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 20, p. 163.)

Dr. J.A. Fleming, On Some Effects of Alternating-current Flow in Circuits having Capacity and Self-induction., (Journal. Inst. Elec. Engineers., Vol. 20, p. 362.)

?Nikola Tesla, Experiments with Alternate Currents of very High Frequency, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engineers., Vol. 8, p. 267.)

1892

Alexander Siemens, Some Experimental Investigations of Alternate Currents, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 21, p. 164.)

Dr. J.A. Fleming, Experimental Researches on Alternate-current Transformers, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 21, p. 594.)

C.P. Steinmetz, On the Law of Hysteresis, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 9, pp. 3 and 621.)

1893

C.P. Steinmetz, Note on the Disruptive Strength of Dielectrics, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 10, p. 64.)

Frederick Bedell, Hedgehog Transformer and Condensers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 10, p. 513.) 1895.

?1895

C.P. Steinmetz, Theory of the General Alternating Transformer, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 12, p. 245.)

1896

Beeton, Taylor and Brar, Experimental Tests on the Influence of the Shape of the Applied Potential Difference Wave on the Iron Losses of Transformers, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 25, p. 474.)

C.K. Huguet, An Analysis of Transformer Curves, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 13, p. 207.)

?1898

W.F. White, Alternating -current Transformers from the Station Manager's View-point, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 15, p. 505.)

F.W. Carter, The Design of Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 15, p. 639.)

1899

W.L. Robb, Series Arc Lighting from Constant-current Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 16, p. 533.)

1903

F.O. Blackwell, Y or Delta Connection of Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 22, p. 385.)

1904

E.W. Rice Jr, The Relative Fire-risk of Oil Transformers and Air Blast Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 23, p. 171.)

W.S. Moody, Terminals and Bushings for High-pressure Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 23, p. 225.)

J.S.?Peck, The Use of Ground Shields in Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 23, p. 553.)

1906

Dr. D.K. Morris and G.A. Lister, The Testing of Transformers and Transformer Iron, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 37, p. 264.)

K.L. Curtis, The Current Transformer, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 25, p. 715.) 1907

J. Epstein, Testing of Electric Machinery and of Materials for Its Construction, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 38, p. 28.)

H. Bohle, Modern Transformer Design, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 38, p. 590.)

?H.W. Tobey, Relative Merits of Three-Phase and One-Phase Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 26, Part 1, p. 813.)

J.S. Peck, Relative Advantages of One-Phase and Three-Phase Transformers (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 26, Part 1, p. 817.)

C.C. Chesney, Forced Oil and Forced Water Circulation for Cooling Oil-insulated Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 26, Part 1, p. 835.)

S.M. Kintner, Choke-Coils versus Extra Insulation on the End windings of Transformers. (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 26, Part 2, p. 1169.)

W.S. Moody, Protection of the Internal Insulation of a Static Transformer against High-frequency Strains, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 26, Part 2, p. 1169.)

H.W. Tobey, Notes on Transformer Testing, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs,, Vol. 26, Part 2, p. 1169.)

1908

Dr. E. Goldschmidt, Standard Performances of Electrical Machinery, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 40, p. 455.)

Dr. H. Bohle, Magnetic Reluctance of Air Joints in Transformer Iron, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 41, p. 527.)

A.P.M. Fleming and K.M. Faye-Hansen, Transformers: Some Theoretical and Practical Considerations, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 42, p. 373.)

1909

E.G. Reed, Transformers, (Report of 32nd Annual Convention of the National Electric Light Association, held at Atlantic City in June, 1909, Vol. 1, p. 581.)

A.B. Reynders, Condenser Type of Insulation for High-tension terminals, (Trans. Am. Inst, Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 1, p. 209.)

K. C. Randell, High-voltage Transformers and Protective and Controlling Apparatus for Outdoor Installations, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 1, p. 189.)

L.W. Chubb, Method of Treating Transformer Core Losses giving Sine-wave Results on Commercial Circuits, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 1, p. 432.)

Lloyd and Fisher, The Testing of Transformer Steel, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 1, p. 439.)

Moody and Faccioli, Corona Phenomena in Air and Oil and Their Relation to Transformer Design, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 2., p. 769.)

L. T. Robinson, Electrical Measurements on Circuits Requiring Current and Potential Transformers, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 2, p. 1005.)

Hillebrand and Charters, Some Phases of Transformer Regulation, (Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 28, Part 2, p. 1253.)

1910

Marchant and Watson, High-tension Transmission on Overhead Lines, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 44, p. 423.)

?E.D. Gifford, The Influence of the Cooling Media upon the Rise in Temperature of Soft Iron Stampings, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 44, p. 753.)

Digby and Mellis, Physical Properties of Switch and Transformer Oils, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 45, p. 165.)

A. P. Young, Current Transformers, (Journ. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Yol. 45, p. 670.)

?J. J. Frank, Observation of Harmonics in Current and in Voltage Wave Shapes of Transformers, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 29, Number 5, p. 665.)

Adolph Shane, Determination of Transformer Regulation under Load and Some Resulting Investigations, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 29, Number 7, p. 1089.)

H. W. Tobey, Dielectric Strength of Oil, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 29, Number 7, p. 1171.

F. C. Green, Problems in the Operation of Transformers, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 29, Number 12, p. 1919.)

1911

Harris J. Ryan, Open Atmosphere and Dry Transformer Oil as High-voltage Insulators, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 30, Number 1, p. 1.)

J. M. Weed, Temperature Gradient in Oil-immersed Transformers, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 30, Number 1, p. 119.)

W. J. Wooldridge, Hysteresis and Eddy Current Exponents for Silicon Steel, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 30, Number 1, p. 139.)

H. R. Wilson, Commercial Problems of Transformer Design, (Proc. Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Vol. 30, Number 1, p. 143.

(Reference: Book by H.M. Hobart, The Design of Static Transformers, D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, 1911, Pages 12-15, under the title “A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT PAPERS WHICH HAYE BEEN PUBLISHED DURING THE LAST TWENTY-THEEE YEAES ON THE SUBJECT OF THE STATIC TRANSFORMER”)

Thousands of papers were published in later years on various aspects of transformer engineering. Industrious transformer engineers had published bibliography of these papers eg Papers on surge phenomena in transformers (P.A.Abetti in 1950s); transformer noise; optimization etc. The last one was,

2009-10 : Eleftherious I Amoiralis and others, Transformer Design and Optimization- A Literature Survey, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol 24,No.4,October,2009, Pages 1999-2024

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