In many mining operations, the substation isn’t even located in a machine room. It’s set up wherever the project allows: outdoors, exposed to dust in the air, rain, and heat that builds up throughout the workday.
That was the starting point for one of the export orders we recently shipped from our plant in Funza, Cundinamarca, to Peru: a 350 kVA, 15/1.1/1.1 kV Class F encapsulated Seco-type double-secondary three-phase transformer, designed for outdoor installation and to maintain its performance under real operating conditions.
The challenge: an open-air substation
When a transformer is to be left exposed, two conflicting requirements arise. On the one hand, it must be protected from dust and water. On the other hand, the heat it generates while operating must be removed, because enclosed equipment without proper thermal management ends up operating above recommended levels.
In a dry-type transformer, this is one of the most critical factors: air is its cooling medium. Since there is no oil to help dissipate heat, what happens to the airflow inside a closed enclosure largely determines its performance.esempeño.
In mining, moreover, particulate matter is constantly present, and the continuity of the power supply sustains the entire operation. The requirement was clear: equipment that is sealed off from the environment and, at the same time, actively cooled.
The equipment: Transformer with dual secondary windings on the low-voltage side, 350 kVA, 13.2/0.48/0.38 kV, K4 factor
At the heart of the solution is a 350 kVA encapsulated dry-type three-winding transformer with a voltage rating of 13.2/0.48/0.38 kV. The dual-secondary configuration allows for simultaneous operation at two output voltage levels from a single core and primary winding, which is useful in industrial facilities where the substation must accommodate limited space.
As a dry-type transformer, it does not use oil as an insulating and cooling medium. In a mining operation, this means there is no liquid that can spill, no containment pits, and no periodic fluid analysis to manage on-site. For this project, the transformer was not delivered as a standalone unit. It was integrated into an enclosure specifically designed for its workplace.
IP66 (NEMA 4) protective enclosure with forced ventilation and active heat extraction system.
The equipment is mounted in a protective enclosure with an IP66 rating, equivalent to NEMA 4. According to the IEC 60529 classification, this means that the enclosure is dust-tight and resistant to high-pressure water jets from any direction. In practice, this is the level of protection needed where dust and rain are part of everyday conditions.
To address thermal management, the enclosure incorporates a forced-air ventilation system and active heat extraction. Air is circulated in a controlled manner so that the transformer can dissipate the heat it generates, even while inside a sealed enclosure. The enclosure’s design also incorporates weather-resistant details: a gabled roof to prevent water from accumulating on the cell, a side module with grilles connected to the ventilation system, and protective covers over the door openings and viewing windows that allow the interior to be inspected without opening the equipment.
The result is a unit designed to operate normally outdoors, without relying on a shelter or ideal installation conditions.
The solution for the team Tesla Transformers
Our job was to understand where the equipment would operate and design the complete solution around that reality: the transformer, the enclosure, and its cooling system as a single unit, all manufactured at our plant.
Since this was equipment intended for export, every detail of the preparation mattered. We apply the same level of care to everything that leaves our facilities, and our support continues even after shipment: our technical service team is available to answer questions about installation and provide recommendations for preventive maintenance.
From mining to renewable energy and industry
Although this solution was originally developed for mining applications, we are now applying it to renewable energy projects, industrial facilities, and any operation where the transformer cannot be installed indoors. Solar farms, plants in open areas, or expansion projects where there is no available built-up space all face the same challenge: the equipment must be protected from the environment without compromising its operating temperature.
Behind this transformer lies more than 40 years of experience in the design and manufacture of dry-type, oil-filled, and pedestal-type transformers, as well as substations. Today, we operate from our plant in Funza, Cundinamarca, where we have expanded our production capacity and now feature a larger electrical testing facility with greater capacity.
We are an ISO 9001:2015-certified company by Icontec and manufactured in accordance with national NTC standards and international IEEE and IEC standards. This foundation enables us to undertake projects in Colombia and export to countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, among others.
Does your project operate under demanding conditions? If you need a transformer that can operate outdoors, in dusty environments, or in spaces without an electrical room, let’s talk! Our technical team can help you determine the right configuration for your operation.
📞 +57 318 282 6314
✉ servicioalcliente@tesla.com.co
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