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Home / Technical Articles / Sources of Sound in Transformers

Low Frequencies

Unlike cooling-fan or pump noise, the sound radiated from a transformer is tonal in nature, consisting of even harmonics of the power frequency. It is generally recognized that the predominant source of transformer noise is the core.

Sources of Sound in Transformers
Sources of Sound in Transformers (on photo: Original 1930’s transformer equipment at the SEPTA Lansdale railroad substation installed by the Reading Railroad)

The low frequency, tonal nature of this noise or buzzing makes it harder to mitigate than the broadband higher frequency noise that comes from the other sources.

This is because low frequencies propagate farther with less attenuation. Also, tonal noise can be perceived more acutely than broadband levels, even with high background noise levels. This combination of low attenuation and high perception makes tonal noise the dominant problem in the neighboring communities around transformers.

To address this problem, most noise ordinances impose penalties or stricter requirements for tonal noise.

Even though the core is the principal noise source in transformers, the load noise, which is primarily caused by the electromagnetic forces in the windings, can also be a significant influence in low-sound-level transformers. The cooling equipment (fans and pumps) noise typically dominates the very low-and very high-frequency ends of the sound spectrum, whereas the core noise dominates in the interme-diate range of frequencies between 100 and 600 Hz.

These sound-producing mechanisms can be further characterized as follows.

ABB transformer 50 - 30000 kVA up to 72,5 kV
ABB Distribution Transformers are manufactured in the range 50 – 30000 kVA, for operating voltages up to 72,5 kV. Transformers are three phase, mineral oil filled, naturally cooled (ONAN) and can be used in indoor and outdoor operations.

Core Noise

When a strip of iron is magnetized, it undergoes a very small change in its dimensions (usually only a few parts in a million).

This phenomenon is called magnetostriction.

The change in dimension is independent of the direction of magnetic flux; therefore, it occurs at twice the line frequency. Because the magnetostriction curve is nonlinear, higher harmonics of even order also appear in the resulting core vibration at higher induction levels (above 1.4 T).

Flux density, core material, core geometry, and the wave form of the excitation voltage are the factors that influence the magnitude and frequency components of the transformer core sound levels. The mechanical resonance in transformer mounting structure as well as in core and tank walls can also have a significant influence on the magnitude of transformer vibrations and, consequently, on the acoustic noise generated.


Load Noise

Load noise is caused by vibrations in tank walls, magnetic shields, and transformer windings due to the electromagnetic forces resulting from leakage fields produced by load currents. These electromagnetic forces are proportional to the square of the load currents.

The load noise is predominantly produced by axial and radial vibration of transformer windings.

However, marginally designed magnetic shielding can also be a significant source of sound in transform-ers. A rigid design for laminated magnetic shields with firm anchoring to the tank walls can greatly reduce their influence on the overall load sound levels.

The frequency of load noise is usually twice the power frequency. An appropriate mechanical design for laminated magnetic shields can be helpful in avoiding resonance in the tank walls. The design of the magnetic shields should take into account the effects of overloads to avoid saturation, which would cause higher sound levels during such operating conditions.

Studies have shown that except in very large coils, radial vibrations do not make any significant contribution to the winding noise.

The compressive electromagnetic forces produce axial vibrations and thus can be a major source of sound in poorly supported windings. In some cases, the natural mechanical frequency of winding clamping systems may tend to resonate with electromagnetic forces, thereby severely intensifying the load noise. In such cases, damping of the winding system may be required to minimize this effect. The presence of harmonics in load current and voltage, most especially in rectifier transformers, can produce vibrations at twice the harmonic frequencies and thus a sizeable increase in the overall sound level of a transformer.

Through several decades, the contribution of the load noise to the total transformer noise has remained moderate.

However, in transformers designed with low induction levels and improved core designs for complying with low sound-level specifications, the load-dependent winding noise of electromagnetic origin can become a significant contributor to the overall sound level of the transformer.

In many such cases, the sound power of the winding noise is only a few dB below that of the core noise.


Fan and Pump Sound

Power transformers generate considerable heat because of the losses in the core, coils, and other metallic structural components of the transformer. This heat is removed by fans that blow air over radiators or coolers. Noise produced by the cooling fans is usually broadband in nature.

Cooling fans usually contribute more to the total noise for transformers of smaller ratings and for transformers that are operated at lower levels of core induction.

Factors that affect the total fan noise output include tip speed, blade design, number of fans, and the arrangement of the radiators.

Reference: Jeewan Puri – Causes and Effects of Transformer Sound Levels

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

14 Comments


  1. seanthomas
    Oct 24, 2019

    There`s a transformer opposite my house . Comparing the tone on a tone generator on my laptop it is 101.75 Hz . The tone of my radio alarm clock is the same tone .When it is raining or drizzling the sound from the transformer is louder. I have a high pitch sound in my ears when i`m at home ,so I matched it to my tone generator and reduced it down the octaves to 152.625 Hz which is a perfect fifth an harmonic of the transformer tone. Therefore its not tinnitus as I first suspected but caused by the very high harmonics from transformers and other elecrtical devices . I think these frequencies cause harm to bialogical organisms . I sometimes suffer with migrains approx. one a month ,I think there`s a connection .Can the pitch be set to 229.5 Hz(root note `do`) because that resonates nicely with my body ,then the perfect fifth would be 344.25 Hz `so` (notice these numbers add up to 9) 18 (8+1=9) .`Ra`258.1875 zH ,`me` 286.85 Hz and `La` 387 Hz to complete the harmonic range .regards Sean .


  2. Praveen Kumar
    Nov 14, 2017

    We have replaced the transformer(950 kva) of wind turbine with repaired one.
    After charging transformer creating huge humming sound and DO fuse of Y,B phase has been blown

    Please describe the reason and test to be carried out to check whether transformer is ok or not.


  3. Abdelrazek S. Mohammed
    Sep 21, 2017

    very nice info.
    honestly , I have benefited from the valuable information you publish
    Thank you so much


  4. homayoon
    Dec 27, 2016

    thank you very informative text .


  5. Febrian
    Dec 09, 2015

    Hi Edward, How about determine transformer losses and efficiency using nameplate data or rule of thumb. My plant have lot of transformer with under utilize. The difference between low voltage kwh meter and utility company kwh meter difference is up to 30%.


  6. ishmael
    Mar 04, 2015

    True


  7. prasad
    Sep 21, 2013

    Edvard !! thank you for giving such a excellent articles and videos regarding electrical engineering ..


  8. brian mumbo
    Jan 23, 2013

    the transformer makes noise or vibrates due to the effect of the magnetic field that is produced on the core windings of the transformer called magnetoristriction


  9. ahmed88power
    Oct 09, 2012

    i need to be perfect electric engineer, what i do , help me .i from egypt, fresh graduate, thank you all


    • Edvard
      Oct 09, 2012

      Well. in order to be a good engineer, you must learn as much as you can, and to find a decent job after studing. Try to find what you’re interested in the most and follow discussions.


  10. Krishna
    Nov 11, 2011

    Good article. Thanks.


  11. Edvard
    Nov 09, 2011

    Thank you very much, glad you find this article usefull. Transformer noise is sometimes very hard to remove or mitigate without actually repairing it.


  12. Musab2012
    Nov 09, 2011

    This Question : What is the Sources of Sound in Transformers? . I have been asked this Question in the Electric machines lab .Where our Lab engineer asked us to tell what is the source of sound in Transformers ! After reading this article ,I can now explain it to my engineer very well :D
    Thanks !


  13. Ibrahim Seder
    Nov 09, 2011

    Thanks Edvard, great article.

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