Plate-Type Radiators for Cooling Systems of Transformers and Reactors

Plate-type radiators are mature, economical heat dissipation components widely adopted for oil-immersed electrical equipment. Apart from distribution transformers, they are also the preferred cooling solution for oil-immersed shunt reactors, series reactors and filter reactors. CST Heat Exchanger supplies high-quality plate radiators tailored for both transformer and reactor cooling systems, compatible with ONAN and ONAF cooling modes.

The plate radiator consists of welded steel plates forming sealed internal oil passages. Hot insulating oil inside transformers or reactors flows into the radiator under natural thermal convection. Heat transfers from oil to the outer surface of steel plates and dissipates into ambient air.

ONAN mode: Pure natural air convection, no fans required

ONAF mode: Equipped with axial fans to deliver forced air, boosting cooling capacity by 30%~50%

Application 1: Cooling for Oil-Immersed Transformers

Plate-type radiators serve medium and small-capacity oil-immersed distribution transformers up to 30MVA.

Typical scenarios: 10kV / 35kV urban distribution transformers, pad-mounted transformers, wind farm box transformers, industrial power supply transformers

Installation options: direct welded mounting, flange detachable side mounting, suspended mounting or independent support frame installation

Advantages: compact layout, fewer leakage points, low initial investment and simple daily maintenance

Application 2: Cooling for Oil-Immersed Reactors

Oil-immersed reactors generate continuous loss heat during operation, demanding reliable temperature control. Plate radiators are widely used for:

Shunt reactors in high-voltage substations

Series reactors, harmonic filter reactors for power quality improvement

Wind power and photovoltaic inverter side reactors

Key characteristics for reactor working conditions:

Reactors operate under long-term continuous load; stable heat dissipation effectively prevents overheating, suppresses hot spots and extends insulation service life. Most reactor projects adopt ONAF configuration to cope with high ambient temperature in summer.

At cstheatexchanger.com, we design and manufacture plate-type radiators according to the heat loss data, tank interface size and site environment of transformers and reactors. Custom brackets, flanges and anti-corrosion treatment are available.

Contact our engineering team via info@cstheatexchanger.com if you need technical drawing support and quotation.