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Using silver plated copper wire in distribution transformer to reduce size and cost

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Q. I would like to use silver plated copper wire in the distribution transformer. It shall reduce the size of the transformer and the cost correspondingly. I would like to know if there is a possibility of putting this idea to practice and what is the procedure to make such a wire. The wire shall be covered by electrically insulated kraft paper and subjected to a voltage of 11000 Volts and shall be immersed in Transformer oil for cooling and providing electrical insulation. The problem shall be whether the silver plating will wear off in the oil and secondly whether it will peel off during the manufacture of transformer coil.

ARVIND AGARWAL
electrical engineer - ALLAHABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

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A. Hi, Arvind.

It will not peel off, and I wouldn't expect it to wear off. But certainly you can simply buy silver plated wire without having to install an electroplating plant and learning how to electroplate?

If you do wish to make silver-plated copper wire, please see the article E-Brite 50/50 -- A unique cyanide-free alkaline silver plating process by the site's supporting advertiser, EPI. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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July 11, 2011

A. Dear Mr. Arvind,

Because the wire is electroplated, peeling is not possible. Moreover transformer oil will act as an anti-tarnishing agent so the silver will never wear off.

There are manufacturers of this silver plated copper wires and transformers.

Gaurav Jain
- Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India