Beware that maintaining, designing, diagnosing and evaluating transformer performance are interrelated but at the same time distinct in orientation and goals. Everything could be learned in my opinion but will be more efficient if you should focus in area one at a time.
Source to learn those topic may be power systems courses in advance graduate programs, seminars, vendor presentations, online courses or self-studying in book, IEEE, IEC, Cigre, EPRI, NETA, Doble Engineering, publication and papers, tutorials, power system, etc.
Be patient since this is not an overnight learning process and could take some time. NOTE: Unless you are in the transformer-manufacturing sector, there is not clear benefit for any application engineer learns how to design and build transformer. On the other hand, if you are a field or commissioning engineer, you may need to focus in maintaining, testing, troubleshooting and repair the unit. If you are in the consulting engineering side of the business selecting, sizing, specifying and evaluating transformer are common tasks. Other related areas may be on system study or perhaps determine the transformer performance in steady states or transient condition, reliability study, insulation coordination, transformer protection, losses evaluation, etc
Here is some example find in the net that make help to understand how wide may be this field:
The best course available is the Doble "Life of a Transformer" program held in the US each February. Last year 400 people attended this week long course, which has 30 guest speakers (best of the best in the industry) deliver one hour presentations on their area of expertise. The course also had a trip to the GE Bradenton transformer manufacturing plant, where you could actually witness the things that you learned in the lectures. The course is setup to discuss transformers from cradle to grave, which means that they talk about specifications, design, manufacturing, factory testing, transportation, site design, installation, field testing, commission testing, operations, loading, maintenance, repairs, and failure. The course also gets into specific components, such as load tap changers, surge arresters, control cabinets, bushings, etc. I highly recommend it to anyone at all levels from beginner to expert.
I used to work at the Palmetto (Bradenton) plant, it is very impressive and you learn alot about transformers just walking through. I agree the doble course is very good but I would say it is not for the novice, it is on a pretty high level. Great for someone with a good base knowledge of transformers.
Cool thx for that peepz. Someone in my company said the SD myers one is too basic and I have the half century manual here with me too.The Doble course sounds great. will definitely try to go to that one
For some background reading, or just to look impressive on your bookshelf, check out the J&P Transformer Book. You will get much more out of your course if you have a degree of understanding before you attend.
the copy I have is OLD ass tho i think its from the 70s... I also have blume.... also a pretty old copy I tink