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Home / Technical Articles / 6 Transformer Types You Can See In Commercial Installations

Transformer Types & Characteristics

Transformers in commercial installations are normally used to change a voltage level from a utility distribution voltage to a voltage that is usable within the building, and are also used to reduce building distribution voltage to a level that can be utilized by specific equipment. Applicable standards are the ANSI C57 Series and NEMA TR and ST Series.

6 Transformer Types You Can See In Commercial Buildings
6 Transformer Types You Can See In Commercial Buildings (photo credit: iml.bg)

The following six types of transformers are normally used in commercial buildings:

  1. Substation
  2. Primary-unit substation
  3. Secondary-unit substation (power center)
  4. Network
  5. Pad-mounted
  6. Indoor distribution

Many other types of transformers are manufactured for special applications, such as welding, constant voltage supply, and high-impedance requirements. Discussion of the special transformers and their uses is beyond the scope of this recommended practice.


1. Substation Transformers

Used with outdoor substations, they are rated 750-5000 kVA for single-phase units and 750-25 000 kVA for three-phase units.

High voltage transformer 40MVA
High voltage transformer 40MVA (Steps down 150kv to 10kV in a substation in Belgium. Photo taken 1983.)

The primary voltage range is 2400 V and up. Taps are usually manually operated while de-energized; but automatic load tap changing may be obtained. The secondary voltage range is 480-13 800 V. Primaries are usually delta connected, and secondaries are usually wye connected because of the ease of grounding the secondary neutral.

The insulation and cooling medium is usually liquid. High-voltage connections are on cover-mounted bushings. Low-voltage connections may be cover-mounted bushings or an air terminal chamber.

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2. Primary-Unit Substation Transformers

Used with their secondaries connected to medium-voltage switchgear, they are rated 1000-10 000 kVA and are three-phase units. The primary voltage range is 6900-138 000 V. The secondary voltage range is 2400-34 500 V.

Primary-Unit Substation Transformer
Primary-Unit Substation Transformer (photo credit: actom.co.za)

Taps are usually manually changed while de- energized; but automatic load tap changing may be obtained. Primaries are usually delta connected. The type may be oil, less-flammable liquid, air, dry, cast-coil, or gas. The high-voltage connections may be cover bushings, an air terminal chamber, or throat. The low-voltage connection is a throat.

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3. Secondary-Unit Substation Transformers

Used with their secondaries connected to low-voltage switchgear or switchboards, they are rated 112.5-2500 kVA and are three-phase units. The primary voltage range is 2400-34 500 V. The taps are manually changed while de-energized. The secondary voltage range is 120-480 V.

Trihal - Dry-type transformer 1600 kVA 10/0,42kV connected to busbar system Canalis KTA 2500A (Schneider Electric)
Trihal – Dry-type transformer 1600 kVA 10/0,42kV connected to busbar system Canalis KTA 2500A (Schneider Electric)

The primaries are usually delta-connected, and secondaries are usually wye connected. The type may be oil, less-flammable liquid, air, dry, cast-coil, or gas. The high-voltage connections may be cover bushings, an air terminal chamber, or throat. The low-voltage connection is a throat but it may also be by bus duct.

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4. Network Transformers

Used with secondary-network systems, they are rated 300-2500 kVA. The primary voltage range is 4160-34 500 V. The taps are manually operated while de-energized. The secondary voltages are 208Y/120 V and 480Y/277 V.

Network transformer - Subway type
Network transformer – Subway type (photo credit: pioneertransformers.com)

The type may be oil, less-flammable liquid, air, dry, cast-coil, or gas. The primary is delta connected, and the secondary is wye-connected. The high-voltage connection is generally a network switch (on-off-ground) or an interrupter-type switch with or without a ground position. The secondary connection is generally an appropriate network protector, or a low-voltage power air circuit breaker designed to provide the functional equivalent of a network protector.

A subway-type unit is suitable for frequent or continuous operation while submerged in water; a vault-type unit is suitable for occasional submerged operation.

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5. Pad-Mounted Transformers

Used outside buildings where conventional unit substations might not be appropriate, and are either single-phase or three-phase units. Because they are of tamper-resistant construction, they do not require fencing.

Pad-mount outdoor transformer
Pad-mount outdoor transformer

Primary and secondary connections are made in compartments that are adjacent to each other but separated by barriers from the transformer and each other. Access is through padlocked hinged doors designed so that unauthorized personnel cannot enter either compartment.

Where ventilating openings are provided, tamper-resistant grills are used. Gauges and accessories are in the low- voltage compartment.

  • These units are rated 75-2500 kVA.
  • The primary voltage range is 2400-34 500 V.
  • Taps are manually changed while de-energized.
  • The secondary voltage range is 120-480 V.

Primaries are almost always delta connected or special construction wye connected, and secondaries are usually wye connected. A delta-connected tertiary is not acceptable with a three-legged core unless an upstream device opens all three phases for a single-phase fault.

The type may be oil, less-flammable liquid, air, dry, cast-coil, or gas. The high-voltage connection is in an air terminal chamber that may contain just pressure- or disconnecting-type connectors or may have a disconnecting device, either fused or unfused. The connections may be for either single or loop feed. The low-voltage connection is usually by cable at the bottom; but it may also be by bus duct.

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The dry-type, pad-mounted transformer does not have the inherent fire hazards of the oil filled, pad-mounted transformer and frequently the dry-type, pad-mounted transformer is mounted on the roofs of buildings so that it will be as near to the load center as possible.

ANSI C57.12.22-1989 [5] applies to oil immersed units with primary voltages of 16 340 V and below.

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6. Indoor Distribution Transformers

Used with panelboards and separately mounted, they are rated 1-333 kVA for single-phase units and 3-500 kVA for three-phase units. Both primaries and secondaries are 600 V and below (the most common ratio is 480-208Y/120V).

Indoor substation transformer
Indoor substation transformer

The cooling medium is air (ventilated or nonventilated). Smaller units have been furnished in encapsulated form. High- and low-voltage connections are pressure-type connections for cables. Impedances of distribution transformers are usually lower than those of substation or secondary-unit substation transformers.

Indoor and outdoor distribution transformers are also available at primary voltages of up to 34 500 V and 150 kV basic impulse insulation level (BIL).

The majority of transformers for distributing power at 480 V in a commercial building are usually referred to as “general-purpose transformers” and secondaries are typically rated at 208Y/120 V. These transformers are mostly of the dry-type, and some of the smaller sized ones are encapsulated. General-purpose transformers are used for serving 120 V lighting, appliances, and receptacles.

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Other Transformer Types //

Virtually all power transformers used in commercial buildings are of the two-winding type, which may be referred to as isolating or insulating transformers, and are distinct from the one-winding type known as the autotransformer. The two-winding-type transformer provides a positive isolation between the primary and secondary circuits; which is desirable for safety, circuit isolation, reduction of fault levels, coordination, and reduction of electrical interference.

There are also a number of “specialty transformers” used for applications, such as x-ray machines, laboratories, electronic equipment, and special machinery applications.

Specialty transformers used in applications where the least amount of leakage current could cause an arc and ignite the atmosphere (such as in an oxygenated environment) or cause personal injury (such as in open heart surgery) will require an ungrounded secondary.

Direct-Current Electric Arc Furnace (DC EAF) Transformer
Figure 2 – Direct-Current Electric Arc Furnace (DC EAF) Transformer

In the most sensitive applications, the leakage current may be monitored and is controlled by introducing a grounded shield between the primary and secondary coils. Such a shield also reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI), which may be present in the primary.

Reference // IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Systems in Commercial Buildings

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Edvard Csanyi - Author at EEP-Electrical Engineering Portal

Edvard Csanyi

Hi, I'm an electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal. I worked twelve years at Schneider Electric in the position of technical support for low- and medium-voltage projects and the design of busbar trunking systems.

I'm highly specialized in the design of LV/MV switchgear and low-voltage, high-power busbar trunking (<6300A) in substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. I'm also a professional in AutoCAD programming.

Profile: Edvard Csanyi

17 Comments


  1. Alan. V.
    Mar 24, 2021

    Thanks for the reminding of this forgotten knowledge.I love to read, learn nd study the electrical field.


  2. JOSE E TRIANA G
    Mar 24, 2021

    felicitaciones , todos los dias reviso y estudio
    GRACIAS


  3. Md. Shafiqul Haque
    Jul 31, 2019

    I am a regular reader of EEP engineering article of Mr. Edvard Csanyi each morning for which I am grateful to him. We all are refreshing our forgotten knowledge.
    Thanks to Mr. Csanyi. Regards.


  4. alimon nyirenda
    Jul 31, 2019

    Manuel. If you have something to add to the article just do so. The information is much appreciated because the author took time to bring it out. As for you, it would be prudent to share your experience and insights that you feel was left out rather than sound the way you did.


  5. Yahaya Alhassan Mohammed
    Jul 30, 2019

    Dear Sir,
    I want to be part of this group, in order to broad base my Electrical Electronic Engineering foundation; and as well to get my self acquainted with the state of the earth technology.
    Thanks.


  6. Jorge Yanque
    Jul 30, 2019

    Muchìsimos transformadores en aceite de 33 kv y menos ya no usan los tanques conservadores q se ven en las fotos. Aquì en el Perù nadie te comprarìa un transformador con tanque. Actualiza el artìculo


  7. Mohamed Mahmoud
    Nov 08, 2017

    EXCELLENT ARTICLE


  8. Muhammad Zeeshan Sohail
    Apr 15, 2016

    Very nice article sir. please tell me that what is 20/26 in transformer. i know it’s a size of transformer but what’s the main function of 20/26


  9. Darshit Gupta
    Sep 09, 2015

    Dear sir
    I am Darshit Gupta from India and I want to join your team by somehow for learning and sharing my knowledge and skills. Please let me know is there any opportunity for an electrical engineer to join you who is having experience in project of 3750TPD cement plant.


  10. mike balster
    Mar 23, 2015

    The device in the picture labeled “outdoor padmounted transformer” is actually a padmounted capacitor bank.


  11. jaydevsinh
    Mar 20, 2015

    Feels like Home for electrical engineers.


  12. Warren Reid
    Mar 19, 2015

    This is a useful summary or introduction to utility power transformers.
    Most consulting electrical engineers only encounter the 480-208/120 step down dry type transformers as part of the receptacle circuiting design process for preparing plans and specifications of construction documents used for bidding or permitting a building project. Most utility electrical engineers rarely design anything inside a building or beyond the service transformer or metering demarcation.
    My only issue is that the pad mount transformer photograph is not typical. Most pad mount service transformers have two separate totally isolated compartments for the primary and secondary connections. Usually opening the right hand door only exposes the secondary “low voltage” (480 or 208V) bushings and cable lugs. These are often open to the atmosphere inside the transformer case. The left hand door is not only held closed by overlap with the right hand door, but also usually secured with a special tamper-proof five sided bolt to prevent access to the much more dangerous primary “medium voltage” (4,160 to 13,800V) bushings or cable stabs. These connections are typically fully covered by insulation and may be equipped with features that allow the primary cable to be safely disconnected or moved with a 10′ or longer insulated pole called a “hot stick” used only by specially trained and qualified utility employees. The transformer compartment may also have special “parking stabs” to allow the energized “hot” primary cable to be safely securely held while left disconnected from the transformer input as the transformer is tested or repaired. ‘Hope this helps !


  13. avhasei
    Mar 18, 2015

    hi, can you please help me by explaining the difference between MVA and MW capacity ratings on transformer and rectifiers.


    • Warren Reid
      Mar 19, 2015

      MVA and MW ratings are related by a so called “Power Factor” which is the cosine of the phase difference between the alternating Current voltage waveform and the current waveform. For most traditional calculations the power factor is assumed to be 0.80. So a 100 kW load on a generator or transformer is assumed to actually have a 125 kVA load when you multiply the magnitudes of the actual current times the actual voltage. the product of the voltage times the current is the sum of “real power” and “imaginary power.” Conceptually, only when the voltage and current waveforms overlap is real power consumed or delivered. A capacitive or inductive load causes the phase angles to separate and temporarily store the additional energy as electric fields across the insulation or magnetic fields around the conductors with each alternating electric cycle.
      When the load is purely resistive with no leading or lagging phase angle the phase difference is zero and the power factor is unity. because all the power is real and there is no imaginary power component or it is zero in magnitude. ‘Hope that helps !


  14. sinnadurai sripadmanabn
    Mar 17, 2015

    you didn’t mention pole mounted transformer and boosting transformer at the far end of power lines.


  15. Manuel Bolotinha
    Mar 17, 2015

    Very basic article; it has not any kind of additional information.


  16. Francisco
    Mar 16, 2015

    Nice article, Edvard. Thanks for sharing it.

    Regards!

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