On this page 3 sections
A transformer is placement, protection, and a usable secondary — not a panel swap
A transformer job is placement, primary and secondary protection, grounding, and ventilation. It is not a panel swap. The load on the secondary and the available primary decide the kVA, not a round number.
A voltage the building does not have
Equipment that needs 208, 240, or 480 where the floor does not. Three-phase distribution around it is three-phase distribution.
The service may be short
Whether the building needs more capacity is commercial service upgrade.
The gear on the primary is the problem
Damaged service equipment is commercial panel replacement.
A transformer creates a separately derived system — grounded, protected, and sized for its load
The moment a transformer makes a new voltage, its secondary is a separately derived system with its own grounding and its own protection. Sizing is the load and its character, not a convenient round number.
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Grounded on the secondary
The secondary neutral is bonded and grounded as its own system — a system bonding jumper and a grounding electrode conductor. Skipping that is a safety finding, not a detail.
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Protected both sides
Primary and secondary overcurrent protection are sized to the transformer and the code, not borrowed from the nearest breaker. The secondary conductors have their own rules.
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Sized for real load
Continuous load, and nonlinear load from drives and IT gear, decide the kVA and whether a K-rated unit is warranted. Oversized wastes standby loss; undersized runs it hot.
When a transformer isn’t the right job
A dry-type transformer for a usable secondary is this job. Adding three-phase distribution, and increasing the service, are different pages.
The floor needs three-phase distribution, not a new voltage
That is three-phase distribution.
The service is short
That is commercial service upgrade.
Transformers questions
Is this just a bigger panel?
No. It is not a panel swap. A transformer makes a voltage the equipment can use. The can on the primary or secondary is a different page.
Do we already have three-phase?
Maybe not where the machine sits. Distribution is three-phase distribution. This job is the transformer when the voltage itself is missing.
Where does it sit?
Clearances, ventilation, and weight decide. A hot closet that worked for a panel often does not work for a transformer.
The existing transformer is noisy or hot.
Still this job if it is undersized or failing. A service that cannot carry the primary is commercial service upgrade.
What does an electrical transformer do?
It changes voltage for the equipment you have. A blown transformer is a replacement and a coordination with the utility or the building service.
Still not sure it is the right job? Call (279) 972-9272 — available 24 hours.
Serving 19 communities across the Sacramento area
Litel Electric serves businesses throughout all 19 communities in our service area — from Davis and Woodland to Roseville, Folsom, and Elk Grove.
Get estimate
Tell us what is happening, or what you are planning. We read the details, tell you what else we need to know, and explain the next step before anything is scheduled.
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You send the problem or the plan, with the address if you have it.
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We reply with what it involves and what has to be seen in person.
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Nothing is scheduled, and nothing is priced, until the equipment has been looked at.
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