Pole and pedestal type transformers: differences and costs
- Grupo Edmar
- May 1
- 3 min read
Nov 12, 2022 - Electrical Transformers Mexico
Edmar Group, Irapuato, Guanajuato.
What is a pole-mounted transformer and a pad-mounted transformer?
To understand the difference between a pole-mounted transformer and a pedestal-mounted transformer, we need to understand their particular definition:
POLE TRANSFORMER
Pole-type transformers are those placed in overhead areas. To easily recognize them, just look at the connections at the top of the electrical cables. They are usually supported by thick wood or concrete. This type of transformer is the most widely used for urban and rural electrification in Mexico due to its ease of installation and diverse variety of low- and high-voltage connections.
These are designed to connect the medium-voltage grid to the low-voltage grid (they convert the distribution voltage to 120/240 volts) . They are typically found in schools, small businesses, shopping malls, or residential developments.
PEDESTAL TRANSFORMER
Pad-mounted transformers are one of the most widely used pieces of equipment in urban areas for various establishments due to their versatility, safety, and productivity. These transformers originate from underground distribution systems and are housed inside a sheet metal enclosure, which, due to its high resistance, can be placed outdoors. Their doors must have locks to ensure that the electrical connections are not accessible to unauthorized personnel.
It is common for these types of transformers to sometimes have radiators which must have metal reinforcements to protect them internally.
These teams are divided into two main zones:
The right side is where the low voltage terminals are located
The left side is where the medium voltage terminals are located
The two basic configurations in pedestal transformers are:
Radial configuration (Connects to the primary line and does not support tracking through it)
Mesh or ring configuration (The primary line is connected and other loads are admitted through it)
The correct configuration can be applied depending on the type of circuit needed in the project.
What is the main difference between a pole-mounted transformer and a pad-mounted transformer?
Pole-type transformers are located at height and are connected directly to medium-voltage cables. Pole-type transformers look like the photo below:
Pad-mounted transformers, unlike pole-mounted transformers, are connected underground and have a cabinet that prevents their components from being exposed to the public. Pole-mounted transformers look like the photo below:
To identify the specific differences between these two types of transformers, you can review the following comparison table , where you'll find detailed characteristics of pedestal and pole-mounted transformers, whether single-phase or three-phase.
How much does a transformer cost?
A transformer costs approximately $20,000 Mexican pesos. However, its price varies greatly depending on its KVA capacity and a couple of additional factors.
A pole transformer costs around $17,000 Mexican pesos but can cost up to $80,000 in its higher KVA capacity versions.
It's worth noting that pedestal transformers are more expensive, starting at approximately $22,000 pesos and reaching up to $230,000 pesos for those with a higher capacity.
Transformers of any type and class are always subject to market value at the time of sale. Therefore, prices can vary greatly depending on the cost of inputs.
One of the main factors when determining the price of a transformer is the market cost of the metal, as most of its components have a direct impact and substantially increase the unit price. Another very important factor is product demand. There are certain situations or seasons that can significantly increase the flow of transformer sales, causing saturation and extending delivery dates. Therefore, delivery speed is another crucial factor when determining the final price.
Transformers are mainly subject to the following factors when defining their price:
KVA capacity
Transformer class
Transformer quality
Required standard
Market cost of metal and inputs
Urgency of delivery
Place of delivery
Product warranty
However, these are just some of the main factors that determine the final price of a transformer, but in practice, hundreds of additional factors can be involved, causing variations in the public price.
It is highly recommended that when quoting a transformer, you consult a company with a high level of professionalism and high-quality products, as in most cases, the lowest prices on the market do not always reflect high performance.
How do I know which transformer I should buy?
The first step in determining what type of transformer is required is to determine the type of connections and the purpose of the transformer. It may seem like a complicated task, but with the help of the explanation in this article, you'll have a small idea of which transformer would be a better option.
After that, it's always good to identify the KVA capacity you'll need. This is usually a bit more complex, so we recommend you contact a specialist on the subject. And the questions you can base your decision on are:
Article written by Grupo Edmar
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