Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation

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Electro Participant Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 3	Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 12:37 AM
	I recently saw a transformer placed directly on foundation rather than on rollers, and it was a 125MVA power transformer. Can there be any specific reason to do that, as it was fixed and wielded to foundation through base plate?
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dj95401 Guru Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saint Helens, Oregon Posts: 2216 Good Answers: 70	#1 Re: Transformer placed directly on foundation 07/31/2015 1:56 AM
	There is, if installed in California or Oklahoma, they don't want them rolling around during an EQ Oh yeah, maybe a better chassis ground too? __________________ Confucius once said, “ Ability will never catch up with the demand for it".
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Tornado Guru Join Date: May 2009 Location: Richland, WA, USA Posts: 21017 Good Answers: 795	#2 Re: Transformer placed directly on foundation 07/31/2015 1:56 AM
	Different local seismic conditions, maybe. I have never seen a transformer on rollers, and I wonder what wiring arrangements could accommodate a significant amount of rolling. Maybe RAM can tell us. __________________ In vino veritas; in cervisia carmen; in aqua E. coli.
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hrk Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 8	#3 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 4:56 AM
	The transformers are mounted directly on foundation to avoid their movement in earthquake situation. It is necessary to have their wheels locked or mount directly on foundation
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Just an Engineer Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2181 Good Answers: 255	#4 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 5:39 AM
	The only time I saw large transformers on rollers was to allow them to be removed from installed position (between isolation walls) into open space for major overhauls. I think there were four in that bank, but my memory of the site visit nearly 35 years ago is a bit hazy. If the transformer you saw was easily accessible, then it would not need to be moved for service. __________________ Just an Engineer from the land down under.
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SHOCKHISCAN Guru Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eastern Arizona mountains on Route 666 about a mile from God's country Posts: 1676 Good Answers: 122	#5 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 9:29 AM
	Other than medium and small portable power skids I have not seen any large transformers that were/are not sitting on a foundation and secured with bolts to the foundation base plate(s). All transformers vibrate and grow or shrink from changes in temperature so they must be secured to prevent movement. Seismic activity is one of the reasons for doing so and another reason to do so is so that the transformer bushings stay in alignment with their connections to avoid damage from horizontal stress. It is also very important that large transformers are evenly supported and level so that they do not suffer structural damage, develop coolant leaks, and/or suffer internal winding or lamination damage. __________________ They said; "Brain size?" I heard; "Train size?" so I said: "I'll take a small one, thank you."
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RAMConsult Guru Join Date: May 2007 Location: NYC metropolitan area. Posts: 3230 Good Answers: 444	#6 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 2:36 PM
	Rigid mounting is the norm, on rollers only in special situations such as high reliability/availability installations where the cost of downtime exceeds the extra cost of the sparing scheme. Putting 150 +/- tons on wheels is never a good idea, and if done, the transformer is rolled into place and then a base plate/frame is jacked up to meet the bottom frame and take most of the weight off of the wheels. Motion of any sort is bad for the bus work and cabling attached to the bushings. __________________ “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Ben Franklin.
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pnaban Guru Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: srilanka Posts: 2725 Good Answers: 5	#7 In reply to #6 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 11:23 PM
	Location of transformer should be adjustable for aligning the bushings to those on wall feeding power. __________________ pnaban
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RAMConsult Guru Join Date: May 2007 Location: NYC metropolitan area. Posts: 3230 Good Answers: 444	#8 In reply to #7 Re: Transformer Placed Directly on Foundation 07/31/2015 11:35 PM
	In other words the engineer(?) specifying the external dimensions of the transformer bushings doesn't know where the connections are, and a 150,000kg transformer has to be jockeyed around to fit??? Nonsense, that's the tail wagging the dog. __________________ “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Ben Franklin.
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