Installation
Installation location
The transformer should be located on a concrete pad of 
sufficient strength to support the weight of the unit. The 
pad must be level. The location of the transformer, whether 
indoor or outdoor, should provide for adequate accessibility, 
ventilation and ease of inspection. The transformer should 
be at least 24 inches from any obstruction. These are 
the recommendations of the manufacturer for operation 
purposes; see your local codes for additional guidelines. 
Location in areas of corrosive chemicals should be avoided.
These substation transformers are built to operate at 
altitudes up to 3300 feet at 30°C average and 40°C 
maximum ambient, unless otherwise specified. Before 
operating a standard transformer at higher altitudes, contact 
your factory representative.
Adequate ventilation must be provided. For indoor 
installations, room air inlets should be located at floor level; 
the air outlets should be located as high as the room will 
permit. The number and size of the air inlets depends upon 
the rating of the transformer. In general, about 20 square 
feet each of inlet and outlet area should be provided for 
each 1000 kVA of transformer capacity. If the ventilation 
system is adjustable, it should be locked permanently open 
to avoid overheating of the transformer in case of operator 
error. 
Connections
Connections must be made without placing undue stress 
on the bushing terminals. Conductors should be securely 
fastened in place and supported properly, with allowance 
for expansion and contraction. Make sure that the tap 
connection is proper for the required voltage. Changes in 
tap connections must be done ONLY with the transformer 
high voltage and low voltage circuits completely  
"DE-ENERGIZED". Safely verify that there is no voltage 
present at the terminals.
 
WARNING 
Do not change connections on a transformer that is 
energized. Ground all circuits before making any trans-
former connection. Failure to observe precautions when 
making connections can result in exposure to high volt-
ages, which can cause death, severe personal injury or 
damage to the equipment.
 
WARNING 
Do not make any connections, except as authorized  by 
the nameplate or  schematic. Improper connections 
can result in severe personal injury and damage to the 
equipment.
Transformers equipped with an internal terminal board are 
normally shipped with the higher voltage connected, unless 
otherwise specified by the customer.
A secure and effective low resistance ground is essential 
for protection. The transformer must be grounded perma-
nently by connecting a heavy ground cable to the ground 
pad located at the bottom of the tank. If the transformer is 
designed for operation in a solidly grounded neutral system, 
the neutral connection should be solidly and permanently 
grounded with minimum resistance.
WARNING 
Improper grounding may result in personal injury or 
damage to the equipment. 
Lightning arresters are recommended for every trans-former 
installation. Arresters of proper rating should be located as 
close as possible to the transformer terminations.
When alarm contacts or controls are supplied with the 
transformer accessories, a connection box may be provided 
to facilitate termination of the customer's cable or conduit.
Final inspection
The final inspection can be done in three major steps: 
Electrical, Internal and External. 
WARNING 
Do not tamper with interlocks, alarm or control circuits.  
Doing so can produce unsafe conditions for operators or 
result in damage to the equipment.
Electrical inspection should determine that:
1.   All external connections have been made properly 
(phasing of connections to terminal bushings, etc.).
2.  All connections are tight and secure.
3.  All accessory contact circuits are operational.
4.  Current transformer circuits, if supplied, have secondar-
ies either shorted or connected through their load.
5.  Tap changer is operative and properly positioned.
6.  The correct transformer ratio exists for units furnished 
with internal terminal board.
7.   There is no grounding of windings that are not 
intended to be grounded. A 1000-volt megger test is 
recommended.
8.  There is continuity in all windings.
9.  The dielectric strength of the insulating liquid is  
30 kV minimum when new. (Refer to section for 
"Testing Insulating Liquid" in this manual.)
10.  The neutral and ground connections have been properly 
made. 
2 SubStation tranSformer inStallation and partS replacement information   MN202002EN   JUNE 2016