concrete pad for switchboard and transfomer

[anbm]

Wondering why indoor large transformer and switchboard , switchgear need concrete pad? What's the purpose?
Code requires? Thank you.

 

[gadfly56]

Wondering why indoor large transformer and switchboard , switchgear need concrete pad? What's the purpose?
Code requires? Thank you.

No code requirement in the NEC I'm aware of. In my experience, all permanent fixed equipment gets a "housekeeping" pad or is otherwise elevated (Unistrut rack, e.g.). But that's my experience.

 

[Carultch]

Wondering why indoor large transformer and switchboard , switchgear need concrete pad? What's the purpose?
Code requires? Thank you.

The purpose of a housekeeping pad is usually structural, as opposed to an NEC requirement. It helps distribute point loads from equipment with a localized footprint into a global load distributed over every square inch beneath the equipment. It also allows for anchoring of equipment, when anchoring requirements exceed what the structural floor is capable of withstanding, converting a few deep anchors into several distributed anchors that support the same seismic load with less embedment. Additionally, it helps keep the base of equipment clear of debris and water intrusion.
http://www.kineticsnoise.com/seismic/design/a/A2 - Housekeeping Pads.pdf

 

[petersonra]

Wondering why indoor large transformer and switchboard , switchgear need concrete pad? What's the purpose?
Code requires? Thank you.

don't "need" it. It is to keep it elevated above floor level so it is easier to clean around.

 

[ron]

Other than very heavy transformers (structural needs different than the rest of the slab), it is usually only for housekeeping.

 

[infinity]

They're also used to keep the equipment elevated in case there is a water leak. In machine rooms there will typically be a floor drain so the water probably won't get to the equipment that's on a 4" pad.

 

[JoeStillman]

Another benefit of a housekeeping pad is that it gives you a place to embed steel leveling rails at a point on the construction timeline after the floors are poured. Leveling rails will make alignment at the shipping splits a breeze.

 

[infinity]

Another benefit of a housekeeping pad is that it gives you a place to embed steel leveling rails at a point on the construction timeline after the floors are poured. Leveling rails will make alignment at the shipping splits a breeze.

Yup we embed steel rails in pads for generators.